Community Forums

ddgoodtimes · 10-28-2015, 10:30 PM

I am going tomorrow to look at a 2007 See ya Alfa 40 ft One large slide on the drivers side and one tip out in the bedroom (drivers side) I kinda know the usual things to look for like tire dates, battery, Rust and leaks, but what else with this particular coach. It has a 350 hp Cat engine. Any issues with that motor. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I test drove it and it seemed a little loose in the front. Do they have issues with that.

Retiredblade · 10-29-2015, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddgoodtimes

I am going tomorrow to look at a 2007 See ya Alfa 40 ft One large slide on the drivers side and one tip out in the bedroom (drivers side) I kinda know the usual things to look for like tire dates, battery, Rust and leaks, but what else with this particular coach. It has a 350 hp Cat engine. Any issues with that motor. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I test drove it and it seemed a little loose in the front. Do they have issues with that.

Alfa's are noted for their slides sticking, seen a lot of them in rv parks with slides half out.

montyhp · 10-29-2015, 08:03 AM

The alfas I have looked at had finish problems, delamination and peeling clear coat. Very obvious.

Dave9 · 10-29-2015, 08:10 AM

I don't own one but i have a friend who does and he loves it, however delamination is a serious problem.

ddgoodtimes · 10-29-2015, 08:13 AM

Thanks for the tips. I will pay close attention to that. Anything else. I ignorantly put this message on the Cat motor forum and the freight liner forum for info but I found out that was a no no (sorry) so any advice on those subjects.

mike brez · 10-29-2015, 04:44 PM

Ludmilla · 10-29-2015, 07:31 PM

I would not recommend the purchase of an Alpha. The engine is fine but the house quality is not where it should be.

Mr_D · 10-29-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ludmilla

I would not recommend the purchase of an Alpha. The engine is fine but the house quality is not where it should be.

That's what I found too, even the Alpha Gold was not that well constructed.

Suzque49 · 10-29-2015, 08:14 PM

We have a 40 ft 2006 Alfa and love it. There seems to be a lot of folks who REALLY don't like Alfa on this site. (Haven't encountered that on the other Rv site I frequent, message me if you want a link to that site) If you want good information from people who actually own Alfas, check out the yahoo Alfa forums. Those people are knowledgable, helpful and very friendly. If you want the links, message me. The delamination issue can be a problem, but less likely if you get a used unit and are not in a place with a lot of wet cold freezing weather. As far as I'm concerned, the house quality is just fine. I have solid wood cabinets, strong door catches, solid floor, and I haven't seen any more issues with slides then other brands have. Alfas are built on the same frame as many other motorhomes, and have either a Cat or cummins engine. So the "bones" are good.

Mr_D · 10-29-2015, 08:23 PM

It's not that we "REALLY don't like Alpha's", it's that the quality of construction wasn't there. I pulled drawers out and looked behind them, as well as looked at the drawer construction too. What I found reminded me of the '98 Santara gas unit we had.

DMTTRANSPORT · 10-29-2015, 08:28 PM

Cat C7 is a good motor Most Mixer Trucks have it

Retiredblade · 10-30-2015, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

It's not that we "REALLY don't like Alpha's", it's that the quality of construction wasn't there. I pulled drawers out and looked behind them, as well as looked at the drawer construction too. What I found reminded me of the '98 Santara gas unit we had.

I agree, when I first got interested in getting a M.H., I liked Alfa's They were roomy and tall ceilings. Then started seeing for myself that cheap contruction, those outside doors, and so many folks that have them their slides give them trouble. I know of one he can't get his bedroom slide out fully without fear that it won't come in. Also, the delamination problem.
I quit looking at them and just look at all the negitives. Now that I own a National, seeing how they are contructed, I would buy another one.

HicksRA · 10-30-2015, 04:18 PM

It's not really delamination. They had problems with the fiberglass, I think it's called gel pop. The sides have pitted holes that look like it was shot with a shotgun.
Take a good look at the outer fiberglass.
Alfas are the stepchild of motorhomes.

ddgoodtimes · 10-31-2015, 08:25 PM

thanks for all the advice. We went back to take a closer look for rust and cut wires ect. and they were selling it to some one else, so I guess it was not ment to be. We test road a 06 tradewinds 40 that drove very well, It had a Freight linner chassis with independent front suspention. We will keep looking. Again Thanks for the help.