I would spend the money and have them put in marine plywood, if ever a leak again it won't rot out so fast. Water kills all RVs no matter how well made. Another suggestion is to use a real water pressure regulator not those $14 ones as PEX plumbing will tend to leak under high pressure. Would set it to 45 psi max. Would go with the light tile as you have a lot of brown already with the counter tops and furniture.
For that kind of money it should be build like a fine yacht. Aluminum and veneer honeycomb core FRP. Exotic metals and wiring. PLYWOOD? Can you imagine buying a high end boat and finding out its made out of plywood and aluminum wiring?
After this is completed and When you get time, I would open hatch door in bedroom and get a good light, shine through your fan blades and check your radiator coils for oil/dirt clogged issues. You can turn fan blades with your hand with some strength and keep checking all of it . I had same issues, it’s best to stay ahead of the curve on this one. If you already have then hats off to ya! I am speaking from experience 😢with an 05 Phaeton. Just trying to help a fellow RV owner out. 👍
I like the tile on the left of the white tile. I believe you called it the middle shade. Also liking the high gloss. Glad they are taking care of you. Now tomorrow I’ll be opening up the passenger side of my wet bay to inspect my basement floor as well for piece of mind. Thanks for the video brother.
Where is big Tony? We haven’t see him lately. It’s still a beautiful coach. But you are right they are so expensive. Are rear A/C went out and wind blow the awning off. the wind sensor didn’t work. and our door lock broke. Was so glad we had a warranty that covered it all. I still feel loved Tiffin builds a good product.
We love your channel and look forward to having you clean our 2010 Tiffin Allegro in Scottsdale when we get back. You’ve always done a great job on our rig😁
Tiffin had issues with 2011 and older coaches They’re called the big three. The roof rails, wet bay floor and the DS slide floor. You should contact them and see if they are still covering the cost of these repairs.
Another Great video! Love that you shared the "behind the scenes look". When you open those shiny panels you can find some scary stuff. It's all fixable, it's just money we have learned, LOL.
White. Sorry you’re having these problems but the bright side is that they will all get fixed same time. I love the RV lifestyle too !! Keep selling that smile! & play that music 🎼!! Happy trails Michelle Tallahassee Fl
Wow, wish I’d seen this sooner. We’re sitting at a Tiffin-authorized repair facility near Austin getting the tank supports for our 2006 Tiffin Phaeton rebuilt. We’re on our way from SoCal to east coast. Noticed yesterday when we were in Fort Stockton, TX some fabric hanging beneath the coach. Crawled beneath and saw we were starting to herniate the black tank. Holy Crap. Couldn’t find anyone within 400 miles who said they could fix it. Take that back. A couple of places in Midland/Odessa said they could do it, in TWO months. Called Tiffin and they referred us to Crestview RV in Buda, TX. I called them and they said they could fix it and do it right away. So fingers crossed, we hit the road, stopping frequently to check the tank. It held. First thing this morning the shop took the rig in, even though they have a two-week back log. It’ll be done by six. Phew. We drove right by Palacios, too. Wish I’d detected the problem then. Would have saved some very anxious hours, but until that fabric ripped away, it masked the problem. Not a great design on Tiffin’s part.
I would go to the darker tile because of the dirt that we sometimes bring from outside will always show. So you would be cleaning the steadily. You seem to be keeping your rv pretty spotless. Dark tiles are always easier to maintain looking good.
Right, I thought this was very reasonable for the amount of work they are doing. I know they have a lot of experience so I'm confident that they will do good work.
We're looking @ used coaches & this scares the hell out of me! But we will have it inspected I will be able to watch for at least the water tank issue. Love watching your videos
Andrew, I LOVE the information that you show! We have decided to go full time and have started our own channel so that everyone can follow our transition... RV kidz TV... we have been watching your content as we are still undecided on the floorplan that we want to have. Thank you! Sincerely, RV kidz TV
Thanks for the information on the fresh water tank, we are currently buying a used Phaeton and it has the same issues. Thanks for the video with this information! Keep up the good videos.
We have an '08 Phaeton ourselves, and recently had an expensive slide issue repaired, and it's now in the shop again, as one of our leveller legs (Atwood) is giving an error message. Oddly, the leg giving us the issue, was changed out to a new one not that many years ago! With the lack of parts availability, I'll be nervous from now on, in case the problem arises again of course. When all is good with this unit, it seems perfect...but repair costs sure can add up in a hurry!
