Community Forums

gigem · 07-11-2013, 05:01 PM

hi

i found a 32 ft "tiffin allegro open rd" but just learned it has the engine in front, it was advertised as a diesel pusher. i would call that a puller.

for some reason i ruled it out but.....is anyone familiar with this model, it happens to be a 2008.

any comments or advice is sure appreciated.

thx,

dave in oregon

Old Scout · 07-11-2013, 05:10 PM

Not a pusher, nor a puller; but a "FRED"--FRont Engine Diesels. Traditional concern was the noise and heat form a front engine RV. Newer diesel technology seems to have lessened the concern. Perhaps a FRED own will comment on their experience but hard to compare DP vs FRED unless you have owned both. General durability of a diesel over a gas engine is significant but that depends on how long you own and how far you drive.

**JohnRR** · 07-11-2013, 07:40 PM

Bruce C · 07-12-2013, 12:17 AM

from NH.

Mr_D · 07-12-2013, 12:28 AM

As I remember the FRED's don't have air suspension or air brakes. Long driveshaft down the middle precludes most pass through storage. More noise in the front. Those are big differences AFAIC.

Jack R · 07-12-2013, 12:28 AM

Join the TRVN forum get all the answers you could want about a Tiffin.

Tiffin RV Network.com

jack r

historyljc · 07-12-2013, 12:31 AM

The FRED owners that I know have liked them. The FRED is on a regular truck chassis and does not have air suspension or air brakes. If you want the air ride, go with a DP. Tiffin has dropped the FRED line and replaced it with what they call the RED - Rear Engine Diesel. It's a DP. It has replaced the Phaeton as the full size entry level diesel pusher. (To distinquish it from the Breeze which is also a DP but smaller in dimensions) The Phaeton has been upgraded to almost an Allegro Bus.

**CLIFFTALL** · 07-12-2013, 04:39 AM

Welcome to irv2

Cliff

jzick · 07-12-2013, 07:20 AM

We have a 2007 Allegro Bay FRED we bought new. It has been a good unit for us. The fit/finish is good. Mechanical issues have been related to a few items not manufactured by Tiffin (AC/Inverter, etc). There were some issues, also with the dual pane windows fogging that had to be repaired.

Others are right. A FRED should not be compared to a diesel pusher, IMO. A better comparison is with a comparable gas powered coach. We bought the diesel for the additional cargo capacity, diesel generator, the engine brake, and longer range on a tank of fuel. When we compared, the diesel was not nearly as noisy as an identical model gas powered model. Ours does not have air ride and there is no pass through storage, although storage is more than adequate for our six month trips.

TonyDi · 07-12-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

As I remember the FRED's don't have air suspension or air brakes. Long driveshaft down the middle precludes most pass through storage. More noise in the front. Those are big differences AFAIC.

I totally agree. Plus the market for FREDs is smaller then DPs, as such selling one might not be as easy to do. For me the air ride and brakes are tops.

gigem · 07-12-2013, 10:04 AM

thx everyone for the comments, always 2 sides to every coin.

my problem is, like everything, i can make a good argument for buying a fred, and a just as good argument for not buying!

the fred im looking at is a 2008 as apposed to dp's between 2000 and 2004, seems to me the newer unit might have less problems, simply due to age?

in the end, im the one who has to pull the trigger so, i want to say thx again to everyone for the advice and good luck to all.

i just found out the dp i thought i was buying has the engine in the front and the "16ft" enclosed trailer i was buying isnt really 16 ft inside...sort of like a
2 by 4, it aint!!!!!!

anyway, wish me luck, one way or the other i have to buy something, i got nowhere to go as of 7-28!!!!!

dave in portland