Allegro Bus 45 OPP

Tiffin Motorhomes designers maximized livability and storage in this luxury-class coach, and a broad range of options allows owners to tailor it to fit their needs and desires.

By Mark Quasius, F333630
February 2020

Family-owned Tiffin Motorhomes is one of the most respected names in the RV industry. Headquartered in Red Bay, Alabama, the company now ranks among the largest motorhome manufacturers. One of Tiffin’s crowning achievements is the Allegro Bus, a high-end motorhome designed for full-time living and traveling in style and luxury.

The Allegro Bus is available in six floor plans, culminating in the popular 45 OPP. At 45 feet in length, the 45 OPP offers plenty of living and storage space. Tiffin designers glean the most out of every floor plan, maximizing usable storage and creating a functional yet attractive layout.

The 45 OPP is a bath-and-a-half, quad-slide floor plan with a rear walk-in wardrobe. Normally, having a bath and a half detracts from midcoach living space, and adding a large walk-in wardrobe takes away even more space. But Tiffin designers did an excellent job of making everything fit, and I found the Allegro Bus 45 OPP to be very livable.

Construction

The Allegro Bus has vacuum-laminated sidewalls with a gel-coat fiberglass exterior panel. Thermal insulation and a tubular aluminum skeleton make up the walls’ interior. The porcelain tile floor is bonded to oriented strand board and uses an epoxy-based grout designed to handle the flexing of an RV. The floor is placed over a steel subframe that is welded to the chassis frame rails.

The roof consists of one-piece formed fiberglass bonded to plywood. The air conditioner drain lines run through the 51/2-inch foam insulation in the roof and down through the rear cap to the ground; this eliminates streaks caused by condensate running down the sidewalls. The air conditioner ceiling ducts extend the full length of the coach to distribute cool air and handle return air needs.

Chassis

The Allegro Bus is built on Tiffin’s own PowerGlide chassis. The chassis has a 323-inch wheelbase, a tag axle, and a side radiator. It incorporates a ZF independent front suspension and has a 17,000-pound front gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and a 55-degree wheel cut. Michelin XZA3 315/80R22.5 tires and antilock front disc brakes are standard.

The rear axle is rated at 23,000 pounds, while the tag axle is rated at 13,300 pounds. A 15,000-pound-rated trailer hitch comes standard. The coach has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 51,000 pounds and a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 66,000 pounds.

Our review coach weighed 40,110 pounds, recorded with full fuel but no fresh water, yielding a carrying capacity of 10,890 pounds for occupants and cargo. So, no one should have issues with not being able to take along enough stuff.

The coach is outfitted with HWH hydraulic leveling jacks, as well as a Valid automatic air leveling system. The latter makes it possible to level the coach without lowering the hydraulic jacks. This helps when parked on soft ground or in asphalt lots where it isn’t prudent to lower the jacks. A single control panel operates both systems.

A 9-liter Cummins L9 diesel engine — rated at 450 horsepower and 1,250 pound-feet of torque — supplies the power and is teamed with an Allison 3000 MH six-speed automatic transmission. A 150-gallon fuel tank and a 10-gallon DEF tank are standard.

Normally, 150-gallon fuel tanks are tricky to fill, because the filler hoses generally are level with the top of the tank. Air becomes trapped at the top, and this causes backsplash when the refueling nozzle shuts off. To combat this, Tiffin employees install a driver-side raised fuel fill that allows the fuel to flow down into the tank instead of horizontally across the top, making it easy to refuel without any messy overflow.

Exterior

The review unit sported the Smokey Teal full-body paint scheme, one of seven paint schemes available in either Generation 9 or Generation 10 designs for 2020. The large, one-piece windshield is glued automotive-style to the molded front fiberglass cap for additional strength and a cleaner look. A pair of heated chrome mirrors with side cameras are auto-sequenced to the color monitor for the rear camera in the dash.

All of the basement storage bays feature side-hinged compartment doors as well as keyless entry locks controllable via a keypad or remote key fobs. A 43-inch LED TV in a patio-side enclosure comes in handy for tailgating or entertaining outside. Girard power awnings (one standard, one optional) are built into the roof fascia and can extend at multiple angles to fully cover the patio area. A Girard power entry door awning comes standard, and all awnings have LED lighting. Optional ground-effects LED lighting beneath the coach provides a “spaceship has landed” look, and an optional strip of LED lighting beneath the main curbside slideout helps to illuminate that area.

Tiffin’s own SmartSlides are one-piece molded fiberglass units with no seams or joints and are designed to be completely airtight and watertight. The outside face of these slides is less bulky than earlier slides and has rounded corners, resulting in a smoother appearance and quieter, more aerodynamic airflow.

Interior

The interior of the Allegro Bus review coach was finished in the Posh II interior décor, one of four available choices. The cabinetry and woodwork featured Glazed Canyon Cherry, one of five choices. The furniture was upholstered in Silkworm color Ultraleather material.

The tiled entry stepwell incorporates a drawer to store muddy shoes, dog leashes, towels, or other things that need to be easily accessible. LED lights illuminate the area, and bright stainless steel covers each stair riser.

