Frequently Asked Questions

Who manufactures the PowerGlide chassis, and is it available on all Tiffin models?

Tiffin Motorhomes developed and introduced the PowerGlide chassis in model year 2008. The chassis are built at the Tiffin plant in Red Bay, AL. Currently, the PowerGlide chassis is available for luxury diesel pusher Allegro Bus models which range in length from 36-43 ft. A brochure on the PowerGlide chassis is available at Tiffin dealers and downloadable from this website.

How far in advance do I need to book an appointment at the Tiffin Service Center in Red Bay? What are our options and what is there to do in Red Bay if we wait?

Even though the Tiffin Service Center has more than 40 bays, during peak travel months, appointments can be difficult to get. In general, service managers can work a coach in within 4-5 days. The Tiffin campground, adjacent to the service facility, has full hookups and is free for owners awaiting service. A small motel is nearby, Bay-Plaza Motel. Depending on the nature of the service or repairs, owners can stay in their coaches in the service bays while work is in progress. Also, technicians sometimes work in the campground. The campground office and the Tiffin visitors center provide information on attractions in the Red Bay area.

What is the Allegro Club, who can join, what does it cost and what are the benefits?

The Allegro Club is a membership organization of Tiffin owners. The first year of membership is complimentary with the purchase of a new Tiffin coach and the annual renewals are quite modest. No wonder the club has more than 6,500 members and more than 70 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. Benefits include access to rallies, Tiffin clothing and accessories; Side Roads, an award-winning quarterly club magazine; plus campsite, rental car and group insurance discounts.

How do I find out about rallies and what do they cost?

The Allegro Club offers 5-6 rallies around the U.S. each year. Club members receive a schedule and applications for upcoming rallies in Side Roads Magazine and on the owners¹ section of this website. If you've never attended a club rally, you're missing out on a great way to enjoy your Tiffin motorhome and get to know other Tiffin owners. Depending on location, duration and sponsorship assistance from dealers and vendors, rally registrations for two adults in a Tiffin coach vary from roughly $200 to $600, including campground fees, several meals, entertainment, activities, seminars and door prizes. At many rallies, technicians from the Tiffin service facility make minor repairs at no cost.

What are the differences between gasoline- and diesel- powered motorhomes?

Before Tiffin introduced its front-engine diesel (FRED) Allegro and Allegro Bay models, the distinctions between diesel pushers (rear-mounted engine) and front-mounted gasoline engines were fairly simple. The diesel engines develop more torque or power, generally have less maintenance, greater fuel economy and more longterm durability, plus they carry a heavier load (GVWR). Tiffin produces diesel pushers in three model lines, Phaeton, Allegro Bus and the top-of-the-line Zephyr, in lengths ranging from 36 to 45 feet. Since the diesel pushers are larger than front-engine motorhomes, they generally carry higher price tags. Allegros and Allegro Bays were powered by front-mounted gasoline engines until 2006, when the revolutionary FRED chassis was developed for the Allegro Bay. A year later, the FRED chassis was introduced for Allegro models as well. Allegro and Allegro Bay coaches are still available with gas engines. All these options enable Tiffin customers to match their needs and budgets within the Tiffin Motorhomes brand. Tiffin led all Class A manufacturers in vehicle reliability/quality, competitive price/value, vehicle design and the five other criteria of dealer satisfaction in the most recent Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association's annual industry-wide survey.

What kind of warranties does Tiffin offer?

For many motorhome shoppers, the first question for a manufacturer involves delamination or wall separation. Tiffin offers a five-year limited lamination warranty against all exterior fiberglass delamination. Tiffin coaches also carry a 10-year limited unitized construction warranty, which covers the structural integrity of the entire coach -- including wall separation and inner frame weakness -- for 10 years. Wise motorhome shoppers will do close comparisons of manufacturers' warranties.

What are the MSRPs for the Tiffin models?

MSRP is the manufacturer's standard retail price. While the MSRP can provide a helpful starting point for comparisons among motorhomes, options, floorplans, customer service availability/convenience, warranties, and many other factors often enter into the decision-making process. Tiffin's network of more than 70 dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada, along with www.tiffinmotorhomes.com can take much of the guesswork out of motorhome shopping.

