Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: 2003 Allure (Read 4316 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

2003 Allure

Yahoo Message Number: 1357
At the Ft. Benning pre-rally I traded my 2000 Intrigue for a 2003 Allure. I was hesitant because I hated to "trade down" but this new Allure is more coach than either my 1997 or 2000 Intrigue. I told Don Foltz he is going to have a hard time selling Intrigues if the customers look hard at the Allure. There's about $40,000 price difference in the two products, and I just couldn't find it. My 40' with two slides and a tag axle is a beautiful coach. After driving it about 700 miles I am very impressed with the handling and the 370hp ISL Cummins. I do want to look at the front shocks to see if they are set as firm as they will go, as I experienced some bottoming out. Any of you who drive thru Jackson, Ms.on I-20 Know this is possible. One other thing I find weird is an identical problem I had with the 2000 Intrigue. When connected with shore water I'm getting back flow to the fresh water tank causing the overflow valve to drain water. The previous fix after changing out the transfer valve twice was to replace the

pump. After that I had no problems. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Also, the jury is still out on the Hurricane system which eliminated the hot water tank. Two techs worded on mine for hours at Perry and, after findig a short,

thought they had solved the problems, but I still don't have hot water from electricity--only deisel. Hopefully, someone at Buddy Gregg's in Dallas will have an answer.

All in all, I think CC has come up with a gem in the 2003 Allure.

Walt Rothermel
Allure30811

2003 Allure

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2504
I just wanted to let all of you know that Sherry and I have picked up our Allure (#30858) from the factory. What a thrill to see your new coach sitting there all polished up and looking really good.
I want to thank Damon Rapozo for all the great work. He is truly a professional, selling you what you need and not what he wants. It was a great experience and I will refer Damon every chance I get.
The ride home to Colorado Springs was flawless. The coach drove like a dream. The 370 ISL had no problems in the mountains, and in fact, there were no problems at all. The folks at Country Coach are really the best and they treat you like family. It was great! Walt, if you are out there, thanks for the suggestion on the mirror over the sink. I look forward to being a contributing member of this board, but I'm afraid I will have many questions before I can offer any advice.

Thanks for all the great posts on this board. It helped me dicide that we should be CC owners, too!

Tom and Sherry Royer
2003 Allure Cascade
with a tag
#30858

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2505
Tom & Sherry

CONGRATULATIONS! on your new coach. I know you will truly enjoy it.
You are correct in the fine folks at Country Coach. My wife and I recently purchased a used 2000 Allure and I had many questions I had asked of Country Coach. They have always been responsive and helpful. I would not have expected that kind of treatment for a second owner. They act as if I had just purchased the coach new.

Jim & Barbara Hughes
Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2506
Congratulations on your new "Home" - Whether it is your "only home" or your "other home" - You will lenjoy it.
We have a 2000 Allure #30536 and live in ours full time. We love it. We just finished a 7 week trip to Nova Scotia and really enjoyed having our home to return to each evening.
The folks at Country Coach have always been helpful. You can always count on them.

Happy and safe travels.

Kathy Marsh

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2507
What suggestion? Should it be on my wish list? Please share.

David and Karen,
2000 Intrigue 11062

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2508
I am definitely "out here," and just finished installing new full- mirrored doors over my sink. It makes a big difference. I commented on the poor design and CC sent me some new doors. I wouldn't be surprised if they change the design on future Allures. Best of luck on your new coach. If you attend the Kansas rally in Oct. let's compare notes. I still think the 2003 Allure is higher quality than either of my Intrigues--'97 and 2000. Only very minor problems so far.

Best regards
Walt Rothermel
2003 Allure 30811

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2509
Kathy

Sherry and I have leased our home for three years and we move into our coach on Wednesday, Aug 28th. We look forward to trips. We plan on attending the FMCA Rally in Kansas on 1-3 Oct. It will be our first Extravaganza (sp) and can't wait to see all the rigs.
Damon will be there, too!
Tom

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2510
The wood framed doors are one of the things I dislike, too. I have commented more than once that they were a poor choice. When I go back to the dealer for some little things that need attention, I will mention this.

