Newbie needs 1997 Beaver Monterey help

[dorfboyzz]

I'm very happy to join this forum. Everyone seems very nice and not demeaning. My wife and I recently purchased our dream rig. We bought a 1997 36' diesel Beaver Monterey with only 14,000 miles. It is in mint condition with all the options that were available at that time I believe. However, it did not come with any manuals at all. I contacted Monaco and all the info they had was I blurred copy of the sales brochure. I did find out that it has a Cat 300hp, model 3126, an Allision MD3060 tranny and Reyco suspension. Without any manuals, i.e. operations, maintenance, engine, drivetrain, lubrication etc. I'm afraid that I could damage any part of the rig. So, I have scan the internet with limited success. Does anyone know what types of manuals or information this rig came with? Or where I could get that info or better yet, where I buy or download them. I don't want our dream to become our nightmare. We are starting to fulltime now. I know the unit was serviced completely 6000 mi. ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any possible help. Dorfboyzz

[William Willard]

Monaco didn`t build your coach, Safari did, which is a good thing, & was probably mfg in Bend Oregon -- I don`t recall the year Monaco purchased Safari, but it was after 2000 -- I had a 96 Safari with the 300 Cat, & got about 8 mpg -- Keep it well maintained, & will be OK -- Keep spare fuel filters, & learn how to change them yourself --Coaches that used the older fuel, the tanks could have residue from that fuel, & the newer fuel will cut the crud loose, thus clogging your filters -- Not a big deal after awhile, but something to be aware of -- Drive it & enjoy -- Motorhomes are a money pit, makes no difference if new or used --

[William Willard]

Does your coach have front wheel oilers? That is the most over looked item when it comes to maintinance -- I know your coach has only 14000 miles, but sometimes sitting, does more harm than driving -- The oil in the oilers is easy to change -- If you have a Harbor Freight, they have a small, hand suction pump, that you can get the old oil out -- I use Lucas Hub Oil in ours, but a heavy gear oil will do -- If you do change the oil, fill to the line, & then check if for a few stops, until the new oil works into the bearings -- I grease the chassis every 5000 miles, & change oil, & fuel filters at 10,000 -- I have a 07 Camelot with the 400 Cummins, & can go 15,000 miles between oil changes, but I just can`t bring myself to go that long between oil changes -- If you`re full timing, Speedco would be your best bet for all your oil, & filter change needs -- They are Big-Rig specialist, but do motorhomes at a very reasonable rate, & are nation wide -- Go to speedco.com for the locations -- You probably have the rear radiator, & checking the belts will most diffcult, but it you can find the numbers on them, get spares, & hope you never have to use them --

[Twomed]

BAC Forum - BAC Forum click here

Beaver Ambassador Club is where you will find lots of help and info on your Beaver. Great group of folks.

[Diplomat Don]

dorfboyzz.......I don't think a set of manuals would be all that valuable. They would be nice to have to explain every switch and knob, but the chassis stuff you're talking about is pretty much the same for every coach.

I would contact Allison and find out what the fluid change intervals are and if you can change the fluid from ATF to Trandsynd. The Cat engine will need the standard servicing with a possible valve adjust at 25000 or so. Check with Cat.

Like William Willard said, just keep the servicing up. I change my oil once a year, even though I only put on about 8000 miles, but I'm an anal twit. I lube the chassis at the same time, but I do lube my driveshaft every 5000 miles because of the torque that it sees (cheap insurance).

I also carry both fuel filters and the air dryer filter as a spare. I rotate them out each year when I do the servicing.

A lot of the manuals for your internal items like your microwave, refrigerator etc, can be found at the various manufacturer's websites.

[Jackrussell]

Not sure what happened to dorfboyzz,...but I recently purchased a 1997 Beaver Monterey from the original owner and it came with all of the original manuals.

[Uncle Dave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorfboyzz I'm very happy to join this forum. Everyone seems very nice and not demeaning. My wife and I recently purchased our dream rig. We bought a 1997 36' diesel Beaver Monterey with only 14,000 miles. It is in mint condition with all the options that were available at that time I believe. However, it did not come with any manuals at all. I contacted Monaco and all the info they had was I blurred copy of the sales brochure. I did find out that it has a Cat 300hp, model 3126, an Allision MD3060 tranny and Reyco suspension. Without any manuals, i.e. operations, maintenance, engine, drivetrain, lubrication etc. I'm afraid that I could damage any part of the rig. So, I have scan the internet with limited success. Does anyone know what types of manuals or information this rig came with? Or where I could get that info or better yet, where I buy or download them. I don't want our dream to become our nightmare. We are starting to fulltime now. I know the unit was serviced completely 6000 mi. ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any possible help. Dorfboyzz

I just bought a 98 (built in 97) Monterey and I have a ridiculous amount of documentation with one exception the wattage of the roof panels. Ill look at my cat book and scan the page and post it up. Give me some time...


Uncle Dave