To Alpine or not to Alpine

[morninghill]

Sold our Trek, looking for a new coach with a separate bedroom. Found the Alpines and thought a 36' would do well, but after looking at several 36' coaches, decided a coach with a king bed would be best (we sleep with two dogs and a cat). Also want a coach that's old enough to fit our budget, new enough to finance, and is similar or better in quality to our Trek. It also has to fit through the 12' door in my shop. The 2004 and 2005 Alpine 40fdts looks good on paper. The 2003 would also look good, but DW does not like the sink placement.

Have read extensively in this forum. Lot of good things said about design, lots of bad things said about quality control. Seems fairly common for owners to say they regret the purchase. I understand that it's normal for people to post to be those who are having problems, this is an active forum so quite a few reporting problems. Having said all this, don't want to be buying into more than the "normal" continuing problems. The "ultimate diy project" is not necessarily where I want to be.

Problems noted on some?/many? of these 2004, 2005 models seem to be steering box reinforcement needed, rear axle bolts need replacing, brakes questionable, aluminum radiators failing, gen set electrical connections made poorly, u-joints failing, AC shrouds disappearing, slides misaligned. Of course, I would hope that by now these problems would have been corrected on a 7 or 8 year old coach.

Summary - If you had it to do over, considering your own experiences, would you buy another Alpine?

[Old Trucker]

Originally Posted by morninghill

Sold our Trek, looking for a new coach with a separate bedroom. Found the Alpines and thought a 36' would do well, but after looking at several 36' coaches, decided a coach with a king bed would be best (we sleep with two dogs and a cat). Also want a coach that's old enough to fit our budget, new enough to finance, and is similar or better in quality to our Trek. It also has to fit through the 12' door in my shop. The 2004 and 2005 Alpine 40fdts looks good on paper. The 2003 would also look good, but DW does not like the sink placement.

Have read extensively in this forum. Lot of good things said about design, lots of bad things said about quality control. Seems fairly common for owners to say they regret the purchase. I understand that it's normal for people to post to be those who are having problems, this is an active forum so quite a few reporting problems. Having said all this, don't want to be buying into more than the "normal" continuing problems. The "ultimate diy project" is not necessarily where I want to be.

Problems noted on some?/many? of these 2004, 2005 models seem to be steering box reinforcement needed, rear axle bolts need replacing, brakes questionable, aluminum radiators failing, gen set electrical connections made poorly, u-joints failing, AC shrouds disappearing, slides misaligned. Of course, I would hope that by now these problems would have been corrected on a 7 or 8 year old coach.

Summary - If you had it to do over, considering your own experiences, would you buy another Alpine?

We have a 99 36 ft Alpine. Sure we have had a few problems, but watch anybody that says they do not have problrms with theirs, because they will lie about other things too. We find it to be an upscale coach, well designed in most areas. Those with steering box mounting problems seem to be 2004 to 2008 models. 99's were bolted rather than welded. Most of the brake problems were those with adjustable pedals. However we are in the shop having brakes worked on as we write. Ours is preventive maintance, but we have lost our brakes twice, hoping new fluid and master cykinder will cure this. We find our queen bed ample, we find the interior very comfortable, hi quality and design. Yes, I would consider another. There is no such thing as a perfect RV, wether it be in the type, style, age, or brand. Good wishes, old trucker

[Jim A]

I have never once regretted buying my Alpine Coach. (OK, maybe once or twice in the truck stop buying fuel.) I have met many Alpine Coach owners through the Alpine Socal group, and I doubt many of our friends regret buying their coach either. Yes, there are some problems, but nothing that is not fixable. I consider them minor. I have never had electrical issues, or a trip ruined by trouble, or undue delays due to need for repairs. Most of our problems are with parts used on many other motorhomes, not just Alpine's.

Of course, we know where to reach EngineerMike. I have his cell number. (Never used it though.)

So to answer your question, yes, I would look to buy another one if something happened to this one. I have no problem planning to keep this one for another ten years, and don't expect it to start falling apart due to age. I have no extended warranty out of fear of problems.

[rdownward]

You won't go wrong with an Alpine. Sure, us Alpine owners have our share of problems with our coaches, but there hasn't been a coach made that doesn't have its problems. We have a GREAT group of Alpine owners who are anxious to share both their troubles as well as their remedies which becomes invaluable information for the rest of us because our Alpine Coaches are engineered differently than any others on the road so many of our problems are pretty much distinct to Alpines. I have put many, many hours of labor into mine to get it into peak condition. But, none of the problems I have encountered were insurmountable and were mostly due to neglect from the previous owner. For the money, I believe that Alpine Coaches are the best coaches available today. The handling and comfort are definitely superior to the two previous diesel pushers we owned and it is a pleasure to travel in ours. So, YES, I would purchase another Alpine Coach. But, I don't expect the need will arise as I plan on keeping the one we have for a LONG, LONG time.

