Forum Discussion

Andy_F's avatar
Andy_F
Explorer
Jun 11, 2016

Newmar/Tiffin vs. Coachmen Miranda Select/Fleetwood Bounder

We are looking at higher end gassers and we are impressed with the both the Coachmen Miranda Select and Fleetwood Bounder floorplans, amenities, and resulting value. The Coachmen has a fiberglass roof. The Bounder has an upgraded awning among other nice upgrades. It's seems ridiculous to me that neither Newmar nor Tiffin have upgraded their awnings to the "horizontal" out-of-way support arms, such an easy upgrade for them to do if they claim to be worth their much higher prices. Instead, they both have their front vertical awning support arms right over the side passenger window. What in the world is that about???

Are these new type of awnings not the nice upgrade they would appear to be? They sure look like nice on the new Bounders.

It seems to me that the mega-size owners of Fleetwood and Coachmen are seriously threatening the higher end gassers market with impressive upgrades at a much lower price when compared to Newmar and Tiffin who seem to think they can garner a much higher price. Especially in the case of the Bounder which really only lacks a higher gross weight chassis, stack able w/d, and a fiberglass roof.

Thoughts or insights? We are probably 4-5 years away from upgrading up from our TT and 8 years away from a much yearned for law enforcement retirement. I think I am set on this higher end gassers market. Looking forward to 3/4 time RV'ing
Class A
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2016
    I am not impressed with that type of awning and would not let it "kill" a deal for something else. do any of the others besides coachmen have a fiberglass roof? if not that would be my choice among these.
    bumpy
  • Andy_F's avatar
    Andy_F
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2016
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    I am not impressed with that type of awning and would not let it "kill" a deal for something else. do any of the others besides coachmen have a fiberglass roof? if not that would be my choice among these.
    bumpy


    Why are you not impressed with that type of awning? Seems higher-end to me but I am wondering how it handles the light winds and any rain? Can you lower one corner for draining rain?
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Jun 11, 2016
    Bounder is now a "higher end" class A gas coach. Makes me chuckle.
    It was introduced in 1986 as an entry level coach. How times have changed.

    Richard
    95 "lower end" Bounder. GRIN
  • Andy_F's avatar
    Andy_F
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2016
    RLS7201 wrote:
    Bounder is now a "higher end" class A gas coach. Makes me chuckle.
    It was introduced in 1986 as an entry level coach. How times have changed.

    Richard
    95 "lower end" Bounder. GRIN


    That's interesting to me that Fleetwood seems to have changed the Bounder in that manner. Seems like the Bounder surpasses the Southwind in amenities in many ways even though the Southwind appears to be marketed as the top-of-the-line gasser for Fleetwood.
  • Andy_F's avatar
    Andy_F
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2016
    The other thing we have found in our research is that the Bounder appears to have the greatest exterior storage by far compared to the Winnebago Adventurer and even to the Newmar Canyon Star. The Tiffin Allegro is pretty close in that arena. Seems like Winnebago would adjust their chassis structure to catch up with storage space.
  • xctraveler's avatar
    xctraveler
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2016
    If I remember correctly Winnebago has used drop rail frame for some time now. Tiffins used raised rail which gives some storage above the bottom of the rails, not as easy to access as drop rail storage, but more of it:)

    "Seems like Winnebago would adjust their chassis structure to catch up with storage space." would be a major re-engineering starting with a different chassis design. They needed the drop rail for their basement AC among other things.
  • Andy_F's avatar
    Andy_F
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2016
    xctraveler wrote:
    If I remember correctly Winnebago has used drop rail frame for some time now. Tiffins used raised rail which gives some storage above the bottom of the rails, not as easy to access as drop rail storage, but more of it:)

    "Seems like Winnebago would adjust their chassis structure to catch up with storage space." would be a major re-engineering starting with a different chassis design. They needed the drop rail for their basement AC among other things.


    What does above-rail and drop-rail mean? Is the "rail" the frame between the front and rear axles?
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jun 11, 2016
    I am not sure of the year Coachmen Mirada that you are looking at but all the ones I have seen have the small cut out doors like on Class C's where as the others have the full basement storage doors. What size are you looking at? I would also look for pass thru basement storage for storing bikes, ladders, tables etc. Some Miradas, have one large pass thru under the rear bed and that may be enough storage for you depending on how you plan to use the MH. To me storage, water, and battery power are more important than the type of awning. Older Bounders were known for their large fresh water tanks.
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Jun 12, 2016
    xctraveler wrote:
    If I remember correctly Winnebago has used drop rail frame for some time now. Tiffins used raised rail which gives some storage above the bottom of the rails, not as easy to access as drop rail storage, but more of it:)

    "Seems like Winnebago would adjust their chassis structure to catch up with storage space." would be a major re-engineering starting with a different chassis design. They needed the drop rail for their basement AC among other things.


    The class A gas chassis uses the standard frame rails, as delivered by Ford, Chevy or Workhorse.

    Richard
  • Andy_F's avatar
    Andy_F
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2016
    Gjac wrote:
    I am not sure of the year Coachmen Mirada that you are looking at but all the ones I have seen have the small cut out doors like on Class C's where as the others have the full basement storage doors. What size are you looking at? I would also look for pass thru basement storage for storing bikes, ladders, tables etc. Some Miradas, have one large pass thru under the rear bed and that may be enough storage for you depending on how you plan to use the MH. To me storage, water, and battery power are more important than the type of awning. Older Bounders were known for their large fresh water tanks.


    I am looking at the 2017 Miranda Select which has full pass thru side hinged baggage doors just like all if the higher end gasserS and DPers.

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