Its great that you have someone you trust to fix it right. I would put up the extra $ to wire brush and paint the rusting steel with good rust preventative paint
This is the first of your videos I have watched and they are well done. You evidently have a lot of experience detailing high-end coaches, but from what I see you are not as experienced in mechanical matters. Even though this video didn’t show the initial problem/s with the water tank area before some work was done, I gather there was a leak which rotted out the ½” plywood under the tank/s. The water not only rotted the plywood but also caused some of the metal supporting brackets to rust and I assume, be weakened. It is not reassuring to know that a critical area such as that was not designed better or more durable materials were not used by the manufacturer but I suppose they wanted to keep the selling price as low as possible and, more importantly I’m certain, maximize their profits. Your mechanic was describing what needed to be done and even mentioned adding some metal supports to make the tanks more secure. In addition he was going to install a ¾” plywood base below the tank/s but he did not mention using marine-grade plywood or some other material that WILL NOT ROT. Let’s get real, if there is the possibility of water leaking out of a tank, IT WILL LEAK AT SOME TIME. The only difference in terms of rotting between ½” and ¾” is the time it will take for the strength of the two different thickness materials to be compromised. It makes no sense not to do whatever can reasonably be done to minimize the chance of anything rotting or rusting, whether you intend to keep the RV forever or sell it to someone. Concerning metal rusting, your technician first mentioned that he was going to be putting in some new metal and spraying on a primer and black topcoat and then casually adds that he could use some special, rust-proof paint such as “Por-15.” (www.por15.com) I don’t know if you know anything about “Por-15” but if you are not familiar with that product you should do some research. If you knew about it, why didn’t you tell him to go ahead and do it, after asking about the specific additional cost. You left that decision up to him and I didn’t get the impression that he was inclined to do it. At least he didn’t say anything about doing that on the video. I have spent a lot of time fixing both car and house problems related to water leaks over many years. Given those experiences, I try to always remember and follow the old saying, “Any job worth doing is worth doing right.” Unfortunately I didn’t always follow that rule and usually ended up paying the price for my folly/stupidity. This video would not be reassuring to someone in the market for a RV. Good luck with the repairs.
I had a 2004 Fleetwood Rev. My Batt compartment rotted. My repair cost was $2000+. Very expensive. But I also owned a boat and here is a word of advice from a Boater and Camper. Never NEVER leave City Water on, on your rig. These parasitic leaks will get you sooner or later.
Thanks for sharing I just recently purchased an 05 phaeton and this is one of the problems it had although not as bad as yours, had I not seen your video I wouldn’t have checked that out, I ended up building a steel subframe under the coach to support the tanks next year I’m gonna pull the tanks and build a new stainless inner frame. Because mine is rotted out pretty bad Thanks again for posting the video!
Andrew white floors in the motorhome is. gonna show everything you’ll be constantly clean those tile gowith something with a pattern and little darker so it doesn’t show the dirt
White floors do show more dirt, but look awesome. I say go for it. People need to remember what you do for a living. You CLEAN! Hello? Most people are lazy and would rather hide the dirt than clean it.
I don’t see what’s wrong with the existing floor. It matches everything and has character. All plain white does is retro to the stark subway tile era, show every little dirt speck, and maybe brighten the interior... great except for killing the quality mood of the fabric and wood. It also looks too shiny, and if more slippery it has no place in an RV.
Like the white, looks cleaner and the brightens up the inside. As for the carpet, get rid of it, tile throughout, carpet holds dirt , mites, sadie hair etc. Tile floor more hygienic. Looks like Jesse given you a fair price. Stay safe.
Carpet is a function of the slide as you can't put tile there. Newmar is the only company I know that can put tile there as there slides function different. It's either carpet or vinyl.
That place seems like they know what they are doing,I would ask for treated plywood for sure! I think the lighter tile would look great.It should be great when it’s done !
Andrew , when u said COMPOSITE FLOOR , that got me. I would of went with composite support floor for the tanks , only being I'm a one and done type a guy.I hate fixin the same blame thing twice.....
I see all these high buck coaches with all these luxury finishes, slide outs, electronics, etc. and they seem like a service revenue generator for dealerships. IMHO a return to basics could simplify units a lot, reduce maintenance costs and problems and actually be more enjoyable to own and less expensive. These thoughts are amplified when I see the design and part quality issues in these high buck units. I get it, if it’s your passion. Go for it. But the cash to purchase and maintain these high end units is mind blowing.
Still say bad design on that water tank install should have been fully supported by a metal frame from the factory. Go with a rust neutralizer before painting the rusty frame.
I had the exact same problem with my 2010 Phaeton. My holding tank had not collapsed so badly. I did all the work myself and used a quarter inch piece of aluminum in place of the plywood. The aluminum cost 400 to 500 bucks but this rot problem will never happen again if a leak develops. I figured the cost of the aluminum sheet was a small price to pay since I did all the work myself. Also the leak was coming from the tank overflow pipe where the pipe went into tank. I put a good amount of caulking around it to seal the leak. I'm sure it leaked when the tank was full or partially full from sloshing around while driving the rig.
Man, I've been looking at Class A coaches (first timer). I think I'll stay away from Tiffin - disappointed with the cheap material/construction in this video - and big shout-out to Andrew - love your videos man; great job!
Great video Andrew!! I'll be curious to know if the boys at Tiffin contact you and admit, "Uh, that video was a bit embarrassing. We've convened an emergency meeting to fix our very poor and cheap design." This is what I don't understand: Why don't RV manufacturers get it that people who can afford luxury motorhomes, would want better quality plumbing connections, thicker plywood, and better bracing under their tanks in the first place? Plain water weighs 8 lbs. a gallon! Good for the Palacio repair guys on discovering the source of the water intrusion that rotted under your main floor, and for figuring out a way to fix it and prevent it from happening again. Another Tiffin design flaw that Tiffin needs to fix pronto! Sadly, consumers pay the price for the "good enough" attitudes of RV manufacturers! I vote for white; it will be cheerier after swallowing the repair bill!
Sticks and bricks expense would be eating at you more than this, interest, property taxes, and up keep are way more expensive than 2800 over the same time period. I like the light tile even if its a little more trouble to take care of. I suggest the tightest spacing possible to keep the dirt in the grout lines from showing and keep a good grout sealer on them also.
