Compared the 2009 Endeavor and Diplomats today

[CoolJudy]

As mentioned in another posting, today we took a ride up to Grass Valley (only a half-hour from home) and spent the afternoon at DeMartini RV. We have been looking at "front kitchen"� SKQ models and mid-TV PDQ models and recently joined this forum to hear from owners. After reading the postings and comparing the ˜08s and ˜09s, I think we have narrowed our choice down to the 2009 41SKQ model. So next we have to decide between the HR Endeavor or the Diplomat. (DeMartini doesn't carry the Safari or other products with the SKQ equivalents.)

The good news is they had the '09 Holiday Rambler Endeavor inside on the showroom floor. Unfortunately, he did not have the Diplomat 41SKQ on the lot, but we did look at other '09 Diplomats where we could compare cockpit features.

We spent quite a bit of time in the Endeavor to get the feel of "visiting"� while we quizzed our salesman Nate on the list of questions we had developed. Our biggest concern was having read on this forum about the low carrying capacity (CCC). He smiled and pointed out the new bright yellow (but very small) sticker showing the CCC weight in kilograms (kg) and pounds (lbs.). This Endeavor had a CCC of 2665kg which is the same as 5877 lbs. He guessed the poster had read the kilogram figure. Phew.... that relieved us of that concern. BTW, this sticker is apparently the new industry standard (replacing the data sheets taped inside cabinet doors). This unit had the sticker on the entry door glass and it was visible through the screen door. Another coach had the sticker above the mandatory manufacturer's sticker on the wall behind the pilot's seat.

We also learned that the washer/dryer cupboard in both models sits atop the furnace and is not tall enough to swap a stackable w/d for the Splendide. Darn.

We sat on the short couch closest to the 37"� HDTV and there was no distortion like the older sets where the image was lost if you sat off-center. DH also sat in the co-pilot's chair with his feet up on the "recliner"� and decided it would work instead of swapping out the big couch for a couple of Lazy-Boy rocker/recliners.

Cosmetically, the HR coaches tend to be too "fancy"� for us. We don't care for the beveled edges on the countertops (prefer the smooth rounded bullnose), nor do we like the "curved"� furniture look. Not knocking it for others, just not our style.

We were concerned about the '09 tile floors with the large insert contrasting tiles. The photos we had seen looked very "black and white"� but in reality they were a nicer blend than we had expected. While we liked the '08 tile floors better, we could live with the ˜09s.

While we could not sit in a Diplomat 41SKQ, we did spend some time in a 38' model that has the same "cockpit"� area as the SKQ. This is where we found more differences between the Endeavor and the Diplomat than we expected. First, there are TWO 12-vold plugs on the dash in the Dip while the Endeavor has one. (This was talked about at great length in some other threads. As it turned out, most everything we currently run on our 12-volt system with dual pig-tale plugs could now work of the 115ac outlets through the inverter.) The Diplomat has the "desk drawer"� that the Endeavor doesn't. The Endeavor has "traditional"� curtains to cover the cockpit side and front windows while the Diplomat has full length pull-down shades on the sides and a one-piece power blackout shade across the front. The sunshade material is see-through and can be used in lieu of exterior add-on shades. We're not sure which window treatment we like better.

I'm sure there are other differences that haven't surfaced yet in our walk-through memory. We haven't dealt with exterior features yet. Another excuse to head for Grass Valley.

Color schemes and graphical patterns are still a BIG concern for DH. With the history of paint checking on dark colors, he just doesn't want to have all the "black"� sections featured in most exterior paint jobs. IF we decide to buy (still not a done decision) we may do a custom order and he can work with the Oregon Monaco designers to find existing colors to fit the current designs. It CAN be done if you want to pay for it. Hmmmm, heard that before.

I know many forum members who responded before were '08 or Endeavor owners so I would be interested in hearing your arguments in favor of those models vs. the '09 Diplomat. Decisions, Decisions.

Here's a great link that our DeMartini salesman shared with us that shows photos of all the HR and Monaco models from 2003-2009 . Have fun.