A 43-inch LED TV is positioned in the cabinets above the windshield. Both six-way power cockpit seats boast Ultraleather upholstery, and the passenger seat incorporates a power footrest. The passenger side has a fixed-pane window.

The cockpit includes a digital dash panel that can be customized to provide virtually any information desired. Directly above a large bank of switches is a pair of 10-inch monitors. The review motorhome was equipped with the optional Advanced Monitoring System, which includes the two monitors; an Xite radio with Rand McNally GPS RV navigation; a JBL premium sound system; and a 7-inch display at the passenger’s seating position. The left monitor handles the dash entertainment system and satellite GPS navigation, while the right monitor displays images from the rearview or side-view cameras.

The secondary monitor at the passenger’s seat can be used to display and control the entertainment system, GPS navigation, or the camera views. This coach also was equipped with the optional Mobileye collision avoidance system.

The main living area has durable, attractive wood-plank-look porcelain tile flooring. It extends throughout the coach, with the exception of the slideouts and the rear walk-in wardrobe, which are carpeted. The tile floor can be equipped with two electric heat grids to warm it on chilly days.

A 55-inch OLED smart TV and surround-sound system are mounted on a power lift behind the sofa bed in the curbside slideout. In the driver-side slideout, directly opposite the TV, a set of recliners with a cabinet between them allow for optimum TV viewing. This area can be equipped with a second couch or theater seating.

The entire interior is well lit, with plenty of LED lighting. Power day and night privacy shades are used throughout the coach. An HDMI distribution system sends signals from the satellite receiver and Blu-ray player to all four TVs. The Allegro Bus is satellite-ready for a Winegard Trav’ler automatic dish, but this particular unit was equipped with an optional in-motion low-profile satellite dome. Finally, an optional Winegard ConnecT 2.0 was mounted on the roof to provide a wireless local network from either a campground Wi-Fi hotspot or via a SIM card provided by a wireless provider, such as AT&T or Verizon.

Cooks will love the galley. The counter was extended by 8 inches this year to make room for an additional stack of drawers to the left of the sink. A wide pull-out work area provides more space, and a large window brings in plenty of natural light. The counter holds a large dual-basin stainless-steel sink, as well as a recessed two-burner induction cooktop. Below-counter storage is plentiful, with a dedicated area for a wastebasket. The test coach also came with the optional Fisher-Paykel drawer-style dishwasher. The overhead cabinetry holds a stainless-steel microwave-convection oven that vents to the outside.

Directly opposite the galley work area stands a 25-cubic-foot Maytag residential refrigerator, trimmed in stainless steel. A pair of full-length slide-out pantries flank the refrigerator. Just forward of that is the dinette area. The review coach was equipped with a legless dinette table that incorporates a computer workstation, and freestanding chairs. The computer dinette has a wide back buffet with lower cabinets deep enough to hold a small printer. A booth dinette is available.

Immediately aft of the galley is the half bath. A dust pan access port in the hallway connects to the central vacuum located below in a basement compartment.

The rear bedroom has a 72-inch-by-80-inch king-size bed with a memory-foam mattress; an optional Power Smart bed with a power lift also is available. Under-bed storage is plentiful, and gas struts ease the task of raising the bed. An array of overhead cabinets and a pair of nightstands also are located in the street-side slideout. Windows on each side of the bed provide flow-through ventilation. An optional rear window and an emergency egress system are available.

Opposite the bed, in the curbside bedroom slideout, is a large cabinet that holds a 43-inch OLED TV, with space for entertainment center components. This area also incorporates a large laundry hamper and a chest of drawers. An optional fireplace and power TV lift are available in the bedroom. A pair of hardwood sliding doors close off the bedroom from the front living area and from the rear bath area.

The floor in the spacious rear bath is at the same level as the rest of the coach. The vanity holds a pair of under-mounted glass sinks. A mirrored medicine cabinet is built into the rear curbside slideout. This slideout enhances floor space when extended. The large walk-in shower has a glass enclosure and custom tile inserts on the wall. An overhead skylight and teakwood fold-down seat complete the shower. The electric-flush macerator toilet comes with a porcelain bowl. An overhead vent fan helps to remove odors and moisture from the bath.

The walk-in wardrobe at the rear of the coach is a room within itself. In addition to a full-width wardrobe with a clothes pole and an overhead shelf, this area also has a full-height cabinet that holds the optional stackable washer and dryer. On the opposite side is a floor-to-ceiling closet and a smaller cabinet that contains a wall safe as well as the electrical panel. Cubbyholes in the back wall of the wardrobe hold shoes or similar-sized items.

Impressive storage capabilities don’t stop with the interior. The basement area encompasses 237 cubic feet of space. Dual power cargo trays (optional) afford easy access to items from either side of the coach, and white walls and a charcoal-colored hard-surface floor make cleanup easy. The basement is heated to prevent freezing in cold weather, and the central vacuum system is located within easy reach.

