Tiger Owners

Thank you for the nice, comprehensive lists. Yes on the AGMs---I have them in my current MH and wouldn't have anything else. I believe they are now standard. I would like to see some photos of #4, #14 & #19, if you have them. Also, did you opt to remove the console?

Welcome to the Tiger Family...The following is a breakdown list of The Tardis outfit list of options & changes we have made. You should seriously consider AGM (no maintenance) Batteries. & the optional 18” larger wheels & tires. The batteries are very hard to get to ,as you have to take part of the couch apart to get them in and out. The larger rims & tires add greatly to the load carrying capability of the tiger. It is a small thing but adding the extra ladder clips to the edge of the bunk allows you to move the ladder to three locations verses one. We opted for the gas verses diesel. I figured I would have to drive 140,000 miles to break even for the added cost of the diesel engine Plus the higher cost of diesel fuel. We averaged about 12 MPG on our trips. Here are the specs for the Tardis…

Year and model of Tiger: 2011 Bengal Tiger "Tardis" (Time Traveler)
Owner: David & Holly Fox
Features:
Provan Vehicle Make: Tiger Bengal
Exterior Color (Chassis/Trim): Oxford White/Blue
Interior Color (Chassis/Coach): Steel/Blue
2011 Ford F350 XLT SUPPER CAB
6.2L EFI V-8 Gas Flex Fuel
Shift-on-the-Fly 4WD
LT 245/75 R 17E BSW A/S
Heavy Duty Shocks
Roll Stability Control
Trailer Sway Control
Dual Zone Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
35 Gal. Tank: Gas
17" Forged Aluminum Wheels
Tinted Glass
Intermittent Wipers
AM/FM C/D MP3
Sirius Radio
SYNC
Transmission Oil Cooler
Power Windows & Door Locks
Power Mirrors - Camper Style
Dual Beam Halogen Headlamps
Tow Hitch: 600 - 7,500 lb rear
Skid Plates
Sport Tube Step Rails
Electronic Locking Differential
Super Springs Suspension System (optional)
XLT Interior Package:
(driver power seat (6-way); power
adjustable pedals; keypad keyless entry)
Improvements & Add 0n's at Provan
1- Kept older style Slider windows in OH Side Position
2- Upgrade to 20A to Run Coffee Pot off 12V Outlet
3- Added Outside Shower Light
4- Added Outside Light on Back
5- Added switch to loft berthing area that turns on all three outside lights
6- Added Front Tow Hitch Class 3
7- Center Console left In-place
8- Added Wineguard Road Star RS-3000 Omnidirectional TV antenna
9- Added tilt brackets for solar panels

The Bengal Tiger Coach "Tardis" As Equipped
4 Gal. Water Heater (std)
Hot Water Heater Bypass Valve (optional)
Drinking Water Filtration System (optional)
Shower Enclosure & Sink (std)
Fresh Water Toilet (std)
30 Amp Multi-Stage Converter (std)
Multiple 110v & 12v Outlets (std)
Clear Coat Exterior Finish (std)
3 Burner Range & Hood (std)
Luggage Carrier on swing away carrier (std)
3.5 cu. Ft. Outside Storage below couch (std)
2.8 Onan Generator (std)
110-volt Air Conditioner (std)
Interior LED Lighting (std)
Cabinet Shelves (optional)
Microwave/Convection Oven 0.6 cu. Ft. (optional)
Rear Stereo Speakers (std)
Side Awning - Fiamma 4500 (std)
Entry Step (std)
16,000 BTU Auto Furnace (std)
Systems Monitor Panel (std)
Nova Kool 4.3 cu. Ft. Refrigerator (std)
19" Color TV/DVD Player (optional)
Fantastic 3-Speed Power Vent (std)
MaxxAir Fan Cover for fantastic fan (optional)
Push Button, Positive-Catch Knobs (std)
Vinyl Flooring (std)
Awning-Style Insulated Windows (std)
123w Solar Panel w/ Controller (optional)
Outside Shower (optional)
Voyager Back-Up Camera (optional)
Yakima Roof Rack (optional)
Likes:
WHATS NOT TO LIKE - IT AWSOME
Dislikes:
NONE AT SHIS TIME
Past problems & fixes:
Caulking cracks ~ Fixed by Provan
Tire size/load/PSI ~ Need to change tires to 18” wheels due to rear loads
Future Plans:
MORE TIME TRAVEL ADVENTURES
Improvements & Add 0n's after delivery
1- Added tie-down to bulkhead area behind driver's seat
2-Added valves to the two water drains over rear axel
3-Added double receiver to rear frame for more secure stowage box support
4-Added organizer to side of bathroom by couch
5-Added (3) 12vdc outlets below entertainment area
6-Added extenders to aft kayak racks to assist in loading kayaks
7-Added towel rack to bathroom
8-Built rack to go on top of kayak rack to keep stowage cover elevated
9-Added extra insulation to pipes below kitchen cabinets
10-Carry a pop-up ladder, stowed fwd of refrigerator for kayak handling
11-Bought front windshield cover to help reduce heat in summer
12- Added additional stowage box on aft platform
13- Added (floor air vent deflector) to inside of fantastic fan to circulate air to fwd area
14-Added half curtain between back and front area of truck
15- FUEL RACK AND 2-6 GAL TANKS
16-WATER RACK AND 2-5 GAL TANKS
17-REAR BILE RACKS (2 BIKES)
18-Changed hanging locker to shelves
19-Added Platform behind seats to level area (stowage below)
20-Added extra ladder clips to allow relocating loft ladder to 3 positions
(provided by Provan)
21-Added extra grab handle inside door to assist entering and exiting
(provided by Provan)
22-Cut main electrical 30amp shore power cable and made it into a extension cord
23-RANCH HAND HEAVY DUTY BUMPER
24-12,000 LB WINCH
25- EXTRA ACCESS TO HOUSE BATTERIES
26- CHANGED TO LIFE LINE MAINTENCE FREE BATTERIES
27- CHANGED TO 18” WHEELS & LT275/70R18 MICHELIN LOAD RANGE E
TIRES (CAN GO UP TO 285/70R18 TO ADD MORE LOAD CARRING
CAPABILITY

