Need Help With 2004 Beaver Marquis Purchase

[zzzs]

Hi All

I'm 2 heart beats from purchasing a 2004 Beaver Marquis Garnet please pull me back or push me over.
Whats to worry about with a c12 cat with 27k miles?
Fuel Consumption?
Roadmaster Chassis Issues?
Aqua hot?

I'm a current Cumminis ISL Freightliner XC owner.

I drove it and it handles so nice, no rattles, no bumpsteer Is this for real?

Your Help is appreciated.

Steve

[Batman_777]

Concerns:
- Monaco who owned Beaver went out of businessis
- CAT no longer makes RV engines
- Aqua Hot systems are great until you have a problem $$$
- Beaver Marquis "was" the Beaver top-of-the-line (Beavers were nice Coaches)
- 6 year old tires? Replace them all
- Don't get starry eyed and overlook the basics, but Beavers were one of the best built
- Fuel Mileage? Is it a 45' Tag? Towing?
-

[zzzs]

Thanks for the Reply,
I've read a few problem with Cat c12 bad wrist pins, the tires are new and its a 43' with tag, will be towing 2005 honda odyssey. I fell in love the straight line stability and brakes when compared to 40' Charleston. The upgrade cabin is a bonus. What are your thoughs on going thru the coach as I have no information on maintenance history? I figured the 24K mileage would limit some of the drive train worst case senarios. I would change all fluids and filters, the brakes are probably OK, What kind of Maintenance does a AquaHot need?
One would think that original buyer of this coach would have performed initial allison 4000 maintenance given the initial outlay to buy it?

Steve

[Pusherpilot]

Batman is right on all counts. The coach was built by a company now out of business and is a product line not continued by the new Monaco. Cat quit making engines for the RV market because of a requirement for emissions controls, most of their product is used in construction equipment and outside of the US.
I have an AquaHot and personally would not go back to propane systems unless I have no other choice. I've had two or three small problems with it, all of which I was able to fix myself. Getting used to how the system is supposed to work is the big hurdle!! Having the coach 5 yrs with 75k miles on it and only having to fill the propane tank once is worth it to me.

The Marquis are renown for their cabinetry and beautifully fininsed interiors.

I would replace tires that old regardless and you have 8 of them at around $5-$6 hundred each. Check with the mfgr for their warranty and age, tread wear etc Big outlay for getting on the road. Check the mfgr dates on them to be sure.

Fuel mileage is determined by the driver and the terrain. Some guys driving that class Monaco report 6-7 mpg and other are claiming 8-9.

The tag axle Roadmasters drive like a dream don't they? Wish I had one. Roadmasters have a good rep and there are many places out there to get service.
Speaking of service, be sure it has all been done for the mileage on the coach.

Monaco still provides tech support for the legacy products and they still have all the parts support available. The Beaver owners group will probably be more than happy to greet you as a brother owner and have many words of advice.
Ron

[Pusherpilot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzzs Thanks for the Reply, I've read a few problem with Cat c12 bad wrist pins, the tires are new and its a 43' with tag, will be towing 2005 honda odyssey. I fell in love the straight line stability and brakes when compared to 40' Charleston. The upgrade cabin is a bonus. What are your thoughs on going thru the coach as I have no information on maintenance history? I figured the 24K mileage would limit some of the drive train worst case senarios. I would change all fluids and filters, the brakes are probably OK, What kind of Maintenance does a AquaHot need? One would think that original buyer of this coach would have performed initial allison 4000 maintenance given the initial outlay to buy it? Steve

Steve,
Since you have no maintenance history I'd do my best to determine when the oil was changed and at what mileage.
The AquaHot is supposed to be services every year. That consists of cleaning the diesel burner and replacing the nozzle. I've had it done once by a tech and twice myself. Last time was after using ULSD exclusively in the system, the thing looked just like I left it last time, clean!! The nozzles are cheap, forget how much, and the tech charged about $100 to do it. We live in the MH about half the time so we are using the system all the time we're on the road. I use it to preheat the engine before starting, particularly in cold weather. The electric element keeps it hot enough for everything but heating the interior of the coach. The thing is rated to use about 1/2 gal of diesel per hour of burner use, very economical. There are some stories out there from guys who have had bad luck with them and they've cost them some bucks. As I said before, I will always want one in my MH.
Ron

[zzzs]

Well you guys are pushing me in. I wish I could feel better about the Cat quitting the rv market, My only concern is realiability, as we love to travel, 3 coast to coast trips last year, Its sounds like the fuel mileage is close to what I'm getting now with the 8.9 cummins, and with the AquaHot, its sound like a great system if you maintain it. Boy isn't that true with everything. Well I'm going to see the man and let you know if we got a deal.
Stay Tuned and many thanks

Steve

[Mike Canter]

I have a 2004 Monaco Signature which is basically the same as the Marquis except for the motor. The CAT C-12 is a great motor and is still fully supported by CAT. It has lots of power but your mpg will be around 7 MPG until you get some miles on it. That year AQUA-HOT had a recall so you should get the serial number off the Aqua-Hot and call them and check on it. I will never get another MH without Aqua-Hot. Also check with CAT and see if there are any recalls on the motor. The tag axle is great during high cross winds and you have a another set of brakes with it.