Utilities

Electrical needs are met by 50-amp shore power service and an Onan 10-kw Quiet Diesel generator. The generator is mounted on a front slide-out mechanism. Both the shore power and the generator feed through an automatic transfer switch with built-in surge protection. An automatic generator start system can be set to kick in should the battery voltage drop below a preset level or if the air conditioner thermostats call for cooling. The Magnum 2,800-watt pure sine wave inverter powers many of the circuits in the coach, including the microwave-convection oven and the residential refrigerator. A bank of six deep-cycle batteries provides 12-volt power for the inverter and any 12-volt accessories. The Allegro Bus comes prepped for solar panels; the review coach was equipped with three optional 175-watt panels to help keep the house batteries charged when shore power is not available.

The Aqua-Hot 450D hydronic heating system uses a diesel burner or an electric heating element to supply heat throughout the coach. In addition to two interior heating zones, the Aqua-Hot system also has a third zone to provide basement heat, with a dedicated thermostat for that area. The Aqua-Hot system also handles domestic water heating.

Tiffin’s Extraordinaire air-conditioning system consists of three 15,000-Btu rooftop units with heat pumps that circulate through racetrack-style ceiling ducting.

A driver-side utility bay holds fresh-water connections and holding tank dump valves. A See

Level electronic tank monitoring system provides a second set of digital readouts in the utility bay. The utility bay also holds a soap dispenser, a paper towel holder, a black tank flush connection, and a whole-house water filter. A power reel stores 50 feet of fresh-water hose, and an outside shower attachment helps with cleanup tasks.

A 10-inch touch-screen panel inside the coach provides access to all systems. Eight different screens interface with the Spyder multiplex wiring network. Screens exist for slideout operation, window shades, fans, TV lifts, lighting, power management, climate control, and a host of other functions.

Driving And Final Impressions

The Allegro Bus 45 OPP was enjoyable to drive. The PowerGlide chassis is smooth and responsive and reflects Tiffin Motorhomes’ commitment to continual improvement. The ZF IFS with 315-series tires handled bumps, ruts, and driveway approaches with ease, and it only took a light hand to maneuver the coach. The 450-horsepower 9-liter L-series engine provides plenty of power, but if you still want more, another chassis option with a 605-horsepower Cummins X15 engine, 1,950 pound-feet of torque, and increased towing capacity is available.

Cargo capacity and storage are among the best I’ve seen. A wide selection of options allows owners to customize the Allegro Bus to suit their specific wants and needs.

The excellent driving experience, coupled with one of the best floor plans I’ve encountered, tons of storage space, and an attractive interior and exterior demonstrate why the Allegro Bus 45 OPP is one of Tiffin’s best-selling coaches.

 

SPECS | TIFFIN ALLEGRO BUS

MANUFACTURER
Tiffin Motorhomes, 105 Second St. N.W., Red Bay, AL 35582; (256) 356-8661; www.tiffinmotorhomes.com

MODEL
2020 Allegro Bus

FLOOR PLAN
45 OPP

CHASSIS
Tiffin PowerGlide

ENGINE
Cummins L9, 9 liters; 450 horsepower at 2,100 rpm; 1,250 pound-feet torque at 1,400 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Allison 3000 MH, six-speed

AXLE RATIO
4.63 to 1

TIRES
Michelin 315/80R 22.5 LRG

WHEELS
polished aluminum

WHEELBASE
323 inches

BRAKES
antilock; two-stage compression engine brake

SUSPENSION
air, ZF independent front suspension

SHOCK ABSORBERS
front axle — Sachs;
rear and tag axles — Bilstein

STEERING
VIP smart wheel

ALTERNATOR
210 amps

BATTERIES
chassis — (2) 12-volt;
house — (6) 6-volt deep-cycle, 630 amp-hours

ELECTRICAL SERVICE
50 amps

AUXILIARY GENERATOR
10-kw Onan Quiet Diesel with auto start

INVERTER
2,800-watt pure sine wave

EXTERIOR LENGTH
45 feet

EXTERIOR WIDTH
101 inches

EXTERIOR HEIGHT
13 feet 3 inches (with roof A/C)

INTERIOR HEIGHT
6 feet 11 inches

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
51,000 pounds

GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
66,000 pounds

GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
front — 17,000 pounds;
rear — 23,000 pounds;
tag — 13,300 pounds

OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (OCCC)
10,980 pounds

AS-TESTED WEIGHT
(with full fuel and options; no fresh water)
front axle — 15,200 pounds;
rear axle — 18,210 pounds;
tag axle — 6,700 pounds;
total — 40,110 pounds

FRESH WATER CAPACITY
100 gallons

HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 100 gallons;
black water — 55 gallons

FUEL CAPACITY
150 gallons diesel; 10 gallons DEF

WATER HEATER
Aqua-Hot 450D hydronic heating

WATER SYSTEM
demand

HEATING SYSTEM
Aqua-Hot 450D hydronic heating

AIR CONDITIONING
(3) 15,000-Btu with heat pumps

REFRIGERATOR
25-cubic-foot residential

TOILET
(2) porcelain; macerator at rear position

WARRANTY
chassis — 3 years/50,000 miles limited;
house — 1 year/12,000 miles limited;
delamination — 5 years/50,000 miles limited;
construction — 10 years/50,000 miles limited

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$462,700

PRICE AS TESTED
$490,770