My wife and I looked at a 2004 Phaeton today. The family selling said it was a 40QDA but according to Tiffins archive website, that model doesn't exist in 2004. I looked at the 2005 archives and it lists s 40QDH which looks to be the identical floorplan as the one we looked at. Would the fact that even NADA does not list a 4 slide Phaeton for the 2004 model year affect us in the future if we ever tried to sell? Also, the unit seemed very clean both inside and out. I got up on the roof and the rubber looked fine but were the front and rear caps meet the roof definitely needs re-chalking. It also needs re-chalking around some of the roof accessories like the antenna. There is also a crack in the front cap on the side of the coach above the drivers side window almost at the front left corner of the coach. It doesn't seem to be front striking something, it appears more of a stress crack. The coach has 22,000 miles on it and has been cross country but hasn't been used in a year and a half. The tires are original but don't appear to have any sidewall cracks although they looked lower than normal as far as air pressure. The generator has under 400 hours on it. The couple are asking $89,000 for it. What would be a fair offer for this unit and would any of the above issues such as the cracked cap of cracked roof caulking be a sign to walk away and keep looking. My wife and I were looking to stay around 36' with full body paint and a fiberglass roof but if this unit if a good deal, we could definitely live with it.
One more thing, both the caulking cracks and the crack in the cap look substancial enough for water intrusion but on the inside, there were know signs of water damage. The owner also told me that a recall was performed on the CAT oil pump and the crankcase vent tube was extended to below the bumper and the radiator was cleaned due to the oil on the radiator.
It didn't look fiberglass to me. It looked identical to the roof on my 2004 Montana fifthwheel, which is white rubber. I could be wrong though, maybe I can go by and get a second look. Anyone else have any comments good or bad about my findings and the price?
One other thing, the trip tek computer is broken. If you look close at it, the display works but the is no back lighting. Can these be fixed or how much to replace it?
Please, I need advice !
Hedgehog wrote: My wife and I looked at a 2004 Phaeton today. The family selling said it was a 40QDA but according to Tiffins archive website, that model doesn't exist in 2004. I looked at the 2005 archives and it lists s 40QDH which looks to be the identical floorplan as the one we looked at. Would the fact that even NADA does not list a 4 slide Phaeton for the 2004 model year affect us in the future if we ever tried to sell? Also, the unit seemed very clean both inside and out. I got up on the roof and the rubber looked fine but were the front and rear caps meet the roof definitely needs re-chalking. It also needs re-chalking around some of the roof accessories like the antenna. There is also a crack in the front cap on the side of the coach above the drivers side window almost at the front left corner of the coach. It doesn't seem to be front striking something, it appears more of a stress crack. The coach has 22,000 miles on it and has been cross country but hasn't been used in a year and a half. The tires are original but don't appear to have any sidewall cracks although they looked lower than normal as far as air pressure. The generator has under 400 hours on it. The couple are asking $89,000 for it. What would be a fair offer for this unit and would any of the above issues such as the cracked cap of cracked roof caulking be a sign to walk away and keep looking. My wife and I were looking to stay around 36' with full body paint and a fiberglass roof but if this unit if a good deal, we could definitely live with it.
Does it have 4 slides and 350 cat? 05, 04s had three slides and 330 cat. It could be a late 04 with 05 upgrades. Call Tiffin with the vin number, they can give you all of the info you need. 256 356 0261 ext 3290, that is Don Boyd's number, leave your phone number and he will call you right back and will look up the vin number and give you all of the info. once you know if it is 04 or 05 then go to your bank and get the whsle price. I would deduct the price of 6 new tires and $500 for recaulking the roof and any other problems you find.
'04 shouldn't need tires yet, nothing sacred about them being 5 years old. Michelin even puts that in writing. Just have them professionally inspected and go with that.
Our Michelins are dated 4701 and, while they are showing some cracking are not yet absolutely in need of replacement. I am however planning on getting new ones before next season unless the inspection says they are OK.
I had a 2 slide 2002 Phaeton, was going to get a 2004, but it only had 3 slides, waited for 2005, and got 4 slides. The roof will be fiberglass, not rubber. Just some caulking will bring both caps up to date. Tiffin really caulks their stuff, sometimes overboard.
I wouldn't let mine go for that price, I had the guys in Red Bay do some work on the side for me down there. Installed 32in TV up front, 26in in rear, slide cabinets under burners, and sink, and lots of other stuff. Also the 2005 has a cat 350hp, other years were 330, standard 4 door refrig, and standard manual king dome sat dish. Most, but not all was a 2 door refrig.
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Just a thought, there were some years coaches with previous year chassis. Example 05 coach with a 04 chassis. I know there were some, but unsure of details. As previously noted, just call Tiffin.
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