Community Forums

timjet · 12-01-2016, 05:10 AM

I've done tons of research here and everywhere. I want a DP roomy enough to be comfortable and still able to get to some if not most public campgrounds. Also I want the bath and a half model. So I've narrowed it down to a 40 footer. I don't want an entry level unit by any manufacturer and want a chassis that will not require me to dump water and holding tanks or limit normal travel stuff to stay within published weights. And Oh, I want this all in a '08 - '11 year model at about $130,000. From my research I may be asking too much.

I have narrowed it down to a Dutch Star 4084 in '09 or '10 or a Tiffin Phaeton QBH in '11 but only with the powerglide chassis. I've seen one Dutch Star available and it just sold in Ohio. I've not seen one Phaeton QBH with the powerglide chassis. I've heard Tiffin made about 100 Phaeton's in 2011 with the powerglide chassis but how many of those were 40 footers and with the bath and a half is unknown, at least to me.

I may have to rethink my weight requirements, but I'm willing to keep searching for awhile. It seems all 40 footers are pushing published weight limits with the above exceptions.

Bigd9 · 12-01-2016, 06:46 AM

No you are not too picky. Sounds like good want list. My only comment on your choices you listed is the Dutch Star will come with Comfort Steer, and I've heard a lot of good about that feature.

LaurenceStarr · 12-01-2016, 09:10 AM

You are only being too picky if you never find the one you want. We looked (a lot) before we found the perfect floor plan and price for us. Glad I did not "settle" for less.

marjoa · 12-01-2016, 11:35 AM

Being picky is good, but the only issue I see is that since you've narrowed it down so tight, that finding that MH, that finally becomes available and then meets all the other criteria, like price, has had good maintenance, won't need a lot of upgrades and meets all the other smell tests—to find THAT coach—you may be looking to add a entry ramp for easier access for your walker.

timjet · 12-01-2016, 11:46 AM

Yes I've thought of that and why I posted. I have some time, our boat hasn't sold yet but probably will soon. It will be nice not having a big toy to maintain but soon I'll be itching to get a coach and start the next chapter in our lives.

I forgot to add the 40' Fleetwood Revolution E models are a good contender and is probably more likely to be available.

Chiefly1 · 12-01-2016, 12:04 PM

Don't settle would be my recommendation. I own a 40' bath and a half Revolution and it's made well but it did take a while to find it. In our case a one owner with meticulous records on consignment with lots of extra's! It may take a while to find your RV but it is so worth it.

Bill & Christine
40 ft Revolution LE Diesel Pusher & Honda Fit Sport
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

ArmandV · 12-01-2016, 12:05 PM

It's your money (and a lots of it), so you have every right to be picky.

vsheetz · 12-01-2016, 12:11 PM

Nothing wrong with being picky about what you want. It's a lot of YOUR money. Worth the effort and wait to find the right coach for you, IMHO.

MTK46 · 12-01-2016, 12:37 PM

I found a 2006 Fleetwood Revolution with 38k miles for $88k. It was for a friend at church. Has the 1 1/2 bath, two year old tires & AGM 8D house batteries. So keep looking they are out there.

Isaac-1 · 12-01-2016, 01:39 PM

In my personal opinion you are looking at the wrong model years, as those were the beginning years for the mandated Tier EPA clean diesels which added a LOT of extra failure prone performance sapping components to the emissions systems. We were just dealing with that here a couple of weeks ago on an 09 commercial diesel truck for the family business, over $4,500 estimated repair bill all for emissions components that were not there on models just a couple of years older.

bamaspiveys · 12-01-2016, 01:56 PM

why the bath and a half? That is a relatively new feature in several manufactures, it also seems to limit your coach options. We looked at them and felt like that extra bath took up a lot of usable space, especially in a 40ft MH.
The changes in diesel requirements is certainly a consideration, if you opened the range up a little you could see some really nice coaches in your price range.

Floorplan and Condition are more important than model year in my opinion.

Good Luck

Grenadiers · 12-01-2016, 02:11 PM

One of the things I like about our '04 Vectra, is the toilet is separate from the shower, and we have a sink in the bedroom.

twogypsies · 12-01-2016, 02:40 PM

I don't understand the bath and a half either. That's wasted space. In 16 years of full-timing we never found it inconvenient with one bath.

timjet · 12-01-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I don't understand the bath and a half either. .

Different strokes for different folks, it's what makes the world go round. Interestingly we were at Lazy Days a couple of weeks ago and had the opportunity to view a Tiffin 40' Phaeton with the bath and a half and a Tiffin 40' Bus not with the bath and a half. DW and I were both surprised that the salon area seem about the same size in both the coaches. However, there is less closet space in the bedroom of the bath and a half.

I'm aware of the EPA mandates on 08 & newer coaches. DPF on '08 and DEF added on '11.

From my research it has been a problem for some folks, but for the vast majority it has not. Perhaps I'm wrong but I don't think the prevailing opinion within the RV community is to avoid coaches made with the new EPA mandates. However thanks for bringing that to my attention, I do plan on an engine and chassis inspection prior to purchase.