Monaco Diplomat Front Axle GAWR

[Traps90]

Hi new to the Monaco section, we're still in the looking stages and have been looking at Winnebago Tours, American Coach and Newmar Dutch Star.

We went to a RV show today and then stopped by a dealer's lot to look at a 2012 Diplomat 43DFT.

This floor plan has to be the best we've seen so far, for our needs when we plan to go fulltime in about 20 months.

Pretty much liked everything we saw, although the others have a few more options, the Diplomat floorplan out weighed the options the others had.

My only concern in looking over the specs, is the Diplomat only has a 13K GAWR on the front.

The others in this weight range all have a minimum of 14.4k with the Dutch Star running at 17k.

Since we'll be going fulltime, that low front axle weight is causing me a little concern.

Would like to know your thoughts and feedback on this.


Thanks
Trap

[Traps90]

May have figured out some of the reason they can use the lighter front axle then some of the others, as the Diplomat has about 21" more rear overhang than say the Dutch Star, that extra weight on the overhang should lighten the weight on the front somewhat,

Still would like to hear some thoughts from some you more experienced folks, as we really do like the floorplan of this coach.

Trap

[Steve Ownby]

Trap,

I can understand your concern. Although 17k seems like overkill, 14.4 is certainly realistic. The old Monaco used a lot of 14.6 steer axles on the heavier chassis. My '03 Sig has that axle with the fuel tank in the front bay and I can't put enough weight in the front of the coach to overload it.

Use this link and put the question to Monaco & see what their response is.

Monaco RV - contact

Please post a follow up when you hear from them.

[Traps90]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby Trap, I can understand your concern. Although 17k seems like overkill, 14.4 is certainly realistic. The old Monaco used a lot of 14.6 steer axles on the heavier chassis. My '03 Sig has that axle with the fuel tank in the front bay and I can't put enough weight in the front of the coach to overload it. Use this link and put the question to Monaco & see what their response is. Monaco RV - contact Please post a follow up when you hear from them.

Thanks for the link, I just sent it off, looking forward to hearing what they have to say. I fairly sure they would have engineered it properly, but one sure would hate to spend that kind of money on a tag axle and have to worry about how you load it.

Trap

[Traps90]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traps90 Thanks for the link, I just sent it off, looking forward to hearing what they have to say. I fairly sure they would have engineered it properly, but one sure would hate to spend that kind of money on a tag axle and have to worry about how you load it. Trap

Sent a email last Saturday on Jan 28th, got a confirmation that I would have a reply with in 24 hrs after the the next business day. As of Feb 1 still no reply..

Trap