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10-18-2015, 10:36 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 245
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Monaco or Entegra
Hello all,
I am in the market to purchase our first motor home (we have an airstream) and are trying to decide between the Entegra coach cornerstone, 2016, and Monaco dynasty, either 2016 or 2015. I would like some views from the members of this forum on late model experiences, as well as Freightliner vs Spartan chassis.
Any other info on Monaco reliability and customer service would also be appreciated.
Thank you for your time!
Fred
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10-18-2015, 11:38 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alberta
Posts: 1,429
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Can't say all that much in regards to the reliability of the new Monaco Dynasty, but will say that ARG is really good at standing behind there products. They have a few factory repair centers which are head and shoulders above your average dealer for repairs. From what I've seen of them I would seriously look at them. The Freightliner with the Bridge Chassis that they are using have done well in the American Coach Line.
__________________
Trap, Jan and the Pup
2013 Monaco Diplomat 43dft
2010 Black Jeep Liberty
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10-19-2015, 05:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: McMurray, Pa
Posts: 868
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Can't beat the 2 year bumper to bumper warranty with Entegra. We pick up our second one tomorrow. The Dynasty is a great coach also. Our experience with Entegra has been so positive we saw no reason to switch brands. The Cornerstones are fabulous coaches. We did a 2013 Aspire DEQ and a 2016 Anthem 44B. All coaches will have issues but Entegra is serious about making customers happy. Good luck on your decision.
__________________
John
2016 Anthem 44B
2013 MKX
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10-19-2015, 06:20 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SW FL
Posts: 31,622
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When makng a purchase that large, it is really worth visiting the factories and taking the tours to see how each one is built. That will be the real answer to quality. Also a great time to talk to owners that are there for service work on how they feel the quality is.
As for CS, Entegra is the best CS next to Travel Supreme that I have experienced. The main CS people from Travel Supreme are all at Entegra and still giving the same great CS. The 2 year warranty is a big plus, but the CS does not stop at the end of the warranty.
Of the two companies, Entegra/Jayco is a debt free family owned company and has been since the 1960's. Very impressive to see the complete campus in person.
__________________
Chuck in SW FL
Digital 2021 Cornerstone "B"
A "Digital" 2019 Cornerstone "B" Traded
A "Classic" 2014 Anthem 42 RBQ---Sold
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10-19-2015, 06:30 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cosby, Tn
Posts: 6,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3xbear
Hello all,
I am in the market to purchase our first motor home (we have an airstream) and are trying to decide between the Entegra coach cornerstone, 2016, and Monaco dynasty, either 2016 or 2015. I would like some views from the members of this forum on late model experiences, as well as Freightliner vs Spartan chassis.
Any other info on Monaco reliability and customer service would also be appreciated.
Thank you for your time!
Fred
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In the interest of full disclosure, I have lived full time in a Monaco coach for 8 years now and know the company and its coaches quite well.
Through '08, Monaco was a publicly held Corp and was one of the top quality coach builders in the business. Between then and now Monaco went through a very rough patch. They were a part of Navistar and the a couple of years ago were acquired by ASV, a privately held company building speciality vehicles. ASV had previously acquired American Coach and Fleetwood.
Through the ownership changes, Monaco kept together a key group of Monaco employees and they are still with Monaco/Holiday Rambler today. Mike Snell is President of Monaco/Holiday Rambler. When the first Dynasty in the current era came off the line, Mike took his family of an extended trip to troubleshoot. He also drove it to several owner rallies and gatherings to get feedback. Since then Monaco has been re introducing coaches slowly as the designs are ready. The Dynasty and its sister coach the Holiday Rambler Navigator are their top coaches.
I sat in on a presentation in May by the CEO of ASV, Tim Sullivan. They have plans in place for expanding the current service center in Decatur, IN. They are building or acquiring locations around the country and in Canada for regional service centers. In the early spring of this year, the management team at the production facility in Decatur were terminated by Tim Sullivan and a new experienced team from both inside and outside the company were installed. During this time production was halted for 2 weeks and all coaches on hand were put back through QC. Mr Sullivan said that QC and customer service were to important for any employee, management or otherwise to neglect. I know Mike Snell of Monaco quite well and he is completely involved and approachable by any owner.
Since you are early in this process, I encourage you to visit the northern Indiana area and tour the plants. Go to the Tampa Super Show if you can. I certainly can't and won't tell you what you should buy. Plenty of other posters will do that. My purpose is to try to inform you so you can make your decision from a position of knowledge.
Good luck and safe travels.
Steve Ownby
Full time since '07
__________________
Steve Ownby
Full time since 2007
2003 Monaco Signature
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10-19-2015, 07:37 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,193
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That's a great post Steve.
I have an Anthem and love Entegra and their customer service and 2 year warranty. THat said, I have several friends with HR or Monaco and they love them. As has often been said, floorplan is maybe the most critical issue when you are looking at coaches of this level. Other good advice already out here is right on target.
__________________
Cheryl and Emerson missing Rascal but loving our new buddy, Winston
Sadly Coachless
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10-19-2015, 05:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,711
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Ownby
In the interest of full disclosure, I have lived full time in a Monaco coach for 8 years now and know the company and its coaches quite well.
