FRED

Hi,

I do know someone who has one, and they really liked it. He got really good mileage with it, and liked it a lot. His prior RV was a E-450 with a diesel engine and it would have been pretty noisy. He said his FRED was pretty quiet. The larger engines have a low RPM and don't make a lot of noise because of the low engine speed. Still the turbo noise will be there.

Good luck with your decision to buy a newer motorhome!

Fred.

I believe the Fred is a 300 hp 5.9L front end diesel. It would have less performance on hills than the gas versions. If you can get a good price on it and don't plan on a lot of trips out west it may be fine. I would test drive the Fred and each gas version first to see if the engine noise is bearable. The one I test drove was very noisy up front.

We have the HR with the Ford V10 and f53 chassis. It does all we need for it to do. The FRED just looks like a good upgrade for the money and miles. It is also something we might be able to full-time in when we retire. We drove the Allegro FRED and it drove straighter than our gas burner. I don't know that the brakes worked as good (which seemed odd for the few miles on it) but it did have engine brakes and worked better when switched on. All in all the noise level was lower in the FRED. There is a diesel pusher on the lot as well. A longer unit with much more on it, but at a price that is almost $40,000 more. We didn't have time to drive that one and probably won't consider it over the price. Maybe if the note isn't too much higher we can work the DP onto our list.

But I am finding forums that state the Allegro came with an Allison transmission that is weaker than most and won't pull as much as even the Ford V10 gas rig. Anybody find this true?

DO NOT buy a FRED because it is a diesel. Only buy it if you like the coach. The early years of the FRED built Allegros were some of Tiffin's lower end models. The construction quality was less than my parents Allegro Bay gasser. I think they were trying to keep the price down. Somehow, you need to completely ignore the fact that it is a diesel, and just shop as if it is just another coach. Filter that out of you mind.

Gjac wrote:
I believe the Fred is a 300 hp 5.9L front end diesel. It would have less performance on hills than the gas versions. If you can get a good price on it and don't plan on a lot of trips out west it may be fine. I would test drive the Fred and each gas version first to see if the engine noise is bearable. The one I test drove was very noisy up front.

The one I'm looking at is a 6.7. Our V10 pulls the PT Cruiser fine until it gets on a hill. Then it feels much slower. Especially the one time we moved about 100 miles from Crossville, TN to our campground in the Smokies with a full helping of water.

Daveinet wrote:
DO NOT buy a FRED because it is a diesel. Only buy it if you like the coach. The early years of the FRED built Allegros were some of Tiffin's lower end models. The construction quality was less than my parents Allegro Bay gasser. I think they were trying to keep the price down. Somehow, you need to completely ignore the fact that it is a diesel, and just shop as if it is just another coach. Filter that out of you mind.

I do love the layout. Unfortunately my wife doesn't.

Daveinet wrote:
DO NOT buy a FRED because it is a diesel. Only buy it if you like the coach. The early years of the FRED built Allegros were some of Tiffin's lower end models. The construction quality was less than my parents Allegro Bay gasser. I think they were trying to keep the price down. Somehow, you need to completely ignore the fact that it is a diesel, and just shop as if it is just another coach. Filter that out of you mind.

Not true!! The early FRED was introduced in 2006 in both the Allegro and Allegro Bay. The Allegro Bay was the top of the line gasser during that time period and not a lower end model. The FRED was a diesel option for both the Allegro and Allegro Bay.

Gjac wrote:
I believe the Fred is a 300 hp 5.9L front end diesel. It would have less performance on hills than the gas versions. If you can get a good price on it and don't plan on a lot of trips out west it may be fine. I would test drive the Fred and each gas version first to see if the engine noise is bearable. The one I test drove was very noisy up front.

I live out west and tow a 5000 lb toad with my FRED and have no probllem on hills, about equal to my prior F53 National product. The engine noise is also less noisy then my prior Ford. The only useful info regarding FRED's that was mentioned is to take a test drive to determine if the RV is ok for you.

fishboat1 wrote:

Gjac wrote:
I believe the Fred is a 300 hp 5.9L front end diesel. It would have less performance on hills than the gas versions. If you can get a good price on it and don't plan on a lot of trips out west it may be fine. I would test drive the Fred and each gas version first to see if the engine noise is bearable. The one I test drove was very noisy up front.

I live out west and tow a 5000 lb toad with my FRED and have no probllem on hills, about equal to my prior F53 National product. The engine noise is also less noisy then my prior Ford. The only useful info regarding FRED's that was mentioned is to take a test drive to determine if the RV is ok for you.

I just don't believe a 300 hp Fred will out pull a 362 hp Ford or 340 hp Chevy in the same weight chassis up a hill that is all I was saying. I did not say it would not get you up a hill but would be slower getting to the top(less performance) than the Gas MH's I mentioned.

It does and will. The 5.9 red lines at 3,100 - 3,200 RPM. Peak torque is at 1,600 RPM. If you are running at 75 mph, you are right at 3,000 RPM. When you come to hills, it will loose speed until about 2,000 RPM, then will start to "get on the turbo" and pull like a big dog. With the 6 speed behind it, it is a great combo. Granted there is no substitute for cubic inches, so bigger Cumins will run away from it, if the weights are the same.