Not so bad for the repair - looked much worse $$$$. I agree with other posts to put a treated plywood in or composite material. Tile - the white is my least favorite. Thanks for keeping us in the loop along the way of this repair.
Spray rust converter first and then primer or rust proof paint. I like the dark tile myself. The light is too light and makes it look more cheap or plastiky :) Hope all goes well.
White. I know that as a top-notch detailer, anything that makes your final choices, are based on your experience in care and upkeep. So I trust your judgement and know that whatever you choose will look fabulous for years to come.
I was going to say you should have it brushed with the POR15 and get that done. POR15 dude is long lasting and will protect that metal from just about anything. I use this on my old Classic FJ40 and its freaking awesome. I redid my FJ Gas tank in that POR15 and its like a hardshell epoxy.
Andrew, so sorry I'm so late here. The best way to stop rust is to sandblast the old metal and then use an oil based primer & topcoat or a 2 part urethane paint topcoat if you have a friend in the body business. You would sandblast the rust, make your metal / frame repairs and then paint the whole repair afterwards, priming it & topcoating. Some of that framing looked pretty light so I might have added some framing to beef that area up. As a mechanic I'm surprised at how poorly that bay was designed given the load. Chip board is never a good material where water can occur especially since it weighs as much as plywood which is much stronger & can handle a lot more exposure to water. Good luck !
It’s time to get rid of it Andrew. I’ve learned that if your gonna own an RV, especially if it’s a motorized I keep them 3 years and trade for new one. Keeps me out of paying for others problems.
Hey Andrew, love your channel (subscribed to it twice!)....lots of good information for rv'ers. I have one hard question for you (with some insight first)......I am starting the process of sourcing out our next rig. I currently own a Thor Hurricane 31Z (2018) which we love. In the next year our trips will become longer and for longer periods. We want to have the over the cabin drop down bed as our daughter always travels with us, theater seating and a good number and big sized windows (and with a king size bed). My budget will be no more than $200k tops so a year or two old with low miles is not out of the question. Here it comes: with these premises, what would be your top 3 or top 5, 40 footer or bigger, to look into based on your experience?
yup.. if you own one you are gonna have problems.. the tile on the right would be my choice. Water damage is the worst as it is a silent and invisible destroyer of rvs. I would talk to your insurance broker for a water damage claim.. Good luck Andrew
I'm still learning about RV's so I don't know if they're all built this way, but it just seems odd that they would use plywood down on the bottom where it seems that the road water would get up on there too. I'm sure there must be a good reason, but the first thing I thought was why not maybe aluminum plate or something that wouldn't rot out like that. Good thing you caught it before it fell completely out!
Sorry about the repairs needed. That stinks. I’d love to see and hear more about their fix for your slide. I tend to agree about the white tile. Mine is white and it’s always dirty. I guess they all are you just don’t see it as much on some colors. And finally, any advice on preventing my roof from “bleeding” the white down the sides of my coach every time it rains? Wash more often? Treat the roof with something? I’m wondering if I’m the only one having this issue? 99 American Tradition and I’ve only owned it a year. Still learning a lot. Thanks!
How is this not an insurance claim? Do you have full coverage? I s there is such a thing on a RV? If your a home owner sometimes those policy's can extend to things like this???
Andrew, do they perform any engine repairs/adjustments/servicing? We have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star DP with a Caterpillar 3126. No problems at the moment, just thinking about the future. You have a beautiful coach.
We bought used from a private seller 2 times. Our first was an '02, 40 ft .bus . The owner had all of the maintenance records from the first oil change!! I think he had receipts for every penny he spent on it! We drove it for several years never had an issue. Needed to down size in order to stay in many of the nat'l park. Went with a 36ft., 04 Bus., again bought from a private seller with all of the maintenance records and receipts. Still driving it today without any issues. I would never buy a new one. To may issues and very poor quality and workman ship.
I am thinking what about a top quality prefinished Hardwood floor? Wood is a bit softer feeling and warmer than tile. There is some awesome material out there! just a thought. If I had to pick a tile it would be the darker one on the right.
Andrew, Eastwood.com sells a paint to stop rust that really works great. It is not the expensive, I would also coat the 3/4 ply with some type of preserve incase you get any other leaks. Sorry for your problems, but I still think Tiffen makes a great product.
I can't believe you are considering putting a white floor in a motorhome! Wow! I think the one you said is the darkest would be best. But hey, it is your money so get the one you like best. Even if I think it will be an expensive life lesson if you get the white. LOL!!!
Why run the generator & coach ac while driving?? I installed light out curtains behind the drivers area so my dash ac only cools the driver area plus it helps deaden sounds from the back while driving.
Good info. We currently own a 27’ Airstream but are considering a 7-13 y/o class a diesel similar to yours. Any other advice on buying a used beast, or a video link to share? Thanks in advance! We’ll Catch You Down The Road!
Pure vinyl tile would take a lot of weight off the coach. It also comes in wood plank looking material at a much lower price. It is easier to install and costs less. Just use pressure sensitive glue like Henry’s Purple glue.
