Frank may have slept through the opening of the new Tiffin Motorhomes service center, but he didn't miss his appointment. The Allegro Campground and the new service center are only a coachlength apart.

Alford arrived at the Allegro Campground in Red Bay, Al., July 10. The next morning he walked the few steps to Tiffin's 40-bay facility for some body work on his 30DA 2002 Allegro. Five days later, he was ready to head home to Jackson, Miss.

"It's been enjoyable," Alford said as Tiffin technician Mark Calvert put the finishing touches on the coach. "I don't like to have to come back up here, but every time it has been a good experience."

The new service and parts center, just a four-minute drive from the Tiffin plant, offers almost twice as many repair bays as the former service facility adjacent to the assembly line. Tiffin coach owners can sleep in their own beds - either in the service bays or the campground. For warranty work, campground stays are free. Otherwise, owners pay $10 a night.

"For convenience, as far as the campground is concerned, you're there," Alford said as giant fans pushed a cooling breeze through the doublesided service building.

Anticipating the opening of the expanded center, Shop Supervisor D-Ray Hester said Tiffin Motorhomes began hiring and training additional technicians. The service center has 56 technicians, a number expected to grow as the center develops. "We will actually be doing some of the work at the campground, weather permitting," Hester added. "If that's more convenient to customers, that's fine. We will also have a new customer lounge."

Tiffin Motorhomes employees traditionally have the week of the Fourth of July off for vacation, but the move of the massive parts and service operations kept some workers away from the beach. Service advisers try to work in customers within a few days of their arrivals in Red Bay.

Alford seemed both eager to get back on the road and sorry to leave the Tiffin environment.

"If you have a question, everybody here will stop to answer it," Alford said. "These are just good, down-to-earth home folks."