Tiffin & FRED - RV-Dreams Community Forum

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TOPIC: Tiffin & FRED

foxriverguy

RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline

Posts: 214

Date: 09:48 PM Feb 17, 2007

Tiffin & FRED	Permalink

We were at the suburban Chicago RV show this week and really liked the Tiffin Class A models on display, and were especially intrigued with their Front Engine Diesel. Any first-hand experience you can relay about these units would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. George __________________ George & Sandy Stoltz With Trixie - the PBGV 2000 Foretravel U320 with one slide 2007 Honda CR-V Full-time since September, 2009 http://sangeo-travels.blogspot.com/

wmalefyt

RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 302

Date: 07:21 AM Feb 18, 2007

RE: Tiffin & FRED	Permalink

George, We looked at them briefly at the local Tiffin dealer. One thing I learned is that they don't have any "air-ride suspension" like most diesel pushers. I would sure want to give one a good test drive to see how the ride is and to also compare other features with the diesel pushers. We like the quiet ride with our diesel pusher. With the engine in the back we can carry on a normal conversation while driving without shouting at each other. We were really at the dealer to look at 5th wheels so didn't give the FRED as serious look. __________________ Bill and Linda

jomago

RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline

Posts: 68

Date: 07:57 AM Feb 18, 2007

Tiffin & FRED	Permalink

Back in 1992 GBM brought out a front end Diesel in the Encounter series. Needless to say it was priced almost $30K more than the gas engine. Drove one and couldn't see much difference over gas. There were three at different Dealers and they stayed on the lots for over a year. Don't know why they didn't sell but guess the $30K extra didn't help. __________________ Grandpa's team

bjoyce

RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 3721

Date: 11:50 AM Feb 18, 2007

RE: Tiffin & FRED	Permalink

As jomago said, this is not the first time a front-engine diesel has been tried. Newmar tried the experiment in the late 1990's I was told and they did not sell well. There are now some gas pushers coming on the market, they are all trying to find a way to get marketshare. The first reviews of the FRED say it pulls quite well and is fairly quiet. No air ride as wmalefyt says, actually no air anything with the FRED including air brakes so you lose those advantages of a diesel pusher. The Cummins ISB is a good engine. I would test drive a Workhorse W25.5 and the biggest Ford chassis along with the FRED to see if the price bump is worth it to you. __________________ Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com Full-timing since July 2003

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