The lack of dealers is partly because times are very uncertain for dealers right now, and partly because this is a new approach to building a motorhome. Like everything else inventive that has come along, people are slow to accept new ideas and change. Word of the Siena is beginning to spread and as more people ask the dealers about the Siena, more dealers will be willing to carry them.
Also, I've noticed that Steve is great at designing and building these motorhomes, but he's not a salesman. I guess that's another reason why I talk about the Siena so much. If people don't know about this great motorhome, how can they possibly ever be able to enjoy one?
Why just one slide? I once asked Steve this very question. The reason for one slide is the weight. You must remember, this is a new concept. 40 feet of motorhome being powered by a gas engine. Usually a motorhome of this size weighs at least 36,000 lbs. You need a diesel engine for that much weight. The Siena's GVWR is only 22,000 lbs. According to our brochure, the Siena's CCC is 3,190 lbs. They have deducted 105 gal of fresh water (875lbs), 48 gal of propane (202lbs), and 6 people weighing 160lbs each (960lbs) which leaves 1,153 lbs for other stuff.
Of course, there is room for play with those items. For example, we only have 2 people and we travel with only 1/3 of the fresh water tank, so that gives us some extra CCC.
If what you're looking for is the ability to carry large amounts of stuff, then a diesel pusher is what you need. If you're ready to down-size and get free from the bondage of all the "stuff" in your life, like we were, then the Siena provides an extremely well built motorhome for way less money than the diesel pushers and less money at the gas pumps and maintenance times, too. We figured that for the money, we can replace the whole engine one of these days if we need to and still be way ahead money wise.
We have plenty of room with the one slide, and we're sharing our space with 2 Macaws who each have a 2ft X 3ft cage (in place of the dinette area) and swings that hang from the ceiling. Everyone who comes in our home has remarked at how roomy it feels. Having 7ft ceilings helps, too.
Hope this answers your question. Probably more info than you wanted. I admit that I do tend to get a little carried away when talking about anything I feel strongly about (just ask my husband) and our Siena is one of those things.
Thanks for elaborating on that...Even the tank size is good for the grey tank (that's a big one with us)....hopefully one will be up at a show or we will be in Mass next month...it's a floor plan I would love to see...the gas situation isn't making us give up RV'ing...we just make each vacation count and turn the old weekend trips to 4 day weekends...I like our coach now as I have done a great deal of small mods to make it right for us (outside TV etc)....but we always keep our eyes open.
Stuart and Stella Denning
2006 Coachmen Aurora (workhorse chassis with Konis)
the 4 Bulldogs (Summer, Sully, Sierra and Great-Grandma Demi)
2007 Saturn VUE AWD (Our Toad)
One worn out Debit Card
We just bought a Siena in Jan 08. We love it. We hav ethe 40 ft model with the 32 in TV. I'm still checking out the gas miliage on it. It only has about 3000 miles right now. I have been going by the digital read out and haven't done it by going from tank to tank. We looked an alot of RV's before we bought this one and the household appliances are what sold us on it.
I've just joined this forum - doing so now because I found this discussion and had some questions of my own about the Siena. We are about to "hit the road" with our kids and travel for a year (at least), so we've been researching RVs for about 3 months. After all this time, I finally hit on the Siena yesturday. Of course, I was impressed by the kitchen (and the idea of a tub!). But I was wondering if a campsite w/ only 30 amp hookups will be able to power all of the appliances. Also, can you run several at one time? This is my biggest concern, plus the concern of CT Coachworks not being able to hang on during this lull in the RV market since they are just getting started. Any insight? I want to believe this is the perfect motorhome for us, quit sitting in front of the computer searching, and just get out on the road!!!
Thanks for any input anyone can give me!
Krista being small shop doesn't necessarily mean more risk - look at born Free or LazyDays or Bigfoot - all quality builds on much lower volumes. Sure Winnebago and Monaco have long histories of living through ups and downs - that should count for something. Frankly it's anybody's guess who will and won't survive.
btw there is no such thing as a perfect motorhome you just need to find what you can compromise and what you can't.
If I understand correctly everything except AC is run off hte batteries and then those are recharged via shore power. So if it will run on the road, it should run in a 30 amp site. Dryer and AC are likely not on that list but I'm only guessing at that.
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
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you just need to find what you can compromise and what you can't.
