December 2007 - Tiffin Motorhomes

Transcription

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES
Volume 4 Issue No.2
December 2007
The Award-W i nni ng Alle g r o Clu b Ne wsle tte r Fo r Le isu r e & Livin g
3 Bunkhouse
on wheels
New Allegro floor plan
takes sleeping to new level
8-9 Phaeton 36 QSH test report
Owners rave about
power and good looks
14 RV pirates of the Chesapeake
Swashbuckling picaroons
pillage Virginia campground
SIDE ROADS
Is published quarterly March, June, September and December
by the Allegro Club, Inc.
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid
Permit # 159, Birmingham, AL
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Allegro Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 1429, Red Bay, AL 35582
by Jimmy Johnson
From the
driver’s seat
With about 6,300 members in 66 chapters to serve and four major rallies coming up
within a four-month span, the spartan Allegro Club staff doesn’t have much time to describe
what it accomplishes. But in the holiday spirit, allow me to sing their praises.
In a typical day at the office, Janet Gober, our secretary, handles 40-50 incoming calls and
15-20 walk-in visitors, on top of emails, snail mails and faxes.
Sandwiched among all those contacts, Janet calls new owners of Tiffin coaches to arrange
their complimentary first-year Allegro Club memberships. Janet and Verbon Jones, office
manager, also make most of the advance arrangements for rallies. That includes making
sure the registration forms are accurate and complete, often accepting phoned registrations
blank by blank, processing payments, confirming registrations and sending follow-up
information packets with maps and directions to the rally, plus descriptions of themes and
activities. Verbon lines up vendors for seminars and sponsorships at rallies. Not only do the vendors
supply valuable information, but their sponsorships help keep rally registration fees low.
At a club rally, Cynthia Skinner, our membership coordinator, puts in days that begin
before 7 a.m. supervising breakfast catering and ends hopefully by 10 p.m. Her duties range
from on-site registration to coordinating activities and could all be categorized as “herding
cats,” making sure members are where they should be at any given time.
Cynthia also plays a huge role in establishing new chapters. That process usually starts
with a request from members in a geographic area. Cynthia surveys interest of all Tiffin
owners in the targeted area.
If a critical mass of 6-10 owners respond positively, she finds a dealership, hotel meeting
room, campground, restaurant or club member’s home, then plans an organizational
meeting. At that gathering, she greets and signs in members, makes a presentation on the
advantages and requirements of having a chapter, then identifies volunteers or draftees for
leadership positions. One of the biggest challenges at that point can be selecting a chapter
name. After the meeting, she lets other club members in the area know of the new chapter.
As many of you well know, Cynthia’s involvement with a chapter does not end with
its initial stage. The North Georgia Allegros honored her with its President’s Award
recognizing outstanding contributions in 2005. Other chapters know she is available and
ready to help them thrive.
As president of the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers’ Clubs Association, I can tell you
the Allegro Club is unique. To my knowledge, no other RV manufacturer has an association
that is owned by the manufacturer and professionally staffed by the manufacturer’s employees.
Club members have been known to bring us cakes, flowers and handicrafts, which we
appreciate, but our real reward is the continued positive feedback on surveys regarding club
activities and benefits.
Happy Holidays to all, but to Janet, Verbon and Cynthia I offer a special thanks this
season for their devotion to the Allegro Club’s successful growth.
NOTICE OF RESPONSIBILITY:
The Allegro Club, Inc., Red Bay, AL, has designed tours, caravans,
and rallies for your pleasure and enjoyment and has attempted to
select for you the best campgrounds, accommodations, restaurants,
and transportation facilities for the prices charged. Allegro Club, Inc.,
Jimmy and Gail Johnson, and the Board of Directors do not own or
operate any of the campgrounds, hotels, restaurants or transportation
facilities and, furthermore, assume no responsibility for delays, losses,
accidents, or for damage to persons or property caused by any person,
firm, corporation, or other legal entity providing the following services:
campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, transportation (including but not
limited to transfers and sightseeing) or any other services incident to
these tours, rallies, caravans or any activities of the Allegro Club, Inc.
The right is reserved to substitute campgrounds, hotels, restaurants
and alter the itinerary or reverse the places to be visited. The right is
reserved to cancel the tour or caravan prior to departure. In the event
of a tour or caravan cancellation, the Allegro Club, Inc., Jimmy and Gail
Johnson, and the Board of Directors’ liability is limited to a refund of
money received.
The Allegro Club, Inc., Jimmy and Gail Johnson, and the Board of
Directors reserve the right to make any changes, with or without notice,
that might become necessary with the understanding that there is no
extra charge. After a tour, caravan or rally begins, any unused portions
of fees paid are not refundable. The Allegro Club, Inc., also reserves the
right to terminate tour, caravan and rally services for any client at any
time for good cause.
The mission of the Allegro Club is:
1) To promote friendship, fellowship and camaraderie among all
owners of Tiffin-built motorhomes;
2) To provide pertinent information and assistance regarding
Tiffin-built products, their maintenance and related safety topics;
3) To promote brand loyalty to Tiffin-built motorhomes among
current owners;
4) To encourage ownership of Tiffin-built motorhomes among
non-owners.
The Allegro Club reserves the right to edit submissions for space and
clarity. Manuscripts, photographs, illustrations and other proposed content
are welcomed and will be considered for publication. Reproduction in
whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Content, including
statements of fact and opinion, do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints
of Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. or the Allegro Club, Inc. Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.
and the Allegro Club, Inc. are not responsible for content. Privacy laws
and policies prevent Side Roads from publishing memorials, illnesses and
other personal information without written permission.
ON THE COVER
Wherever Billy Tinney goes, he is armed with cameras. The
senior photographer for the Easyrider magazine publishing group
captured this image of his holiday-bedecked Phaeton in a Malibu
sunset. Learn more about Tinney, his wife Tammy, Miss Daisy and
Scooter Boy on Page 15.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Want to share an experience you had in your Tiffin
Motorhome? Have a comment or suggestion about
SideRoads, the Allegro Club newsletter? Write to:
Side Roads Editor, Allegro Club
P.O. Box 1429, Red Bay, AL 35582
Please include your name, address, email and phone
number so we can contact you.
