Recommended class A gasser

[stargirl96]

We've been looking at class A's with gas engines, and don't have knowledge or experience in what we should look for. There are so many different brands and models so advice from experienced owners would be appreciated. Any comments on the following models and manufacturers?

Hurricane (can't remember if it's Thor or Fleetwood)
Georgetown
Jayco Precept
Southwind
Winnebago Vista and Sunstar
Fleetwood Bounder

We're looking at shorter ones - 30-34'

Thanks for your help.

[RVER]

GOOD Choice. I think Tiffen and Newmar make great rigs and they are of equal value and quality.

[Andy_F]

hanko wrote:
the 26 is an option I believe on the 36LA. I would have gone that way id it was available in 2014. But regardless, I have almost 3500 lbs carrying capacity with mine even with full fuel

We went to the Mpls RV show this past weekend and I got to visit quite a while with Tiffin national sales rep Tom Webber. Very nice gentleman who I peppered with a number of questions. He confirmed you can order a 36LA on the 26000 lb chassis but Tiffin does not plan on moving the 36LA floorplan to the higher weight chassis as a standard.

We went back and forth between the Tiffin Allegro 36UA they had on display and the two Newmar Canyon Star's on display. It was apparent that Tiffin's exterior basement storage doors are of higher quality (beautiful doors that shut like a car door). Newmar's were pretty close in quality but none of their doors, even on the Dutch Star diesel pusher, latched easily when shutting them. I gave up on getting the Dutch Star and Ventana's doors to latch and finally walked away.

Tiffin's interior cabinet doors were also of higher quality, sounding and feeling rock solid. If we go gas, I think we have settled on the Tiffin Allegro.

[AllegroD]

Why less than 34'? Tiffin Allegro 36LA is a great floorplan and MH.

[Goldencrazy]

Allison tranny was in the old Workhorse but not in Ford. The new Ford's do have a very good six speed but prior to 2016 it was a five speed. Good engine with the limitations of gas but very serviceable. I have had 4 and all were fine. Never restricted by having gas.

jplante4 wrote:
You're pretty much limited to a single drive train - Ford F53 chassis with a V10 motor with an Allison 6 speed transmission. You need to define a couple of things to determine the best choice.

• New or used?
• How are you going to use the coach? Weekend/Multi-week week trips out and back or extended (multi-month) adventures.
• Will you be staying mostly at private RV parks with water/electric/sewer/cable TV or off-grid boondocking on public lands/national parks?
• How many people/pets?
  

The answers to these questions will determine the optimum floor plan which is the most important consideration. Long cross country trips or snowbirding will dictate a higher quality rig than occasional weekend trips. If you buy used, you can get higher quality for the same price and a lower quality new motor home.

It might be worth the 8 hour drive to PPL Motor Homes in Houston to have a look around their lot. They are a consignment dealer.

[hanko]

irishtom, sent you a private message

[irishtom29]

hanko wrote:
the 26 is an option I believe on the 36LA. I would have gone that way id it was available in 2014. But regardless, I have almost 3500 lbs carrying capacity with mine even with full fuel

Being interested in the 36la I recently called Tiffin and asked if the 26K chassis was an option, I was told it isn't. I would be happy to have been misinformed as I would seriously consider a 36la on a 26K chassis.

My 2016 32sa, basically a shorter 36la lacking the rear bath, is on the 24K chassis and has 3548 pounds payload and 2985 pounds CCC. My coach, in which my wife and I live full time weighs 22,500 pounds fully loaded for living with me at the wheel and 60 gallons of gas and about 50 gallons of water---8040 pounds on the front axle and 14,460 pounds on the rear axle.

When I see the Fleetwood Bounder comparable to the Tiffin 32sa, the Bounder 33c, being on a 22K chassis and with a wheelbase a whopping 20" shorter than the Tiffin and with a list price higher than the Tiffin to boot, I gotta wonder.

[hanko]

the 26 is an option I believe on the 36LA. I would have gone that way id it was available in 2014. But regardless, I have almost 3500 lbs carrying capacity with mine even with full fuel

[Andy_F]

We are looking at and comparing the Tiffin Allegro Open Road and the Newmar Canyon Star. It appears that the Allegro has larger exterior storage bays. Does anyone know what the Canyon Star's exterior storage square footage numbers are? Newmar does not list those numbers for each of the floorplans.

I also could have sworn that a Tiffin rep told me by email last year that the 36LA was moving to a 26,000 lb chassis like the 34PA and the 36UA. I like the fact that the Canyon Star's all come with a 26,000 lb chassis. The Fleetwood Bounder was eliminated from our consideration due to Fleetwood keeping a 22,000 lb chassis. We plan to full time or nearly full time.

[tropical36]

stargirl96 wrote:
We're looking at both used and new. Any opinions on buying a new or almost new motorhome selling at a lower price point, or spending about the same amount on an older motorhome such as a Tiffin or Newmar?

Spending the same amount and within budget for older and better quality has always been my preference.

[hanko]

I chose the tiffin open road for a couple reasons. the 24,000 lb chassis, and a 254 inch wheel base. I can also sit a see the TV straight on, and it has a half bath. I also like the fact that the slides are on the left side and dont interfere where we like to sit and relax. I didnt want anything in the kitchen moving in and out in a slide. the coach has been trouble free so far.

[RVER]

I know two people who have ACE and are not happy with build etc. Would suggest Newmar, Tiffen, as higher end with Fleetwood Bounder (new ones have great floor plans) and Winnebago/Itaska are quality. IF used have it inspected. I just bought a wonderful Newmar Mountain Aire used, love it but have some things to take care of to make it what i want it to be. IF used check tires for age for sure and get it inspected by a professional not your friend who RVs.

[crasster]

I have always been happy with Tiffin coaches. Overall they are pretty good, decent quality, decent prices.

[Heisenberg]

One thing I learned "after the fact" was that the Ford Chassis with the 22.5 inch tires has far superior handling than the 19.5 inch tires.

[stargirl96]

We're looking at both used and new. Any opinions on buying a new or almost new motorhome selling at a lower price point, or spending about the same amount on an older motorhome such as a Tiffin or Newmar?