Community Forums

triplenet · 07-27-2013, 03:54 PM

After spending a few weeks searching the forum and getting an education - I ventured over to the local RV dealer today to took at a few models..

Brand new AC Revolution, Tiffin Alegro Bus and a used 2005 Newmar Essex .....

My question - is the the type of quality I can expect at the 400k price point?

No disrespect to anyones coaches - but these units felt like they were put together using Home Depot fixtures and furnishing .....

Will I need to shift focus to a used Prevost/Newel/Foretravel to find real quality craftsmanship?

Again, not trying to be disrespectful at all - maybe I set the bar too high and need a dose of reality

Skip426 · 07-27-2013, 04:10 PM

No offence taken. With my pocket book they wouldn't even let me walk through, a coach over 100k.
Found a lot of plastic fixtures in my coach that originally retailed in 99 for 300k. So I can't even imagine the price point of a new coach that would have what your looking for.
Only advice ; Take your time , I'm sure you'll find it.

triplenet · 07-27-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

No offence taken. With my pocket book they wouldn't even let me walk through, a coach over 100k.
Found a lot of plastic fixtures in my coach that originally retailed in 99 for 300k. So I can't even imagine the price point of a new coach that would have what your looking for.
Only advice ; Take your time , I'm sure you'll find it.

Thanks - and again, I mean no offense to anyone - we all love our toys ... I fully understand we all have different price points and dont want to come off like a snob ... I have friends with some big boats I couldn't dream of ever affording

I was just surprised that such high end coaches really are just average builds ... To be fully honest, I figured the fit and finish of a 400k coach would be similar to my Lexus LS460 ... These coaches were more like a Suburban ...

Ok - Its a learning process for sure ...

Gary RVRoamer · 07-27-2013, 05:12 PM

Guess you better start looking at Prevost conversions and Newalls. Featherlite and Marathon do some lovely Prevost conversions, if you like that sort of thing.

The Revolution is no where near the top of the American Coach line, but your comment implies you would not be any more satisfied with an Eagle or a Heritage.

I can't imagine what you might think of an entry level coach such as a Thor Hurricane or a Winnebago Vista.

bdickson · 07-27-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triplenet

Again, not trying to be disrespectful at all - maybe I set the bar too high and need a dose of reality

Well, since you said it!

I agree with Gary, to get the quality you seek, you'd probably have to be looking at Newell's and the like.

jerichorick · 07-27-2013, 05:32 PM

Don't give up but don't be a snob either. The furniture and cabinet work in my rig is mixed in quality and looks. It is interesting how a manufacture can take a quality product like fine cherry or maple wood and in one place in the RV do and outstanding job and just a few feet away have the look of Dud Dolittle.

My cabinet work is very rich looking and easy on the eyes. The crown molding is a mess and the floor covering is installed poorly. The floor is stickdown tiles. That was the option of the previous owner. Many of the tiles are bulging from being too set incorrectly to begin with. So, yea the quality of the rigs out there varies but the biggest drawback is QUALITY CONTROL.

I found that if a good name coach is built in a year that has high demand the quality suffers. Fleetwood has suffered from the problem as they have tried to up the number of coaches produced each year. Winnebago is going through that now as their demand is way up, best ever.

So, as you shop find a floor plan and options you truly want. Then find the brand, model and year you are willing to accept. After that just be prepared to spend many buck to stay on the road. This is the RVers way of life.

Happy hunting,

Rick

triplenet · 07-27-2013, 05:43 PM

Thanks.... Driving over to Fort Meyers next week to look at the newer Essex class from Newmar....

Think at the end of the day I will need to find a higher end coach thats a few years old.... King Aire, Essex, Prevost, Newelll or Foretravel...

BTW - the AC Revolution was pretty nice for 400k ... and had a great layout... but you could tell the shower was cheap unit, the cabinets were low end, etc ... If the newer Essex has better grade of FF&E then it should be very nice

Regarding keeping it on the road.... No sweat - I am coming from the boating community .... Something breaks every time out

JFXG · 07-27-2013, 06:04 PM

There are many of us here who have lived with boats, as there are many who are accustomed to buying quality.

If your first reaction to Tiffin and Newmar is disappointment, the silver lining would have to be that you've just gone about as far as you can toward narrowing your search.

I wish you well.