CONTACTS:
Tiffin Motorhomes Parts & Service:
(256) 356-0261
Allegro Club: (256) 356-8522
[email protected]
Jimmy Johnson, Allegro Club president
President
Allegro Club
2
SIDE ROADS
Verbon Jones, Allegro Club office manager
Cynthia Skinner, Allegro Club membership coordinator
Janet Gober, Allegro Club administrative assistant
www.tiffinmotorhomes.com
Tiffin produces ‘bunkhouse’ floor plan
OVERHEAD CABINET
OVERHEAD CABINET
SOFA BED
OHC
30" STEP
OPTIONAL
DRIVER’S DOOR
FRIDGE
OVERHEAD CABINET
72"
BOOTH
DINETTE
MICROWAVE
OVERHEAD CABINET
LINEN
30" X 72"
BUNK BEDS
LAVI
OHC
36"
SHOWER
WARDROBE
WARDROBE OPTIONAL
20" TV
35 QBA
BANK OF DRAWERS BELOW
QUEEN
BED
NIGHTSTAND
OVERHEAD CABINET
NIGHTSTAND
!#?0/
OH TV
OPTIONAL 32" LCD TV
Tiffin Motorhomes had children and grandchildren in
mind when its new “bunkhouse” floor plan took shape. Then
along came NASCAR fans, football tailgaters plus hunting
and fishing buddies.
Bunk beds are more attractive than hide-a-beds for many
youngsters, but their parents and grandparents may have to
arm-wrestle other adults for the 150-160 moderately-priced
35-ft. Allegro QBAs Tiffin expects to produce during the 2008
model year.
With base prices beginning at about $110,000 and ranging
upward depending on chassis and options, as the Allegro
QBAs begin rolling off the production line, Tiffin is very
optimistic about sales at its 78 dealerships throughout the U.S.
and Canada.
“Like that kitchen where people migrate in a party, this
floor plan also is going to attract a crowd at tailgating events,
including football and motorsports,” says Tiffin National
Sales Manager Jerry Williamson.
An optional 32-in. LCD TV mounted within the midsection
wall of the coach enables eight adults, comfortably seated, to
watch the screen. The spacious quad-slide handles another
half-dozen standing occupants. A tiled living room, galley
and bathroom floor makes cleanup quick and easy.
The bunk beds are tucked across from the spacious bathroom
with a 36-in. shower but with walls separating the 30-in. by
72-in. bunks from the master bedroom. Each bunk can have
an optional pull-down 15-in. multimedia screen with wireless
headphones for TV, video games or DVDs. With full use of
the master quarters’ queen bed, the bunks, the living area
hide-a-bed sofa and dinette, the Allegro 35QBA comfortably
sleeps seven.
A 30-in. entry door, previously offered only on higher-priced
diesel pushers, makes easy work of carrying in supplies and
other necessities for a camping, hunting, fishing or tailgating
adventure.
Williamson predicts 90 percent of Allegro orders will have
the optional full-body paint in Champagne, Silver Sand or
Sunlit Sand, offered for the first year on the entry-level Allegro.
The new Allegro also features upgraded plumbing fixtures,
full slide out ball-bearing galley drawers, an automatic satellite
dish as well as a satellite dish tripod and optional Air Coil
hide-a-bed sofa sleeper and free-standing dinette.
“At dealerships, the Allegro 35 QBA is going to jump out
at many RV shoppers who just never did find that perfect fit
before,” Williamson says.
For more information, visit www.tiffinmotorhomes.com.
SIDE ROADS 3
Roadside recipes
by Gail Johnson
Holiday greetings from North Alabama! As the season is fast approaching, our thoughts often go back to past holidays and family
traditions that have evolved through the years. Many of those traditions center around meals or parties and favorite holiday recipes,
like Grandma’s special coconut cake, Aunt Gert’s bourbon balls or Dad’s smoked turkey.
For this column, I have asked several folks in the Tiffin Allegro Club “family” to send me their favorite recipe for the holidays and
tell why it is special. I hope you will enjoy reading these little personal glimpses of holiday traditions from people you have grown
to know and appreciate in the Allegro Club.
May you and your family have a rich and joyous holiday season and a bright new year.
Japanese Fruit Pie
From Judy Tiffin, wife of Bob Tiffin, CEO of Tiffin Motorhomes. This recipe comes from Judy’s Red Bay Garden Club Tasting Tea
Cookbook. It is one she and her family have enjoyed for years, not just at the holidays, but at any special occasion. She says it is an easy and
delicious dessert.
Ingredients:
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vinegar
½ cup coconut
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup raisins
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together well. Pour into thawed, unbaked pie shell. Bake in a preheated 300-degree oven for about 40
minutes. Note: For convection microwave cooking, use convection setting, same temperature, and start checking after 30
minutes of cooking. (You could also use the low-mix setting and cook for 25–30 minutes.)
Orange Jell-O ® Salad
From Deborah Kimbrough, wife of Harold Kimbrough, Onan Generators dealer who attends rallies and often provides complimentary oil
changes to rally participants. An easy and delicious accompaniment to any meal. Deborah says her family loves it, and she credits her Aunt
Marceil for introducing it.
Ingredients:
1 3-ounce package orange Jell-O®
1 cup hot water
50 – 60 miniature marshmallows
½ cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup crushed pineapple
½ cup chopped pecans
1 cup whipped topping
Instructions:
Dissolve Jell-O ® in hot water. Add marshmallows and cheese. Stir in pineapple juice. Allow to cool and thicken slightly.
Add nuts and pineapple. Place in a mold or oblong dish and chill thoroughly. Top with whipped topping and serve.
Coconut Cake
From Pam Jones, wife of Verbon Jones, Allegro Club office manager.