One of the reasons that people buy diesel pushers is because of luxury, gobs of torque and high-end finishes/appliances. Otherwise, he just should have saved his money and bought an 11-year-old gas motorhome, which is dramatically lighter, cheaper and easier to fix. Changing injectors on a v10 ford engine vs an L9 Cummins is easily $8000 more. Weight is not really important when your coach is doing 0-55mph in 32 sec.
Lost Comma I like the 800 pounds of torque on my 6.7 Cummings diesel and the engine brake coming downhill towing. We also got a washer with a 110v separate dryer, saves so much time running to laundry. I would have liked more power but we get 10-12 mpg and a bigger motor would get worse.
I fuel at truck stops at the truck pumps so it doesn't stop at $100 but I also have a fleet type card. That plywood would not have rotted that back in such a short period. That looked like it had been leaking for a long time. Once again I say to pay and have a used RV by a certified inspected.
I live in high-rent district, there are no truck stops within 50 miles of Fountain Hills Arizona I inspected the coach before purchasing and there was no rust. Keep in mind it was hook up to city water for almost 3 months while I was using it this summer. I've on the coach for over 6 months now and water can definitely do damage quickly. this has nothing to do with how well the vehicle was inspected before I purchased it.
It looks like your coach was a flood victum. Everything is rotted out from the floor down?? Not a common problem. Good luck. I Hope you have a good insurance policy.
Maybe Marine grade plywood. This shows you where they hide the cheap materials. Why would they use wood where water is? To be cheap. This is why I like to see the build at factory to see what they hide like the cheap ass pipe that over time gets brittle from the heat. Pvc does not last in the heat. So dump the carpet and get a faux wood floor that will hold up as it does in homes and isn't subject to problems if water should on it. Wishing you better luck.
Definitely not the white. I had it before. White shows every crumb, foot print and little scuff marks. My preference is a matte finish with design in it. And not white. Think of even white grout. It will be dirty in no time. Go light neutral colors, are livin it up with books stand out colors. But not white. It will look like a public facility. My opinion only, with experience.
Woulda, shoulda, coulda maybe, red Bay, Alabama? Check out cargo bays for sign of water damage. Maybe it was left in a flood zone, got the insurance check then sold it instead of fixing it? Is all this covered by insurance?
I’d replace all the metal angle iron that’s rusted enough to be structurally weak. Then marine plywood 3/4” or better. That type of rust has been going on for years I’m surprised you didn’t see it before you bought it. Any discoloring anywhere on a coach or RV is reason to really dig into it or walk away. Sorry for the problems you’re having. DPs can cost big $$ but they’re worth every penny..
Andrew what year is your Tiffin, how many miles are on it when you purchased it? Do you mind sharing what you paid for the unit? Currently we’re looking at one for sale in Arizona for 2009 Tiffin feeding 42 foot with a tag axle, and they’re asking 119
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Appreciate your transparency Andrew, thanks for keeping it real and sharing your struggles with RVing.
My pleasure, thank you for coming along on the journey.
I would spend the money and have them put in marine plywood, if ever a leak again it won't rot out so fast. Water kills all RVs no matter how well made. Another suggestion is to use a real water pressure regulator not those $14 ones as PEX plumbing will tend to leak under high pressure. Would set it to 45 psi max. Would go with the light tile as you have a lot of brown already with the counter tops and furniture.
For that kind of money it should be build like a fine yacht. Aluminum and veneer honeycomb core FRP. Exotic metals and wiring. PLYWOOD? Can you imagine buying a high end boat and finding out its made out of plywood and aluminum wiring?
After this is completed and When you get time, I would open hatch door in bedroom and get a good light, shine through your fan blades and check your radiator coils for oil/dirt clogged issues. You can turn fan blades with your hand with some strength and keep checking all of it . I had same issues, it’s best to stay ahead of the curve on this one. If you already have then hats off to ya! I am speaking from experience 😢with an 05 Phaeton. Just trying to help a fellow RV owner out. 👍
I like the tile on the left of the white tile. I believe you called it the middle shade. Also liking the high gloss. Glad they are taking care of you. Now tomorrow I’ll be opening up the passenger side of my wet bay to inspect my basement floor as well for piece of mind. Thanks for the video brother.
Where is big Tony? We haven’t see him lately. It’s still a beautiful coach. But you are right they are so expensive. Are rear A/C went out and wind blow the awning off. the wind sensor didn’t work. and our door lock broke. Was so glad we had a warranty that covered it all. I still feel loved Tiffin builds a good product.
We love your channel and look forward to having you clean our 2010 Tiffin Allegro in Scottsdale when we get back. You’ve always done a great job on our rig😁
Thank you!!!
Tiffin had issues with 2011 and older coaches They’re called the big three. The roof rails, wet bay floor and the DS slide floor. You should contact them and see if they are still covering the cost of these repairs.
Thank you Andrew for sharing your problems with us!
I would go with a darker tile, and update those water fittings.
Thanks!
Another Great video! Love that you shared the "behind the scenes look". When you open those shiny panels you can find some scary stuff. It's all fixable, it's just money we have learned, LOL.
That is a really good deal on the price to fix all of that. I am glad they are adding the extra support and really making it right for you.
White. Sorry you’re having these problems but the bright side is that they will all get fixed same time. I love the RV lifestyle too !! Keep selling that smile! & play that music 🎼!!
Happy trails Michelle Tallahassee Fl
Lifting that shade had to be always enjoyable...what a view!
