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Observations from the Denver RV Show
Yahoo Message Number: 119561
This is slightly off topic, so feel free to skip or delete.

1.  Fewer motorhomes displayed than last few years.  Very few class C's.
2.  Airstream no longer makes trailers with slides.  According to the sales rep, they were too heavy and hard to configure due to Airstream's shape.
3.  The Allegro Breeze is a refreshingly new small entry level diesel motorhome. http://tiffinmotorhomes.com/allegroBreeze/>  It basically is the same floorplan as an LD 30' IB but has precious little wardrobe space - maybe a dealbreaker.  Show price was $120,000.
4.  Quality still suffers at manufacturers' attempts to keep RVs lightweight.  Chintzy and cheesy were the words for the day.
5.  Best floorplan in a class A:  the new Winnebago Tour.  The expandable sectional sofa floorplans and side-mounted TV are comfortable and cozy and prevent neck damage when watching TV.  I was surprised at the better quality in this motorhome.  http://www.winnebagoind.com/products/winnebago/2010/tour/index.php>
6.  The Jayco Pinnacle 5th wheel is very nicely put together. http://www.jayco.com/php/products/fifth.wheels/trailer.php?id=248>

I always come home from this event happy that I have my Lazy Daze but grateful for a manufacturing environment that allows multiple choices for RVers everywhere.

Chris Horst 2002 30' IB Arvada, CO
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119562
Quote
This is slightly off topic, so feel free to skip or delete.

1.  Fewer motorhomes displayed than last few years.  Very few class C's.
3.  The Allegro Breeze is a refreshingly new small entry level diesel motorhome.  It basically is the same floorplan as an LD 30' IB but has precious little wardrobe space - maybe a dealbreaker.  Show price was $120,000.
 Chris Horst 2002 30' IB Arvada, CO
Hey Chris, Interesting observations. We visited the Cleveland RV show last week and saw plenty of Class C's. I keep looking for small diesel like the Sprinter based rigs, but so far, we haven't seen one that makes sense for us.
 While on our final trip of the year, we did meet someone who had just picked up the short Allegro Breeze to replace a 40 footer. After getting a tour, I agree with you about the small wardrobes. We did get a closer look at that unit and some other Tiffin's at the Cleveland show. The dealer had  some loyal Tiffin owners working at the show to share their excitement for the Tiffin brand. Tiffin owners appear to rival the LD cult!;-)
 One surprising item I just read about; Born Free has a 27 foot rig WITH A SLIDEOUT! at the Tampa RV show. No info at Born Free's site. I blieve the only other Born Free to have a slideout was their Kodiak based unit; I did tour that unit at the FMCA convention at Bowling Green, Ohio in 2009. Mr. Dodgem was expressing his dismay about GM discontinuing the Kodiak. Prior to that, Born Free was as anti slide as LD. Think LD is watching?
 I still appreciate LD quality; I just wish I could fit some sort of recliner in our midbath.

Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119563
Quote
One surprising item I just read about; Born Free has a 27 foot rig WITH A SLIDEOUT! at the Tampa RV show. >
On the Born Free forum they say it is a 25 foot rear bath with a slideout.
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119567
How's the quality of the Breeze…does it stack up to the quality found in the Lazy Daze?

Robert Britton

Hollister, California
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119569
"I just wish I could fit some sort of recliner in our midbath."
 Ken Fears did it to his 2009 midbath. You just have to take out the street-side couch (as I did to install my desk).

Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119574
Quote
How's the quality of the Breeze…does it stack up to the quality found in the Lazy Daze?

Robert Britton Hollister, California
I didn't spend much time checking the quality, but on the surface it appeared to be better than most.  I did look more closely at the top-of-the-line Tiffin Phaeton, and quality was good in this model.  As Steve K said, Tiffin owners rival LD owners in their loyalty to the brand.  It's a privately owned company that stands behind its product.  Were I to consider moving to a larger motorhome, the Breeze - if they fix the wardrobe problem and come out with a 30' or 32' model - would be a consideration.  However, I'm happy with my LD.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119575
Chris.....on your item number 4 re: quality. I would like to add that in our travels the last year being almost fulltime, I have noticed what you are stating. Our worst nightmare is having to camp fairly close to people in campgrounds. Those we try to avoid. However, when it happens and it is a newer SOB or fifthwheel with slides, the noise of the people inside moving about is tremendous. This is caused by the cheap siding they are using to avoid the weight. The LD is pretty sound as we have found camping in all types of climates.(Even zero degrees) Surving in the cold in Monument and staying warm.
John Leach, Monument, Co.