A recipe that brings back happy memories of Pam’s grandmother, who was a wonderful cook. Pam remembers this cake as a family favorite.
She still bakes it every year to continue that lovely family tradition, remembering those happy times at her grandmother’s.
Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix w/butter Marshmallow Icing (for coconut cake)
Follow directions on box. (I usually make 3 layers) 2 egg whites, beaten to stiff consistency
1/3 cup cold water
1 3/4 to 2 cups sugar
1-2 packages frozen coconut
Instructions:
Mix and cook in double boiler for 4 minutes (use portable mixer and mix entire time). Add 1 cup miniature marshmallows and cook
3 to 4 more minutes, beating until stiff. Ice layers, adding thawed coconut to top of each layer and on sides. (This is a little messy.)
4
SIDE ROADS
Chocolate Balls
From Pat Webber, wife of Tom Webber, Tiffin dealer/customer support representative. Pat shares one of her mother’s favorite cookie
recipes. At Christmas especially, everyone looked forward to receiving a huge plate of her beautiful and delicious creations.
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups butter or margarine
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 cups chopped nuts
½ cup cocoa less 1 tablespoon
Instructions:
Mix ingredients thoroughly. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. After
baking, roll in powdered sugar. Makes 4 dozen cookies.
No-Bake Fruit Cake
From Janet Gober, secretary of the Allegro Club in Red Bay. Janet says she can’t remember a Christmas without this cake. Her mom adopted
this recipe because her dad didn’t like spicy fruit cakes with candied fruit. It brings back memories of her dad trying to talk her mom into
cutting the cake early.
Ingredients:
1 lb. chopped pecans
1 lb. chopped English walnuts
1 lb. box of Vanilla Wafers (crushed)
1 lb. box of raisins (optional)
1 lb. jar maraschino cherries (chopped)
1 can Eagle brand* condensed milk
Instructions:
Mix well the first four ingredients. Pour milk and cherries including juice over the dry ingredients and let set. After the juice has
had time to soak in, mix again. Line a tube pan with wax paper. Pour mixture in pan and press until it is well packed. Cake is best
if refrigerated 7-10 days. Note: You can use small loaf pans if you want to give as gifts.
Gingerbread Cookies
Joanne Brown and her husband Bob are regular camper-workers at Allegro rallies. Joanne says she has been baking these for 45 years starting
with their two sons and now with four grandchildren. Everyone looks forward to them each year.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup soft margarine or butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 12-ounce jar dark molasses
2/3 cup cold water
7 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon each, salt, allspice,
ginger, cloves, cinnamon
Instructions:
Mix shortening, sugar and molasses thoroughly, stir in water and mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients, mix well. Cover bowl with
plastic wrap and chill several hours or overnight. Roll out on well-floured board, but not too thin as they will not be soft after baking.
Use a floured cookie cutter. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. Do not overbake. The cookie should
be soft, not crispy. Place on rack to cool. When cool, frost (this is the fun part with kids of all ages) with mixture of powdered sugar
and milk or water. Add colored sugars, raisins, etc. as desired. Let set and enjoy.
SIDE ROADS 5
Florida rally
Want an excuse to visit Florida
or a fun RV event while you are
there? The Second Annual Florida
State Campout will be May 1-4,
2008 in Bradenton.
With participation limited to
30 motorhomes, organizer Jeanie
Lynch of the Sun Coast Allegro
Club says the campout will not be
as “flamboyant” as an Allegro Club
rally, but should appeal to club
members in Florida and neighboring states. Chapter membership is
not required.
The campout will be at EncoreWinter Quarters RV Park. Cost is
$21 per night plus a small fee per
person. That fee has not been set,
but is expected to be in the $5-10
range, Lynch says.
For more information contact
Lynch at [email protected] or
941-761-8407.
One
happy
camper
(initially)
by Bob Poiry
I don’t even
know what
the fellow
next to us had
just said when
he told me
about his recent
purchase and what
preceded it. I’ll try to make sense of it and
maybe you can too when I‘ve finished.
Carol and I were at the Allegro Club
Rally in Warrens, WI, and what a time we
had there. We didn’t realize how much fun
folks could have in the Cheese State. My
buddy Jimmy Johnson, the Allegro Club
president, had planned a great itinerary.
We ate ’til our bellies busted and met lots of
great folks from all over the country. Have
you ever had Cranberry Cobbler? De-e-elicious!
Now to get back to that fellow I mentioned
earlier. He and his wife were full-timing in
a 2004 40-ft. Allegro Bus. That means they
live in it year-round. This fellow is a retired
truck driver and loves the big rigs.
He and his wife were at an IHOP one
morning talking about life in general. At
their ages, they had to draw down his 401k
The Yankee Doodler Cartoonist Bob Poiry
6
SIDE ROADS
and his wife’s IRA. These are IRS rules,
I think. They decided they really needed
more room for the two of them and their
little dog. Imagine that.
Their 40-footer wasn’t big enough so
they decided to purchase a brand-spanking
new 42-ft. tag-axle (that means two axles in
the back) Allegro Bus and everything that
goes with it. Of course he wouldn’t have a
problem handling it as he already had a
commercial driver’s license.
This new rig has the latest of the latest
except for 4WD or AWD. But they didn’t
need that anyway. If their health holds
up (they sure looked healthy to me) they
wouldn’t require an MRI, MRA, EKG,
EEG, ENT, X-Ray or CT scan. Neither
had a need for a PRN or ACL. They had
already had the usual physicals and their
HDL, LDL, BP and ACT counts were
fine and fortunately he had already had his
PSA, (whew) and BUN checks. All this
was learned while seeing their local MD
and talking to an RN who was working
on her LPN.