Barlow46 · 07-27-2013, 08:59 PM

Around 2005 were the best years for the high end Monaco coaches, Executives, Signatures and Dynastys. Fit and finish is exceptionally nice for a production line coach. The cabinetry in our dynasty is cherry and all joints are near perfect, very strongly supported and no squeaks when traveling. We have enjoyed a near trouble free coach with the Roadmaster Semi-Monocoque Chassis and Cummins 400 engine and drives like a dream with the 10 air bags. I think this may be true for other manufacturers during the mid 2000's. Seems there was a lot of pride and attention to detail in the workmanship during that time. Just my opinion on mid to higher end coaches without going to Prevost or Newell which are in a different league for the most part.

BobGed · 07-27-2013, 09:28 PM

Just as a suggestion you might want to take a look at the Entegra line of coaches Entegra Coach Home

jerichorick · 07-28-2013, 04:23 AM

If you are going to North Trail RV Center the techs there are great. We just bought this rig from them. But the cleaning crew is over zealous. Things were gone that we needed and didn't know about until we were far down the road. Because the coaches are sold 'as is', once you're gone new issues are yours to deal with.

Our slide tool kit is missing as is the travel safety strap for the dinning chairs and the awning emergency retract cord. I expect coffee makers and such to be missing but not the special tools needed for emergencies and coach specific.

We turned in a Vectra and had decorated the walls with lovely pictures, left the exterior screens and special tools. When viewing the pictures of the online presentation all of these things seemed to be gone.

If I were to do this again I would ask the salesperson for the coach manual package for the rig I was thinking of buying. I'd find the information pages with what was delivered with the coach and decide what was missing and how important it is.

On the acceptance walkthrough I asked about emergency slide retraction. I was told no tools were provided and that a simple 3/4" wrench would work. When I finally had the time to study this type of problem that is when I found out I was wrongly informed. Major and special tools are required for this procedure.

I like Winnebago products personally because of the layout. I see that more manufacturers have adopted similar floor plans as that of the U and QD series now. But buying used, for me anyway, seem like the right thing to do. Depreciation and major bug shakeouts are suffered the most by the first owner. The next one has to put up with the stuff the first owner did not have the time to deal with or simply missed.

In any case, North Trail RV Center is a very busy place. If you need financing ask for Justin Graham. He did a great job for us. And when your 'new to you' rig is loaded with your stuff their front end shop is very good.

Happy trails,

Rick

**pasdad1** · 07-28-2013, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triplenet

After spending a few weeks searching the forum and getting an education - I ventured over to the local RV dealer today to took at a few models..

Brand new AC Revolution, Tiffin Alegro Bus and a used 2005 Newmar Essex .....

My question - is the the type of quality I can expect at the 400k price point?

No disrespect to anyones coaches - but these units felt like they were put together using Home Depot fixtures and furnishing .....

Will I need to shift focus to a used Prevost/Newel/Foretravel to find real quality craftsmanship?

Again, not trying to be disrespectful at all - maybe I set the bar too high and need a dose of reality

Oh and also keep in mind the sticker prices you see on dealer lots are fantasy! This was a big shock to me too when I started looking. Those $400,000. Price stickers ........you would actually pay somewhere less than $300,000 in reality. Not a hard fact, just what I have experienced on lots such as North Trail, Lazy Days, etc.

triplenet · 07-28-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Oh and also keep in mind the sticker prices you see on dealer lots are fantasy! This was a big shock to me too when I started looking. Those $400,000. Price stickers ........you would actually pay somewhere less than $300,000 in reality. Not a hard fact, just what I have experienced on lots such as North Trail, Lazy Days, etc.

The sales guy told me 25% reduction before I even had the chance to ask - I replied that 40% sounded much better

I wont buy new anyway - let the first owner rig out the unit with toys and take the largest depreciation hit....

I have noticed there are always several Prevost H3-45's floating around for around 500k ... If its truly a "million mile" coach - then these units with +/- 50k miles on the clock are just getting broken in.... The problem is finding one with a interior we like - OMG what are some of these owners thinking ... They look like disco's inside

slemnah · 07-28-2013, 07:17 AM

I just purchased a 2005 Safari Panther and am out on my maiden voyage. The fit and finish of this Motorhome which listed for over $444k is great. The spiced maple cabinets were a $5k option and are all wood and very well built. My chair rail and crown moldings are beautiful. Lots of attention to detail. The carpet and tile was replaced with wood and they didn't do a very good job so one day I will replace it. I love the floor plan, the residential refer, the aqua hot and the much larger engine. Good deals and quality motorhomes are out there but are getting harder to find. Good luck on finding what you are looking for. Don't "settle" and buy your last Motorhome first......