Picking a coach imput

[tonyd48]

First time RVers and we're pulling the trigger on a used unit within a week or so. We have narrowed down our wants, needs, likes, balanced with a bit of "gotta have" and "would be nice but not necessary" and have landed on 5 different units. They range from an '05 National Sea Breeze to an '11 Itasca 30W. All are available for $55,000 or less. As loans are a profit source for dealerships we can write it that way and pay it off before the interest kicks if it helps with the negotiation. Right now I'm interested in feedback about these 5 specific coaches:
2011 Itasca Sunstar 30W
2010 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE 30Q
2005 NATIONAL RV SEEBREEZE 1321
2010 Coachmen Mirada 29DS
2007 Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro 30 DA 2-SL

Yes, it's a wide range but all are clean and after a 30 minutes with each, just looking and tire kicking not test driven yet all can meet our needs and stay within budget.
Is newer necessarily better? Are Tiffin and Itasca really that great? Is a National RV or Coachman synonymous is shoddy workmanship? Any and all feedback welcome from personal experience to "I heard from a cousin of my deceased aunt twice removed on an elevator".

I've posted links to four of the five actual coaches on my web site here: Sammie and Tony RV hunt or cut and paste if necessary www.tdmw.biz/rv.html

Thanks;

[tropical36]

dahkota wrote:
If I were buying, and this is strictly my opinion:
I would throw out the 2005 - too much rubber/plastic that may not have aged well.
I would throw out the white ones. Personal bias but I know how hard it is to keep a brown/beige rig 'clean looking.' I wouldn't buy a white car for the same reason.
I would buy an Itasca over a Coachmen.

Just so I understand you correctly. You're saying that a white car shows the dirt more so, than a black car.
Just asking, cuz I've never found that to be true in my experience.
At present, we own a white F-150 and a black Wrangler, so.....

[tropical36]

tonyd48 wrote:
First time RVers and we're pulling the trigger on a used unit within a week or so. We have narrowed down our wants, needs, likes, balanced with a bit of "gotta have" and "would be nice but not necessary" and have landed on 5 different units. They range from an '05 National Sea Breeze to an '11 Itasca 30W. All are available for $55,000 or less. As loans are a profit source for dealerships we can write it that way and pay it off before the interest kicks if it helps with the negotiation. Right now I'm interested in feedback about these 5 specific coaches:
2011 Itasca Sunstar 30W
2010 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE 30Q
2005 NATIONAL RV SEEBREEZE 1321
2010 Coachmen Mirada 29DS
2007 Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro 30 DA 2-SL

Yes, it's a wide range but all are clean and after a 30 minutes with each, just looking and tire kicking not test driven yet all can meet our needs and stay within budget.
Is newer necessarily better? Are Tiffin and Itasca really that great? Is a National RV or Coachman synonymous is shoddy workmanship? Any and all feedback welcome from personal experience to "I heard from a cousin of my deceased aunt twice removed on an elevator".

I've posted links to four of the five actual coaches on my web site here: Sammie and Tony RV hunt or cut and paste if necessary www.tdmw.biz/rv.html

Thanks;

I'd go for the Tiffin or the National, if it was me and IMO, National built some of the best coaches ever. Especially with their gas puller line.
The Tiffin is newer and still in business, although excellence in engineering trumps all in my book. Having said that, non-orphan companies don't stand for much in my book, as well and I would think that you could get the National a whole lot cheaper, leaving money left over for fuel and fixings that they all require. The Seabreeze wasn't their top of the line, as it was more like the Dolphin LX in that year, but still a very nice coach if the one you're looking at, has been maintained and cared for.

[box710]

My choice would be the Tiffin. they make a good quality coach and are still going strong as a company. great customer service also.I have owned many coaches an by far the Tiffin outdoes all of my other coaches. what ever you choose good luckand i guarantee it wont be your last coach. happy hunting

[fourmat]

VinCee wrote:
With out knowing mileage and condition of each coach no less wants and needs of interior lay out it is hard to opine. However, based on what you have told us I would go with the Itasca because it is the newest and the ability to get parts etc. from Winnebago is well known. The Tiffin would be my second choice.

+1 the Itasca is the newest and will not be a problem for parts or service. Also I assume is Ford Chassis with the latest V10

[dahkota]

If I were buying, and this is strictly my opinion:
I would throw out the 2005 - too much rubber/plastic that may not have aged well.
I would throw out the white ones. Personal bias but I know how hard it is to keep a brown/beige rig 'clean looking.' I wouldn't buy a white car for the same reason.
I would buy an Itasca over a Coachmen.