[CoolJudy]

As mentioned in another posting, today we took a ride up to Grass Valley (only a half-hour from home) and spent the afternoon at DeMartini RV. We have been looking at "front kitchen"� SKQ models and mid-TV PDQ models and recently joined this forum to hear from owners. After reading the postings and comparing the ˜08s and ˜09s, I think we have narrowed our choice down to the 2009 41SKQ model. So next we have to decide between the HR Endeavor or the Diplomat. (DeMartini doesn't carry the Safari or other products with the SKQ equivalents.)

The good news is they had the '09 Holiday Rambler Endeavor inside on the showroom floor. Unfortunately, he did not have the Diplomat 41SKQ on the lot, but we did look at other '09 Diplomats where we could compare cockpit features.

We spent quite a bit of time in the Endeavor to get the feel of "visiting"� while we quizzed our salesman Nate on the list of questions we had developed. Our biggest concern was having read on this forum about the low carrying capacity (CCC). He smiled and pointed out the new bright yellow (but very small) sticker showing the CCC weight in kilograms (kg) and pounds (lbs.). This Endeavor had a CCC of 2665kg which is the same as 5877 lbs. He guessed the poster had read the kilogram figure. Phew.... that relieved us of that concern. BTW, this sticker is apparently the new industry standard (replacing the data sheets taped inside cabinet doors). This unit had the sticker on the entry door glass and it was visible through the screen door. Another coach had the sticker above the mandatory manufacturer's sticker on the wall behind the pilot's seat.

We also learned that the washer/dryer cupboard in both models sits atop the furnace and is not tall enough to swap a stackable w/d for the Splendide. Darn.

We sat on the short couch closest to the 37"� HDTV and there was no distortion like the older sets where the image was lost if you sat off-center. DH also sat in the co-pilot's chair with his feet up on the "recliner"� and decided it would work instead of swapping out the big couch for a couple of Lazy-Boy rocker/recliners.

Cosmetically, the HR coaches tend to be too "fancy"� for us. We don't care for the beveled edges on the countertops (prefer the smooth rounded bullnose), nor do we like the "curved"� furniture look. Not knocking it for others, just not our style.

We were concerned about the '09 tile floors with the large insert contrasting tiles. The photos we had seen looked very "black and white"� but in reality they were a nicer blend than we had expected. While we liked the '08 tile floors better, we could live with the ˜09s.

While we could not sit in a Diplomat 41SKQ, we did spend some time in a 38' model that has the same "cockpit"� area as the SKQ. This is where we found more differences between the Endeavor and the Diplomat than we expected. First, there are TWO 12-vold plugs on the dash in the Dip while the Endeavor has one. (This was talked about at great length in some other threads. As it turned out, most everything we currently run on our 12-volt system with dual pig-tale plugs could now work of the 115ac outlets through the inverter.) The Diplomat has the "desk drawer"� that the Endeavor doesn't. The Endeavor has "traditional"� curtains to cover the cockpit side and front windows while the Diplomat has full length pull-down shades on the sides and a one-piece power blackout shade across the front. The sunshade material is see-through and can be used in lieu of exterior add-on shades. We're not sure which window treatment we like better.

I'm sure there are other differences that haven't surfaced yet in our walk-through memory. We haven't dealt with exterior features yet. Another excuse to head for Grass Valley.

Color schemes and graphical patterns are still a BIG concern for DH. With the history of paint checking on dark colors, he just doesn't want to have all the "black"� sections featured in most exterior paint jobs. IF we decide to buy (still not a done decision) we may do a custom order and he can work with the Oregon Monaco designers to find existing colors to fit the current designs. It CAN be done if you want to pay for it. Hmmmm, heard that before.

I know many forum members who responded before were '08 or Endeavor owners so I would be interested in hearing your arguments in favor of those models vs. the '09 Diplomat. Decisions, Decisions.

Here's a great link that our DeMartini salesman shared with us that shows photos of all the HR and Monaco models from 2003-2009 . Have fun.

