Hi we are new to this forum and have been full timing for a year now. We are looking to upgrade our MH now that we know we are in this for the long haul!We have narrowed down to 2 MH's both 2008, 40ft DP and looking for input/experience with either of these.Phaeton 40 QSH with a Cummins 360 and freightliner chassisFleetwood Revolution LE 40R Cummins 400 Spartan XC Series chassisAppreciate any comments!Bob and Sue2004 Monaco Knight

My choice would be the Tiffin. They offer good customer service as well as building a good rig. Fleetwood would probably be a fairly good choice too. Not noted for their good customer service in the past. There has been the turmoil of a recent bankruptcy and it's a new co. They have recently acquired Monaco from Navistar so it remains to be seen how or if they will even support past products. Right now I would have to say Tiffin is the most stable builder of the 2.

Take a good look at both and DRIVE them..Spartan makes a killer chassis and they stand behind it..Fleetwood did move the Revolution to its American line which gives above average support...Also 400 HP ISL engine is proven 360 engine has to be driven..Nothing wrong with Tiffin if it is in better shape but do not be afraid of the Fleetwood..Tiffin stands behind its product...but you need to DRIVE them as the chassis and engines are different.

The Revolution is a more high end coach than the Phaeton. The Revolution should have IFS (independent front suspension) and a side radiator. IFS will give you a better ride and side radiator will save bucks/effort when you need to replace things like belts, hoses and other stuff attached to the engine. According to folks with other American coach products (the Revolution was made on the same line as American Eagles, Traditions, etc.), American Coach provides good support, as does Tiffin.If you like the floor plans and both coaches have been properly cared for, either would likely be a good choice. For me, the side radiator would be an important factor assuming all other things are good.

I would look more at the Tiffin, had a new Fleetwood 5th wheel which was by far the worst RV on the planet, and customer support was extremely poor and will never own another one again. I won't say Tiffin hasn't had any problems but they have a better history of taking care of their customers.JMHOBlessings; kdk

Both being equal, the Revolution, hands down. 10x better chassis, much better engine and customer support is equal. Now if there is a large disparity in price or condition, then it would take some thinking. People that try and say Tiffin builds a better coach, conveniently forget all the problems they have just like any other coach, leaking roofs was and I hear IS still a major problem with the Tiffin line.

Tiffin Phaeton or Fleetwood Revolution | Good Sam Community

BobGed
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
norwestie wrote:
The Phaeton is a wonderful coach. We had an '09 and loved it, but be aware of the issues many of them have. Roof radius rails can crack, wet bay floors can rot, slide floors weaken. Tiffin factory in Red Bay, AL will repair or replace for free, but that means a trip to Alabama.
There is an independent website for Tiffin owners that is a wealth of info: http://tiffinrvnetwork.com

Not all of the repairs noted above require a trip to Red Bay. There are authorized Tiffin repair facilities that can handle the wet bay and roof radius rails (ours were done in CA). If the DS slide floor requires replacement, that can only be done at the factory in Red Bay since they have to completely remove the slide.
norwestie
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
The Phaeton is a wonderful coach. We had an '09 and loved it, but be aware of the issues many of them have. Roof radius rails can crack, wet bay floors can rot, slide floors weaken. Tiffin factory in Red Bay, AL will repair or replace for free, but that means a trip to Alabama.
There is an independent website for Tiffin owners that is a wealth of info: http://tiffinrvnetwork.com
tinkerer
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
moisheh wrote:
Not really a fair comparison. One is a mid priced coach with bells and whistles. The other is more like a Bounder or Discovery. Like comparing a Buick to a Chevy. An 08 Rev is a fine coach. An Allegro Bus is more like the Rev.

Moisheh
X2
strudeau
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
My buddy has a 2007 Tiffin Phaeton and has had many problems. He really gets upset when having to deal with engine related problems and has the rear radiator staring him in the face. As for the Revolution, the American Coach line is first class and the service is outstanding. We love our AC Tradition and it has been our nicest RV in any class thus far. Very well constructed and high attention to detail.
revump
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
Tiffin always ... all my dealing with Tiffin have been the best
moisheh
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
Not really a fair comparison. One is a mid priced coach with bells and whistles. The other is more like a Bounder or Discovery. Like comparing a Buick to a Chevy. An 08 Rev is a fine coach. An Allegro Bus is more like the Rev.

Moisheh
doc_brown
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
The Texan wrote:
Both being equal, the Revolution, hands down. 10x better chassis, much better engine and customer support is equal. Now if there is a large disparity in price or condition, then it would take some thinking. People that try and say Tiffin builds a better coach, conveniently forget all the problems they have just like any other coach, leaking roofs was and I hear IS still a major problem with the Tiffin line.

X2.
Bob___Ann
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
We can't comment on the Fleetwood Revolution. I know that there are others who have a lot of comments on units that they have never owned and really know nothing about. I can tell you that our last two motor homes have been Tiffin. We bought our Phaeton because of the fantastic nine years that we had with our Tiffin Allegro Bay. Problems were all minor and Tiffin stands behind their product even when it is out of warranty.
Blaster_Man
Explorer
Dec 30, 2013
Can't speak to Tiffin's support, but FW's is top notch both on the phone and in person.
rvten
Explorer
Dec 30, 2013
As. Past FW owner, twice. I would never own another one.