2027 Tiffin Allegro RED 33 AA Review
What’s the smallest Class A diesel pusher by Tiffin like? We got a first glance at the 2027 Tiffin Allegro RED 33 AA. You get all the hallmarks that Tiffin’s diesel-powered Class A rigs are known for in a package that’s much more nimble but which doesn’t give up good storage and quality features.
At a Glance: 2027 Tiffin Allegro RED 33 AA
The 2027 Allegro RED 33 AA earned high marks as you would expect from the Tiffin brand, with sleeping space, chassis/suspension, and off-grid capability being the top reasons to consider this popular RV. Tiffin is known for their build quality and we’ll take the company representative’s word for their plumbing but this is an area I would pay attention to as an owner.
2027 Tiffin Allegro RED 33 AA
- Ample and easily accessible basement storage
- Available in-floor electric heating
- Huge cargo and towing capacities
- Sleeps up to eight
- Fire escape stair system is optional, not standard
- No reel for power cord
- Extended- and full-time RVers who travel with plenty of cargo
- Those looking for a maneuverable rig with Tiffin quality
- Those who want to bring additional vehicles in a trailer
Check the Specs
- Sleeping capacity: 4–8 (depending on seating configuration)
- UVW: 28,875 pounds (est.)
- CCC: 9,445 pounds
- Exterior length: 35 feet 2 inches
- Exterior height 12 feet 10 inches
- Exterior width: 8 feet
- Fresh/Gray/Black: 90/70/50 gallons
- Propane: 36 gallons
- Awning: 13 feet
- MSRP: $315,818
Features We Love
- Basement storage
- Basement door construction
- In-floor electric heating option
- Cargo carrying capacity of 9,445 pounds
- Sleeping for up to eight
Benefits
- Basement storage. The storage bays in this RV are large and there are optional trays to enable access to the whole space. These trays can be operated from either side of the compartment.
- Compartment door quality. The basement compartment doors have a very-high-quality automotive feel that inspires confidence in the overall build of the RV.
- In-floor electric heating option. Optional electric in-floor heating allows you to heat the floor to whatever level you wish without having to use the hydronic heating or furnace system as is common in these larger rigs.
- Cargo and towing capacities. Many RVs have somewhat limited cargo-carrying capacity but this particular example has a capacity of over four tons – a huge amount.
- Sleeping for up to eight. There are a variety of ways buyers can configure this from being a couples’ camper to having the ability to sleep up to eight people which would make this a nice rig for grandparents.
Challenges
- There is an optional fire escape stair system but this should be a standard feature – motorhome fires often occur at the front of these rigs and any safety advantage you can put in your corner is well worth doing.
- This is a 50-amp rig which means the power cord is substantial, but there isn’t a convenient cord reel, which will make handling the cord especially challenging in cold weather.
Best For
- Those who value the Tiffin name but want a more maneuverable rig.
- For those who spend extended time on the road, including full-time travel, this RV has remarkable storage both inside and out and the cargo carrying capacity to back that up.
- For those who might want to bring additional vehicles in a trailer; this motorhome has the towing capacity to allow for a larger trailer.
Key Areas We Evaluate for RV Buyers
Sleeping Space: 9/10
The bedroom in the back of the Allegro RED 33 AA features a king-sized bed as standard but the rear-most sleeper should familiarize themselves with the carpeted step they’re going to navigate. This can be an unwelcome surprise in the middle of the night – we use a battery-powered motion-activated light to remind us of any unsuspected obstacles in the bedroom.
The bedroom/wardrobe slide on the camp side of this rig also has an unfortunate step up which can compound the tripping potential in this rig. There are decent numbers of drawers and overhead cabinets in the camp-side slide as well as a large TV.
A few sleeping space customizations are available. Starting beside the kitchen, buyers can choose between a traditional U-shaped dinette, dinette with chairs, or a dining bar – the U-shaped dinette affords two spots to accommodate sleepers.
Likewise, the hide-a-bed sofa option adds two more sleeping spaces, although the ribs in the folding mechanism may deter anyone from overstaying their welcome. There is also what Tiffin calls a Super Sofa – a two-place sofa that can become a bed along with a single seat that’s much like a theater seat – offering another place for a guest sleeper.
Lastly, you can opt for a bed over the cockpit of this RV that lowers on a power-operated mechanism that has to be locked-out for driving. (You don’t want the bed conking you on the noggin while shuttling down the road!) This overhead berth, too, can accommodate two individuals but maxes out at 250 pounds total so this might be better for more diminutive sleepers.
One important option that owners should absolutely select is the fire escape with stairs in the bedroom. When you consider that, essentially, you’re sleeping on the second story of a taller structure and many RV fires happen either in the engine compartment, refrigerator, or instrument cluster – all toward the front of the vehicle – having a quick escape out the back is critical. The optional steps are preferable to jumping out a smaller second-story window that may be fine for athletic youngsters but not necessarily the typical person who has half a million bucks to spend on a tour bus.
Bathroom: 7/10
Some of the models we saw in our tour of Tiffin offered bathrooms that rivaled home units but the one in the Allegro RED 33 AA is much closer to the typical RV bathroom with a radius shower, toilet, and a smaller counter that incorporates a sink.
