Entry level Newmar, Tiffin and Winnebago. Are they equal?

Oops! You post said entry level DPs. Forget my comments.

Winnebago and Newmar have several lines of gas powered class A motorhomes, I assume you categorize as "entry level". Tiffin has only one line-the Allegro Open Road, which I feel is not really entry level because it has most features of higher end DPs. I've looked at them all, but you should too before you make your choice.

wolfe10 wrote:
Also, when considering entry level, look UNDER the coach as well.

Some have low HP and weaker transmissions. The Allison 3000 would be my pick on an entry level coach.

I'm not aware of any new gas powered class A motorhome that has an Allison transmission. Those were built on Workhorse chassis which are out of the picture. All current Class A motors homes are built on Ford F53 chassis. Their engine/transmissions are pretty much trouble free. I've owned three of them.

2gypsies wrote:

Effy wrote:

Mondooker wrote:
Your point "same people and same construction line" is huge isn't it? The King Aire built right after the Canyin Star is impressive by any standard!

I never understood this claim. I've seen some canyon stars and bay stars and was less than impressed with build quality. Then their top shelf model comes off the same line, has me scratching my head why this is a good thing.

The Canyon Star and Bay Star aren't built with better quality or same quality materials because they aren't as costly as the King Aire, for instance. So, no, they're not the same quality but they are built with the same care. The same workers build both. They don't say, "O.K.. here comes a Canyon Star, let's build it with mistakes". No, they take the same amount of care building it as the previous expensive one on the line. That's what's impressive. :) You can see this function if you take a tour.

That's my point. I've been in a few canyon stars and the quality was really lacking.

Effy wrote:

Mondooker wrote:
Your point "same people and same construction line" is huge isn't it? The King Aire built right after the Canyin Star is impressive by any standard!

I never understood this claim. I've seen some canyon stars and bay stars and was less than impressed with build quality. Then their top shelf model comes off the same line, has me scratching my head why this is a good thing.

The Canyon Star and Bay Star aren't built with better quality or same quality materials because they aren't as costly as the King Aire, for instance. So, no, they're not the same quality but they are built with the same care. The same workers build both. They don't say, "O.K.. here comes a Canyon Star, let's build it with mistakes". No, they take the same amount of care building it as the previous expensive one on the line. That's what's impressive. :) You can see this function if you take a tour.

Bruce Brown wrote:

Effy wrote:

Mondooker wrote:
Your point "same people and same construction line" is huge isn't it? The King Aire built right after the Canyin Star is impressive by any standard!

I never understood this claim. I've seen some canyon stars and bay stars and was less than impressed with build quality. Then their top shelf model comes off the same line, has me scratching my head why this is a good thing.

Was it the actual build quality or material quality? Obviously a King Aire will use a bit higher end materials than a Bay Star.

We were recently in a '08 Canyon Star, very nice MH, regardless of the fuel it burned.

I was at a show once and went through a bay star. No real wood to be found, it's walls were all veneered, The famed "Amish built cabinetry" eluded me, blinds and window coverings had pulled away from the wall, one of the actual wall panels were pulling away from the corner, mis-aligned bin doors that wouldn't close tight, no slide topper (option), bubbles in the flooring and a lot of other things that were pretty glaring. People knock entry level thor and this thing was a far sight worse than any Thor I'd ever been in. I've never experienced any of that stuff in either Thor we've owned.

Now as far as an entry level Newmar DP, I think the only option on the table is the Ventana LE. I've been in a few of those and they are nice coaches. The rest of Newmars DP lineup is not considered entry level.

Effy wrote:

Mondooker wrote:
Your point "same people and same construction line" is huge isn't it? The King Aire built right after the Canyin Star is impressive by any standard!

I never understood this claim. I've seen some canyon stars and bay stars and was less than impressed with build quality. Then their top shelf model comes off the same line, has me scratching my head why this is a good thing.

Was it the actual build quality or material quality? Obviously a King Aire will use a bit higher end materials than a Bay Star.

We were recently in a '08 Canyon Star, very nice MH, regardless of the fuel it burned.

We shopped for a while (over a year) and you start to go dizzy :)

I won't try to compare as this is only our second MH, but I would agree Newmar and Tiffen are nice coaches even at entry level. I will put in a plug for Winne in that I was impressed everything had a part number (even the pillows) and you can go online and find parts, construction drawings, even manuals. I'm sure its similar with other manufacturers such as Tiffen, but I also liked the fact almost all of the parts are manufactured in the factory in the US, rather than the factory just being an assembly house of overseas parts.

Ironically, every problem we have had so far relates to the few Lippert components they elected to use.

Mondooker wrote:
Your point "same people and same construction line" is huge isn't it? The King Aire built right after the Canyin Star is impressive by any standard!

I never understood this claim. I've seen some canyon stars and bay stars and was less than impressed with build quality. Then their top shelf model comes off the same line, has me scratching my head why this is a good thing.

Your point "same people and same construction line" is huge isn't it? The King Aire built right after the Canyin Star is impressive by any standard!