[MonacoMama]

Judy... halfway down the link is a 2007 Diplomat SFT. I think it is the only 2007 SFT Diplomat that is listed.. That is our actual coach!

MM

[CoolJudy]

How cool (oops, no pun intended). Was that your unit number?

Isn't that list great? What got us looking again was the "Tommy Bahama" model DeMartini had at their grand opening of the new store. It is the 2008 Diplomat SKQ with the Rumba del Sol interior. We have the 2006 Monaco Monarch 33PBD (waaaay down the list) with the "Black Star" interior but a different exterior (not shown) in "Brick" (burgundy and white) as shown in my avatar.

[MonacoMama]

Mama is still
Yes... that is our stock #... it is our coach before I ever stepped inside of it.

The coach you just described is a twin to MCPO Ret's coach...Route 66 was in the area and went to DeMartini in Indiana and took photos of his coach.

The fourth 40ft 2008 Endeaver PDQ listed as "Copper Ridge - IN" is Drifter's actual rig.

(Please don't ask how I know these things ... but I just do...It is what a "Mama" does )

MM

[bullydogs1]

The differences were a big thing for me but I'm working it...the 12v is workable with a splitter..the shades I just ordered the side pulldowns from Monaco to be installed. Although the electric sunshade is a $1700 item. There are other differences too..no fluorescent lights...Carrier AC instead of Dometic--which are quieter but you have to be near them with the zapper to adjust them. And as for the CCC--open the bathroom medicine cabinet door of the 2009--it's there to see--full tanks of water, gas and two 154lb people (forget that) CCC is 1592....Once I finish customizing this, I'm going to be happy though.

[MCPO Ret]

Judy -

MM is right (of course) our coach is the "Tommy Bahama" model - but we switched out the interior to the Silhouette and stayed with the exterior paint as you see it in the picture attached. We love the interior (wife's choosing) and I really like the exterior - couple of reasons - it catches everyone's eye and we haven't seen one like it anywhere yet; the blue and gold make people ask "oh a special paint job for you retired Navy" - or if you are a Michigan State fan the colors match. Okay,now on the washer/dryer - I disagree with your salesman. we had DeMartini techs in Indiana install the stack washer and dryer in the bathroom over the furnace. We have a the Splendide "Ariston model. The washer is an AW122 and the Dryer is AS66VY - tell him to check again - wife just did a couple of weeks wash in 3 loads - washer and dryer running the same time. The amount of storage space you give up is not worth mentioning if you ask us. Tell him to call me if he wants to see pictures of it - it did cost a couple of bucks but from what I have heard about the combos it was worth it. We chose the Diplomat over the Endeavor for some of the reasons you mentioned. The desk drawer - I use it for our computer is great. We also have the blackout screen that in the 2008 slides on a track around the front windshield - it makes a BIG difference when the sun is hitting the front of the coach. If you are looking at the GPS system my recommendation would be DON'T get it. I runs off the Alladin and into the same dash monitor that you view your cameras and engine functions. More trouble than it was worth - a good portable Garmin is the way we have gone. We had ours built from specs with about every option except the solar panels. We did get the Sani-con system but to tell you the truth we don't use it much. The 2008 40SKQ came with the electric toilet that does the same thing (Mashes up the poo-poo). The big couch is my resting place - and when the grand kids stay over the big air mattress comes in handy. I have found both the drivers and co-pilot chairs work well - the electric foot rest is a plus on the co-pilot side. Can't think of anything else we would have done different - our "fix list" has been taken care of and it consisted of 2 cracked tiles, ice maker modification (warranty) and bedroom slide cable tightened - good luck and let us know if you have any questions.

[Drifter]

Michigan State is Green/White. Michigan is Maze/Blue. Chances are if you drive by Lansing Mi. they will BOO at you and when you pass Ann Arbor Mi. they will Cheer.

[MCPO Ret]

My bad on the Michigan vs Michigan State - I like the Navy reference better