[EngineerMike]

I don't know where you heard that "ultimate DIY project" stuff anyway. Probably some smart ass.

Our 08 is our 2nd Alpine. More than a few folks who hang out here are likewise, not on their first Alpine, so that says something. And w/the Tech Library, we have pretty good support doc backup. I think if you do a good inspection, keep in mind the known issues and factor those into the purchase price, you will be not only happy w/the rig (our rig before the 06 Alp was a Trek also, and a number of other former Trekkies here as well), but you will be ecstatic at how nicely it drives.
Got me hooked anyway.

[morninghill]

Thanks for the reassuring responses. Keeps the Alpine at the top of our search list. Now to apply patience to the search.

[2 Stroker]

Not trying to highjack this thread, just add to it.
I'm looking at a 2004 Alpine Coach 40ft 3-Slide Full Body Paint 26k Miles Cummins 8.9 ISL 400hp Turbo Diesel, Allison 6 Speed Automatic.
I know they are out of business (WRV) because i have had my Alpenlite for 6 years, i think it is one of the better 5ers made just thinking of going to the other side, i have always liked the looks and workmanship of the Apline and everything about them but never owned one, what are your thoughts on it. I know it is a full time coach but will be useing it about 9mo out of the year. Asking price $89,900
Now are there that many problems with the 2004, 2005 models.
1. Steering box reinforcement needed
2. Rear axle bolts need replacing
3. Brakes questionable
4. Aluminum radiators failing
5. Gen set electrical connections made poorly
6. U-joints failing
7. AC shrouds disappearing
8. slides misaligned.
I thought the 6.0 PSD had problems, i have everything fixed on mine but getting older and harder for the wife to get in and out the 5er, i can say i have not had a thing go wrong with my Alpenlite the bast made 5er out there in my book. Just need a little insight like the OP
2 stroker

[Old Scout]

Originally Posted by 2 Stroker

Not trying to highjack this thread, just add to it.
I'm looking at a 2004 Alpine Coach 40ft 3-Slide Full Body Paint 26k Miles Cummins 8.9 ISL 400hp Turbo Diesel, Allison 6 Speed Automatic.
I know they are out of business (WRV) because i have had my Alpenlite for 6 years, i think it is one of the better 5ers made just thinking of going to the other side, i have always liked the looks and workmanship of the Apline and everything about them but never owned one, what are your thoughts on it. I know it is a full time coach but will be useing it about 9mo out of the year. Asking price $89,900
Now are there that many problems with the 2004, 2005 models.
1. Steering box reinforcement needed
2. Rear axle bolts need replacing
3. Brakes questionable
4. Aluminum radiators failing
5. Gen set electrical connections made poorly
6. U-joints failing
7. AC shrouds disappearing
8. slides misaligned.
I thought the 6.0 PSD had problems, i have everything fixed on mine but getting older and harder for the wife to get in and out the 5er, i can say i have not had a thing go wrong with my Alpenlite the bast made 5er out there in my book. Just need a little insight like the OP
2 stroker

You have a pretty good list but not all of the 8 items you listed are attributable to the 04, some are strickly 05 or newer issues. For the 04-- 1 Steering box maybe a problem..... 2. Bolts/axle is early 05 only... 3. Breaking issue is primarily with the adjustable peddles--if in 04, then yes but not all coach owners complain....4. Alum radiator on 05 for sure, maybe 04s...5. electrical connection--all coaches, regardless of brand, wiring should be checked periodically and cleaned up, if needed....6. U-joints--generally 06 and newer.....7. A/C shroud --Dometic problem--the older the coach or more time in the sun--you can reenforce or replace, if needed...8. slide alignment--varies by coach, not necessarily a model year thing. There are other things like tire age, exhaust manifold/gasket, battery age, water pump, inverter fans, etc, that come with coaches this old. Some one told me once..."pull up you "big boy pants" buddy, you are buying a diesel pusher......and we've all had to get use to it.....

