The terms “diesel-pusher” and “affordable” aren’t usually uttered in the
same sentence. Although a diesel motorhome intimates quality
construction and long life, you generally pay a pretty stiff premium for
these attributes. Conversely, lower-priced models usually come at the
expense of quality cabinetry, flooring/countertop materials and other
luxuries that consumers have come to expect.
Tiffin Motorhomes is in a unique position to offer both high quality and
reasonable prices in its Phaeton line. Located in Red Bay, Ala., Tiffin
is one of the few large manufacturers that is still privately owned and
takes pride in a dedicated work force that builds almost everything on
the premises.
“We build our own fiberglass front and rear caps and the
fiberglass roof,” says Jerry Williamson, sales manager for Tiffin. “We
own a window plant, so we build our windows, and all of our cabinetry,
too. We even build our own wiring harnesses using our own assembly
process. Moreover, we feel that if you purchase from a supplier, at some
point you have to conform to what they offer, instead of building it
yourself and producing something unique.”
This philosophy can be found even in the smaller details, such
as the ducted air-conditioning system that directs condensation from the
system down to the bottom of the coach through channels in the walls,
instead of allowing it to accumulate on the roof and drip down the
sides.
Pictured above is the company’s 40 QSH model, which Williamson
says is the best-selling of the five available floorplans. “The key
feature of this unit is the bathroom with garden tub,” he says. “Our
customers asked us for a garden tub instead of just a shower, and they
also wanted a separate lav that wasn’t in the bedroom. So now there’s
one sink in the private toilet room, and one next to the tub.”
Both the bath and kitchen offer wall-to-wall tile, and buyers
can opt for it in the living area as well, where it joins the tiled
entry. The kitchen boasts an abundance of solid-surface countertops,
plus a feature Tiffin calls “Expand-an-Island” — an extension that can
be deployed to create an L-shaped kitchen with even more work surface. A
stainless-steel sink, convection microwave and a three-burner cooktop
are also standard. The kitchen and a sofa bed are housed in a curbside
slideout, opposite of which is another slideout that contains a second
sofa bed and a booth dinette.
The master suite features a walk-around queen-size bed in a
curbside slideout, and a smaller opposing slide that houses a wardrobe
with drawers, overhead cabinets and a 20-inch TV. All the way to the
rear is a large closet and space for an optional washer/dryer. A
king-size bed is another noteworthy option, as is a Select Comfort
mattress.
“We designed the Phaeton to be the best value in the market,”
says Williamson. “We’re more on target now with that goal than we have
ever been.”