Actually I think they will be healthier
with their new stress-relieving ‘08 42’
QDP or QRP with quad slides. Especially
since this new RV is equipped with a
single remote controlled VHS, DVD, CD,
AM-FM-MP3 and an HD-ready TV. It’s
also equipped with a GPS and flat screen
portable PC with WiFi. Comes powered
with a Cummins 425hp ISL 8.9 Liter power
plant and sits on Tiffin’s new PowerGlide
chassis complete with an electronic 3000
MH 6-spd auto-tranny with two OD gears
with a 45,600 lb. GCWR. And they got
it for well below the MSRP. My initial
thoughts were that they had just purchased
one sweet outfit.
Let us hope we aren’t being tested on all
those abbreviations. Am I delirious? Do
I need to buy some vowels? Maybe this
means I can carry on some meaningful
text messaging with the grand kids.
#
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Allegro Club Louisianna Lagniappe
April 14 - April 17, 2008 (Check out April 18)
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park / Robert, LA
This event is available to the first 120 eligible applicants.
Cost Includes: 4 nights camping fee, full hook-ups (30 amps), several meals, entertainment & activities. When on
hand, Tiffin factory technicians will perform minor repairs at no cost. Dixie RV Superstore will display the latest in Tiffin-built
motorhomes for your viewing. Plenty of food, fun and fellowship.
Cost: Allegro Club member motorhome with two (2) people / $425 • Allegro Club member motorhome with one (1)
person / $315 • Non-member motorhome with two (2) people / $625 • Non-member motorhome with one (1) person / $515
Total Cost: $
• Each additional guest / $125 Number of people
Amount enclosed (full payment required) $
Name:
Second person’s name:
Mailing Address:
City/State/Zip:
Telephone number:
Allegro Club #:
Chapter #:
Name of guest(s) in member’s motorhome:
We wish to park with our chapter (listed above) or individual:
We will be in: q Allegro q Allegro Star q Allegro Bay q Allegro Bus q Open Road q Phaeton q Zephyr
Motorhome length:
License plate # :
State:
Tow vehicle: Make:
License plate #:
State:
My chassis is: q Ford q Workhorse q Chevrolet q Oshkosh q Spartan q Freightliner q PowerGlide
q Other:
q
q
YES / NO This is our first Allegro Club rally.
YES q / NO q We wish to park in the handicapped section. (Enclose Handicapped Certification copy with your registration.)
YES q / NO q We will bring our pet(s).
Participants wishing to park together must send registration and rally fee in together!
Get your reservations in early. There will be only 120 spaces available.
No reservations will be taken after the deadline of March 3, 2008. The refund deadline is March 3, 2008.
Send check, money order or fill out complete credit card information below:
q Visa
q Master Card
q Discover
Credit Card Number:
Expiration Date
___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
___ ___ / ___ ___
Month
Year
Signature:
Call (256) 356-8522 to register by phone or fax your registration form to (256) 356-9746.
You can mail your reservation form with check payable to: Allegro Club, P.O. Box 1429, Red Bay, AL 35582-1429
Attention: Early arrivals and late departures should be handled on your own by
calling Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at 800/349-YOGI.
No partial or total refunds will be given after the refund deadline. Upon cancellation
a $20 handling fee will be charged. Travel insurance is an option available through Farm
& City Insurance (1-800-331-1520). Payment must accompany each rally registration.
Important:
The Allegro Club has planned this event based upon claim
assumptions, including a minimum number of participants. On occasion,
circumstances arise which make the event impractical. Accordingly, the Allegro
Club reserves the right to cancel the event for any reason, at any time and without
obligation beyond the refund of any prepaid fees for the cancelled event.
By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following
statements: “I understand that neither the Allegro Club, Tiffin Motorhomes,
Inc., nor any campground, restaurant, bus service or supplier assume any
responsibility directly or indirectly, for the use or operation of a car or
recreational vehicle going to or from or during the rally; or for injuries before,
during or after the rally; or damage to property of any kind before, during or
after the event; and I also grant permission for the use of photographs, videotape,
written or verbal testimonials and other media from the rally that depict
registrants and their guests for promotional purposes by Tiffin Motorhomes Inc.
and the Allegro Club.”
SIDE ROADS
7
What the owners say: Testing the 2008
our
Reviewers
Diane Farmer 52, is
retired and a homemaker.
Her husband Jeff, 51,
is director of strategic
accounts for Interactive
Intelligence, Inc. a global
t e l e c o m mu n i c a t i o n s
software company. Last
spring as they shopped
for their first motorhome,
Jeff says they were “blown
away by the features
and amenities” of Tiffin
coaches. They visited Lazydays RV SuperCenter in
Seffner, FL, which offers RVs by 18 manufacturers.
“We kept coming back to the Tiffin products,” Jeff
says. “We like the style, features and value of the
Tiffin coaches. We were continually impressed
by the fact that everyone we spoke with referred
to how well Tiffin stands behind their products.”
[email protected]
414-491-2275 or 262-968-5100
turning
radius, road
handling
and
stability
The coach is easy to drive and the ride is
comfortable. Being new to RVing, we were concerned
about the maneuverability of a 36-ft. motor coach.
With the 55-degree turning radius driving the
Phaeton is a breeze.
Power/torque
We are impressed with the new 360hp Cummins
engine and the amount of torque it produces. This is
important to us as we plan on towing a 20-ft. enclosed
car hauler.
Noise
level (both
for
maintenance,
other features
King’s Campers got us up to speed learning all
the systems and maintaining the coach, spending
6-8 hours with us the day we picked up the coach.
They went over every item to make certain we were
comfortable with all features and how every system
operated.
8 SIDE ROADS
and
moving)
We are continually impressed with just how quiet
our Phaeton is, whether on the road or parked, even
when we have our generator running. efficiency of
heating
and
cooling systems
The heating system is more than adequate, and so far
has easily been able to take the chill out of the coach
on cold Canadian mornings. The only concern is with
the air conditioning. We think that slightly larger units
should have been installed. We have had a hot summer
here in Wisconsin and the air conditioners have had
some difficulty in keeping the coach cool.
spaciousness
of
living
room
The living room continues to impress everyone who
sees our coach. People just cannot believe how large
the main salon is with the slides extended. With
the two living-area slides extended, there is ample
space for us and our dog, Spencer.