Ree

Full-Timing in a 2003 Allure

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2515
Coach #30852 Signed the papers on 8/01/02 Sure have a lot to learn! Yours is "newer" than mine!

Ree

Full Timing in a 2003 Allure # 30852

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2522
Ree/Walt plus anyone else that would like to respond----

Since we are the only 2003 Allure Cascades on this board (at least that I know about) I have a question regarding temperature readings.
My radiator and transmission temperature gauges read "hot" in my opinion. The radiator was around 200-205 degress and the trans temperature was around 200-210 degrees.
Now, I do live in Colorado with many hills, and I did drive from JC to Colorado through Oregon, Idado and Utah experiencing all the mountain grades that they could throw at me, but I still think it is a little hot---at least compared to what the book says the temperatures should be (175-195 if I remember correctly)

What temperatures have you experienced in your travels?

Also, I had some hot water problems. I didn't have any! I had to do some wire splicing with the guidance from Jim from "Hurricane". Since I move into to it full-time on Wednesday, I will let you know if the "fix" works.
I hoping that I can get a few things taking care of by Country Coach at the FMCA rally in Kansas in Oct.

Tom

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2523
OK Now I know what you are talking about. GGG

A 2003 Allure at the rally had the wood framed doors over the sink. When I went to the floor plans seminar I raised this issue with Don and his response was that there had been several negative comments about this and a fix was in the works?

I hope by now the production units leaving the line have the fix in place as the full frame doors are quite ridiculous over the sink IMHO.

We have full mirrored doors over our sink (the coach came that way) but we did get them modified. Originally they had the plastic pulls on the front. They have been removed and a finger pull slots milled into the bottom edge of the doors. Makes for a much cleaner look.

We also had mirrors in the hall way (Gourmet on the Road) that had plastic handles. Great for catching clothes and arms when passing by. Karen has the scars to prove it. Did the same modification. Now no more hang ups or cut arms.


David and Karen,
2000 Intrigue, 11062.

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2524
Tom,

I have an '02 Intrigue and those temperature readings look pretty close to what I'm seeing also. Mine usually runs about 190-200 under normal driving and about 205-210 on hills. From what I've been told, those numbers are normal and shouldn't alarm you.
As far as the Hurricane problem, I've been there and it's no fun. I take it that your only source of hot water is the Hurricane heater.
My unit had to be rewired at the dealer. I believe it incorrectly had a continuous hot wire that would not cycle on and off with the controls. This caused the unit to overheat and thus resulting in a burner that would not fire properly. Not only would you not have hot water, but also no heat (except for the roof units). As for now, it's working pretty good. However, it's still not a 100% reliable hot water solution in my opinion. But when it's functioning properly, you have continuous hot water where as a conventional hot water heater is so limited, and then you really see the benefits of the Hurricane heater.
Rob

'02 Intrigue - #11480

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2525
I can't speak for the 2003 but after the radiator fan was fixed, the engine temp gauge climbed to the 220 range, even with a new gauge (but old sending unit). On the other hand the Silverleaf (and Cummins Insite laptop which reports the same digital data), maxes out at 198 degrees -- which I understand is a very reasonable temp.

Herb

Allure 2002 #30690

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2526
"I have an '02 Intrigue and those temperature readings look pretty close to what I'm seeing also. Mine usually runs about 190-200 under normal driving and about 205-210 on hills. From what I've been told, those numbers are normal and shouldn't alarm you.
I have a 1999 Intrigue with isc350. Coolant temperatures hold at 180-182 degrees. On long 6% grades they may climb to 190 or so but immediately drop to 181 after peak of climb. I have Silver Leaf and transmission temperatures settle at 185 or so. I inadvertently had too much fluid in the transmission for a short time and the temperatures ran at over 200 degrees as much as 220 degrees.

