Destinations Unknown
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For a single person full timing, is one manufacture better then the other. ie: room for extra batteries, solar panels, additional water
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Phil & Stephie
Sevierville, TN
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Tiffin or Newmar, compare floorplans, features and cost. Go for it with either brand.
Phil & Stephanie Grey
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2003 Dutch Star 4050 "Mayberry"
2005 GMC Envoy
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rr2254545
Minnesota/New Mexico
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Many makers now have extra batteries and bigger inverters since that now have all electrical refrigerators. My MH has 6 coach batteries.
I do not see how you could go wrong with any of the three you picked.
2012 Winnebago Journey 36M Cummins 360
131 Campgrounds since we retired in July 2009
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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my first cut would be to only buy one with a fiberglass roof.
bumpy
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MeanderMan
Fulltiming Somewhere
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I don't think it's much a matter of being single as that of size and quality. After two years of research and visiting dealers, we narrowed our search down to Newmar, Tiffin, and Winnebago. Winnebago builds the most models in the smaller size if that's what you're looking for, but all have a variety of models. None are built from the factory for long-time boondocking, but all can be modified with extra batteries and solar power. Best of luck with your decision.
USAF CMSgt (Retired)
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Destinations Unknown
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Thanks for the replies, the salesman is pushing me toward a 36 foot Newmar DP, which he says will give me the space for a washer and dryer etc. It also gives me the 7' inside height I would like.
I wanted to stay in the 30 foot area since I don't have any experience pulling a car, and the bigger you get the less state parks you can fit into...but I can't stand up in the showers in the smaller rigs.
If all the appliances are the same, (water heater, pumps, A/C, stoves etc) then I guess the MH manufacture doesn't matter. Does one manufacture offer better construction or insulation over the other?
Regarding the fiberglass roof, is that something that is not standard?
Does anyone have experience in adding more water storage?
Jason
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BigRigRVing
formerly CA
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First not to step on toes but lets be honest Winnebago is not even in same group as Newmar or Tiffin.
AGM batteries can be put anywhere including underbed.
If you have a coach built for you, you can have bigger holding tanks.
Fiberglass roofs are not standard on all coaches. Newmar yes
Most Newmar coaches come pre wired for solar and not not the trickle charge solar panel, most a pre wired to the roof for after market solar.
Hope this helps a little
Gary & Cheryl and our chocolate lab named Caddy
2005 Newmar Mountain Aire 4304 w/ Blue-Ox Sports Lift
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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BigRigRVing wrote:First not to step on toes but lets be honest Winnebago is not even in same group as Newmar or Tiffin.
do all Tiffins have a fiberglass roof? if not, I would put Winnebago ahead of them. Didn't know that Newmar had finally gone to all fiberglass roofs, I hope they discontinued that old 3 or 4 section roof however.
bumpy
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thecampingman
Wilmington, OH, USA
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Destinations Unknown wrote:If all the appliances are the same, (water heater, pumps, A/C, stoves etc) then I guess the MH manufacture doesn't matter. Does one manufacture offer better construction or insulation over the other?
Definitely! For instance, Sureflow makes like seven different water pumps. Buy a cheaper coach you'll get the cheaper pump. The aggrivatingly noisy herky-jerky pump that cycles on & off constantly. It's like that throughout the coach. Cheaper cabinet latches etc. and absolutely cheaper construction.
I think you're spot-on with your concern for your comfort. 7' ceiling height, washer/dryer etc.
But I do think you're off course a little worrying about bigger holding tanks and solar power.
Unless you have some specific reason to boondock you won't wind up doing it that much. Like you follow NASCAR races, or once I met some traveling ministers who dry-camped at their churches a lot. (I met them in a campground BTW).
I wouldn't worry a lot about your towing experience either. Half the people who pull into this campground can't park their own rigs. The manager does it for them. Just carry good insurance and do what you want, not just what you think you're capable of.
I'd say your salesman is leading you in a good direction.
With that being said, SW Florida is flooded with used caoches in pristine condition. Folks who spend north of $300,000 on a coach don't tend to trash them. And they don't really "wear out". These are built on bus chassis that are meant to travel millions of miles. The NADA website states thet if it's diesel powered don't even enter the mileage. It's just not relavant.
'03 GMC 4500 Topkick with Duramax/Allison
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SMC
Box Elder, SD
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Have you test driven them? We drove several brands and altho' we liked other floor plans better, none could compare to the Comfort Drive in the Newmar diesels.
SMC
Home is Where We Park It!
2012 Newmar Dutch Star 4346
2011 GMC Canyon
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