[Goldencrazy]

I owned a 30W, the Winnebago version, with the dinette not the buffet-2010. Traded for a 2012 30T so we could have the buffet and a bit more room with the bedroom slide out. Loved them both. First the two slides in the living area that oppose each other really open up that space. It lives large for the size. I would not own a coach without the opposing slides in the living area. We also liked the TV on the side not over the front. You will also find you can live in it with the slide's in for overnights where you can't put out slides. The bedroom lives the same. Getting the slide in bedroom did provide more space for storage but the trade off of ease of bedroom use when stopping for a quick overnight was really a wash. It has great storage and we liked it a lot. We used the folding chairs instead of the other two which allowed us to stow one or both when we wanted more space. I strongly recommend the 30W. No real problems with this coach. You will find a whole tread here somewhere about the 30W which discusses mods many of us made. I am a ride freak so did invest in suspension improvements but others are doing just fine as is. I have traded just to have more features and room as our traveling style and usage has grown. I remain with Winnebago. I also like the outside look on the coach you are considering. PM me if you have other questions.

[afrescopXx]

BTPO1 wrote:

ArchHoagland wrote:
I'd say pick the with the best layout that both of you like. Especially the one the that your wife likes.

Which brand is best or worst? Hmmm, I've been on these forums 10 years and have learned not to comment about that.

In general all are good and all are bad, you can have problems with any brand.

Agree, but most important is the wife liking the floorplan that meets your particular needs. JMO

x3

[Gjac]

It really depends on how you plan to use the MH. To me water,storage,performance and CCC are important. I would stay away from the small cutout doors, therefore I would choose either the Tiffin or the National. Are they all on the same chassis? Do any have performance mods(headers, chips etc)? If you just plan on weekend trips to local FHU CG's then any of those would work.

[rgatijnet1]

Keep in mind that when you do take a test drive, it basically will just tell you if the driving position is comfortable. All RV's ride rougher when they are empty and rattles are not too surprising.
Check to make sure that all of the controls are within your reach and that the seat will adjust for all possible drivers. Listen for any unusual sounds from the engine and drive train. Make sure that the transmission shifts as it should.
If you are serious about a unit, ask to see the service records and check to make sure that any recalls have been taken care of.

[gbopp]

As previously mentioned, check the age of the tires. RV tires usually age out before they wear out.
Check for evidence of leaks (stains, soft spots on floors, etc.), a small leak can cause a lot of damage if not repaired quickly.

Condition is very important when buying a used RV.
If I can't test drive a unit, I would not buy it.
If you can't check all the systems yourself, pay a RV tech to do the inspection. It's money well spent.
Do not be in a hurry to purchase. Take your time and do your homework.
There are a lot of units available.

Let us know what you buy. But take your time. The right unit is out there waiting for you.
Enjoy the search. 🙂

[wallynm]

I would pick one of these and the Tiffin first but the bottom line pick the one the wife wants. You did not tell us any thing about chassis and engine choice. I would not choose a workhorse of any kind.

2007 Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro 30 DA 2-SL
2011 Itasca Sunstar 30W

I would not pick one of these

2010 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE 30Q
2005 NATIONAL RV SEEBREEZE 1321
2010 Coachmen Mirada 29DS

[BTPO1]

ArchHoagland wrote:
I'd say pick the with the best layout that both of you like. Especially the one the that your wife likes.

Which brand is best or worst? Hmmm, I've been on these forums 10 years and have learned not to comment about that.

In general all are good and all are bad, you can have problems with any brand.

Agree, but most important is the wife liking the floorplan that meets your particular needs. JMO

[zach477]

I just bought my first about a month ago. Even within a particular brand/model you can see a range of quality. I wouldn't get TOO hung up on this. One thing that influenced my decision was that some camp grounds don't allow coaches over 10 years old. This or more of an issue for me since I will be full timing and staying by the month.

I'd also factor in the mileage on each unit. Not too high, but also not too low. Do you happen to know the mileage on them?

Are any of them rental units? I immediately ruled out the ones that used to be rentals. The reason is that during each of my trips to the dealership, I overheard the front desk people on the phones talking about towing/repairing rental units because the renters beat them up.

Don't just kick the tires. Check the date codes. Some of those coaches will have tires that need to be replaced soon. You're looking at 2-3000 grand right there....this may be a negotiating point as well. Check the battery age while you're at it.

See if you can test drive all of them. That might help you narrow it down some.

Also test EVERYTHING. Anything that hints at being problematic is something that could keep your from enjoying it. None of them will be perfect, but if the dash AC doesn't work, or the generator doesn't start, etc, it might be a headache you don't want to deal with?

If none of that helps.....which one looks cooler? I say this in jest....but not entirely. I teach guitar lessons, and I have people ask me for advice on which guitar to buy. Sometkmes buying the one that looks coolest is the one that will get you the most exciting about using and enjoying it.

[ArchHoagland]

I'd say pick the with the best layout that both of you like. Especially the one the that your wife likes.

Which brand is best or worst? Hmmm, I've been on these forums 10 years and have learned not to comment about that.

In general all are good and all are bad, you can have problems with any brand.