2023 Allegro RED 37BA

An In-Depth Review of Tiffin's Allegro RED 37BA Diesel Pusher
Article Date: March, 2023

Article and Photography by Mark Quasius

The Allegro RED 360 series is a popular coach built by Tiffin Motorhomes. It is packed with features not always found in an entry level motorhome and represents one of the best values in a diesel pusher. The particular model I'll be reviewing is the 37BA floor plan, a 38' 6" long coach with two driver-side slideouts and a patio-side full-wall slideout. Built on a Freightliner XCM chassis with modular raised rails there is plenty of storage space and living area to make this a great home away from home.

Exterior and Chassis

This coach was finished in the Fire Opal full body paint, one of six available exterior graphics selections that also includes a 50th anniversary edition scheme. The four color basecoats are finished off with three polyurethane clear coats as well as a protective vinyl stone chip shield at the front of the coach. LED lighting is used throughout the coach, which also includes Girard power patio and entry door awnings with additional LED lighting. The slideouts feature Girard toppers to keep the slideout tops free of debris while the baggage compartment latches, mirrors and related hardware are all chrome.

The coach is built on a Freightliner XCM chassis with rear radiator and 360 HP Cummins B6.7 diesel engine, rated at 800 lb-ft of torque. An Allison 3000MH 6-speed transmission sends that power to the rear axle. An I-beam front axle, rated at 14,320 lbs. is fitted with custom tuned Sachs shocks absorbers while the rear axle, which is rated at 23,000 lbs., is fitted with Freightliner's exclusive V-ride technology. With full air-ride suspension this coach will deliver the smooth ride you'll expect from a diesel pusher. Front anti-lock disc and rear drum brakes are complemented by Freightliner's driver assistance package. This package includes adaptive cruise control, automatic traction control, electronic stability control, collision mitigation with forward warning and automatic emergency braking to ensure you'll arrive at your destination safely. A tire pressure monitoring system monitors the pressures in the 275/80R22.5 tires, mounted on aluminum wheels. Automatic hydraulic jacks provide for quick and easy leveling when you arrive at your campsite.

A 100 gallon diesel fuel tank with dual fuel; fills can be filled from either side of the coach and the 13 gallon DEF tank has a driver-side fill as well to allow convenient DEF refills from truck stop pumps. The overall length of this coach is a 38' 6" while the width is 101" and the overall height is 12' 10". The chassis has a 234" wheelbase and is equipped with a 10,000 lb. trailer hitch. The GVWR for this coach is 37,320 lbs. while the GCWR is 47,320 lbs.

Construction

The RED construction begins with a steel framed floor skeleton filled with 1-1/2" foam insulation and topped with engineered sub-flooring. This floor is then covered with the optional heated tile floor, consisting of an electric heat grid beneath a ceramic tile floor. The sidewalls are laminated with foam between aluminum frame members and a gel coated fiberglass board is laminated to this structure. After these sidewalls are mounted to the floor structure, the roof is applied. The roof consists of aluminum trusses capped by a one-piece molded fiberglass roof that is gel coated. 5-1/4" of molded thermal foam insulation keeps the coach interior comfortable in any season. The interior ceiling height is 84".

Interior

The Allegro RED has an attractive interior decor. Tiffin has long been known for functional interior floor plans that also maximize storage space and the 37BA is no exception. The basement holds 119 cu. ft. of storage space while the upstairs storage cabinets are plentiful. This particular coach featured the Stoney Creek interior decor with Amber Glazed cabinets.
 

The cockpit area features a digital dash with complete suite of driver safety controls. the entertainment/navigation center contains the optional GPS navigation software as well as the color monitor for the rear view and side cameras.
 

The galley area sports a pull-out work area that provides additional work space. The stainless steel sink and induction cooktop are equipped with solid surface removable panels for additional space. The 18 cu. ft. residential fridge and overhead convection microwave are also brushed stainless steel.
 

A large pantry area with a pull-out bottom portion is located next to the refrigerator.
 

The bedroom sports a 72 x 80 king bed with memory foam mattress. Overhead cabinets and nightstands as well as storage space beneath the bed provide ample storage space.
 

Directly opposite the foot of the bed is a dresser and wardrobe ensemble complete with clothes hamper LED TV, and storage for the Blu-Ray player and entertainment.
 

Directly across from the theatre seating is a sofa-sleeper with a 50" 4K LED TV on a power lift that allows it to raise up for viewing or disappear into the cabinet below when not needed.
 

The forward bunk is mounted over the cockpit area and can be lowered for additional sleeping space with the push of a button.
 

Utilities and Systems

The RED is packed with features. UltraLeather upholstery in a choice of two colors is standard and solid surface countertops are used throughout the coach. Soft-closing drawer slides, a soft touch vinyl ceiling and concealed drawer hinges are all part of the 37BA. Various furniture options are available. The standard driver-side air-coil sofa bed was replaced by optional theatre seating on our example while the DE sofa bed with lift TV can be by a recliner with lift TV and fireplace if desired. The standard booth dinette can be supplemented by a U-shaped dinette or a dinette with computer station. The 72 x 80 king bed can be replaced by a 60x80 queen bed with larger nightstands if desired.

