looked at my first Tiffin..nice

[Drop In]

New to RV's and currently looking for a used rig to be purchased within 6 months for full-timing. Went to PPL in Houston yesterday and got to walk through a bunch of diff coaches. The Tiffin Phaeton really won my heart with it's interior styling. Thought I would be looking more towards a Newmar but after yesterday, I'm really liking the Tiffins. So here is my question.. what is the main diff between the Phaeton and Alegro Bus? Is one better suited for full timing? Anything(s) in particular to look out for? trying to stay with an '05 or newer.

[Always-RVing]

Tiffin's are HOT... They are getting excellent reviews from everyone I talk too. Newmar makes a great coach as well. I own a 2008 Fleetwood (very nice). No problems

If I was shopping, Tiffin and Newmar would be in the top 5 in the mid-range price class . Don't forget about Winne's. I haven't met anyone with a Winne that regretted it. I'm sure there is someone in all makes that had a bad one, but it's overall we look at. The list is hundreds.. really hundreds

[paz]

Originally Posted by Drop In

...So here is my question.. what is the main diff between the Phaeton and Alegro Bus? Is one better suited for full timing? Anything(s) in particular to look out for? trying to stay with an '05 or newer.

The Bus is a higher-end coach than the Phaeton. There is about $40 to 60k difference in the price for the new 2010 coaches. The Bus has richer fabrics, fancier tile, and other options available like HydroHot heating, etc.

IMO, both the Bus and the Phaeton are both suitable for full-timing, but check the CCC to make sure you can carry enough weight for all your "stuff." We are full-timing in an Allegro Bay gasser, and and everything is holding up well after 5 years. You will be able to compare to see what new features were offered each year.

If you go to the Tiffin website and click on the model you're interested in, they have model archives (at the bottom of the menu on the left of the page) that have brochures and specs back to 2005.

[becks]

Three things to note for the Bus are, bigger motor,IFS, and side radiator.

[MuckSavage]

Doesn't the Bus have real, solid wood cabinetry where the Phaeton has the contact paper covered cabinets like my Allegro Bay (which are very nice & I have no problem with)

[Oldrtrcr]

My understanding is that Phaetons now have full hardwood cabinetry.

[Cruzer]

Phaetons have solid wood cabinetry fronts-only. The doors and frames are solid but the rest is wrapped.

Bus = 425 HP Cummins 8.9 liter ISL with 1,200 ft-lbs of torque, engine compression brake, IFS, side radiators, choice of either Freighliner, Spartan, or Powerglide chassis.

Phaeton = 360 HP Cummins 8.3 liter ISC with 1,050 ft-lbs of torque, exhaust brake, solid front axle, rear radiator, Freighliner chassis on 36-40' coaches with Spartan on the 42' tag axle coaches. Powerglide chasis available soon under the Phaeton (but no IFS or side radiator).

Bus has other bells and whistles. The paint stripes extend onto the sides of the slideouts wheras the Phaeton has plain slideout sides. Hardwood cherry cabintry throughout wheras the Phaeton has hardwood doors and frames with the rest wrapped. Solid surface counters everywhere on the Bus but the Phaeton has the dinette table and non-galey counters as laminated with solid surface edging.

Bus has Smart Wheel, keyless entry and compartment locks, etc as standard but none of that is available on the Phaeton. Also many options, such as AquaHot heating are available on the Bus but not on the Phaeton.

Lastly - the Bus costs more than the Phaeton. They are both excellent coaches and great values within their price points. You can't go wrong with either. Just pick the one that you like and can afford and go for it.

[Theberrys]

OK I see why you like this.
IT'S HOT and the price is right.
I had steared someone on to this unit about a month ago and the price was $145K then. It just keeps getting better. Wish I could buy it.

Dick