Our RV purchase has been an adventure in itself. We narrowed our search from all brands to Tiffin last year, but only recently narrowed our search from the entire Tiffin line to the Phaeton 42QRH.
For years we were leaning towards a 36QSH as it would allow us more options of parks to visit, however as buying came closer to reality since our rig will be our full time residence we came to the conclusion that a 36' simply wouldn't have enough storage or living space and within a few years we'd be itching for more.
40 footer's looked great, but then we started collecting ccc (cargo carrying capacity) and the Phaeton 40's ranged from as low as 2,200 up to 3,600 lbs.. based on RV forum feedback that's simply not enough for full timers. So... we moved up to the 42', where the tag axle and raised the ccc up to 9,600... plenty for anyone!
Once we decided on Tiffin, and a specific Tiffin model, I was amazed to quickly discover the # of differences in features between year models. One major difference for us was the inclusion of a residential refrigerator in the 2009 models vs. 2008. The 2009 also came with a bedroom ceiling fan, vent covers, laundry bin, improved slide shower door and a number of other little enhancements that quite frankly made up for the difference in price even once you remove the resale factor.
Google was the best tool out there for researching which dealers had the model we wanted on their lots, and let me warn you that prices varied by as much as $100k for exactly the same model/features.
We put together a spreadsheet of dealers, features the models on the lots included, color schemes & cost. As it turned out we were able to have Tiffin build us a rig to our exact specifications for less than most dealers were willing to sell either new or used that were already on their lots anyway.
For years we were leaning towards a 36QSH as it would allow us more options of parks to visit, however as buying came closer to reality since our rig will be our full time residence we came to the conclusion that a 36' simply wouldn't have enough storage or living space and within a few years we'd be itching for more.
40 footer's looked great, but then we started collecting ccc (cargo carrying capacity) and the Phaeton 40's ranged from as low as 2,200 up to 3,600 lbs.. based on RV forum feedback that's simply not enough for full timers. So... we moved up to the 42', where the tag axle and raised the ccc up to 9,600... plenty for anyone!
Once we decided on Tiffin, and a specific Tiffin model, I was amazed to quickly discover the # of differences in features between year models. One major difference for us was the inclusion of a residential refrigerator in the 2009 models vs. 2008. The 2009 also came with a bedroom ceiling fan, vent covers, laundry bin, improved slide shower door and a number of other little enhancements that quite frankly made up for the difference in price even once you remove the resale factor.
Google was the best tool out there for researching which dealers had the model we wanted on their lots, and let me warn you that prices varied by as much as $100k for exactly the same model/features.
We put together a spreadsheet of dealers, features the models on the lots included, color schemes & cost. As it turned out we were able to have Tiffin build us a rig to our exact specifications for less than most dealers were willing to sell either new or used that were already on their lots anyway.
After going to Red Bay Alabama to watch the build process we flew back to the dealer (Davis Motor Home Mart in Memphis, TN) to pick him up and drive him home. When we left Red Bay he had not yet been painted so we were very curious to see how he would look “with clothes on”. He did not disappoint, he’s beautiful!
Due to complications in financing we ended up spending our 1st night in Big Boy in the dealer’s lot, a great idea because it allowed us to check everything out and make a list of questions (the answer to most being user error) and get resolution before hitting the road.
Due to complications in financing we ended up spending our 1st night in Big Boy in the dealer’s lot, a great idea because it allowed us to check everything out and make a list of questions (the answer to most being user error) and get resolution before hitting the road.
For our next RV adventure we decided to check out the infamous Quartzsite, AZ. For this journey we wanted to test drive a diesel that was a bit larger than we’d rented in the past. We found a nice 32ft Tiffin Allegro FRED (front engine diesel) from Class A Motor Home Rentals in Homestead, CA, approximately 180 miles from Quartzsite.
The 32' was perfect for this trip because it gave both Steve & I driving experience in a diesel while keeping the overall length only 2 feet longer than we’d driven so far. By renting in Southern Ca rather than Sacramento we saved on fuel and avoided additional mileage charges.
The 32' was perfect for this trip because it gave both Steve & I driving experience in a diesel while keeping the overall length only 2 feet longer than we’d driven so far. By renting in Southern Ca rather than Sacramento we saved on fuel and avoided additional mileage charges.
At the 2007 Oregon Rally we looked into a number of RV organizations including the Good Sam Club, Escapees and FMCA. We joined both Good Sam and Escapees, FMCA membership is open to owners of motor homes only so we subscribed to their magazine but didn't qualify to join the club. When looking ahead to our next RV adventure, the 2008 Good Sam Rally was scheduled for Perry Georgia in May... far from home and potentially hot and muggy. The Escapees 2008 Rally was scheduled for Gillette, Wyoming in June. We'd never been to Wyoming and we wanted to check out the Escapees, but I confess the journey would have been too daunting for us to take on our own if not for our good friends Art and Gerri agreeing to meet us there.
Our 1st true RV adventure was not until a year later and consisted of renting a 30’ class A and driving round trip from Sacramento to Las Vegas. Why? We decided we were ready to experience actually driving a class A, we're NASCAR fans, and an RV trip to Las Vegas in February sounded like a perfect destination.
Now that we knew we could actually drive an RV, our next experiment was how we well would hold up living in one for a longer period. Before we actually buy an RV, I wanted to assure myself that Steve and I would not pull our hair out being around each other 24/7 in a small space. Also, our Las Vegas experience was not a typical RV event given the unseasonable cold & snow, so we really wanted another experience living amongst other RVers. We chose to return to the Redmond, Oregon RV Rally, but rather than staying in a hotel this time we would stay on site in an RV.
In September 2009 we took Big Boy to the Oregon Coast for his 1st camping trip.