The shower incorporates a Shower Miser feature that allows you to redirect water back into the fresh water system while you wait for the water to get hot at the shower, helping to extend the 100-gallon fresh water tank in this RV.
Overhead there is a skylight in the shower as is typical in RVs, but there’s a sliding panel that can cover the skylight and incorporates an LED light to brighten up one’s showering adventure.
Living Area: 8/10
In the section on sleeping space, I described all the choices available in this model for maximizing occupancy (or optimizing the space as a couples’ coach). The main living space of the Allegro RED 33 AA can be configured in a few ways beyond those choices. The model I saw featured power-operated theater seats. This is one of those theater seats where the power buttons are right on the side of the armrest which, to me, is inconvenient – I’d prefer a manual seat instead. The captain’s chairs in the cockpit can also be turned around to provide additional seating.
The clever dining bar/table had free-standing chairs that could be snugged into spaces on either side of a table and faced toward the outside of the rig. This position turns the space into two individual desks, which could be a big plus for those who travel but also want to read RV reviews or browse RV Trader for their next rig. At mealtime, you can turn those chairs and use the table between them to face one another for conversation.
Kitchen: 7/10
You can outfit the Allegro RED 33 AA with propane aboard which means a propane cooktop; or you can go all-electric which delivers an induction cooktop. Everyone has their own preference, but more and more of these diesel pushers are moving to all-electric kitchens, including the model I saw. It had a two-burner induction cooktop under the solid surface folding top. There’s also a larger residential-style microwave that features convection and air-frying functionality.
Even off the grid, having an all-electric kitchen shouldn’t be a problem with the standard generator and optional solar reserves on this rig.
The top drawer in the cabinet features a folding surface so that, when you extend the drawer, it effectively becomes a countertop extension. The wood surface is hinged at the middle to accommodate the sink and easily slides away when not in use. It felt decently solid despite being on a drawer glide.
The model we saw was equipped with a smaller LG-brand residential fridge and there is a larger model available as an option. The fridge in this example was about the same size as many of the 12-volt RV fridges I’ve seen and I personally prefer the 12-volt fridge to this. Why 12-volt? If you’re camping off the grid, you have to use the inverter to operate this fridge, losing some power to the inverting process.
My experience with residential appliances in RVs is that they tend to need to be serviced sooner rather than later, and appliance repair people don’t like to service them in RVs, while RV repair people aren’t usually qualified to do so. In my days as a warranty administrator at a dealership, I had to remove more than one residential fridge from a motorhome, which typically involved taking out the windshield as these don’t fit through the door.
Four-Season Capabilities: 9/10
Camping in times of the year with more extreme weather shouldn’t be a real issue with the Allegro RED 33 AA. The basement compartments where liquids are stored are heated for when the mercury dips below freezing as is the wet bay, so all the connections should remain functional unless you’re in a place where the cold is very extreme.
The opposite weather condition is also something this rig should be adept at handling, with two 15,000 BTU air conditioners on the roof in a centralized ducting system.
You can get this rig with a propane system along with a traditional RV furnace system; should you choose to go all-electric instead, you get an AquaGo heating system that uses diesel fuel to heat water and cabin space. You also have the option of a heated tile floor which has to be one of the nicer features available in diesel pushers.
The windows in this rig incorporate accordion shades which feature a metallicized backing to help with their insulating properties, making the RV more comfortable even in temperature extremes.
Storage Space: 9/10
One of the principal benefits of these Class A diesel pushers is basement storage. The unique chassis builds of these vehicles means that there are larger storage bays beneath the floor of the rig and Tiffin has given the Allegro RED 33 AA an even better experience by making optional drawer slides in two of the compartments. These drawer slides can be accessed from either side of the RV and also slide out on either side – I can’t imagine not ordering this option.
The cargo doors on this rig also have a confidence-inspiring build to them with what Tiffin describes as aircraft-inspired build – I have no reason to doubt this claim. The doors are solid and have a reassuring sound when closed.
Another benefit of this large chassis is cargo-carrying capacity. While towables can often be constrained in the total weight you can put into storage, here you have the ability to tote over four tons of your stuff in this RV.
As for interior storage, that too is plentiful. There is a closet at the back of the RV in the rear bedroom although the step up to accommodate the engine does make it a tiny bit challenging to get to some areas of this space.
There are also plenty of cabinets and drawers throughout. There is also a halo of smaller cabinets above the cockpit.
Chassis/Suspension: 9/10
Tiffin has partnered with Freightliner on the Allegro RED chassis, which has good handling characteristics to mitigate the challenges of driving a vehicle like this. Digital assist systems improve stability on heavily crowned roads and in cross winds and other hazards.
Additional driving assists include adaptive cruise control that keeps an eye on the drivers ahead and adjusts the vehicle’s speed to keep a specified distance. There is also lane-departure warning, collision mitigation with adaptive braking, traction control, and tire pressure monitors. In other words, almost all the safety technologies you’ll find in a high-end passenger car are also here.
