Differences in chassis/rides?

[Turbo Turtle]

Hello, Monaco owners!

I'm narrowing my search for a FT coach for my husband and myself. We will probably live in this coach for 3-5 years and travel extensively. I love the Holiday Rambler Endeavor and Monaco Diplomat SFT floorplans, however, I'm concerned about the chassis. Looking on the Monaco website, I seem to see that Monaco Camelots, and higher-end HRs than Endeavor (the SFT version of the line) seem like better chassis/rides. For instance, the Camelot and up have side radiators.

Are the features in the models that are above Endeavor/Diplomat for 2007-2008 SFT floorplans a good deal for the long haul, given that I already like the floorplan? (In other words, I'd rather a coach that lasted than the amenity of the full slide, if the chassis is truly different/sub-par.)

Answers?

Thanks in advance!
Marcia

[Diplomat Don]

Turbo Turtle.....The only bad chassis that Monaco made was in the level below the Diplomat/Endeavor called a RR4R chassis. It only has four airbags and really rides rough.

The chassis under the Diplomat is pretty much the same chassis that's in the Camelot with a couple of differences. Because the Camelot's were generally longer and more expensive, some have a tag axle and all of the Camelots have a side radiator.

Both coaches come with the ISL engine and Allison 3000 transmission. The Camelots added front disc brakes.

I think you would be happy with either coach, especially if you can find the floorplan that you like. The ISL is a great motor for these coaches. Obviously, as you go up in price, the amenities increase. I would choose a side radiator over a rear if I had a choice, but my rear radiator never runs hot and there is a price to be paid for that upgrade.

The only caution I will give is to watch the weight on the rear axle with whatever coach you buy. If you get a tag it doesn't matter, but some of the over forty footers were overweight on the rear axle. A lot of companies are doing it, but I would hate to own one and get stopped with an overweight coach and be unable to correct it. (20000 pound max on a single rear axle).

[Turbo Turtle]

THANKS so much!

Marcia

[soberjoe]

That was a good answer to her question Don. The CCC weight is very important and the rear can go over weight so easily indeed. I have a RR4R with Koni FSD that really help a lot. My last coach was on a F53 so this RR4R is a huge step up and seems to ride great to me. I guess it's just what you are use to, but an 8 or 10 bagger would be better. It all come at a cost for sure. Enjoy your shopping Marcia.

[Turbo Turtle]

Thanks! I'm coming to the conclusion that I'm going to look for a tag axle model as a first choice. Country Coach Allures show such models from 37' Sunset models and up. Hmmmm.

[Steve Ownby]

In '02 Monaco started using the tag axle chassis on 38' coaches. Up through '02 the Monaco Windsor was built on a series s chassis, but not with a tag.


Steve O

[JDT]

Just an FYI. Beginning with the 05 models Monaco also used the RR8R chassis on the Ambassadors and Knights, same as the Diplomats and Endeavors. The key difference besides trim levels is the Ambassadors and Knights have the 330hp ISC instead of the 400hp ISL used in the models above them. Not sure when but the hp ratings were changed to 360 and 425 in the later models. We have an 05 Ambassador and pull a 4700 lb Acadia. A larger engine would be nice but it gets us everywhere we want to go. The ride was okay but changing the shocks to Koni FSD's was a great improvement.

Jim

[Mandys Man]

Quote:

Not sure when but the hp ratings were changed to 360 and 425 in the later models.

This was done when the 07 emission engines were developed and the Diesel Particulate Filter was added.

[dmason]

We (and the bank) own a 07 HR Scepter 42' with tag axle. It has the ten airbag setup and rides very smooth. Even moreso once I got the weight distro right after getting it weighed. It gets my vote!