Well it's been a long time in the works....but we are finally owners of the last 280DS ever made and the ONLY 2015 model. That is a long story in itself...but we are most pleased with the end result!
Since nothing is good without pictures, I'll include some with comments here below, to highlight some of the changes from the 2014 to 2015 year which should apply throughout the non-XL line.
At 29 feet...she is just the right size for us and in the 30 miles we've driven so far on a variety of roads, she seems to handle beautifully to us novices. We'll learn more on the several hundred mile run home in a week or so. Since we didn't want to have to drive BACK to the dealer to get things fixed as we discovered them...we decided to take a camp spot for 2 nights and really try out every function and system in the coach.
This proved to be a good idea as reading about something is never the same as doing it! We came up with an additional 5 or six small items that we didn't catch on the PDI walk through.
The threads and links here were a great help during the PDI. We also went and bought a 50 buck video camera...Vivitar/16GB/Walmart... and "taped" the whole walk through with the GREAT tech so we can go back and refer to it as needed ...like where the brake fluid goes...and how to work the map lights.
The shop will have the Coach for the better part of the week to fix some minor issues and perhaps put a class 4 hitch on to carry our scooters if they can get one in time.
DW and I are thrilled with the changes from 2014 to 15 and (so far) pleasantly surprised at the very few issues discovered. Here's the pix and some comments. Hope to see some of you "out there" real soon!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/438005...7645244449688/
Well...I can't seem to post pictures from flikr...so the link to all of them is above. Commentary in orderL
1. Coach with Awning out...LED light strip runs the length of the awning. All interior lights are now LED except for two decorative fixtures. Note also...STEP is now a Kwikee!! yea!!
2. Front seating area...is now all vinly wood look and no carpet! Under pedals is heavy duty black vinyl to prevent showing wear.
3. "Home Theater System" is Jensen DVD/Radio + four overhead 3" speakers and a powered sub (small) positioned at FRont of passenger legroom area on right front floor. System is fairly sucko and dated...but new position of subwoofer makes upgrades easier if that interests you. Above radio is backup & side camera screen. TV over coach front is a nice upgrade to a Toshiba 32". Same in Bedroom!
4. Windows are now all frameless with crank out closure. GREAT!
5. Kitchen Area...standard equipment is Dometic fridge, large microwave, 3 burner stove and oven. Corian type counter tops standard...with full inserts for sink & stove. Faucet is upgraded to include pull our sprayer where nozzle used to be.
6. Standard short queen mattress butts up against wardrobe with slide in but does not hinge in any way...making it useable with slides in. Standard mattress is OK...but our plan was to try a topper first and a good bed second...We got a couple of decent nights sleep but I'd want something more comfortable for the long term.
7. Hide a Bed sofa and fold down small dinette will handle 2 adults and one child. Note leatherette on dining room cushions to match sofa is NOT standard. Standard would be fabric to match valance. Sofa is comfortable seating.
8. From this angle you can see there is no carpeting on the slideout either...and you can see the crank out windows and double shades.
9. Next task is to see about getting a class 4 hitch installed so we can carry Beauty and The Beast with us without exceeding tongue weight. (And yes...Coach, Axle, and CCC will allow this...and still leave me with a bit less than 2k lbs in capacity.
That's it for now....hope you found this interesting & useful as you look at 2015's. Thanks to many here for getting me to this point in good shape.
"MACK"
It's adequate when stopped, but can't hear a thing unless it's cranked when driving.
to look into it ourselves yet. I will lye you know if we do!
Linear Mode