I have had to do a real emergency maneuver with that chassis when a car ran a stop sign. I was amazed how well it handled. There have been no problems with that chassis model.

Just as a warning...the more options you have on a MH the more that can go wrong. You have to run all the systems on a routine basis even when not being used.

[Diplomat Don]

ZZZS.....That Cat is a killer motor and will be around for years in various units. Every motor out there gets discontinued or changed at some point. Cat is still around, just not offering their engines to the RV market. Someday when the economy improves, Cat might jump right back into the market.

You're talking about a coach that most only dream about.

[TravelerEd]

I purchased a 2002 Beaver Marquis in the last year and also went through a pre purchase struggle if it was going to be a good decision or not. They are complicated coaches and you need to be prepared that they will require more maintenance and repairs given the complications involved. I spent a lot of hours on the Aqua Hot getting the bugs out of it including having to solder a new radiator cap system on (not fun). I would have Cat readout any error codes stored on the computer. They can print that info out including a histogram of the RPMs and the time at each RPM level, fuel used, idle hours etc. They will have any service work also stored. The same is true of the Allison transmission, any service work will be stored in the dealer network for the SN. That engine info along with an oil and antifreeze analysis will help rest some fears. I also negotiated a two year comprehensive warranty with a $500 deductible that helped get me over the buying hurdle along with new tires, etc. I would advise that you get a warranty to assure that you will not be stuck with major problems and check that absolutely everything works as it should. If you could link up with a current Marquis owner and have him go through that exercise with you that would be a great way to check out the coach.

It has been a lot of work to get things the way I believe they should be. Do not expect perfection because it was expensive. In the end if you love the looks, the style, the ride, the wood, all the gems of owning a Beaver Marquis then buy it but protect yourself with knowledge that the engine and transmissions have a good history and that the Aqua Hot really operates as it should. Run the generator for a few hours with the air and the aqua hot electric element on also.

I do not believe that Navistar will make coaches like this anymore so if you also fall in love with the Marquis it may be the end of an era. I love the Cat C12, great engine with two stage Jake Brake, the Allison 4000, and the ride and the handling are extrodinary. I chose to not go the tag axle route and have no ride and handling complaints at all. Mine is an 8 airspring Magnum chassis but they are similar designs. Good luck. In the end I bought one because I always wanted one....
Regards Ed

[markpj23]

Go for it! You will have a coach that keeps its value way after others have had their particle board interiors turn to dust

We've had 2 Beave's with Cat engines. Nationwide dealer network is great and Cat has been good to deal with on the few warranty issues we've had.

I'd not hesitate to buy one. But be forewarned - you will never look at other coaches again without comparing it to the finish & build quality of the Beaver. Take a close look at an equivalent Magna and you'll see what I mean.

Not that I have a bias or anything....

[FLYING BUTCH]

We were in same position you were last September. Bought the exact same model you are looking at wih 54,000 miles on it. Had the Aqua serviced along with the engine and the generator. Have put over 12,000 miles on it and just love driving her. Pull a Honda Accord and get over 7 at 65 all day long. Tires have no cracks in them so not going to replace until they do! YOU WILL LOVE IT. They just don't make any better looking or performing coaches. Feel free to pm me or give me a call if I can help in any way. 940-783-1236 Just came from Texas-Az, now in Ca headed to Oregon. Go for it for sure!!

[zzzs]

Hi All
Well we did it and many thanks to all for your insightful knowledge, many good points to verify. We did get a warrantee and hopefully everything will workout fine. I have a question about wheel base size, the marquis chassis states a 286" wheel base. Is this measured from the front wheel to tag axel or front wheel to drive axel because it should make a difference turning radius, maybe my question should be does a tag axel raised change the turning radius?

Thanks Steve

[Mike Canter]

Nope, the turning radius is based on the position of the drive axle and that is why the tag axle can be raised to prevent dragging the tag axle tires sideways. About the only time I raise the tag is going in or out of a campsite or turning into a real tight driveway. Raising the tag does NOT change the turning radius.

[chev]

My last coach was a 1999 Marquis with a CAT C-12 engine. Loved that coach, put 115,000 miles on the motor with almost no problems. The only issues I had were an air line, and the air pump its self. Keep the oil clean, coalant up, keep RPM's down, and dont over heat it. One consideration, I learned that one needs to calibrate the oil at oil change time. it was common to find that the dip stick was not reading correctly and you can over fill the motor. The C-12 can handle over filling unlike smaller motors, but it is good to start out knowing you have the right amount of oil in there. Also, the side draft radiator, preasure wash the radiator a couple times a year, you will be surprised how much dust gathers there.