2006 Monaco Knight, what to look for

[Hedgehog]

I am looking at a 2006 Monaco Knight 40PDQ at a local dealer. It looks in very clean shape except I felt a couple of soft spots on the roof when I was walking on it. There are no signs of water intrusion on the interior. Should this be concerning? Also, the previous owner traded it for a 2008 38' Winnebago Adventurer. It makes me wonder if there are problems since they are close to the same size and price, why would they trade? Also, what else should I look for? Any problems with this specific model and year?

[dwhee]

No more problems than any other of one of these rolling money pits!!

[DocUSAF]

Hedgehog, I'd reply to your question especially since I actually currently own this exact model, but then I'd never be allowed by the host to post again.....Let's just say that my first punch list for a brand new coach had over 30 items to be addressed, the second punch list had another 20 items...still interested?

[Hedgehog]

Now that you have the bugs worked out, how has the coach been?

[Flagelpater]

FWIW I have had three different Monaco Knights, 03, 04 and now an 05. More than 90,000 miles in total all had problems. The first two were major problems, Brakes and trailing Arms, and I upgraded each time with the old Monaco. The 05 is, as you know, on the upgraded 8 bag chassis. Upgraded for the old knight that is. As far as the punch list goes they all had Very long lists. Without exaggeration, I spent at least two weeks with each one back at Elkhart IN getting the items fixed. The lists were all more than 100 items long. We love our 05 knight and have over 33,000 miles on it with no real problems other than the typical quality control problems found in this entire industry. It is the same mentality and labor pool working at them all form the lowest cost unit right up to, and including the bus conversions.
The downsizing you mention may have been caused by type of use, needed shorter to fit into more Campgrounds and National Parks.
Open every panel you can and look inside.
Try to get a look at the maintenance records. Not just "It has been ------ maintained."
Ask if you can talk to the previous owner.
Think about how you will use the coach, where will you want to go, and make sure it is not too long.
Good Luck, hope to see you on the road.

[Hedgehog]

What year did Monaco have problems with the one piece windshield?
Also, this 06 Knight has the 3 leg Power Gear Leveling jacks. I've heard bad things about power gear, is this system the crappy one I here about or is it the electric jacks. It does look very wet around the pumop area.