vinniechains wrote:
Curious on what you decided? We're looking at the approximately the same thing. With 3 small kids, but soon to be big, debating on whether the bunks are a must.
I looked at the Thor Miramar 34.2 which is suppose to be an upgrade from the Hurricane. Love the floorplan and electric bunk. In fact, I would consider buying one but was really not impressed with the quality. Thor scares me...at least in the price range I'm looking.
Love the Tiffin 35QBA too. However, when trying to find one a year or two old, it's nearly impossible. I have an opportunity to buy the 34TGA but there are no bunks. Still contemplating.
So....we did get out to a dealer a few weekends ago and spent 3 hours there looking at and driving a Tiffin Allegro 35QBA and Hurricane 34J. Without going into huge details, I kept my opinions to myself while my wife and kids all walked around and through the coaches and provided feedback. They came to the same conclusions I did. In every way, the Tiffin is a nicer coach. The build quality was SO much better, the storage compartments were bigger, easier to access, and every single one of them was pass-thru over the drivetrain. The deciding factor really came from the test drive. On this particular day, it was VERY windy. Steady 15-17mph winds with gusts up to 25mph or more. We test drove a twisty road, around town roads, and did 12 miles on the Interstate at highway speeds. The Hurricane was SO loud. The wind was whistling in the cabin...it was SO annoying. And the wind was knocking us all over the road. I had to fight from doing full lane changes when a gust came up. These were really the worst conditions I'd expect to encounter on a trip in our parts. By comparison, the Tiffin was so much smoother and quieter. There was very little wind noise. And the coach, while it did move around during the gusts -- was never an issue. Dunno if it was the heavier base weight or the fact that it had the bigger 22.5" wheels and the Hurricane had smaller wheels...but it was a far more pleasant experience. There were other niceties as well -- like how the Tiffin A/C units don't poke through the ceiling...so you never hear the loud return fans. It was $30K more...but I feel worth every penny after comparing these two coaches side by side.
If we buy one, we'll order one for the simple fact that Tiffin just released a new option for the 35QBA in the form of a manual drop-down bunk over the driver/passenger seats. It's not electric...it's manual...but easy enough to us. You get at 250lb capacity vs. the electric's 500lb capacity. I also really like the full MCD shades on every window...and electric on the main windshield.
With all that said, I'd still really like to find a roughly 2011-2012 38QBA Red. I think that would be a neat coach...but can't afford a new one.
So...we're still talking. I do know that I've been in heavy/gusty winds in my current 40' fifth wheel and super duty pickup. I can hear the wind...and I can see the trees bending over. But I never feel the truck or camper move. Fifth wheels are so stable when towing!
