Tiffin VS. Winnebago

[Pop-Pop_C]

This ought to get some controversy, have looked at both the phaeton
and the Winnebago. Like the cockpit better in the Phaeton, but haven't found a
40' with recling chairs. We don't like the two couch thing.
The Winnebago has the chairs. I like the Phaeton better? DW
likes the Winnebago 40U. I believe the winnebago is cheaper.I'm sure there lots of opinions.
THANKYOU

[Bumpyroad]

mike brez wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

427435 wrote:

hootgipper wrote:
Look under any Winnebago. You'd be hard-pressed to find one that isn't a rusty mess.

HHMMMMMMM. Mine is 13 years old and it is not a rusty mess.

x2
bumpy

Thought you had a travel trailer :h

Mine that I just traded off was 13 years old and was not a rusty mess.
bumpy

[mike_brez]

Bumpyroad wrote:

427435 wrote:

hootgipper wrote:
Look under any Winnebago. You'd be hard-pressed to find one that isn't a rusty mess.

HHMMMMMMM. Mine is 13 years old and it is not a rusty mess.

x2
bumpy

Thought you had a travel trailer :h

[RFCN2]

All houses on wheels have issues. Charles Kuralt said this in his book 25 years ago. And that is my experience. The key is to avoid ones that disable your motorhome in a major and possibly unfixable way. So expanding on this thread on Tiffin and Winny. If you like Winnebagos make sure you look carefully that there is not rust under it. And with Tiffins, don't get one with the problems talked about in this thread.

We own a brand that almost everyone says is one of the very best. We have nearly the top model from that maker. We bought a year that was referred to as a prime year. And we still have lots of repairs. Last week I coughed up 8 grand to CAT for a blown turbo intercooler, properly mounting the turbo another repair shop did not do right, cleaning out our radiator, and a tune up of valves on our CAT C12. When finished our 40,000 lb coach and Jeep tow car literally flew up the very steep grapevine going south. I think the CAT dealer left Superman hidden in the engine compartment. We were accelerating up a 6% grade in 4 with medium throttle. The computer said all 505 hp were alive and well in the back. And BTW we flew past an newer Allegro Bus struggling at about 40 mph on the grade. I guess he did not buy the upgraded motor from Tiffin and stuck with the basic.

One of our close friends bought a 1998 Winnebago 34' DP with 85,000 miles on it five years ago in Oregon. They enjoyed it and drove the c$#p out of it for four hears and had very few problems. When he sold it a year ago he had buyers literally lined up and sold it in two days for more than he paid. I did not ask him about rust, but they loved their W.

Tiffin as far as I know is the top selling class A maker. They must be doing something right then. Lots! of people like and buy Phaetons and other Tiffin models. And Alabama is a nice State to visit. Orange Beach is a great place. So is Mobile. If you get a Tiffin and have issues explore AL. There is a great battleship in the harbor and a fantastic seafood place next to it.

If you don't like doing mechanical repairs don't get a class A. You can separate the men from the boys by the size of their toys. And I still think the floor plan is very important.

[moparmaga2]

When looking at used mid range Diesel Pushers about 6 months ago, there was only one brand of Diesel Pusher I would not consider - Tiffin.

The reason I would not consider a Tiffin is due to the Roof Rails, Fiberglass sidewall problems, slide out floor rot, storage compartment floor rot, Paint Blisters, etc.

I have no doubt that Tiffin would fix these issues, but I simply do not have time to be going to a factory in Alabama all the time for things that should have been obvious at the time of manufacture (Wood Rot on surfaces that get wet)

My line of thinking was I could buy a motorhome, then come on RV forms and brag about the legendary service received at the Tiffin factory on major RV service, or I could just buy any one of the number of other RV's that have no known defects and go on vacation.


When it comes down to it, it's your time, your money, and your patience level.

[B_s_Bunch]

There are a world of happy Tiffan owners out there. We are not one of them. I guess that is why there are different types of Ice Cream. Check out what you spend your money on. Larry

[Bumpyroad]

TugCamp wrote:
Please correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't the undercarrage rust issue be more of a Ford/Workhorse/Freightliner issue than Winnebago/Tiffin? Thinking surface rust would be present on most chasis driven in salted roads...

yep I doubt that any motorhome manufacturer ziebarts ?? their chassis.
Speaking of quality control, my BIL had about a 2000 Tiffin which he discovered had installed the wrong size of holding tank. they did ship him a replacement and he put it in himself instead of driving to Red Bay.
bumpy

[TugCamp]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't the undercarrage rust issue be more of a Ford/Workhorse/Freightliner issue than Winnebago/Tiffin? Thinking surface rust would be present on most chasis driven in salted roads...

[oneolddog]

I cannot comment on Winnebago as I've never liked the looks of recent models. Tiffin has had some major engineering issues and problems with quality control. Tiffin has re-designed their roof three times in recent years due to major problems. They say that their most recent design is the final fix. I guess time will tell.

[hootgipper]

Concerning Winnebago rust...We are not as lucky as some. We have a 2004 Winnebago 36G. Love the motorhome, adore the floor plan, but hate the rust! We're the 2nd owner. (presently this '04 coach only has a little over 30,000 miles) Previous owner lived up north and only drove the Winnie to FL every year and back. He appeared to be very picky about the care of the coach and always took it to the Winnebago factory for service. He also kept it stored inside. We bought it in 2011 and unfortunately didn't look under it before purchasing. However, we did notice rust on the propane tank prior, and the dealer repainted it. It is hard to find any metal underneath without rust. Even the wheel wells are rusting.
I've also read other complaints from Winnebago owners about the rust issue. 😞

[Bumpyroad]

427435 wrote:

hootgipper wrote:
Look under any Winnebago. You'd be hard-pressed to find one that isn't a rusty mess.

HHMMMMMMM. Mine is 13 years old and it is not a rusty mess.

x2
bumpy

[MeanderMan]

We've owned a 2006 Tiffin Allegro Bay and now own a 2006 Itasca Ellipse. While it's true that one was a gasser (37') and the other a DP, some things can be compared fairly objectively:
- Customer service on both are about equal. Tiffin has Bob but also requires a trip to Red Bay for major work, while there are a host of Winnebago service centers. Neither Red Bay or Forest City for service differ much; both small towns with not much to offer.
- Doing your own repairs are easier on the Winnebago; type in your VIN at their web site and download the parts list for YOUR motorhome, along with electrical and plumbing diagrams.
- Winnebago's EMS system is pretty good, Tiffin never made one for the Phaeton in the past, maybe new models have it.
- Quality and workmanship are pretty equal; each does some things better than the other, some things not as good.
- Until recently, Winnebago offered more imaginative floor plans. We passed on the Phaeton because we didn't want the couch/couch and overhead TV.
- We loved our Tiffin, and love our Ellipse. Either is a great product. But then there's the Winnebago Grand National Rally.....

[capnqball]

We own a 2007 Journey 36G and I do not have any rust either.

[427435]

hootgipper wrote:
Look under any Winnebago. You'd be hard-pressed to find one that isn't a rusty mess.

HHMMMMMMM. Mine is 13 years old and it is not a rusty mess.

[hootgipper]

Look under any Winnebago. You'd be hard-pressed to find one that isn't a rusty mess.