How long does it take to build a motorhome? In other words if I place an order, how long should I expect to wait before delivery?

Even though motorhomes parade off the Tiffin product line every day, the answer to this question can vary widely, depending on existing orders through dealers and other factors. Realizing this, and understanding that many customers want a coach when they want it, not when it can be built, your best bet is to visit Tiffin dealers using the dealer locator on this website. Tiffin dealers maintain varied inventories.

Do you have to have any special license the operate a Tiffin Motorhome?

Some states require special licenses and testing to operate a motorhome. Please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles for additional information.

What is a Class A motorhome?

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association offers a concise explanation on its website www.rvia.org. Two main categories of RVs are motorhomes (motorized) and towables (towed behind the family car, van or pickup). Type A motorhomes are generally the largest; type B motorhomes or van campers are the smallest and type C motorhomes generally fall in between.

Does Tiffin manufacture any motorhome models that are not Class A?

No. Tiffin only produces front-engine gas- or diesel-powered Allegro and Allegro Bay models and diesel pusher Phaeton, Allegro Bus and Zephyr models.

HD reception, digital channels and satellite reception

At Tiffin Motorhomes, each year when we develop our new models, we implement the latest technology available in our motorhomes. This includes our satellite and TV products.

We are receiving many questions pertaining to HD reception, digital channels, and satellite reception. We felt it would be best to get answers from the highest authority in this field, so we contacted:

Craig Bartyzal
VP of Sales and Marketing, King Controls (manufacturers of King Dome antennas) www.kingcontrols.com

Can my King-Dome antenna receive all the same standard digital channels that I get at home?

The answer is yes for both DIRECTV and Dish Network programming. The King-Dome will even automatically switch satellites when you select a new channel with your receivers’ remote control. Local channels are spot beamed and may not be available when traveling outside of your local area.

Can I receive all Dish Network HD programs with my King-Dome antenna?

Yes. The King-Dome antenna works with 4 satellites to receive all standard digital and HD programming available from Dish Network. In some areas of the country, Dish Network broadcasts their HD programming from the 61, 110, and 119 satellites (FL, TX, and the Northeast), and in all other areas these same channels are broadcast from the 110, 119, and 129 satellites. The King-Dome is easily configured to work with either satellite trio as you travel from one area to another and will automatically switch satellites when changing channels.

Can I receive all DIRECTV HD programs with my King-Dome antenna?

No. DIRECTV recently launched additional HD programming from new Ka band satellites which are not compatible with the King-Dome satellite antennas. While you can receive several HD channels from DIRECTV’s Ku band satellites at 101, 110, and 119 with your King-Dome antenna, these HD channels will be moving to the new Ka band satellites at some point in the future, although the timing is unknown.

I currently receive some HD programming from DIRECTV on my King-Dome. What can I do when they move these channels to the new Ka band satellites?

You’ll still receive those channels in standard definition, but you’ll need to switch to Dish Network service to get HDTV programming.

Is all satellite programming switching to HD?

No. While both DIRECTV & Dish Network are expanding the number of available channels broadcast in HD, all channels will continue to be available in standard digital format.

I have basic DIRECTV service, not HD. Is DIRECTV also moving my standard channels?

No. The only channels moving to the Ka band satellites are HD channels. Your King-Dome will continue to receive all standard digital channels from DIRECTV.

Can I view satellite programming on all the TVs in my Tiffin Motorhome?

Yes. With a satellite receiver installed in the forward cabinet, satellite TV programming is viewable on all TVs.

Can I watch different channels on different TVs?

The bedroom is pre-wired for a secondary satellite receiver that can provide independent viewing for the bedroom TV, although both satellite receivers must be tuned to channels from the same satellite.

Can I use a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) with my King-Dome?

Dual tuner satellite receiver recorders interfere with the antennas automatic satellite switching feature, so compatibility is limited to use with DIRECTV’s standard digital programming where all channels are broadcast from a single satellite location. Please note that satellite receiver recorders have a hard drive that is not designed to withstand road vibration, and so they are not recommended for RV use.

For more information, the following PDFs are available for download:

Satellite Service Compatibility
HD Channel Availability