Coachmen or Fleetwood

[BlueOvalMan]

Hi everyone. My first post here, been reading off and on for a couple of years now.
The wife and I have been considering changing class A's. We presently have a 2004 Forest River Reflection. We have narrowed our search to either a 2007 Coachmen Encore or a 2007 Fleetwood Revolution. Both units are very low mileage and both priced nearly the same, with the Encore being a bit more expensive.
These units are very different under the skin. Encore on a Freighliner raised rail chassis and Revolution on a Spartan chassis. Encore has a 330 Mercedes, Revolution 400 Cat. Encore rear rad, Revolution side rad.
It seems to me that the Fleetwood would be a step up from the coachmen but the prices don't seem to reflect that. These units do have different floor plans, we can live with either, but our preference leans to the Revolution.
What are everyone's feelings on the quality, driveablility livability of these two coaches? Also, are there any issues that we should be made aware of?
Thanks for you replies.
David.

[SarahW]

Why, the Fleetwood of course.

[TThorn]

Revolution without a doubt.... Don't even think about it... Coachmen is trash.

[flaggship1]

Hands down - Fleetwood.

[BlueOvalMan]

Ah, I see the Fleetwood owners club is on the case! We are definitely leaning the Fleetwood way, but the Coachmen is 600 miles closer and the dealer will take our unit in trade whereas the Revolution is a private sale so we have to sell our unit beforehand. Decisions, Decisions.
David.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by BlueOvalMan

Ah, I see the Fleetwood owners club is on the case!

Yeah, and if you get that Revolution, you can hang with us cool kids!! (Ok, you can still hang if you get the Coachmen. )

And...I think you answered your question about why the pricing is so close. The dealer is leaving some "negotiating" room and the private seller is probably not so flexible. Have you seen the RVs in person? Driven them? If you have been reading for a while, you probably know the drill...maintenance records, tire dates, etc.)

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by BlueOvalMan

Ah, I see the Fleetwood owners club is on the case! We are definitely leaning the Fleetwood way, but the Coachmen is 600 miles closer and the dealer will take our unit in trade whereas the Revolution is a private sale so we have to sell our unit beforehand. Decisions, Decisions.
David.

What's the rush. Plenty of fish in the sea. Not sure how long you've been looking but when it's right you'll know it, but 600 miles closer shouldn't be a part of the equation. Where you have to go to get it has no resale value, isn't condition related etc. It's just a one time convenience to you. As for the trade / versus sale that's another convenience that's less to your advantage than the dealers and not one you're likely to come out the winner in. JMHO - YMMV.

[BlueOvalMan]

Originally Posted by SarahW

Yeah, and if you get that Revolution, you can hang with us cool kids!! (Ok, you can still hang if you get the Coachmen. )

Well, thank you very much, it would be nice to hang with the "cool kids" for a change!

And...I think you answered your question about why the pricing is so close. The dealer is leaving some "negotiating" room and the private seller is probably not so flexible. Have you seen the RVs in person? Driven them? If you have been reading for a while, you probably know the drill...maintenance records, tire dates, etc.)

I agree, the dealer is definitely leaving a lot on the table. We bought our Reflection from him a couple years ago and he seems to want it back in trade, BUT, he also isn't doing much to help us out on the trade price. We have looked over the Coachmen pretty good, some small problems but mostly looks like new, and yes, have checked out all the maintenance we could find as well as doing a carfax. The Coachmen just seems to be a level down from the Revolution as far as features, finish and personal wants as well. We have not looked at the Revolution as of yet, and there are a few of them out there but we are in a very remote area so significant travel time would be involved to go look at these units and summer is not a time to be on the road for us, much to busy.

[milasman]

Fleetwood.

[SarahW]

Just funnin' ya about the cool kids thing.

Have you done any price comparison shopping of the two models? I believe the Revolution is a few notches above the Coachmen, too...but I have been wrong before.

[BlueOvalMan]

Originally Posted by SarahW

Just funnin' ya about the cool kids thing.

Have you done any price comparison shopping of the two models? I believe the Revolution is a few notches above the Coachmen, too...but I have been wrong before.

Of the ones we have found, after many hours on the net, they probably average out about the same when comparing mileage and such. There are not nearly as many Coachmen Encores out there as Revolutions either.
We were set on the Fleetwood until this Encore showed up and piqued out interest, I guess that is why I am asking the question here.
David.

[Trekkers]

Not knowing the circumstances but just comparing brand to brand, if everything else is equal, I would definitely go for the Fleetwood Revolution.
I don't own either, so I think I am unbiased and you might not want to hang with us anyway.
Oh, we did previously own a Bounder and then a Discovery, both Fleetwood products. So maybe I am a bit biased after all.
(You still may not want to hang with us.)
Irene

[Clayobx]

American Coach or Coachman? Come on now!!

[go6car]

I love my Coachmen 'trash', but it's a new 2013 model. A very different company now from back in '07 .

Provided both units were kept up/maintained well, I would definitely go with the Revolution. It's a sexy beast!

Best of luck!