Nice to learn of the reputable shops you visit.
Have a great day!
Wow, wish I’d seen this sooner. We’re sitting at a Tiffin-authorized repair facility near Austin getting the tank supports for our 2006 Tiffin Phaeton rebuilt. We’re on our way from SoCal to east coast. Noticed yesterday when we were in Fort Stockton, TX some fabric hanging beneath the coach. Crawled beneath and saw we were starting to herniate the black tank. Holy Crap. Couldn’t find anyone within 400 miles who said they could fix it. Take that back. A couple of places in Midland/Odessa said they could do it, in TWO months. Called Tiffin and they referred us to Crestview RV in Buda, TX. I called them and they said they could fix it and do it right away. So fingers crossed, we hit the road, stopping frequently to check the tank. It held. First thing this morning the shop took the rig in, even though they have a two-week back log. It’ll be done by six. Phew. We drove right by Palacios, too. Wish I’d detected the problem then. Would have saved some very anxious hours, but until that fabric ripped away, it masked the problem. Not a great design on Tiffin’s part.
I would go to the darker tile because of the dirt that we sometimes bring from outside will always show. So you would be cleaning the steadily. You seem to be keeping your rv pretty spotless. Dark tiles are always easier to maintain looking good.
Wow $2800 to fix you got off pretty good. We though you were in it for much more. Glad it worked out and thanks for sharing.
Right, I thought this was very reasonable for the amount of work they are doing. I know they have a lot of experience so I'm confident that they will do good work.
Question: Did you contact Bob in Red Bay and explain what was going on? And, if so, how did Tiffin respond?
I agree the light colour won't go well with your cabinets and also remember you have a black dog that sheds. I would go with the one on the right.
We're looking @ used coaches & this scares the hell out of me! But we will have it inspected I will be able to watch for at least the water tank issue. Love watching your videos
Smart man! Who wants huge debt for a damn new Rv? A fool and his money.
I like the in between color. I think that’s a good deal on the rot repair.
Andrew, I LOVE the information that you show! We have decided to go full time and have started our own channel so that everyone can follow our transition... RV kidz TV... we have been watching your content as we are still undecided on the floorplan that we want to have. Thank you!
Sincerely,
RV kidz TV
I'd just get an entire new floor with the ultra light color, Andrew. Stay grounded among all the repair work. It'll help you keep your sanity.
Dude I think you are in good hands where you are at , yes its expensive but its a nice coach trust the guy that is fixing it. keep on keeping on
Thanks for the information on the fresh water tank, we are currently buying a used Phaeton and it has the same issues. Thanks for the video with this information! Keep up the good videos.
We have an '08 Phaeton ourselves, and recently had an expensive slide issue repaired, and it's now in the shop again, as one of our leveller legs (Atwood) is giving an error message. Oddly, the leg giving us the issue, was changed out to a new one not that many years ago! With the lack of parts availability, I'll be nervous from now on, in case the problem arises again of course. When all is good with this unit, it seems perfect...but repair costs sure can add up in a hurry!
Wow Andrew! Thank you for sharing and being so honest.
I like the “in between” color tile.
Its great that you have someone you trust to fix it right. I would put up the extra $ to wire brush and paint the rusting steel with good rust preventative paint
This is the first of your videos I have watched and they are well done. You evidently have a lot of experience detailing high-end coaches, but from what I see you are not as experienced in mechanical matters. Even though this video didn’t show the initial problem/s with the water tank area before some work was done, I gather there was a leak which rotted out the ½” plywood under the tank/s. The water not only rotted the plywood but also caused some of the metal supporting brackets to rust and I assume, be weakened.
It is not reassuring to know that a critical area such as that was not designed better or more durable materials were not used by the manufacturer but I suppose they wanted to keep the selling price as low as possible and, more importantly I’m certain, maximize their profits.
Your mechanic was describing what needed to be done and even mentioned adding some metal supports to make the tanks more secure. In addition he was going to install a ¾” plywood base below the tank/s but he did not mention using marine-grade plywood or some other material that WILL NOT ROT. Let’s get real, if there is the possibility of water leaking out of a tank, IT WILL LEAK AT SOME TIME. The only difference in terms of rotting between ½” and ¾” is the time it will take for the strength of the two different thickness materials to be compromised. It makes no sense not to do whatever can reasonably be done to minimize the chance of anything rotting or rusting, whether you intend to keep the RV forever or sell it to someone.
Concerning metal rusting, your technician first mentioned that he was going to be putting in some new metal and spraying on a primer and black topcoat and then casually adds that he could use some special, rust-proof paint such as “Por-15.” (www.por15.com) I don’t know if you know anything about “Por-15” but if you are not familiar with that product you should do some research. If you knew about it, why didn’t you tell him to go ahead and do it, after asking about the specific additional cost. You left that decision up to him and I didn’t get the impression that he was inclined to do it. At least he didn’t say anything about doing that on the video.
I have spent a lot of time fixing both car and house problems related to water leaks over many years. Given those experiences, I try to always remember and follow the old saying, “Any job worth doing is worth doing right.” Unfortunately I didn’t always follow that rule and usually ended up paying the price for my folly/stupidity. This video would not be reassuring to someone in the market for a RV. Good luck with the repairs.
