Coleman Cheyenne Vs. Rio Grande

[julecav]

As you might have seen in the classified section Jay and I are looking to sell our 99 Epic and get a bigger pop-up.  Right now there are 2 used ones at a local Campers Barn that we are thinking about (if we can sell ours).  One is a 95 Rio Grand and the other is a 96 Cheyenne.  Any info on either model or even pics of either one would be great as they are both closed up in their lot.  They will bring them in and open them by appt. but we don't want to have them do that till we are ready to buy.  Also we've heard the horror stories of the problem with the coleman roofs- the salesman told us that it was in the 2000 and 2001 models only is that correct or is he giving us a line of bs?

[tlhdoc]

Every year of ABS roofs had problems.  My PU is a 1999, with a 10 foot box.  It was good until last year.  I thought mine wouldn't sag, but it did.    Big time.  I can't believe he would tell you only 2000 and 2001 models have problems, but not other years.  The mid 90's roofs had many problems.  I would ask to talk to the owner or manager and let him know you don't like being lied too.  :mad:  Your salesman didn't stretch the truth he broke it.  I know 2 people that bought their PU's at Campers Barn and have had very good service, but there is a new manager there and maybe he isn't so good.

Good luck on your hunt for a new PU .

[rccs]

The 95 has an aluminum roof like my 95 Avalon. I have had no problems with it at all. I am not sure what the 96 had for a roof. If it is the ABS roof it could have problems. If it is an aluminum roof don't worry about it.

[SkipP]

LOL, we've had both! The '95 Rio Grande was our first camper and the '00 Cheyenne the second. IF the '96 Cheyenne is the same as the '00, as far as floorplans, they are nearly identical. The Rio Grande had features in line with the "Destiny Series" ~ flip over galley, slide-out step, slide-down stabilizers and thinner mattresses. The Cheyenne is a "Grand Tour" model. We didn't have any problems with our Cheyenne at all, the roof held up fine and we enjoyed it........ we just wanted a bigger camper and moved to a Mesa. The Rio Grande only had a few gliches, the hinge on the front storage compartment came apart (it was a "live hinge", simply a piece of plastic) that I replaced with a piano hinge and the lift system crank became hard to turn because the clutch wouldn't release.
www.foldingtrailers.com
 
The one thing I'm not sure about though is if the '96 Cheyenne and the '00 Cheyenne are the same.

[julecav]

The floor plan hasn't changed for the Cheyenne at all.  We like both a lot.  The Rio Grande is less expensive so if they are in comprable condition that's probably what we'll go with.  Jay is just concerned that the Rio Grande might not be set up to use a power inverter.  If the kiddies couldn't watch the TV we would be in trouble.  Most of the camping we do, the sites don't have hook-ups so we have to be able to run off the batteries.

[SkipP]

The floor plan hasn't changed for the Cheyenne at all. We like both a lot. The Rio Grande is less expensive so if they are in comprable condition that's probably what we'll go with. Jay is just concerned that the Rio Grande might not be set up to use a power inverter. If the kiddies couldn't watch the TV we would be in trouble. Most of the camping we do, the sites don't have hook-ups so we have to be able to run off the batteries.

Our Rio Grande was set up to use a battery. I assumed that it was that way from the factory. It may need a battery tray if it one wasn't put on but the wiring should be in place for it.
 
If the storage compartment still has the plastic "live" hinge on the lid, I'd highly recommend replacing it or having the dealer do it.