Attractiveness
of interior
decoration
The interior decoration is fantastic. Everyone who
comes in comments on the beauty of the interior. Workability
of
The galley is laid
out wonderfully and
the expand-an-island
provides Diane with
ample space whether
cooking just for us,
or when creating
meals for guests.
comfort and
Learning curve
electronics and
parked
galley
“From the wood finishings
to the fabrics and choice
of light fixtures the Phaeton
delivers quality amenities
at a great price.”
usability
of
bathroom
The bathroom has been designed to maximize
usable space. Moving the commode to fit diagonally
into the bathroom provides greater space and comfort.
Livability
of
bedroom
The bedroom is spacious and comfortable. Having
the two bedroom slides makes all the difference.
We have a 26-in. LCD HD TV, sink and stacked
washer-dryer. The bedroom has all the comforts of
home. The bed is large enough for us and Spencer.
Phaeton 36 QSH
our
Reviewers
Cindy and Greg
Roberti have been
married 25 years.
Their home is
near Mt. Hood in
Welches, OR. Cindy
is retired and Greg
will join her in five
years. Their new
Phaeton is used for pleasure and as a mobile office
when Greg is on business trips. They travel together
with two golden retrievers, Parker and Toby. Say
the Robertis: “We have close friends with various
Class A motorhomes. The Phaeton has features and
quality equal to and above coaches that cost twice as
much. That’s amazing to us. We’re lucky we made
the decision with Tiffin. We have had two campers
and a 28-ft. trailer. When it came time to purchase
a Class A, we looked hard. For example, Tiffin is
the only manufacturer we found that uses metal
basement latches and receivers instead of plastic.”
[email protected]
503-622-6645 or 503-860-2676
turning
radius, road
handling
and
stability
The turning radius is great, handling feels good.
Stability overall is good, improves when weighted down.
Power/torque
Power and torque are good. We have plenty of
power, even on hills towing a 22-ft. boat and/or
a Rubicon Jeep. In the Northwest, we have hills.
OPTIONAL EURO RECLINER
WITH COMPUTER/END TABLE
OPTIONAL
FREE-STANDING
CABINET/DINETTE
OVERHEAD CABINET
OPTIONAL
WASHER
DRYER
32" LCD TV
74" SOFA BED
OVERHEAD CABINET
ENTERTAINMENT
CENTER
I
LAV
NIGHTSTAND
NIGHTSTAND
72"
BOOTH
DINETTE
OPTIONAL TV
CLOSET
OVERHEAD CABINET
41" SHOWER
LAVI
maintenance,
other features
Noise
level (both
parked
and
moving)
The noise level parked and while driving was
minimal. With the surround system on during a
movie, outside noise is hardly noticed.
efficiency of
heating
and
cooling systems
The heating and cooling systems work well. For the
Northwest, heated floors would be nice.
spaciousness
of
living room
The living room speaks for itself, comfortable and
plenty of room. The layout of our coach is the
highlight, everything fits visually. Lights on the walls
need smaller wattage bulbs.
Attractiveness
of interior
decoration
Interior decoration is attractive. Tiffin must have
a good interior designer, everybody has commented
how nice it looks.
Workability
of
galley
The galley is what Cindy likes best: plenty of room
for all phases of galley chores.
comfort and
usability
of
bathroom
We like the two sink locations. We recommend
additional robe hooks and towel bars in main bath for
our needs.
of
bedroom
The bedroom is comfortable and cross ventilation at
the bed is great. The bedroom slide awning needs to be
wider. Rain enters at the rear window, dripping off the
awning. Two inches additional width on awning would
correct this, otherwise great layout and feel. Floor safe
option in closet would be a feature I would order.
STEP
4-DOOR
FRIDGE
62" SOFA BED
26" LCD TV
OVERHEAD CABINET
for
We are doing fine with the learning curve. We’re
impressed with the overall layout and placement of
the TV and surround sound system.
Livability
36 QSH
QUEEN
BED
Learning curve
electronics and
OVERHEAD
CABINET
CONVECTION
MICROWAVE
OHC
OVERHEAD
CABINET
OHC
OVERHEAD CABINET
OPTIONAL 32" LCD
EXTERIOR TV
SIDE ROADS
9
Tiffin posters win international award
Tiffin Motorhomes has won
top honors in international
competition for a series of
posters promoting 2007 models
at dealerships throughout North
America.
The posters received a Gold
Award for Advertising from
Graphis, the international journal
of visual communication, in the
2007 competition.
“As soon as we saw these posters,
we figured they would be winners
at our dealerships, bringing
attention to our motorhomes,”
says Tim Tiffin, general manager.
“This additional recognition is
icing on the cake.”
“Ref lections,” the series of
posters, depict Tiffin coaches
beside bodies of water. In each
poster, the reflected image is of a
luxurious mansion or castle. The
posters were created by Lewis
Communications in Birmingham,
Tiffin’s agency of record.
“That’s just how our customers
see their motorhomes, as roomy,
well-built, beautifully decorated
homes,” Tiffin adds.
Winterizing: less expensive than the alternative
The price of dinner for two at a nice restaurant:
That’s what winterizing your Tiffin rig will probably
cost. If you don’t winterize, you could face a much
steeper tab.
Just like houses and cars, RVs should be winterized
to maximize life expectancy and avoid costly problems.
Tiffin service technicians warn that failing to winterize
or improperly winterizing could cost you a $1,000
repair bill.
“Winterizing an RV only takes about an hour
at the shop,” Richard Blanton, a Tiffin service
technician says. “Whether you pay us to do it or do
it yourself, you’re still looking to save a lot of money.”
The following checklist is used by Tiffin service
technicians for winterizing:
*Turn water heater switch and 110-volt breaker to
off.
*Drain water tank.
*Drain holding tanks, leave gate valves open.
