Holiday Rambler or Mandalay, Which Coach to Choose

[IronRick]

Hi All,

Well, I have ruled out getting a fifth wheel trailer and decided on a Diesel Pusher.

I am looking at either ordering a 2005 Holiday Rambler or a 2005 Mandalay.

The Holiday is standard with the 400hp. while on the Mandalay I would have to option it. Both have the same Transmission "Allison MH 3000"

While the Holiday has been around for some time the Mandalay has only been produced for a few years by Thor / Four Winds.

I have driven both and was completly satisified with the ride and handling. The Holiday has Goodyear Radials 295/80R/22.5 while the Mandalay has Radials 275/80R/22.5

Which Coach do you think offers the best value and suitability for a fulltimer?

Thanks in advance for any and all input and recommendations.

Rick

[IronRick]

Hi All,

Well, I have ruled out getting a fifth wheel trailer and decided on a Diesel Pusher.

I am looking at either ordering a 2005 Holiday Rambler or a 2005 Mandalay.

The Holiday is standard with the 400hp. while on the Mandalay I would have to option it. Both have the same Transmission "Allison MH 3000"

While the Holiday has been around for some time the Mandalay has only been produced for a few years by Thor / Four Winds.

I have driven both and was completly satisified with the ride and handling. The Holiday has Goodyear Radials 295/80R/22.5 while the Mandalay has Radials 275/80R/22.5

Which Coach do you think offers the best value and suitability for a fulltimer?

Thanks in advance for any and all input and recommendations.

Rick

[LVJ58]

Although the Mandalay is a great looking coach, as you mentioned, they're kind of the new kid on the block. I've read many posts by Mandalay owners singing their praises. If the choice were mine, I believe I would go with the coach that has estalished a pretty good track record, that being Holiday Rambler or Monaco.

Good luck with your decision, Jim

The choice should be easy, the one with the best warranty-hands down. If the manufacture doesn't have enough confidence in their product to support it with a warranty longer then one year, I'm not going to warranty it for them.
It time the RV Industry started following the Auto Industry, they charge us way more then the products are worth, it's time they step up to the plate and act responsible.

Newmar has a great product and they have a 3 year 50 mile warranty. Check out the Mountain Aire equiped similar to what you have been looking at. You might be surprised.

Tomcat F15
"Weak warranties are a clear sign of weak confidence in a product."

["007"]

I have to agree with Tomcat, on this one, after reading all the problems people have with only a one year warranty an dealer delays in fixing the problems, I will stick with my third Newmar.
If I have any problem, an I have, its great to know that Newmar will be there weather its the first year or the third year, with the same dedication to their product.----"007"

[DriVer]

About Warranties lets try to give Mandalay Luxury Division credit where it is due.



The Presidio line of coaches can be obtained for 149,999.00. Now this isn't all that bad for a a 32,000 GVWR and 42,000 GCWR chassis. The CCC rating on these coaches truely accomodates the load expectations of the full timer at a very affordable price.

Compare this to a much more expensive coach that retails out at 200,000+ with a CCC of only 1600 pounds and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Presidio is built on the Workhorse R-Series rail with a Cummins 330 HP ISC engine.

[Steve Val]

I think you partially answered the question - look at the standard on the HR vs. what the Thor comes with. I looked at this coach out of curiosity when it first came out, and it seemed to me that nearly everything was an option. May have changed, but that was my impression.

[Wade & Michelle]

I have to agree that Newmar is a quality unit, since I own one. But guys, the 3 year warranty is a buy out by the mfg. and the cost is added to the unit cost. I am very familiar with the two units in question, (I do not sell either one), just compare the construction real close! my personal choice would be the HR by a mile.