[EngineerMike]

2Stroke- #1 was an issue, check steering bracket to see if its been fixed.
#2, 4 & 6 not 2004 issues
#3- drive it to check if upgrade needed, your call. I talk w/coach owners all the time who say their rig stops great.
#5- +1 on what Old Scout said, any rig any brand w/gen slide
#7 is an aging issue, all coaches all brands, but in the DP world pretty cheap fix- IIRC $70 for new shroud?
#8 is news to me as any sort of standard issue.
+1 on checking tire age on any off-the-lot motorhome, ditto batteries.

[2 Stroker]

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

2Stroke- #1 was an issue, check steering bracket to see if its been fixed.
#2, 4 & 6 not 2004 issues
#3- drive it to check if upgrade needed, your call. I talk w/coach owners all the time who say their rig stops great.
#5- +1 on what Old Scout said, any rig any brand w/gen slide
#7 is an aging issue, all coaches all brands, but in the DP world pretty cheap fix- IIRC $70 for new shroud?
#8 is news to me as any sort of standard issue.
+1 on checking tire age on any off-the-lot motorhome, ditto batteries.

Thanks for the come back, some good info kind of new to the DP just started looking don't know if i want to go in debt again. I have a real nice 5er now and my truck has everything you can get on one with only 32k on it. OldForester sent me a pm about his coach, maybe when he get back home and he still has it may take a drive up and have a look more than what i would like to pay, but it is nice looking and in tip top condition.
2 stroker

[Renipladlo]

One other thing, All Alpines had large fresh water tanks and gray and black holding tanks, so if you boondock, this will surly come in handy. Other comments are germane as well. MH's are earthquakes going down the road, things shake rattle and roll, and tightening is a must periodically. We looked over the years, and the things I did not like with the alpine, I don't think I would like with any other brand, (except the brakes issues-the pedal is very hard to push if you don’t flush the fluid every year) no other brands had/have the things I do like. I don't know for sure, about the 36' models, but we would never have one without a stacked washer and dryer, especially with the problems possible as we age in a laundry mat, so keep that in mind as well.

I like the mid door model we have for space and room, no one else makes one like it now. Only some gas powered rigs would have them, and I won’t go there for sure.

[2 Stroker]

Originally Posted by Renipladlo

One other thing, All Alpines had large fresh water tanks and gray and black holding tanks, so if you boondock, this will surly come in handy. Other comments are germane as well. MH's are earthquakes going down the road, things shake rattle and roll, and tightening is a must periodically. We looked over the years, and the things I did not like with the alpine, I don't think I would like with any other brand, (except the brakes issues-the pedal is very hard to push if you don’t flush the fluid every year) no other brands had/have the things I do like. I don't know for sure, about the 36' models, but we would never have one without a stacked washer and dryer, especially with the problems possible as we age in a laundry mat, so keep that in mind as well.

I like the mid door model we have for space and room, no one else makes one like it now. Only some gas powered rigs would have them, and I won’t go there for sure.

Yes the larger tanks are great my Alpenlite has a 100 gallons fresh water tank and 2 gray 40each and a black we have went 12days no problem and had a little room left. The only problem i have had is with the Xantrex inverter the wire nuts came loose and almost went up in smoke, had to pull it out and rewire it. Now i have a line just for my 1500wt heater wired in and turn off all power to my 5er works great I like the mid door but the one i'm just looking at is a 40' with 26k on it for 89,900 looks great but i'm 2 or 3 months out if i go over to the other side
2 stroker

[Algoma]

The 2013 Fleetwood Excursion is a mid-door DP so they may be coming back in to fashion. Gulf Stream also made some mid-door DP's.

[pamelashere]

We've been in our 2002 now for a month and will be in another month, ever so grateful that after being in storage much of the past few years EVERYTHING works perfectly!!! We'd tried owning two homes for five years, couldn't bear to part with this coach and used it only sporadically. Gotta shout from the mountaintops that this is one fabulous coach.
We're now going to have the echo charger replaced, something we suspect has been a problem for some time since 12v batteries didn't hold a charge while in storage, but that is minor. We are loving the king bed, the washer dryer, just everything, but addressing the matter of how it drives, let me share the story of the driver who delivered it to AZ for us. We met so he could drive it a few hours from CA to AZ and when he heard it was an Alpine, he lit up. He said, oh, they are the most fun to drive, just the best driving coach on the road. Yep, just what we wanted to hear. On the maiden voyage home to CA, I actually set a full glass of iced tea in the frig, forgot it and when we opened the frig hours later, it was still there, upright and full, certainly a testimony to the amazing ride this coach delivers.
BTW, we've never had any trouble with the residential frig. Only real problems were w/hydraulic slides and it was an HWH thing that a recall fixed.
Yeah, Alpine!