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03-30-2013, 04:08 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
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Phaeton vs Journey/Meridian
Help! Our first RV was a Class C Four Winds and hated the bed but loved the engine. 15 months later we traded for a Tiffin Allegro 32 ft class A (gas). Love it! But power was an issue (we live in the southwest) so we had the Banks system installed. Great improvement. Put 12000 miles on it the first year!
It has been another 15 mos. and hubby is looking at a diesel pusher. (power, durability, easy of handling, etc.) I don't want to go through this again in 15 mos. (he keeps buying new) We're looking at the 2013, 36 ft Tiffin Phaeton vs the 36 ft Journey/Meridian. We prefer campgrounds to RV parks, enjoy the occasional dry camping to get to a secluded place, planning a trip to the Northwest (4-6 wks) this fall. (5000 miles plus planned) That said, I wonder if we should just bite the bullet and jump to a 40 ft. No plans now to full time but do see summer/winter stays in our future.
Any input on the comparison of the Tiffin vs Winnebago/Itasca? Do we really eliminate campgrounds with a 40 ft?
Thanks in advance for any direction and information!
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03-30-2013, 05:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ocala, Florida
Posts: 6,295
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I personally like the Tiffin better, but have never owned either. This opinion is based strictly on what I see at shows in comparing the two. I like the feel of the interior finish. The wood products just felt more solid when pressed on. I also do not think you can beat Tiffin's customer support. You can actually talk to the owner. Who is the owner at Winnebago/Itasca??? Tiffin stands behind there rigs very well. Perhaps Winnie does as well, but the Tiffin name is legendary in this regard. Both Tiffin and Winnie were on my short list when my CC became available.
Again, personally I would go with the 40 foot. I like the space.
These are just my opinions.
__________________
FMCA #F431170, GS #822128658, Escapees SKP #112655
2012 Airstream Mercedes Interstate Class B
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-30-2013, 05:59 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 123
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Opinion
I bought ew, 2009 34 journey , then a 2010 phaeton 40
Unfortunate quality issue and bad factory response drove me from winnebago. I had owned 3 previous winebago products.
Fyi. We have had several,each class c , class a gas, class b, fifth wheel, pop up, tag trailer and dp.
Tiffin was very good unit. 40 foot offered better chassis, better ride, better brakes and more room than 34 . That said, absent serious quality issue on 34 journey, we would have been happy with it.
Overall, My thought would be to go 40 first time. Tiffin is a good coach but there are viable options to look at.
Good luck in your decision .
We just sold the tiffin and bought an 2013 entegra anthem, which is another big step,up from the phaeton.
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03-30-2013, 06:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ann Arbor Michigan
Posts: 792
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My 2cents on the subject:
Buy the coach that has the floor plan that wife likes best. It is true that you wont be able to talk to the CEO at Winnebago (unless you go to the Winnebago GNR in July). However Winnebago has a 1-800 phone number and if you have a problem you can talk to a person (service advisor)that has experience building the Winnebago coaches. I have owned Winnebago coaches and have had great success speaking to a service advisor when I did not understand something or had a problem. I recently had the Electric awning come apart in a windstorm. The moveable stanchion arm broke off the mounting and scratched the paint work. I was going to the GNR (Grand National Rally at Forest City Iowa...Winnebago factory) the week after the problem occured. I got the insurance guy (Progressive) and the Winnebago service advisor together on the phone. When I got to the GNR all was ready for my coach. They assigned a service advisor to me and he kept in touch with me as the repairs were progressing. When the job was finished the paint work looked fantastic and the awning was great. I cant say enough about the service I received.
This is not to say that you will have a trouble free coach either buying new or used.. Even Tiffin has problems. I will say again, buy the coach with the floor plan that the wife likes best  .
__________________
2005 Suncruiser Banks Powerpack
Chocolate lab (Buster) 2007 Jeep Wrangler
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03-31-2013, 06:38 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 2,557
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If seriously considering a Tiffin, then you should look at the post under RV Forums, and look for Cummins. Go to post about the brand new ISX 500 in a Zephyr, their supposed top of the line coach($500K). After reading all the grief that guy has gone through with Cummins & Tiffin it sure made us back away from a Tiffin, especially after hearing how great Bob Tiffin is to deal with if you have a problem. Tiffin wouldn't give the guy the time of day. There's been over 22,000 views of that thread. So we decided on a Newmar.
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03-31-2013, 07:13 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sherrills Ford, NC
Posts: 12
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need some advice on removing sealant on the exterior of slideouts. Not sure if it is dicor or just clear sealant?
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03-31-2013, 08:38 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 305
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We have an 09 Phaeton 42QRH and absolutely love it. Tiffin's assembly plant has an open door policy & we were able to be on the line with our coach during the build from bare chassis til paint, an incredible experience. We went for the tag axle for stability on the road and the king size bed (with still room to walk around it!) and have no regrets, it's wonderful to drive and has been a great coach.
That said we are looking to trade for a new coach next year & are now looking at the Winnebago Tour/Itasca Ellipse rather than sticking with Tiffin and getting an Allegro Bus. IMHO Tiffin has not kept up with the innovations that other builders offer and the quality of the new coaches coming off the line today is not what it was back in 09.