I had a 2004 Fleetwood Rev. My Batt compartment rotted. My repair cost was $2000+. Very expensive. But I also owned a boat and here is a word of advice from a Boater and Camper. Never NEVER leave City Water on, on your rig. These parasitic leaks will get you sooner or later.
Thanks for sharing I just recently purchased an 05 phaeton and this is one of the problems it had although not as bad as yours, had I not seen your video I wouldn’t have checked that out, I ended up building a steel subframe under the coach to support the tanks next year I’m gonna pull the tanks and build a new stainless inner frame. Because mine is rotted out pretty bad Thanks again for posting the video!
VERY GOOD INFO MANUELCUNA !
Andrew white floors in the motorhome is. gonna show everything you’ll be constantly clean those tile gowith something with a pattern and little darker so it doesn’t show the dirt
👌
White floors do show more dirt, but look awesome. I say go for it. People need to remember what you do for a living. You CLEAN! Hello? Most people are lazy and would rather hide the dirt than clean it.
@@rebellucy5610 shoes off at the door, just like in Japan
White floor is too white for your beige counter and wood interiors.
I don’t see what’s wrong with the existing floor. It matches everything and has character. All plain white does is retro to the stark subway tile era, show every little dirt speck, and maybe brighten the interior... great except for killing the quality mood of the fabric and wood. It also looks too shiny, and if more slippery it has no place in an RV.
I think the light color would mess well with the cabinetry.... sorry about you luck or rather bad luck with fresh water tank compartment...
Like the white, looks cleaner and the brightens up the inside. As for the carpet, get rid of it, tile throughout, carpet holds dirt , mites, sadie hair etc. Tile floor more hygienic. Looks like Jesse given you a fair price.
Stay safe.
Carpet is a function of the slide as you can't put tile there. Newmar is the only company I know that can put tile there as there slides function different. It's either carpet or vinyl.
That place seems like they know what they are doing,I would ask for treated plywood for sure! I think the lighter tile would look great.It should be great when it’s done !
Andrew , when u said COMPOSITE FLOOR , that got me. I would of went with composite support floor for the tanks , only being I'm a one and done type a guy.I hate fixin the same blame thing twice.....
Don't know what happened last video was long time hope you're okay keep safe and healthy alway's looking for your video's and big T..💪🏽
I see all these high buck coaches with all these luxury finishes, slide outs, electronics, etc. and they seem like a service revenue generator for dealerships. IMHO a return to basics could simplify units a lot, reduce maintenance costs and problems and actually be more enjoyable to own and less expensive. These thoughts are amplified when I see the design and part quality issues in these high buck units. I get it, if it’s your passion. Go for it. But the cash to purchase and maintain these high end units is mind blowing.
Thank your mechanic..motor homes are so big.but they are not ment to be repaird..alot of stuff is very hard to fix.as time consuming.
Still say bad design on that water tank install should have been fully supported by a metal frame from the factory. Go with a rust neutralizer before painting the rusty frame.
I had the exact same problem with my 2010 Phaeton. My holding tank had not collapsed so badly. I did all the work myself and used a quarter inch piece of aluminum in place of the plywood. The aluminum cost 400 to 500 bucks but this rot problem will never happen again if a leak develops. I figured the cost of the aluminum sheet was a small price to pay since I did all the work myself. Also the leak was coming from the tank overflow pipe where the pipe went into tank. I put a good amount of caulking around it to seal the leak. I'm sure it leaked when the tank was full or partially full from sloshing around while driving the rig.
Man, I've been looking at Class A coaches (first timer). I think I'll stay away from Tiffin - disappointed with the cheap material/construction in this video - and big shout-out to Andrew - love your videos man; great job!
I am kind of getting in late on this entry but didn't Tiffin have a recall on this problem with the wood under the tanks?
Great video Andrew!! I'll be curious to know if the boys at Tiffin contact you and admit, "Uh, that video was a bit embarrassing. We've convened an emergency meeting to fix our very poor and cheap design." This is what I don't understand: Why don't RV manufacturers get it that people who can afford luxury motorhomes, would want better quality plumbing connections, thicker plywood, and better bracing under their tanks in the first place? Plain water weighs 8 lbs. a gallon! Good for the Palacio repair guys on discovering the source of the water intrusion that rotted under your main floor, and for figuring out a way to fix it and prevent it from happening again. Another Tiffin design flaw that Tiffin needs to fix pronto! Sadly, consumers pay the price for the "good enough" attitudes of RV manufacturers! I vote for white; it will be cheerier after swallowing the repair bill!
I'd go with aluminum deck plate and for shits and grins put in a couple floor drains
That's brutal Andrew. Hope everything works out.
Sticks and bricks expense would be eating at you more than this, interest, property taxes, and up keep are way more expensive than 2800 over the same time period. I like the light tile even if its a little more trouble to take care of. I suggest the tightest spacing possible to keep the dirt in the grout lines from showing and keep a good grout sealer on them also.
Scott Falkner bs... I have NO such expenses in my paid off Fl ranch. You try to make your case like Democrats... smoke, mirrors & lies.
Not so bad for the repair - looked much worse $$$$. I agree with other posts to put a treated plywood in or composite material. Tile - the white is my least favorite. Thanks for keeping us in the loop along the way of this repair.
The guys at Palacios are very fair. After consideration, I think the medium color will be th best.