Don't think they publish an unloaded weight as such. You get a full, wet weight ticket when you buy.

Mine was about 11,500 lb. with 60 USG of diesel and 40 USG of water and 4x90lb. AGM batteries.

Lots of Tiger info, from owners, here: http://tigerowners.freeforums.org/index.php

Tiger4x4RV wrote:

mockturtle wrote:

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
Mockturtle,
[COLOR]What engine did you upgrade to? What mileage to you get?

My Tiger has an 8.1 L gas engine, Allison 6 speed automatic transmission, and 4WD with electronic transfer case. (Same as Handbasket's) This combination is no long available. MPG: up to 13.5 on freeway, average overall about 11.5.

Sounds good. Do you happen to know what the dry weight of your Tiger is? I'm not finding UVW on the web site or in the brochures, just the GVWR.

mockturtle wrote:

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
Mockturtle,
[COLOR]What engine did you upgrade to? What mileage to you get?

My Tiger has an 8.1 L gas engine, Allison 6 speed automatic transmission, and 4WD with electronic transfer case. (Same as Handbasket's) This combination is no long available. MPG: up to 13.5 on freeway, average overall about 11.5.

Jim (Handbasket): Thank you. You've always been helpful in answering my many questions.:) Another thing I'm still not sure about is the extended cab vs. the regular cab. Concerned about the extra weight in the extended but like the longer wheelbase and extra space.

Where to start? Bear in mind that my purchase was 8 years ago, and that I've not really kept up with all the changes Mark's made. I've been really happy with mine, and most of the changes I'd suggest are 'detail'.

Price: I got about 10-15% off list, but that was buying at the factory from Dave before they had dealers, under the old pricing. I basically got a loaded, all options chassis & coach for the base price.

You'll have to decide among Dodge, Ford, or Chevy, cab length & trim, and diesel or gas. If diesel, you'll have an LP Onan. I'm happy with my std cab Chevy gasser:

Detail changes I'd make, allowing for what I know has already been changed by the factory: Move the generator start panel into the cab access opening where it's reachable when driving (assumes std cab) so the Onan can be warmed up before you park. This would let you start the A/C immediately when you stopped; good if you travel with pets. Move the heat thermostat to where it's reachable from the overcab bunk, or get one with a remote. I'm pretty sure they've added more AC & 12V outlets already. I specified a MaxxFan 5100K instead of a Fantastic Fan for the overcab bunk vent; I'd add a powered vent for the shower. I'd get the roof painted, if they don't now. waxing the gelcoat 1-2X/year is a chore. Delete the 'roof rack' if so equipped. No oven unless you're really going to want baked goods; this gives you a big cabinet.

Big change: I'd try to get the CX fiberglass top put on the taller TX body; dunno if it's possible but think so. This would let you have the larger thermopane awning windows of the TX in the main area, but give you the slide-open windows in the overcab bunk ( AIUI, TX's do not open there). The awning effect of the TX windows give you needed ventilation in the rain when parked; the bunk sliders give you good ventilation at night. And this combo would give you more overhead room in the bunk, I think.

If I think of more, I'll post again.

Jim, "Ancient orators tended to Babyl-on."

To echo Handbasket, look at the Tiger website, they often have finished vehicles, new and used, in stock, and often offer discounts if you use one of their bare trucks. (I know that they have a lovely blue Chevrolet 3500HD diesel with grey LTX interior, available.)

Beyond that, you need to decide if you want a Bengal, in either 5'11" or 6'4" headroom or the new Malayan, in either long or short.

I would put in a plug for the Malayan:



More pictures here: http://www.pbase.com/diplostrat/ndeke_luka

The Malayan is a nice upgrade to the Bengal line, especially if you want a four season camper. Whichever way you go, Tiger is a wonderful company to work with.

Mockturtle,

You are a very experienced RVer, so use that experience to prepare for your Tiger purchase. Think about what you use and don't use in your current unit. Are you planning to tow a vehicle like you do now?

I bought my CX new in 2006. At that time they were ordered from the factory only, no discounts. The model names and specifications have changed greatly since that time. Look at the current Tiger Adventure Vehicles website for info.

If you choose to order from the factory, decide what features you want and don't want. I had a number of "standard" items deleted (generator, microwave, rooftop A/C, and television) for credit, then spent that credit on a larger engine and 4WD. I don't know if you can do that now. I doubt that the factory will accept a trade-in.

If you buy from one of the dealerships, you will probably have to buy just like any other new vehicle. Accept what they have on the lot and try to negotiate.