dh500
Missouri
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We are considering selling our 2001 Coleman Santa Fe and getting a pre-owned Fleetwood Niagara or possibly Avalon. Can someone please tell me what the major differences are in the model years. I am considering 2008's - 2004's at the moment. For instance, I know there were some major changes to the cassette toilet & full-sewer hookup, but not sure what years.
Thank you
Dawn
* This post was
edited 08/13/08 12:44pm by dh500 *
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Most model Coleman/Fleetwood models stayed pretty much the same thru the years. The Avalon became a monster popup in the last couple of years, very roomy, lots of ammenities and taller cabinets. And some of the features trickled down to the Niagra and Bayside's. Like the enclosed bathroom.
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dh500
Missouri
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What year did they go to full-sewer hookup compatible? Is that a positive selling point?
Dawn
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Beacher
Long Beach, CA
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The Highlander series didn't exist until 2004, so glad to see you are considering ALL the models available!
In 2004 the Highlander PopUps were all named after evergreen trees. Most noticibly, the Redwood model was dropped, the Hemlock became the Niagara, and the Newport was introduced in 2005.
In 2006 the Newport was discontinued. Only the Sequoia and Niagara were offered but now they had a flushable commode with a black water tank, no grey water tank.
In 2007 the 20 gallon gray water tank, seamless countertop, and filon roof were introduced to the series. The Arcadia and Avalon were added to the family.
In 2008 aluminum Krystal Kote side panels were introduced, (they had been used in the Grand Tour Elite Series). The high pressure propane stove, (with the cool retro-Coleman hide-away design), and exterior connector outlet were brought back! And, an interior privacy "changing room" curtain was thrown in.
Some folks miss the convenience of a cassette toilet. No long lines at the dump station, no waiting, just carry the cassette and dump. Others like the grey and black holding tanks. For a short weekend trip you can be fully "self contained". But then you need to have a portable rolling sewage tank for longer trips, or to handle holding tank overflow for extended trips where you don't want to tear down the PopUp to tow it to the dump station.
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edited 08/13/08 03:35pm by Beacher *
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PattieAM
Maryland
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Beacher said all well - however forgot the ease of having a full hook up site.
The power lift was optional on several year models. My unit is a 2006 Niagara, and the 3-way refrigerator is a 3.7 c/f model. Each year they seem to increase slightly in size. I believe the 2008's are now 4.2 c/f. The freezer compartment does a good job with ice cubes and will keep ice cream frozen (or at least mine does).
The Niagara is pretty luxurious for a pop up camper.
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Patami
Washington
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Beacher wrote:The Highlander series didn't exist until 2004, so glad to see you are considering ALL the models available!
In 2004 the Highlander PopUps were all named after evergreen trees. Most noticibly, the Redwood model was dropped, the Hemlock became the Niagara, and the Newport was introduced in 2005.
In 2006 the Newport was discontinued. Only the Sequoia and Niagara were offered but now they had a flushable commode with a black water tank, no grey water tank.
In 2007 the 20 gallon gray water tank, seamless countertop, and filon roof were introduced to the series. The Arcadia and Avalon were added to the family.
In 2008 aluminum Krystal Kote side panels were introduced, (they had been used in the Grand Tour Elite Series). The high pressure propane stove, (with the cool retro-Coleman hide-away design), and exterior connector outlet were brought back! And, an interior privacy "changing room" curtain was thrown in.
Some folks miss the convenience of a cassette toilet. No long lines at the dump station, no waiting, just carry the cassette and dump. Others like the grey and black holding tanks. For a short weekend trip you can be fully "self contained". But then you need to have a portable rolling sewage tank for longer trips, or to handle holding tank overflow for extended trips where you don't want to tear down the PopUp to tow it to the dump station.
You forgot to mention the Saratoga, which is the shorter 12' box, but with all the amenities.
2008 Fleetwood Saratoga
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd. (I think I can! I think I can!)
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surfcamper
LBC
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I have a 2007 Arcadia, very similar to the Niagra, different dinning layout. I regret not purchasing the Avalon though. I would rather have spent a couple extra thousand and have the extra 2 wheels when towing. My pup gets a little squirrely for me when driving on the freeways.
PS I have had a ton of trouple with little things constantly breaking and dripping over the past 6 months of owning my pup. I am wondering if I should have bought a Starcraft instead. I heard the Starcraft is better built just more expensive. I have been to our dealer 3 times now and the last time they didn't repair any of the problems properly, leaking water heater, leaking sink, oven doesn't light , CO2 monitor doesn't work, sewage tanks leaking. I am very disapointed in the dealer repairs and general workmanship of the fleetwood
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daveskis
Maryland
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We traded in our 2001 Utah CP for a 2008 brand new Niagara. We are constantly telling ourselves how much easier and nicer everything is in the new Niagara. The outside stove folding into and out of the campers body is fabulous and was one of the main reasons we went to the 2008 (2007's were still available in March when we bought). The privacy curtain around the bathroom is great also. I think the posts were right that the fridge is now a 4.2cu ft. I have yet to fill it up on a camping trip and you don't have to get on your hands and knees to get stuff out.
That said:
The workmenship is not as nice (as commented earlier) on the later models. Don't get me wrong, it's a great camper, and we absolutely love it. It's just pretty obvious that they're cutting corners to save money. I spent today repairing the cabinet bottom above the drawer next to the range. There were holes drilled in the support boards and they were glued in but screws were never put in. It did not hold pots and pans on bumpy roads. Stupid little things like that
As the policeman in VA said when he handed me my ticket for "..doing a really nice job of slowing down to almost a stop, but not actually stopping", This is the biggest Pop Up I have ever seen.
It is big. It looks big after having almost any other PUP. It does tow very well. I have a Ford explorer with a V8 and a Reese sway bar. I would NOT tow this camper with a 6 cylinder. You cannot see over the camper.
We love the full hook up. We do not use the shower very often, but usually use the campground shower unless it's gross. We have used it but it's a pain to dry off the entire bathroom.
We love having the bathroom and real flush toilet. We fill the gray water in three days when we are not on full hook up. I have a family of four w/2 teen girls. It's pretty easy to dump the gray and black water. It's even easier when your at a full hookup. We like State and Fed Parks though, so we mostly are on water and electric.
We especially love having the countertops and counterspace, microwave and double sink, and auto ignite everything. I hated lighting the propane for the fridge and the water heater in the Utah
We also love the power roof.
That's my 2 cents. We love the camper, look for a great deal, there should be many right now. Look for a good dealer too. That is really important. Good luck
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CHEWY51099
Salem, Mass
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My 06 Niagara has the Filon roof. I do not have the built in gray water tank. I wish I did. The newer 07 and 08 have the gray tank and all of the other things are the same. I tow mine with a Chevy S10 Blazer with a 4.3 V6. I do know that she is there but I have had no problems. I use a WDH to tow with. I do slow down a bit on the big hills but I get there. I use the strap on tow mirrors to see whats going out behind when towing.
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cada
Tavares, FL
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Joined: 08/28/2007
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I agree, the only significant difference is the sewer hookup. Love the fold out outside stove option on the new ones.
I never do more than a few days at a time, so I prefer the cassette option over the blackwater.
I have quite a few issues, but not sure if they would be any different on any other brand.
Dave
2004 Fleetwood Hemlock
2007 Toyota Tacoma
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