Fleetwood Discovery vs. Tiffin Phaeton

[Blackcabby]

We're getting a lot of time with the Fleetwood and Tiffin products and like the local dealer - just cant get together on price. Have any of you travelled out of your home market to buy. I've read about good deals, but have also heard horror stories about folks being snubbed by local service providers...

[Green D]

Originally Posted by fla tom

The problem I found with American Coach is my head hit the ceiling in the rear baths

The AC units that have the 600hp engines do have an extra step up for the bath to give engine room under the floor. The others do not, more head room.
BTW the OP isn't interested in an AC product just a Fleetwood.
My first MH was a 98 Green & White Discovery and it was GREAT I think the Discovery is a very nice unit. that's how I picked my name Green D

OP Yes I buy from the dealer offering the best price no matter where they are, I have never used my purchasing dealer but once in 18 yrs of RVing for service.

Eric

[StevenNSteph]

I find Tiffin's fall into the form over function category while the Fleetwood fall into the function over form. I would choose the later but many are sold on the former.

[Craig N Deb]

We looked at a ton of coaches before making our final decision! I came to the realization that the Fleetwood Discovery 40X had absolutely everything we wanted and needed! Style, Durability, Awesome Floor Plan!!, and great customer relations at the plant for questions or concerns.
Did I mention the 40X floor Plan?? lol Everyone is trying to make a model like the 40X now but, I will tell you that ours is awesome!!
IMOH I have to say Fleetwood Discovery!!!
Welcome to IRV2 and good luck on your decision....remember....."Buy your last coach first!" Too many people fall into that trade up trap.
See you on the road!
Craig

[Blackcabby]

Originally Posted by Craig N Deb

We looked at a ton of coaches before making our final decision! I came to the realization that the Fleetwood Discovery 40X had absolutely everything we wanted and needed! Style, Durability, Awesome Floor Plan!!, and great customer relations at the plant for questions or concerns.
Did I mention the 40X floor Plan?? lol Everyone is trying to make a model like the 40X now but, I will tell you that ours is awesome!!
IMOH I have to say Fleetwood Discovery!!!
Welcome to IRV2 and good luck on your decision....remember....."Buy your last coach first!" Too many people fall into that trade up trap.
See you on the road!
Craig

Thanks, Craig! I hope you have great luck, and really enjoy your Discovery! How have you found the as delivered quality? Any major issues found, or things to get corrected?

I think the Discovery meets all of our needs, we just need to get the price below $200k. From your experience, does that seem realistic? We're not looking for a lot of extras - really just the u-dinette, in-motion satelite, and memory foam mattress.

Good Luck!

[Craig N Deb]

Hey Black Cabby,

I must be honest.....being in the automotive and RV industry on the retail side for over 29 years. I don't buy anything new. Ever! I will search long and hard for an almost no use vehicle that the original owner took the hit on.
The depreciation on Motorcoaches is so large that I just have better things to do with that money.
I bought mine used with less than 6000 miles on it and in amazing condition! There are so many people that buy these coaches and then just don't use them or find it is not for them and then sell them off!
In todays world of the internet you can search from the comfort of your home and find exactly what you are looking for at a fraction of the money. I saved over $120,000 on ours which allowed us to have that extra cash for FUN!
Between RVTRADER.com, EBAY.com, CRAIGSLIST.com and various other websites you can search them out, save a ton of cash, and let someone else take the depreciation and the time it always takes to work out the bugs of a new coach. The best part is you just call Fleetwood and in my case Freightliner Chassis and get your name attached to the vin numbers for warranty and/or product support! In my opinion it is the only way to go.
I have had a great experience with our coach and have saved so much money it is almost laughable!
I really hope you make the right decision!
Craig

[Blackcabby]

Originally Posted by Craig N Deb

Hey Black Cabby,

I must be honest.....being in the automotive and RV industry on the retail side for over 29 years. I don't buy anything new. Ever! I will search long and hard for an almost no use vehicle that the original owner took the hit on.
The depreciation on Motorcoaches is so large that I just have better things to do with that money.
I bought mine used with less than 6000 miles on it and in amazing condition! There are so many people that buy these coaches and then just don't use them or find it is not for them and then sell them off!
In todays world of the internet you can search from the comfort of your home and find exactly what you are looking for at a fraction of the money. I saved over $120,000 on ours which allowed us to have that extra cash for FUN!
Between RVTRADER.com, EBAY.com, CRAIGSLIST.com and various other websites you can search them out, save a ton of cash, and let someone else take the depreciation and the time it always takes to work out the bugs of a new coach. The best part is you just call Fleetwood and in my case Freightliner Chassis and get your name attached to the vin numbers for warranty and/or product support! In my opinion it is the only way to go.
I have had a great experience with our coach and have saved so much money it is almost laughable!
I really hope you make the right decision!
Craig

Wow! Great job finding that deal.

[vsheetz]

A few years old Discovery 40x is on my short list for a next coach in a couple years. Really like the floor plan, fit/finish, and how equipped for the price. Our Fleetwood PA had been a good coach and Fleetwood support and parts is very good.

[reubenray]

I am working on my options between the Discovery 40E, Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH and the Newmar Ventana 4036. The Phaeton has most of wants which are the TV across from the seating, fireplace and the dinette with computer station.

[lanerd]

We looked at several manufactures and models within each. The 40x design is very nice, but we didn't want to give up the driver's and pass seats to the kitchen.....they come in so handy in the living room when the kitchen is in center coach. We also didn't care for the TV being at a right angle to the couch...

We finally started looking for bath and a half floor plans and really liked the Phaetons' fireplace with TV up above directly across from the couch and also with the driver/pass chair right there for extra visitor chairs. We looked at other bath and a half models (especially the Newmar Ventana and the 40e), but kept coming back to the Phaeton. I know Tiffin has has some problems in the past, and it has been reported that these problems have been taken care of ......we'll see.

Good luck in your quest..

Ron

[Blackcabby]

Seems like everything I look at has the stacked washer/dryer. We don't plan to live on the road, so dont see benefit of it. Am I missing something?

[StevenNSteph]

Originally Posted by Blackcabby

Seems like everything I look at has the stacked washer/dryer. We don't plan to live on the road, so dont see benefit of it. Am I missing something?

When I was a weekend warrior I usually opted for smaller (38' or less) coaches and they didn't usualy have the washer/dryer. If you are looking at larger than yes most will because they marketed to more of the full-time crowd.

[plasma800]

I'm a Fleetwood guy for sure. Also happen to be in Houston, so hit me up if you have any "local" questions or just want to visit.

[plasma800]

Also, whether it had a washer or not WOULD not even be close to anything I would use as a consideration point. There are far more important factors at hand to worry about. You can always take the washer out for cabinet space