Spray rust converter first and then primer or rust proof paint. I like the dark tile myself. The light is too light and makes it look more cheap or plastiky :) Hope all goes well.
Glad you have a trusted mechanic, they’re worth their weight in gold. Big Tony’s smiling face missing in last few videos. Hope he’s ok.
Andrew your doing a great job!
White.
I know that as a top-notch detailer, anything that makes your final choices, are based on your experience in care and upkeep. So I trust your judgement and know that whatever you choose will look fabulous for years to come.
I was going to say you should have it brushed with the POR15 and get that done. POR15 dude is long lasting and will protect that metal from just about anything. I use this on my old Classic FJ40 and its freaking awesome. I redid my FJ Gas tank in that POR15 and its like a hardshell epoxy.
Have you plywood sprayed with rhino liner paint.
Love the channel I’d go in pay and then fill it more cause if your their might as well fill it all the way
I like the darker one, but it's your rig😂😊🤗
Yeah when you buy high dollar coach like that it should come with plastic fittings
Andrew, so sorry I'm so late here. The best way to stop rust is to sandblast the old metal and then use an oil based primer & topcoat or a 2 part urethane paint topcoat if you have a friend in the body business. You would sandblast the rust, make your metal / frame repairs and then paint the whole repair afterwards, priming it & topcoating. Some of that framing looked pretty light so I might have added some framing to beef that area up. As a mechanic I'm surprised at how poorly that bay was designed given the load. Chip board is never a good material where water can occur especially since it weighs as much as plywood which is much stronger & can handle a lot more exposure to water. Good luck !
How long have you had this coach? Thank you for all your videos.
It’s time to get rid of it Andrew. I’ve learned that if your gonna own an RV, especially if it’s a motorized I keep them 3 years and trade for new one. Keeps me out of paying for others problems.
Hey Andrew, love your channel (subscribed to it twice!)....lots of good information for rv'ers. I have one hard question for you (with some insight first)......I am starting the process of sourcing out our next rig. I currently own a Thor Hurricane 31Z (2018) which we love. In the next year our trips will become longer and for longer periods. We want to have the over the cabin drop down bed as our daughter always travels with us, theater seating and a good number and big sized windows (and with a king size bed). My budget will be no more than $200k tops so a year or two old with low miles is not out of the question. Here it comes: with these premises, what would be your top 3 or top 5, 40 footer or bigger, to look into based on your experience?
$2800 ! I would have fixed that myself. Some paint, a couple sheets of plywood and a bit of welding.
agreed and you wouldnt be cutting corners like these guys.
yup.. if you own one you are gonna have problems.. the tile on the right would be my choice. Water damage is the worst as it is a silent and invisible destroyer of rvs. I would talk to your insurance broker for a water damage claim.. Good luck Andrew
I'm still learning about RV's so I don't know if they're all built this way, but it just seems odd that they would use plywood down on the bottom where it seems that the road water would get up on there too. I'm sure there must be a good reason, but the first thing I thought was why not maybe aluminum plate or something that wouldn't rot out like that. Good thing you caught it before it fell completely out!
That's definitely a cheap way out with the plywood they use
Sorry about the repairs needed. That stinks. I’d love to see and hear more about their fix for your slide. I tend to agree about the white tile. Mine is white and it’s always dirty. I guess they all are you just don’t see it as much on some colors. And finally, any advice on preventing my roof from “bleeding” the white down the sides of my coach every time it rains? Wash more often? Treat the roof with something? I’m wondering if I’m the only one having this issue? 99 American Tradition and I’ve only owned it a year. Still learning a lot. Thanks!
Go with the medium color White and the beige would look weird unless you were painting cabinets
I like the white tile thanks for the videos
How is this not an insurance claim? Do you have full coverage? I s there is such a thing on a RV? If your a home owner sometimes those policy's can extend to things like this???
Andrew, do they perform any engine repairs/adjustments/servicing? We have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star DP with a Caterpillar 3126. No problems at the moment, just thinking about the future. You have a beautiful coach.
Check out the TCF fuel card. Huge savings on diesel fuel. RV Love RUclips just posted a video about it.
I am throwing Tiffin out of my plans these days. They need to come back together and decide they want to make a quality product again.
They ALL have problems
We bought used from a private seller 2 times. Our first was an '02, 40 ft .bus . The owner had all of the maintenance records from the first oil change!! I think he had receipts for every penny he spent on it! We drove it for several years never had an issue. Needed to down size in order to stay in many of the nat'l park. Went with a 36ft., 04 Bus., again bought from a private seller with all of the maintenance records and receipts. Still driving it today without any issues. I would never buy a new one. To may issues and very poor quality and workman ship.
Andrew we are enjoying your commentary, send more please
While driving Andrew place the camera in the back of you so we can see you drive, and out the front windshield, and see something other than YOU?
Hate to see your having problems, but like everything, they cost and your showing us the other side of living the dream.
I am thinking what about a top quality prefinished Hardwood floor? Wood is a bit softer feeling and warmer than tile. There is some awesome material out there! just a thought. If I had to pick a tile it would be the darker one on the right.
Get the water proof wood floors no more issues they look good
Great Video !!!!!!
Andrew, Eastwood.com sells a paint to stop rust that really works great. It is not the expensive, I would also coat the 3/4 ply with some type of preserve incase you get any other leaks. Sorry for your problems, but I still think Tiffen makes a great product.