Sincerely

George W Becker

gwb36@... 1999 Country Coach Intrigue #10700

Re: 2003 Allure

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2527
David & Karen - Will you be at the CCI rally in KS? Would like to see how you "modified" the glass door openings. Sounds like a great idea.

Kathy

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2528
The standard gauges are not very accurate.... in my opinion. My Silverleaf reports 185-195 except when it's very hop out or climbing hills. I stopped looking at the gauges. The tranny temps also show relatively the same discrepancies.

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Member: CCI, FMCA
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2529
I have only driven my rig about 125 miles--just from the dealer to Victoria, TX. so I cannot answer any questions! I will go to a rally on Thursday, but it is not very far. I really do need to get some miles on it before long.
I will leave the end of Sept. or early Oct. for the west coast and the Baja.
Need to get a better feel for the thing before I take off. I still have lots of questions about "stuff".

Will go back to the dealer before long to get some paint chips touched up and they will install the coach armor. Also, getting the sofa recovered.
It is really pitiful!

When I get my questions figured out, I will start asking!

Ree

Full-Timing in a 2003 Allure

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2531
From what I've read in the manual, and from my experience, the Hurricane system (at least in my Intrigue) is not plumbed to be the sole source of hot water. The heated coolant passes by the hot water storage tank through a section of metal pipe welded to the tank. When driving... about three hours according to the manual.... the water should be hot. When using the hydronic system for coach heat, it is only an assist to the production of hot water.
Hurricane provides an option for a true heat exchanger for supplying hot water but it is not used in my Intrigue. I don't think the lack of hot water when using the Hurricane system is not a failure of the system... rather it is doing what it was designed to do.

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Member: CCI, FMCA
---
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2532
Tom, my temp runs just under 200 for both eng and trans. Re the hot water, I had problems too initially and various techs worked on it at Perry and at Buddy Gregg's in Dallas. When I finally realized you cannot get an adequate supply from elec alone and turned on the deisel heater, then I had plenty of hot water. I know they advertise a continuous supply of hw, but they don't tell you you have to use deisel fuel to get it.

Walt Rothermel
2003Allure30811

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2533
Ree, are you sure you want to install coach armor? If it didn't leave holes in the coach I'd sell you mine cheap. The problem withthese things is they're a pain in the behind when washing the coach or just cleaning the windshield. There is always dirty water running down inside the armor. Also, they're difficult to clean without scratching. I believe one could have the front of a coach painted twice for the cost of the coach armor and not have the aggravation. I would certainly look into the 3M film before installing the coach armor.

Regards

WaltRothermel
2003Allure30811

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2534
Dick, the 2003 Allure doesn't have a hot water storage tank--just water jackets with electric and deisel heaters. It sounds like a good idea and I suspicion it was designed to save space because of the tag axle. As I said in another message it works just fine if deisel fuel is used and not just electricity.
.

Wqlt Rothemel
2003Allure30811

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2536
Hi George,

I would be concerned with that low coolant temperature and the fact it does not vary much. This is usually an indication that the fan controller is in fail safe mode, operating at max speed continiously. Our coach exhibited this problem because the connector to the Danfoss controller disconnected.
Fred Kovol

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2537
Ree

Walt has written exactly what I was about to write. My coach was a used unit and came with coach armor. I would never ever buy a new coach with it. A good 3m protective sheet is the way to go in my opinion.

David and Karen,
2000 Intrigue 11062

Re: 2003 Allure (Ree/Walt)

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2538
We had our fan control checked at the CC rally and discovered that the sensor was non existent. Consequently we were running fan at max speed all the time, the fail safe condition Fred mentioned.

CC technician replaced sensor and re programmed controller to latest 2003 settings, all at no cost to me.

The result is outstanding. The coach is quieter when starting from cold and no more excessive dust storm.

Thanks to someone on this forum who mentioned the cure for the problem we are now happy campers. OOPS, that is a Winnie term, I should have said "happy resorters". GGG

David and Karen,
2000 Intrigue 11062