*Remove water heater plug.
*Open low point drain valves.
*Close low point drain valves (once water drains).
*Using a water pressure regulator, connect compressed
air to the city water connection.
*Replace water heater drain plug after water has been
blown from the water heater. (Use pipe dope on an
10
SIDE ROADS
Atwood water heater and Teflon tape on a Suburban
water heater.)
*Open every hot and cold sink faucet and ensure that
all water has drained.
*Flush toilet and water sprayer on toilet if equipped
with one.
*If the coach is plumbed for a washing machine, open
cold and hot water valves, catching dripped water in
a cloth.
*Turn washing machine to regular wash cycle and
run one minute while air is connected to the system,
then set to spin cycle so water can pump out of
the machine.
*Place towel under washing machine water filter and
remove filter, catching drip from filter slot. Reinsert
filter and set machine to spin cycle for one minute. Remove filter again, catch drips and reinsert filter.
*Open low point drain valves again.
*Remove and empty water filter canister from sewer
compartment.
*Pump two cups of RV antifreeze into water pump.
*Pour one cup of RV antifreeze into each sink,
shower and tub drain. Wipe sink, shower floor and
tub surfaces with clean, dry cloth.
*Confirm that all faucets and low point drain valves
are open.
#
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Allegro Club Niagara Falls Rally
June 16 – June 18, 2008 (Check out June 19)
Four Mile Creek State Park / Youngstown, NY
Cost Includes: 3 nights camping fee, water and electric hookups, several meals, entertainment & activities. When
on hand, Tiffin factory technicians will perform minor repairs at no cost. Colton RV will display the latest in Tiffin-built
motorhomes for your viewing. Plenty of food, fun and fellowship.
Total Cost: $
Name:
Mailing Address:
City/State/Zip:
Telephone number:
Allegro Club #:
Chapter #:
Motorhome length:
License plate # :
State:
Tow vehicle: Make:
License plate #:
State:
q Other:
q
q
No reservations will be taken after the deadline of May 2, 2008. The refund deadline is May 2, 2008.
q Visa
q Master Card
q Discover
Credit Card Number:
Expiration Date
___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
___ ___ / ___ ___
Month
Year
Signature:
calling Four Mile Creek State Park at 800/456-2267.
Important:
SIDE ROADS
11
Chapter Chatter: Next time you pass this way
Campgrounds
Whispering Pines RV Park in Tyler, TX
is a favorite of the North Texas Allegros.
New owners have added a tennis/basketball
court, a nine-hole miniature golf course,
horseshoe pits and shuffleboard. The park
has several clubhouses, and motorhome
spaces are spacious. A new swimming pool
was under construction earlier this year.
The Chesapeake Allegros, with members
from Maryland and Pennsylvania, held a
Texas barbecue at Twin Grove Park KOA in
Pine Grove, PA. The historic campground,
which dates to the 1930s, is improving under
new ownership which has invested heavily
to make the park a top notch destination,
the chapter reports. With full amenities, the
campground is open year-round with flat
gravel sites, full hookups, cable and wi-fi.
The park is pet-friendly, but a nominal charge
is assessed for pets. An antique carousel is
the centerpiece of several other amusement
rides, plus mini-golf, a large swimming pool
and several pavilions. KOA has a full-service
restaurant with reasonable prices and an ice
cream parlor. The TTCM Campground in Hesparia,
MI, even provides abundant split firewood,
report the Michigan Allegro Pathmakers.
No other details about the campground
were reported. Apparently it doesn’t take
much to make Michiganders happy.
12
SIDE ROADS
Restaurants
The Niagara Frontier Allegros say
Southwoods RV Resort in Byron, NY, is a
clean and family oriented campground with
upgrades in progress such as pull-throughs,
club camping areas and a banquet area.
The Suncoast Allegros never miss an
opportunity to provide a complete scouting
report for other chapters. Take for example
the chapter’s recommendation of Bay Bayou
RV Resort in Tampa: secluded area with
trees and creek, city with a country feel,
pool/spa, observation and fishing docks
on Double Branch Creek, kayak rental,
catch and release fishing ponds, $21 summer group rate, Wi-Fi, patio sites, clean
restrooms, nice clubhouse and kitchen, well
suited for an extended stay.
Down the Gulf Coast a piece, the
Suncoast Allegros also like Encore Park
Winter Quarters in Bradenton, described
as well maintained with a great rec hall
and kitchen, two swimming pools, outdoor
games, clean restrooms, no cable, Wi-Fi, pool
tables, exercise room and barbecue grills.
Diagonally across the country, the
Columbia River Allegros in Portland, OR,
sing the praises of Boardman Marine Park
in Boardman, OR. It’s described as a very
clean park with boat moorings, asphalt
trails for walking or biking, a river view and
shade trees.
Broasted chicken is the specialty at
Hill Top restaurant in Newaygo, MI,
and the Michigan Allegro Pathmakers
like it. The chapter also recommends
the Main Street Café in Fremont, MI,
which accommodates large groups and
serves excellent food. And while Culver’s
Frozen Custard Restaurant in Grand
Rapids, MI, may not be a restaurant
in the classic sense, the chapter reports
“outstanding calories” gleaned from the
rich, creamy, frozen custard delights.
A favorite of several full-timers in the
Suncoast Allegros is Nikos Pizza and
Seafood at the Bay Bayou RV Resort in
Tampa. Can you believe pizza and seafood
from the same kitchen? At a recent camp
out, the chapter sampled Caesar salad,
pizza, cheeseburger, broiled grouper, fried
calamari plus split pea soup and everyone
was very satisfied. Very good food, with
wonderful service, average price $6-18. The
chapter also recommends Anna Maria
Oyster Bar in Bradenton, FL, which
features seafood, chicken and beef, has
great service, inside and outside dining
and prices in the $9-17 range.