Cover the plywood with fiberglass resin. Two coat's
Middle color hides dirt keeps in the light
I can't believe you are considering putting a white floor in a motorhome! Wow! I think the one you said is the darkest would be best. But hey, it is your money so get the one you like best. Even if I think it will be an expensive life lesson if you get the white. LOL!!!
Lol, after reconsidering I'm going to go with the middle color. But boy did my preference of white bring out the comments lol 😂
Plywood floor under the water tanks? Rotted out due to leaky plastic fittings and slide seals in ten years? How much did this thing cost new again?
The lighter tile may make the coach feel larger but will show all the dirt
Why run the generator & coach ac while driving?? I installed light out curtains behind the drivers area so my dash ac only cools the driver area plus it helps deaden sounds from the back while driving.
I'm what ever you decide it will be 💯😁
love your channel i like the one on the left the shinny one
I would go with something white with a little more pattern so the white only doesn't show every single speck of dirt.
Thank s for the video. What kinda drive license you need for drive that rv
Good info. We currently own a 27’ Airstream but are considering a 7-13 y/o class a diesel similar to yours. Any other advice on buying a used beast, or a video link to share? Thanks in advance! We’ll Catch You Down The Road!
Use POR15 for painting the the rails. Make a new sub floor using 1” thick honeycomb poly plastic. Will never rot.
Pure vinyl tile would take a lot of weight off the coach. It also comes in wood plank looking material at a much lower price. It is easier to install and costs less. Just use pressure sensitive glue like Henry’s Purple glue.
One of the reasons that people buy diesel pushers is because of luxury, gobs of torque and high-end finishes/appliances. Otherwise, he just should have saved his money and bought an 11-year-old gas motorhome, which is dramatically lighter, cheaper and easier to fix. Changing injectors on a v10 ford engine vs an L9 Cummins is easily $8000 more. Weight is not really important when your coach is doing 0-55mph in 32 sec.
Lost Comma I like the 800 pounds of torque on my 6.7 Cummings diesel and the engine brake coming downhill towing. We also got a washer with a 110v separate dryer, saves so much time running to laundry. I would have liked more power but we get 10-12 mpg and a bigger motor would get worse.
I fuel at truck stops at the truck pumps so it doesn't stop at $100 but I also have a fleet type card. That plywood would not have rotted that back in such a short period. That looked like it had been leaking for a long time. Once again I say to pay and have a used RV by a certified inspected.
I live in high-rent district, there are no truck stops within 50 miles of Fountain Hills Arizona I inspected the coach before purchasing and there was no rust. Keep in mind it was hook up to city water for almost 3 months while I was using it this summer. I've on the coach for over 6 months now and water can definitely do damage quickly. this has nothing to do with how well the vehicle was inspected before I purchased it.
@@RVingwithAndrewSteele K I've been RVing for 60+ years and know RVs but I have them inspected. It has cost me hundreds but have saved my thousands.
Based on the colors in your coach. I would pick the tile on the left.
It looks like your coach was a flood victum.
Everything is rotted out from the floor down??
Not a common problem.
Good luck.
I Hope you have a good insurance policy.
Never considered that. hmmm
@@n1spirit 9
Maybe Marine grade plywood. This shows you where they hide the cheap materials. Why would they use wood where water is? To be cheap. This is why I like to see the build at factory to see what they hide like the cheap ass pipe that over time gets brittle from the heat. Pvc does not last in the heat.
So dump the carpet and get a faux wood floor that will hold up as it does in homes and isn't subject to problems if water should on it.
Wishing you better luck.
Treated marine plywood would be my choice. Although you probably won't have the coach long enough for it to rot again.
White floor looks real nice
Definitely not the white. I had it before. White shows every crumb, foot print and little scuff marks. My preference is a matte finish with design in it. And not white. Think of even white grout. It will be dirty in no time. Go light neutral colors, are livin it up with books stand out colors. But not white. It will look like a public facility. My opinion only, with experience.
Excellent, give us a view of your R. V.?
Woulda, shoulda, coulda maybe, red Bay, Alabama? Check out cargo bays for sign of water damage. Maybe it was left in a flood zone, got the insurance check then sold it instead of fixing it? Is all this covered by insurance?
Isn't the wood floor going to rot out again being exposed to water from underneath? What about a metal floor instead?
Love the light color, it's hard to keep clean but real sharp.
I’d replace all the metal angle iron that’s rusted enough to be structurally weak. Then marine plywood 3/4” or better. That type of rust has been going on for years I’m surprised you didn’t see it before you bought it. Any discoloring anywhere on a coach or RV is reason to really dig into it or walk away. Sorry for the problems you’re having. DPs can cost big $$ but they’re worth every penny..
Andrew what year is your Tiffin, how many miles are on it when you purchased it? Do you mind sharing what you paid for the unit? Currently we’re looking at one for sale in Arizona for 2009 Tiffin feeding 42 foot with a tag axle, and they’re asking 119
BAI ANDREW VREAU SA STIU U DE ESTE AUTOBUZUL PLATFORMA CU TRAI,ERUL CARE ATI PLECAT IERI CATRE ROMANIA AUTOBUZ ALB AURIT UNDE SI LA CINE A RAMAS ?
I have a gas RV and it has a generator that powers everything also.
I’m pretty sure all class a motorhomes have a built in generator