While this is essentially a huge bus, the combination of the catbird driving position and these driving technologies have many drivers reporting that the driving experience is surprisingly pleasant.
Assuming the role of pusher in this diesel pusher is the Cummins L9 inline-six-cylinder diesel engine producing 380 horsepower and 1,150 pound-feet of torque. Torque is the twisting force that makes the magic happen when you’re pushing around a big rig like this, and this power plant should do quite nicely at fulfilling its role.
Cockpit: 8/10
The seats and driving environment on the Allegro RED 33 AA also carry the higher-end feel. The power seats have a wide variety of adjustments for both driver and passenger. Class A diesel pushers have the benefit of an enormous windshield which offers a panoramic view of the road ahead along with a high seating position that also provides great views.
The driver is afforded a complete reporting on the operations of this vehicle through a digital instrument cluster.
Off-Grid/Sustainability: 9/10
As mentioned, you have a choice to make when ordering an Allegro RED 33 AA. You could go with a model that includes propane, which then means a propane cooktop, propane water heater, and traditional furnace system.
Alternatively, go electric and you get an AquaGo hydronic heating system that uses the on-board diesel fuel to operate a water and cabin heating system, along with the induction cooktop as I saw in the review model.
While you’ll typically find these giant RVs in fancy RV parks, they are truly outstanding at off-grid camping. There is an enormous fresh water holding tank at 90 gallons, and the showers in these units feature a recirculation system that reduces water waste.
There is also an 8-kWh diesel generator aboard and a 2,000-watt inverter to let the batteries operate many of the features inside the bus. At the moment it seems that only AGM-style batteries are offered which is unfortunate; lithium offers better performance and lighter weight, and requires no maintenance. Other Tiffin models we saw did have the option of lithium batteries, so not having this option seems like a misstep.
There is the option of 200 or 600 watts of solar – a single 200-watt panel is not going to do much, but 600 watts will provide some usable power for off-grid camping under good conditions.
Depending on how this rig is equipped, it could be possible to truly have a worry-free off-grid experience for an extended period of time, what with the large tanks and power features, plus the way the on-board management system manages that power.
Value: 8/10
I can understand why the Allegro RED is such a popular choice among Class A buyers. Much of the quality feel and interior design isn’t far from Tiffin’s even more premium models and may not be readily distinguishable from those, but this coach is many thousands of dollars less expensive. You still have that premium feel and appearance so it comes across as a good value.
When compared to buying even a high-end travel trailer and a pickup, the value proposition might not be as apparent; but compared to some of the more high-end offerings from Tiffin and several competitors, the price of this starts to seem relatively justifiable.
Notes on Build Quality
Diesel pushers have the benefit of an almost limitless weight capacity, thanks to a very rigid chassis. For comparison, even a heavy fifth wheel weighs 20,000 pounds at most, whereas this can tip the scales at 52,000 pounds. The strength of this structure pays off in the ability of these rigs to have things like tile floors, which aren’t practical in towables but are commonplace in a rig like this. I also noted the quality feel of the compartment doors, which have an aircraft-like build to them and feel solid.
Tiffin boasts about the cabinet build of these RVs. The construction is done in-house – apparently it had been outsourced for a while, which elicited buyer complaints. The cabinets felt fine to me, but I was surprised at the drawers, which featured a brad-nailed construction with rough-finished tops. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this, except some towable makers are now using dovetailed drawer construction and doing a beautiful job of finishing their drawers – by comparison, these feel second-tier.
I also noticed a lot of plumbing fixtures that featured what look like PEX clamps on flexible lines, which is very common in the RV industry but can be a recipe for leaks. I asked the Tiffin representatives about this, and the response was that Bob Tiffin is a stickler for keeping water leaks out of their products. This type of connection can be done properly, but I couldn’t visually tell if that was the case here. I still prefer the Shark Bite plumbing and brass fittings (that have a 25-year warranty) that I saw in Grand Design’s motorized rigs, but they don’t build Class A RVs.
Closing Notes on the Allegro RED 33 AA
Without seeing the whole range of Tiffin models, it might not be apparent how different the various trim and feature levels are. If you went to a dealership and saw just one of these coaches it would seem great; but compare it to some of the higher-end Tiffin models and it’ll be relatively apparent that this is a step down.
That doesn’t mean the Allegro RED 33 AA isn’t a worthwhile choice – its design and construction is impressive overall, and the interior doesn’t betray the fact that it’s the smallest coach in the family. In fact, at 33 feet in length, it’s much shorter than even a mid-sized trailer and pickup, so you have a good amount of maneuverability that is enhanced by the features built into the Freightliner chassis.
A Note on the RV Trader Review Process
RV Trader asked RV shoppers what was most important to them in their RV buying process. Potential buyers — like you — helped us to identify a list of six key areas that camping and travel enthusiasts always look at when they’re searching for the perfect RV: sleeping space, bathroom, living area, four-season capabilities, and storage space.
The RV Trader team then got to work providing you with honest and unbiased evaluations. If you’re wondering, that’s where I came in. As an RV expert and enthusiast, I provide an honest look at RVs from an RV industry insider perspective.
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