Re: After CC
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62573
Al,
Our target size was 38-42'. I wanted a tag, and 38' tags are few and far between. We had three primary makers on our short list:
CC Allure/Intrique/Magana models (with Intrique being the target model of this maker)
Foretravel
U295/U320 (Most FT's have smaller galley's, and a long counter galley was a strong 'must have' by my wife.)
Tavel Supreme
Any model considered, but preferred the not as glitzy non Select.
I said three, but always also looked at Alpines too.
We drove a 2002 42' Beaver Marquis, with CAT C12 (or C13). This was the Roadmaster S chassis. Liked the ride, but just a few things did not seem to hit us right. Suspect the Patriot Thunder would have been a better match for us.
Not trying to ding Tiffin, as I have no first hand usage experience. But all of the units I looked at in the same age/miles as the rest of the ones being considered, did not seem to be holding up as well. Materials, wood work, aged workmanship - all seemed just a bit less then the other maker's coaches mentioned. (Sure could have been just the luck of what I went into.)
I liked the 'safety' of Rexhall Roseaire, more then any other unit I looked at (well, except Foretravel, call that a wash). Their steel cage around the driver is impressive. I think Rexhall's T-Rex slides are great engineering, and very practical floor layouts. With the ISL and Spartan Mountain Master chassis, I liked the total package bang for the buck. Again, not many of these came available during this time, and was not really on my radar as a wait until I find it.
The Allure came along, and it is now our Allure. The BIG galley (High Cascade, and non slide galley) was a big hit with my wife. I felt the lighter 40', with ISL 370 and Allison 3000 being lighter too, had better performance then the Beaver Marquis with the heavier CAT/bigger Allison/Bigger differentials/etc. I think the other factor that pushed us into this rig at this time, is the unusual pricing pressures of this day. We paid a fair price, not rock bottom, but much less then I had expected when I started my research 18 months ago.
If you feel that you are within a three year window. I would suggest you consider pulling that time frame into between now and the next 6-9 months. As the economy turns around, and it will, baby boomers will be back out shopping again - prices will go up. Buying now, you could save some serious coin...
Of course, as Dennis Miller would sometimes say 'I could be wrong...'
Best of luck,
Smitty
04 Allure 40' 31017
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