Tiffin Phaeton vs Gulf Stream TourMaster - RV-Dreams Community Forum

heureaux · RV-Dreams Community Member

Tiffin Phaeton vs Gulf Stream TourMaster

Tmcblane · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tiffin is really good with customer service and are liked very well for that aspect. Unfortunately the majority of Manufacturers won't give you the time of day after your warranty expires. Tiffin has been known to repair their coachs Years after in some cases. We have looked at both also and originally the Phaeton was our favorite. Then we saw the new Tourmaster and really loved it for the use of space but we have heard unfavorable things about them. Now I have not had any personal experience but often others experiences are good guides. Just do your research and make a personal decision. Good luck.

mediawise · RV-Dreams Community Member

Interesting that we just looked at samples of both manufactures coaches today in our process of shopping for a DP.
Golf Stream has some interesting new floorplans but their quality and finish is no where near the Tiffin products. Feel the weight of the entry door as an example. Put your hand inside the cabinets and feel the difference in finish. Check out the sink installation in both coaches. And that's just the beginning.

Because we are not owner of either product, I cannot speak to the factory support issue.

We were amazed how the small difference can add up to large difference in quality feel of coaches that are similar in price, IMHO.

Brenda L · RV-Dreams Community Member

Our fulltimer journey started on Sept.2006 in a 5th wheel trailer we already owned. We kept an open mind about trailers and motorhomes, but knew at the time that our trailer would not meet all of our needs. Before purchasing a new rig we wanted to get out there and assess all our needs and do some research. It is a very intense task.

Last fall we attended the Family Motor Coach Association rally in Charlotte, NC just to compare all kinds of rigs side by side. Over the last 8 months we talked to everyone on the road who would tell us about their rig. Overall,Tiffin product owners were very happy with their rigs and the service. Most Tiffin product owners we talked to were on their 2nd or 3rd rig. One owner said that when the time came to get a new one, he didn't even look outside the Tiffin products. In his opinion, the others couldn't compare to overall quality and service.

Bottom line, we kept coming back to the Phaeton, and purchased a 2007 Phaeton, 40 QSH earlier this month. Our only regret is that we waited 8 months to buy one.

Good luck on choosing a new rig that will meet your needs.

heureaux · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the input, we ordered our 2008 tiffin phaeton 3 days ago. Hope to see all on the road. Mike and Peggy

foxriverguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like you, we have looked at several manufacturers. Recently we looked at a FRED by Gulf Stream and while there looked at Gulf Stream's Tour Master. I was not impressed with fit and finish of the Gulf Stream products. I always consider bad workmanship as a sign of how little time the folks on the asembly line have to get it right. A few weeks later we looked at a FRED by Tiffin. Fit and finish were beautiful. We plan to buy a Tiffin product in a few years. Just thought I'd give you another perspective.

George

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

We owned a Gulfstream Class C motorhome in the 1990's and we were not impressed with the quality or the customer service. From what I have read, I think you made a wise decision to choose a Tiffin product. Everything I have read indicates that they really stand behind their products.

Good luck and enjoy!

Ken Cindy Ditka and Sox · RV-Dreams Family Member

-- Edited by Ken Cindy Ditka and Sox at 20:48, 2007-06-12