Destination attractions
Kayaking, horseback riding, paintball,
Hershey Park and Cabela’s outdoor retail
(Continued on Page 14)
#
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tiffin Allegro Club “Branson or Bust” Rally
September 22 – September 26, 2008 (Check out September 27)
America’s Best Campground / Branson, MO
J
Cost Includes:
5 nights camping fee, full hook-ups, several meals, entertainment & activities. When on hand, Tiffin
factory technicians will perform minor repairs at no cost. Dealers will display the latest in Tiffin-built motorhomes for your
viewing. Plenty of food, fun and fellowship.
Total Cost: $
Name:
Mailing Address:
City/State/Zip:
Telephone number:
Allegro Club #:
Chapter #:
Motorhome length:
License plate # :
State:
Tow vehicle: Make:
License plate #:
State:
q Other:
q
q
No reservations will be taken after the deadline of August 11, 2008. The refund deadline is August 11, 2008.
q Visa
q Master Card
q Discover
Credit Card Number:
Expiration Date
___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
___ ___ / ___ ___
Month
Year
Signature:
calling America’s Best Campground at 800/671-4399.
Important:
SIDE ROADS
13
Chesapeake Allegro Pirates cut a merry swath through Virginia
The residents of
Middlesex County, VA,
are no strangers to pirates.
In the early 17th century,
as peace with England
began to deteriorate, attacks of these
picaroons became more prevalent and
lasted nearly 200 years. The long,
rich history of pirates in the southern
bay area helped define several small
settlements along the deep waterways
including the Burgh of Urbanna;
despite the constant threat of pirates,
the city prospered with trade. Today
many of Urbanna’s original buildings
make this quaint and historic area
New Allegro Chapters
Chapter #178 Battle Born Allegros
Area: Reno, NV
Meeting Weekend: 3rd
President: Terry Jacobsen
[email protected]
Phone: 775-782-4332
Chapter #179
Minuteman Allegros
Area: MA & RI
Meeting Weekend: 2nd
President: Dan Healy
[email protected]
Phone: 978-979-5253
Chapter #180
Long Island Allegros
Area: Long Island, NY
Meeting Weekend: TBD
President: Ed Rohl
[email protected]
Phone: 718-797-2759
New Tiffin Dealer
Poulsbo RV
517 Jacks Road Lane
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-424-7056
14 SIDE ROADS
an interesting place to visit. Pirates
young and old will find the area
bustling each November during the
Annual Oyster Festival that causes
the population to mushroom to over
75,000.
Where would any self respecting
picaroon stay today? Aboard his or
her twin axle Tiffin motorhome at
the Bethpage Campground on Rt.
602 just outside the city limit. The
full-amenities RV resort was the
site of a 2004 Tiffin rally and most
recently the target of the invasion of
the Chesapeake Allegro Pirates. Campout Captain Hal Curtis and
First Mate Cindy greeted the fleet of
13 land yachts for the Chapter #63
sponsored bash. Mates Jim “Sparrow”
Brown, Charlene and their parrot along
with new crew members Roland and
Diane Holmstrom were the highlight
of the Friday night costume party.
A bounty of fun continued through
the weekend with a crab feast/fish fry
and a hunt for Davy Jones’s Locker,
ingeniously discovered by crew
members Pat and Roger Vanderlaan.
When off duty, the Allegro Pirates
took advantage of the campground
swimming pool, man-made beach,
mini-golf or just relaxed at the roomy
sites with their cable TV and wireless
internet. The campground was pet
friendly for pirates’ “salty dogs.”
The intrigue and lore of Urbanna’s
historic past coupled with Bethpage’s
accommodations make it a premier
place to dock your “land ship” for a
swashbuckling good time.
Written by Karen Meacham, field reporter for
the Chesapeake Allegros (Baltimore area).
Chapter chatter
(Continued from Page 12)
store are all within striking distance of
Twin Grove Park KOA in Pine Grove, PA,
according to the Chesapeake Allegros.
The Suncoast Allegros suggest Tampa
for groups with mixed interests. Here’s
the chapter’s list of what’s available:
Honeymoon Island State Park, Ybor City,
Busch Gardens, kayaking, casino, golf
at Rocky Point, shopping and dining at
Johns Pass, shops, lunch and boat rides
at The Pier, Sunken Gardens, Lowery
Park Zoo and parasailing. If you’re looking
for another destination down the Gulf
Coast, the chapter wants you to know about
Bradenton, which has dining and shopping,
an outlet mall, a flea market, golf, Gamble
Plantation and the Bradenton Museum.
Byron, NY, has much to do, according
to the Niagara Frontier Allegros. Try
Genesee Country Village and Museum,
an historic village and nature center, plus
Six Flags Darien Lake Amusement Park.
Sometimes a destination attraction just
hooks a chapter. That’s what happened
when the Columbia River Allegros of
Portland, OR, watched Native Americans
salmon fishing on the Columbia River.
Chapter members bought a salmon and
had quite a feast.
Chopper photographer is an easy rider in his Phaeton
As trades go, this one didn’t sound all
that even: a sawed off Winchester shotgun
for a busted, manual camera.
That was in 1970. Billy Tinney spent
$100 on camera repair, then promptly
earned $300 on his first assignment for
Easyriders magazine. He says he was a
happy camper, and that was 35 years
before he bought his first Tiffin
Motorhome. He’s still taking pictures
for Easyriders, and he’s an even happier
camper in his 2005 Phaeton.
Tinney is senior photographer for the
12 magazines published by the Easyriders
group, targeting motorcycle, custom car,
truck and tattoo buffs. He shoots 8,000
images on a good weekend assignment.
Even on vacation he usually presses
the shutter 6,000 times. Formal photo
training? Tinney says he never had time
for that.
Tinney, his wife Tammy and a
makeup stylist were planning a 33-day
portfolio fashion shoots tour from the
Tinney home in Houston through half
a dozen southeastern states. The stylist
recommended an RV rental. The rental
bill was $3,000. Tinney figured airfare,
hotels and rental cars would have cost an
additional $5,000. Easy decision for the
Easyriders crew.