The standard coach comes with a 36 gallon propane tank that feeds a pair of 30,000 and 20,000 BTU furnaces, a Truma on-demand water heater and an LP cooktop. However, most coaches, including the one we reviewed are equipped with the all-electric coach option. This replaces the propane tank area with additional basement cargo storage space and adds an Aqua-Hot hydronic heating system that replaces the propane furnaces and Truma water heater. The Aqua-Hot 250D provides clean hydronic heat to the coach interior and heated basement as well as supplies continuous on-demand domestic hot water. The electric induction cooktop and convection microwave oven handle the cooking duties.

120 volt AC electrical needs are met by a 50 amp shore power cord and an Onan 8,000 watt quiet diesel generator. Both feed the automatic transfer switch, which also is equipped with low voltage and surge protection. An automatic generator start module can be used to start the generator automatically if required. A 2,000 watt true sine wave inverter feeds power to the interior receptacles as well as the residential 18 cu. ft. refrigerator when generator or shore power is not present. The 12 volt DC side of things is covered by six 6 volt AGM house batteries. A single 200 watt solar panel or battery of three panels are an available option.

The coach is wired for connections to cable TV or an external satellite TV antenna. This coach was also equipped with the optional roof mounted in-motion satellite dome. The entertainment system features a matrix that feeds the main TV, bedroom TV and outside patio area TV with inputs from the OTA antennae, Blu-Ray players or satellite receiver. An optional cell phone booster and Wi-Fi booster were also included on this particular coach. A Spyder multiplex system controls the various features within the coach, such as lighting, slideouts, entertainment systems, etc. The coach is kept cool by a pair of 15,000 BTU rooftop air conditioners with heat pumps that supply air throughout the coach via a ducted system.

Naturally, the plumbing system is as well done as the electrical system. A whole house water filter is located in the wet bay, along with the various freshwater controls and holding tank dump valves. A black tank flush sprayer is standard as is a hand-held shower attachment in the wet bay. The water tanks and wet bay are heated for cold weather use. The shower is equipped with a Shower Miser valve to prevent wasting water while waiting for your shower water to get hot.

Final Impressions

Tiffin has a range of models and the Allegro RED is one of their entry level models but packed with enough features that decry the name "entry level" and lean more towards "upscale". In fact the Allegro RED has many features that were not found in the upscale Phaeton not that many years ago. The number one deal maker or breaker when it comes to buying a new motorhome has always been the floor plan. This is one area where Tiffin has always excelled by producing great floor plan that are designed to be functional, offer plenty of storage space and are just a joy to live in. Couple that with an attractive decor, comfortable furniture and a modern entertainment system and you have a package that's hard to beat.

The Freightliner chassis is filled with the latest safety innovations and powered by the Cummins B6.7 engine, capable of plenty of power and torque as well as respectable fuel economy. The V-ride rear suspension does a great job of minimizing roll and handles very well while the air-ride suspension provides a comfortable ride. Put it all together and the Allegro RED checks a lot of the boxes.

Specifications

2023 Allegro RED 37BA

Base Price: $391,492.75

Standard Features:

• Solid surface countertops
• Full body paint
• Privacy and sun screen shades
• Automatic hydraulic leveling jacks
• Girard power patio awning with LED lighting
• Girard power entry door awning with LED lighting
• Girard slideout toppers
• 50 amp power cord
• Onan 8,000 watt Quiet Diesel generator with Automatic Transfer Switch
• Automatic generator start
• Six 6 volt deep cycle house batteries
• 2,000 watt true sine wave inverter
• 18 cubic inch residential refrigerator
• Spyder Multiplex Touch Screen system w/ phone app
• Surround Sound System with Blu-Ray Player
• 32" LED bedroom TV
• 40" exterior LED TV and sound system
• 50" 4K LED TV with power lift behind UltraLeather sofa
• Heated rear view mirrors with integrated side cameras
• 2 burner induction cooktop (Part of all electric package)
• Convection microwave oven
• Ultra Leather DE sofa bed
• In-dash entertainment system
• Aqua-Hot 250D hydronic heating system (Part of all-electric package)
• King bed with memory foam mattress

Options:

• In-motion satellite dish
• Wi-fi extender0
• Cellular phone booster
• Heated tile floor
• Two 15,000 BTU low profile air conditioners with heat pumps
• All-electric coach package
• (3) Solar panels
• Central vacuum system
• Stacked washer-dryer
• Theatre seating
• Dinette computer workstation
• IN-dash navigation
• One exterior cargo slide tray

Price as Tested (including freight) $429,157.50 (MSRP)

Specifications:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 37,320 lbs.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): 47,320 lbs.
Trailer Hitch Capacity: 10,000 lbs.
Wheelbase: 234 inches
Overall Length: 38' - 6"
Overall Width: 101 inches
Overall Height: 12 feet 10 inches
Fresh Water: 90 gallons
Gray Water: 70 gallons
Black Water: 50 gallons
Chassis: Freightliner XCM rear engine diesel
Front Suspension: VFS I-Beam Air-ride
Rear Suspension: V-Ride Air-ride
Front Axle GAWR: 14,320 lbs.
Drive Axle GAWR: 23,000 lbs.
Tires: Michelin 275/80R22.5 on polished aluminum wheels
Brakes: Anti-lock front disc/rear drum brakes
Fuel Tank Capacity: 100 gallons
DEF Tank Capacity: 13 gallons
Engine: Cummins B6.7 with exhaust brake
Horsepower: 360 HP
Torque: 800 lb-ft
Transmission: Allison 3000MH series 6 speed automatic

Source

Tiffin Motorhomes
(256) 356-0281
www.tiffinmotorhomes.com

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