Ultimate Advantage vs. Ultimate Freedom?

[Hatman]

Can anyone give me a quick rundown on the differences between these two models? I'm looking at both a 2002 UA and a 2002 UF online, and it's difficult to see the differences. Same chassis, same floor plan, same cabinets, flooring, etc. Even reading through the brochures, it's difficult to spot differences. Here's what I've come up with:

Engine: UA has the 350 Cummins, UF has 370. Both side radiators.

Genny: UA comes standard with LP (QD optional), UF has QD standard. The UA I'm looking at has the QD.

Other than that, I'm having a hard time seeing the difference. Anyone own either of these or are familiar enough with them to comment?

Thanks in advance!

[emiddleb]

I can't help you through personal knowledge, but here's a couple references that might be of assistance...

Here you can download the owner operator manuals for both coaches
2002 Operator Manuals

and here you can download the original sales brochures. Just plug in 2002..
Previous Model Year Product Information

though in rereading your post you may already have the brochures.

also, a couple owners hang out here
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?board=85.0

[EngineerMike]

The 350 is a 8L ISC w/PacBrake, & the 370 = 9L ISL w/Jake Brake; the latter sports another 300+ ft-lbs of torque plus the better efficiency of the Jake for stopping or riding down hills w/out coach running away.

[bachler]

We compaired them. UA vs UF. The freedom has a rear spoiler, and a couple more things That tha UA does not have. Both were ether or or on accissories.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

The 350 is a 8L ISC w/PacBrake, & the 370 = 9L ISL w/Jake Brake; the latter sports another 300+ ft-lbs of torque plus the better efficiency of the Jake for stopping or riding down hills w/out coach running away.

The ISC will have 1050 ft lbs torque, the ISL will have 1200 so it's 150 not 300+
At that point you're getting to the top of the Allison 3000 MH's capacity. I'm sure the ISL can be uprated to more than 1200 ft lbs but the trans won't take it for long.

[AFChap]

UF was around $50k higher price as I recall. Other than the larger engine and trim items already mentioned, UF also had aqua hot or similar system. The only thing I have pined for on our UA is heated floor under the tile in cold weather. Both are great coaches. I would go for the one with floor plan & colors I prefer.

[cpp8284]

We have a 2002 UF - 40 ft and we love it. We replaced the carpet in the bedroom and front area with laminate and replaced the sofa and recliner and we are set.

We have friends with the UA and I don't see much difference. Both are great coaches and were the top of the line when new.

[Hatman]

Both the UA and the UF list the Motoraid aux. heating system as standard. Looking at the two coaches on-line and comparing the brochures, it's hard to see where the $50k difference when new went. Even now NADA shows about a $15k difference between the two 2002 coaches.

Thanks to all for the input.

[AFChap]

Both the UA and the UF list the Motoraid aux. heating system as standard

Just to be sure we all understand what that means, at least in this case ...this refers to engine assist heat to the water heater while driving so you have hot water while underway, and when you stop for the night. It works only while the engine is running, and it does NOT include the auxiliary rear compartment heater present on many gasoline coaches.

[tbethurum]

Can I add this system on a 2000 40J UA

[AFChap]

I suspect the 2000 UA has the motoraid water heater system ...easy to check by getting under the coach to see if two coolant lines go into the back of the water heater bay. As to adding the motoraid rear heater, I've heard the idea of adding it to a diesel discussed several times. It doesn't seem it would be terribly difficult to do, but I don't know anyone who has done it.

[John Hilley]

Originally Posted by tbethurum

Can I add this system on a 2000 40J UA

Yes you would have to swap out the water heater for one with the Motoraid heat exchanger and splice into the engine hot cooling system.

[bachler]

I put one in under the bed.. We ran For 500 miles In snow, With the temp. Near 15 above; The engine aid on the coach was nice and warm.. As we all know the up front heater On a motorhome , Is a Bad Joke With no heat; . Now I will say I took my front heater out and had a heater built fron a heater core, The factory heaters will start leaking. They are a bit to week. And the rear one i installed was a merine Type with coils reather then a crimped core. I owned the Emeral city Rad. In Seattle. And we found the best way was to do the above things.

[jhanan]

Was 2004 the last years of the UA and UF models? What replaced them?

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by jhanan

Was 2004 the last years of the UA and UF models? What replaced them?

The Ultimate series was began in 1999, and discontinued in mid-2004. Something like 430(poor memory) were built, and only distributed to top-selling dealerships, as a "reward". All were built on Spartan MM chassis to my knowledge. At that period in time they were, and still are, a luxury motor coach.
What replaced them? All things considered it would have to be the Winnebago Grand Tour which is their top of the line MH now.

[AFChap]

Originally Posted by jhanan

Was 2004 the last years of the UA and UF models? What replaced them?

Yes, 2004 was the last year. Nothing replaced the Ultimate line. The factory in Charles City was converted to Class C production.

[tbethurum]

Our 40J is a 99 with the freightliner chassis 106,000 miles we purchased 6 years ago out of Texas had 60,000 on it then, we had a few problems little things except we did have the water pump on the Cat freeze up not easy to change cost 1600 to do so. We do get 9 to 10 mpg we did update the windows with MCD roller shades not cheap but they are nice, had to have the ac pulled it was full of dirt as it overheated and fried the wires works fine now but will have it pulled and cleaned in a few years also will need to have some of the decals changed as they are fading all in all we love the coach did wish it had the motoraid on the hot water heated but we don't.

Tom & Rosa

[jhanan]

So some have Spartan MM chassis and others have the Freightliner? BTW, I have 104K miles on my 2002 Horizon - still going strong. Just thinking about upgrading down the road to a UA or UF rig....