Through '08, Monaco was a publicly held Corp and was one of the top quality coach builders in the business. Between then and now Monaco went through a very rough patch. They were a part of Navistar and the a couple of years ago were acquired by ASV, a privately held company building speciality vehicles. ASV had previously acquired American Coach and Fleetwood.
Through the ownership changes, Monaco kept together a key group of Monaco employees and they are still with Monaco/Holiday Rambler today. Mike Snell is President of Monaco/Holiday Rambler. When the first Dynasty in the current era came off the line, Mike took his family of an extended trip to troubleshoot. He also drove it to several owner rallies and gatherings to get feedback. Since then Monaco has been re introducing coaches slowly as the designs are ready. The Dynasty and its sister coach the Holiday Rambler Navigator are their top coaches.
I sat in on a presentation in May by the CEO of ASV, Tim Sullivan. They have plans in place for expanding the current service center in Decatur, IN. They are building or acquiring locations around the country and in Canada for regional service centers. In the early spring of this year, the management team at the production facility in Decatur were terminated by Tim Sullivan and a new experienced team from both inside and outside the company were installed. During this time production was halted for 2 weeks and all coaches on hand were put back through QC. Mr Sullivan said that QC and customer service were to important for any employee, management or otherwise to neglect. I know Mike Snell of Monaco quite well and he is completely involved and approachable by any owner.
Since you are early in this process, I encourage you to visit the northern Indiana area and tour the plants. Go to the Tampa Super Show if you can. I certainly can't and won't tell you what you should buy. Plenty of other posters will do that. My purpose is to try to inform you so you can make your decision from a position of knowledge.
Good luck and safe travels.
Steve Ownby
Full time since '07
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I see that Holiday Rambler has brought back the Scepter also.
__________________
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4328 K2
2017 Grand Cherokee Summit 5.7
2008 Beaver Contessa 40' Pacifica 425 Cat
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10-19-2015, 06:09 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,029
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tankcj
I see that Holiday Rambler has brought back the Scepter also.
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An excellent coach.
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10-19-2015, 06:47 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,688
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Best advice...go to Tampa RV show in January and go to the factories. You're talking about spending somewhere just South of a half a mill on a depreciating asset. Floor plan advice is on the mark.
I looked at both, as well as Newmar London Aire (which you should also consider in this price range), and chose Cornerstone. Spartan chassis and two year warrantee, plus customer service played a big part for me. Can't say anything bad about Monaco from experience. Those that have them prior to 2008 (the bad times for many companies) really like their coaches. Maybe not quite so much since then.
All JMHO.
__________________
Dave and Beth
2015 Cornerstone 45J
2020 Ford F-150 Lariat
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10-20-2015, 06:19 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Il
Posts: 386
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The Tampa RV Super Show in January is a fantastic place to see lots of RV's and vendors. I just looked up the dates and here is a link that provides them as well as other RV show dates and locations in Florida.
FRVTA - Current RV Shows
Enoy,
Stu
__________________
2016 4519 Newmar Essex (FCCC)
2015 AWD Ford Explorer
2017 Chevrolet Silverado.
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10-20-2015, 01:20 PM
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#11
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Member
Solo Rvers Club American Coach Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Arkansas until it gets cold!
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tizbad
The Tampa RV Super Show in January is a fantastic place to see lots of RV's and vendors. I just looked up the dates and here is a link that provides them as well as other RV show dates and locations in Florida.
FRVTA - Current RV Shows
Enoy,
Stu
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Is there Rv parking at these shows or would I have to take the toad
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10-20-2015, 07:32 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,688
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General parking there...last several years at $20 day as I recall. Take note though, where and how you park in the general lot may result in finding some yahoo parking right next to you door on show days.
WRT other shows in FL, not nearly as extensive. If you're shopping this is the show, along with Pamona in March, and Hershey in Sep.
__________________
Dave and Beth
2015 Cornerstone 45J
2020 Ford F-150 Lariat
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10-20-2015, 07:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,108
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I agree with verything said above.
While I prefer a Spartan Chassis, I would not turn down a coach just because it did not have a Spartan chassis. I don't think the difference between Spartan and Freightliner is crucial.
The Monaco coaches being made today are made on the American Coach assembly line and are much more akin to an American Coach than to Monacos of old.
__________________
Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
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10-20-2015, 08:21 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cosby, Tn
Posts: 6,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dlovitt
According to website, 2016 Dynasty is on the Roadmaster chassis.
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The "Roadmaster" designation is misleading to old Monaco folks as it has no relationship to the Roadmaster chassis of the old Monaco Coach Corp. The name can be used because ASV owns the name. The chassis is built using Freightliner front and rear clips, joined by a bridge type center section.
The move to this type of chassis makes Monaco/HR coaches more like American Coaches but Monaco/HR maintains a staff of designers and engineers who are responsible for specs on both the chassis and coach design.
Steve Ownby
Full time since '07
__________________
Steve Ownby
Full time since 2007
2003 Monaco Signature
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