Community Forums

Quincybear · 03-25-2016, 06:38 PM

I was hoping some of you during your buying process drove a 40ft tiffin (phaeton or allegro bus) and a newmar (dutch or country star) diesel pushers. Wanted to hear comparisons of the ride/driving comfort of both. I know some will say to go drive them myself but I am really interested because of the great feedback I get on this website. Thank you for your opinions

Dutch Star Don · 03-25-2016, 07:06 PM

Probably the only difference would be the addition of Comfort Drive to the 2008 model year Dutch Star. It's a nice feature!

vsheetz · 03-25-2016, 07:11 PM

I think you will find most Phaeton's on Freightliner with solid front axle, whereas the Dutch and Kountry Stars on Spartan chassis with independent front suspension. The expectation would be the independent front would ride better.

Pigman1 · 03-26-2016, 05:19 PM

We owned a 40' 2008 Allegro Bus on a Freightliner chassis and drove it 70,000 miles and loved it. That Bus was made on a Spartan, Freightliner, and Powerglide chassis and I drove it on all 3 chassis before I decided on the Freightliner. The Freightliner chassis had a much stiffer ride than the other two and much less dive on a hard stop or rapid lane change. We took it to Alaska numerous times and to Arizona every year.

The 2013 Bus on the Powerglide is vastly improved over the 2008 and a much better ride but if I had to pick a 2008 again, I'd still take it on a Freightliner.

**TonyDi** · 03-26-2016, 07:32 PM

Once you've driven a Newmar with Comfort Drive, there won't be many other MHs you will want to drive. It is really a fantastic system.

cwshumsky · 03-27-2016, 12:56 AM

I was looking at 08 Newmar and Tiffin and ended up with Tiffin because the options and price was right. I was surprised to find there was a 10yr structural warranty on it.
A 8-10 year old coach will almost need something, even a new one will have problems. Choose well maintained over lowest miles, beware of water damage and delamination. Get an independent survey if necessary.
BTW, the folks at TMH are friendliest people and always very helpful. They have earned my future business when I'm ready for a new one!