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03-31-2013, 10:43 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Posts: 1,034
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36 vs 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by dltwining
Help! Our first RV was a Class C Four Winds and hated the bed but loved the engine. 15 months later we traded for a Tiffin Allegro 32 ft class A (gas). Love it! But power was an issue (we live in the southwest) so we had the Banks system installed. Great improvement. Put 12000 miles on it the first year!
It has been another 15 mos. and hubby is looking at a diesel pusher. (power, durability, easy of handling, etc.) I don't want to go through this again in 15 mos. (he keeps buying new) We're looking at the 2013, 36 ft Tiffin Phaeton vs the 36 ft Journey/Meridian. We prefer campgrounds to RV parks, enjoy the occasional dry camping to get to a secluded place, planning a trip to the Northwest (4-6 wks) this fall. (5000 miles plus planned) That said, I wonder if we should just bite the bullet and jump to a 40 ft. No plans now to full time but do see summer/winter stays in our future.
Any input on the comparison of the Tiffin vs Winnebago/Itasca? Do we really eliminate campgrounds with a 40 ft?
Thanks in advance for any direction and information!
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Hi..
We are going through basically the same conversation.. WE just completed a 2.5 month snowbird trip to Arizona from Colorado. We realize we would REALLY like more interior room for these extended trips. WE have looked at both 35 and 40 foot Tiffin Phaetons.. Mostly in campgrounds shown by friendly current owners who were willing to do so..
Unfortunately a new coach is not in the cards for us as we are retired and the initial cost is just too high.. We are looking at 08 or 09's..
If I found a 36 in my budget and other parameters I would be tempted.. The inside room is fabulous.. The 40 is a bit better but not that much IMHO! Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be that many used 36's and many more 40's that is probably what I will end up with.. And frankly from a resale point of view that may be better..
WE really don't dry camp.. But do lots of State parks in our 40 Eagle.. Never really had an issue!
The trading for new every couple of years would keep me up with the depreciation happening.. But if you can afford it. Go for it!
Ron Husak
Serious Wannabe..
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03-31-2013, 11:13 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,189
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I have never owned a Tiffin but read good things and bad about them, mostly good. I do own a 2012 Journey, 40U. As with all of the MH's that I have seen and toured I find there is no such thing as the perfect floor plan. My journey has a few things that I would prefer to be different. However. It seems to be the best that I could find that we are comfortable with. I believe the service we have received from Winnebago is top notch and would find it hard to get any better from another Manufcturer. I have owned another brand and was totaly unhappy with the quality and the service received! That makes Winnebago even better!
__________________
Larry B,  Luckiest Dreamer
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03-31-2013, 12:09 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dltwining
Help! Our first RV was a Class C Four Winds and hated the bed but loved the engine. 15 months later we traded for a Tiffin Allegro 32 ft class A (gas). Love it! But power was an issue (we live in the southwest) so we had the Banks system installed. Great improvement. Put 12000 miles on it the first year!
It has been another 15 mos. and hubby is looking at a diesel pusher. (power, durability, easy of handling, etc.) I don't want to go through this again in 15 mos. (he keeps buying new) We're looking at the 2013, 36 ft Tiffin Phaeton vs the 36 ft Journey/Meridian. We prefer campgrounds to RV parks, enjoy the occasional dry camping to get to a secluded place, planning a trip to the Northwest (4-6 wks) this fall. (5000 miles plus planned) That said, I wonder if we should just bite the bullet and jump to a 40 ft. No plans now to full time but do see summer/winter stays in our future.
Any input on the comparison of the Tiffin vs Winnebago/Itasca? Do we really eliminate campgrounds with a 40 ft?
Thanks in advance for any direction and information!
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Here is 2 cents worth of opinion. Engine power is good in the hills and mountains. A diesel gives you that. A class A will give you trip room for storage and not near enough for full timing. I dislike slides but love the room. Floor plan? Most are pretty well thought out. You will find yourself comfortable quickly. My biggest issue is length. I can back my 36' winnebago into my previous driveway, barely. I can back my 36' into the rv slot I'm in now, barely. I like dry camping. I sometimes have to curtail my explorer bug knowing how much backing up will thrill my DW. 4 feet ain't much until it's 1 foot too much. And... The mutt and mouser can get up pretty good speed from the bed to the dashboard! Ok. That's my 2 cents and I'm stickin' to it! Whatever you do, ENJOY it NOW!
__________________
2001 Winnebago Journey 36'
2008 Ford Ranger (toad)
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03-31-2013, 12:34 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 194
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I can only comment on the 40' part of your question, out of all of our trips we have only had one campground that we tried to stay at that could not accomodate a 40ft motorhome. That said we have found plenty of state or county campgrounds that say they can oly fit p to 32 or 36 and we fitour 40 in there with no problems, so My opinion is get the coach you like the most.
__________________
2024 Newmar New Aire 3543 with 2021 Jeep Wrangler or 2018 F150 Raptor in tow
2008 Fleetwood Providence 40X (Sold)
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