After putting 200,000 miles on a
Class C RV, he tried two other Class
A manufacturers before discovering the
Tiffin brand.
“I’ll never buy anything else,” Tinney
said. “As soon as I saw the basement
and the bedroom, I was sold. And I’m
so pleased with how this company has
treated me.”
Tinney gets a kick out of customers
at motorcycle rodeos, who stop by his
motorhome to order photos. “When they
walk in, they are always very impressed.
They say it’s like a house, then kid me
about riding around in what they call a
half-million-dollar tour bus.”
“The service is impeccable,” Tinney
says, lapsing into tales of week-long waits
for service at dealerships for his previous
non-Tiffin coaches. “I don’t have time to
sit and wait,” he adds, recalling a bumper
sticker he wishes he still had: SOME
OF US ARE NOT ON VACATION.
“(Service Manager) Wade Humphreys is
my saviour and Don Boyd is my hotline
to the factory from the road,” he adds.
A typical motorhome owner, Tinney
is already looking at the 42-ft. tag-axle
Phaeton or an Allegro Bus, just to give
the four Tinneys – Billy, Tammy and cats
Miss Daisy and Scooter Boy – a bit more
elbow room. They log 19,000-20,000
miles a year in the 40-ft. quad-slide
Phaeton Billy refers to as the “rolling
townhouse.”
As if camera gear and cat food aren’t
enough to fill the Tinney coach’s
basements, Billy sells antiques as a side
business, adding to the rig’s space crunch.
He recently sold the vest worn by Hoss
Cartwright (Dan Blocker) on the longrunning Bonanza TV western series.
And speaking of Hoss Cartwright,
Billy tips the scales at 300 lbs. and is 6’2”.
His size led to the only modification he
has made on his coach: Some surgery on
the window framing in the dining area
“for a big guy to get in there.”
Three years ago, Tinney converted
from film to digital image storage. He
burns at least two DVDs of all the
images he makes. One DVD goes in his
safe in Houston, the other rides in the
Phaeton, and for good reason.
“I can be cruising down the interstate
in New Mexico, get a call from somebody
in New York about a photo I shot at a
show in Chicago a couple years ago,”
Tinney says. “I pull into the next Flying J,
find the photo, burn it to a CD, toss it in
the UPS bin and I’m on the road again.”
Hurricane Rita taught Tinney a
valuable lesson. The Phaeton provided
his escape from the devastating storm.
“Stay on the top half of your diesel
tank,” Tinney preaches. “I’ve learned to
never dock without filling my water and
diesel.”
SIDE ROADS
15
P.O. BOX 1429
RED BAY, AL 35582
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT # 159
BIRMINGHAM, AL
You can take it with you, Tiffin owners prove
You can’t imagine what unusual external “stuff” can be towed or lashed
onto a Tiffin Motorhome. We don’t need to use our imagination on that
question, because many of you sent us photographic evidence. From
miniature Santas climbing ladders on rear caps to pickup trucks and
boats stuffed like Christmas turkeys, we’ve seen it all now. Our winners:
Jerry and Robbin Schultz of Cordes Junction, AZ.
Their 2008 Allegro Bus puts its Cummins ISL engine to the test, tugging
a truck, four-wheeler, an inflatable pontoon boat and two boat motors.
The Schultzes will receive a prize package, which they also can carry on
trips, from the Allegro Club.
Our new quiz question also requires a digital camera. We are looking for a photo of the SMALLEST pet riding in
a Tiffin Motorhome. We will empower you to define smallest. Just remember, the judges must be able to see the pet
in the photo to declare it a winner.
Email your entry along with your name, address and phone number to [email protected]. Please, only one entry per household. The
Allegro Club is not responsible for lost entries. The judges will select the winner by February 1, 2008 for announcement in the March 2008 issue of Side
Roads. The winner will receive a prize package from the Allegro Club.
2008 Allegro Club Rally Schedule – Start Planning Now
Tiffin/La Mesa RV Southwest Shootout
Old Tucson Studios
Tucson, AZ
March 10-12, 2008
Allegro Club Niagara Falls Fling
Four Mile Creek Campsite
Youngstown, NY
June 16-18, 2008
Allegro Club Branson or Bust
America’s Best Campground
Branson, MO
September 22-26, 2008
(break camp March 13)
(break camp June 19)
(break camp September 27)
Allegro Club Louisiana Lagniappe
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Robert, LA
April 14-17, 2008
Tiffin/JC’s RV’s Rally in the Valley
French Camp RV Park Resort
Manteca, CA
June 24-26, 2008
Allegro Club Autumn Adventure
TBA
October / November 2008
(break camp April 18)
(break camp June 27)
For additional information: [email protected] or www.tiffinmotorhomes.com
Phone: 256-356-8522
•
Fax: 256-356-9746 or write: Allegro Club P.O. Box 1429
•
Red Bay, AL 35582-1429
Become an Allegro Club member or update your address info
If you’re reading this newsletter, you’re enjoying one of the
benefits of Allegro Club membership. Other benefits include
rallies, local chapters and discounts on insurance, campsite fees
and car rental.
When you buy a new Tiffin Motorhome, the first year of
Allegro Club membership is free. After that, a one-year
Names:
membership is $25, a two-year membership is $46, and a threeyear membership is $70, payable by check or credit card. For
credit card payment, call (256) 356-8522. We want you to
continue your membership and help us build our numbers
by recruiting other owners of Tiffin Motorhomes.
Address:
Nickname for Allegro Club ID badge #1:
Nickname for Allegro Club ID badge #2:
Email:
Home Phone: (
City:
)
– Alternate Phone: (
Serial No. of Your Tiffin Motorhome:
)
–
Chassis type:
Are you interested in joining or starting a local chapter of the Allegro Club?
Name of dealer where motorhome was purchased:
Date of Purchase:
VIN
State:
Zip:

December 2007 - Tiffin Motorhomes

Transcription

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