Community Forums

jd956jd956 · 08-17-2014, 12:41 AM

Greetings... A tough dilemma here... My wife has me looking for a newer coach WITH SLIDES - that is the only thing "wrong" with our coach which I have EXTENSIVELY updated both mechanically and cosmetically. History: I purchased our slide-less 1997 American Eagle from its original owner four years ago as it was the last year model with the purely mechanical and highly dependable Cummins C8.3 engine. It is our first coach and I absolutely love it. Quite honestly, I am most concerned about all the electronics, both coach and engine, in any newer motorhome. Tomorrow we are going to look a 2008 Holiday Rambler Navigator with the huge Cummins ISX engine (600 or 650 horse power, cannot recall exact number). Am I worrying about nothing or should I be concerned specifically about the ISX and it dependability in motorhomes? (I know, or strongly suspect, I won't be able to work on it other than routine maintenance). Also, I am not familiar with the long term quality of any Holiday Rambler models, nor any Monaco models as I do not know anyone who owns them. From researching, the S-series chassis sure sounds wonderful. Any any all suggestions, experience, info, etc regarding both engine and interior coach dependability will be very much appreciated! THANK YOU

Jeff on Lake Conroe
1997 American Eagle
2013 FJ Cruiser 4x4 Toad

danes-on-tour · 08-17-2014, 02:58 AM

Jeff - the Navigator is one nice coach, and I would swap mine for one in a heartbeat, but they are too expensive for me. You will love the slide-outs compared to your current coach I am sure.

In general both Monaco and Holiday Rambler are quality products, but as I am sure you know, there will always be something that breaks, needs adjusting, needs upgrading etc., but from what I read about your current coach, this should not cause you any major concern. It definitely sounds like you have the skills needed. After all - the time we spend tinkering with our coaches is what keeps us from hanging around street corners and being up to no good

I have followed the Monaco IRV2 forum for about 7 years now, and I can't remember "hearing" anything negative about the engine in the Navigator, That is not to say that nothing can ever go wrong, but what I am saying is that I don't think that engine is a problem as such.

Good luck deciding, and I hope that some Navigator owners will chime in with some good and factual advice.

Randyman1 · 08-17-2014, 07:27 AM

Buy It, Buy It, Buy It, we absolutely love ours and we have had several other coaches in the 23 years we've been RVing. The fit and finish of these coaches is hardly rivaled in the coaches they are building today. The ISX is one solid and powerful motor. The S Series chassis makes this big rig ride and drive like a car. Yes, you can and will have things to fix, that is just the nature of RV travel, but no known problems with these Navigators other than finding the time to use them. JMHO Randy

Moxy · 08-17-2014, 12:51 PM

I'm drooling, does that count

Stretch · 08-20-2014, 09:59 PM

We have a 05 navigator and have been loving it for 6 years now. Our coach has a 60 series Detroit engine . It is a million mile motor and so is yours. Don't worry about the engine. Here are some sobering thoughts however. Pulling a toad you are going to get about 6.5 mpg. New set of tires are about 4 or 5 grand. AGM batteries about the same. Now on the good side, the coach is fantastic. You are going to love the 4 slides. So much room. Like a small apartment.
Such a solid coach. With the power water reel, power electric reel auto air leveling, auto dish antenna you will be able to pull into an rv park, set up and be in your favorite chair with an adult beverage in your hand in less than five minutes time. Finest coach we have ever owned. Period.

jd956jd956 · 08-21-2014, 08:18 AM

Thank you all for your input and private messages! Toured one owned by a neighbor of a family friend yet sadly this 2008 was not well taken care of, and actually I would say had never been taken care of...very sad... It was horribly filthy - did I say filthy? ha, had body damage, awning damage, house batteries had an inch or more of corrosion all over the top of them, and more... VERY SAD as it had so much potential! It was BEAUTIFUL from a distance as we drove up... Good news is there will be others

Thank you again!

Stretch · 08-21-2014, 11:21 AM

You say you are a handy man. Try to buy the coach cheap. The expensive part of the coach, the fine chassis and engine are probably in great shape. The batteries are obviously the cheap lead acid type and a shot anyway. How many miles on the coach? Interior can be cleaned and or replaced. Body work may look bad but easily repaired. Go back and look again. Now that you have been shocked by the condition scrootinize it with your handyman eyes. Who knows, you may end up with a hell of a deal.

bukzin · 08-24-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd956jd956

Thank you all for your input and private messages! Toured one owned by a neighbor of a family friend yet sadly this 2008 was not well taken care of, and actually I would say had never been taken care of...very sad... It was horribly filthy - did I say filthy? ha, had body damage, awning damage, house batteries had an inch or more of corrosion all over the top of them, and more... VERY SAD as it had so much potential! It was BEAUTIFUL from a distance as we drove up... Good news is there will be others

Thank you again!

How much are they asking for it?

jd956jd956 · 08-24-2014, 11:13 AM

It was so bad, I didn't even ask

Quote:

Originally Posted by bukzin

How much are they asking for it?

moisheh · 08-24-2014, 02:34 PM

You are smart to walk away. If they didn't bother to keep it clean then they probably did not do any maintenance.

vettehead · 10-04-2014, 10:41 AM

Just ran across your post about the ISX.
We purchased a used Monaco Exec. with the ISX. I love it. As a matter of fact, the ISX was the icing on the cake. 525 HP is enough to walk up any mountain in the USA. There are a lot of them in OTR trucks. Cummins advertise this engine as a million mile engine. My fuel mileage runs on average of 6-7-8, depending on roads. Oil change can be a bit expensive since it holds 48 qts. Haven't met anyone who is unhappy with one yet.