__
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119578
I also saw the 25' Born Free RB with the slide-out at the Tampa show.
After having their 2004RB unit for 6-years and going to our current 2010 LD RB, I know I made the right decision getting the LD. Best built new coach I ever had. I was not impressed with the Born Free unit as the additional weight of the slide-out  will take away from the cargo carrying capacity and it's interior space is still closed in and crowded, especially in the rear half of the coach. Storage space is still at a minimum. The slide-out is just for the front sofa with the lift up dining table across from the sofa. This table requires the front passenger seat to swivel around for one side and another similar floor mounted seat for the back side of the table. They don't work well with the table. I find slide-outs just another unnecessary $$$ item that will eventually have mechanical and sealing problems in the future. I know this from past experience on two RV's I have had. With the openness inside the LD units, especially the RB, a slide-out is certainly not needed! Just my observation & opinion, Mike

One surprising item I just read about; Born Free has a 27 foot rig WITH A SLIDEOUT! at the Tampa RV show. No info at Born Free's site. I blieve the only other Born Free to have a slideout was their Kodiak based unit; I did tour that unit at the FMCA convention at Bowling Green, Ohio in 2009. Mr. Dodgem was expressing his dismay about GM discontinuing the Kodiak. Prior to that, Born Free was as anti slide as LD. Think LD is watching?

I still appreciate LD quality; I just wish I could fit some sort of recliner in our midbath.

Steve K.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119587
Quote
3.  The Allegro Breeze is a refreshingly new small entry level diesel motorhome. http://tiffinmotorhomes.com/allegroBreeze/>  It basically is the same floorplan as an LD 30' IB but has precious little wardrobe space - maybe a dealbreaker.  Show price was $120,000.
Chris. A comment on the Allegro Breeze. We attended the Hershey Pa RV show last September and the Breeze was getting a lot of attention. Bob Tiffin the founder was there and was busy answering everyone's questions. He reminded me of Ed and Paul with the pride he had in his company.
We were there on the 2nd day of the show and they had already taken orders for six units, show price about $140K. Two of the buyers where Safari Trek owners  (short class A with drop down bed). Bob had been using the RV as his car to fully understand how the Breeze handled. It is a high quality RV, all cabinetry made with wood from their own forest. The interior was nice to look at, but just not practical. As said before the wardrobe would only hold a couple of shirts and the round sink and two burner stove were of limited use. It is a narrow coach (95") with a very short wheelbase (150"). It is expected to get 15/16 mpg. Now if they could put a 30' LD interior in, they might have a real winner.

Jim and Joan 2002 30' IB
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119592
Clothes storage does appear inadequate. The windows are about standard for non-LD RV's. The white cabinets look good and make the inside bright. The colors are wife friendly and the dedicated bed appeals to those that think that it's necessary. Sorry 30IB owners.
 We always know when we are near Red Bay, AL as the number of Allegro's on the road increases. They do stand behind their products. I am told that when you call, you will probably be talking to Bob Tiffen.

Never been to an RV show.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
 
Re: Observations from the Denver RV Show
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 119611
A Slide out is also available with Coach House Platinum class C coaches. Admittedly, this is (I believe) by far the most costly, high quality class C RV sold, selling at least twice the cost of a new LD. It is marketed for luxury touring, definitely not for extended boondocking or full timing, so it would be best for people who are still busy with quite financially productive lives, and want a top quality, well built, short term motorcoach experience, without the large size of your typical upscale class A couch. I have seen some on the road, but never got the chance to examine one, just as well, it's way above of my budget.  A six year old one lists for $60k, and that the one year to avoid for the econoline, according to consumers April auto issue, likely because of the then new, reportedly troublesome 5 speed transmission. A year newer or older could be a safer choice.
 http://coachhouserv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250&Itemid=108

Eddie