To inspect or not

[FMFDOC]

I am traveling to Lazy Days RV in Seffner Florida next week to look at a 2004 Monaco Diplomat 40PAQ. If I decide to buy should I have an independant inspection done or rely on their inspection of the coach?
Thanks

[The General]

Hello FMFDOC,

I would post this question on the Monaco Forum.
I would get an independent rv mechanic to inspect the RV and if possible, see if a Monaco owner of a similar coach, living very close by, can give it a once over and ask for a short term all inclusive warranty.
If no warranty then look into Coach Net RV protection and see what they can cover for you.

Drive the Monaco yourself and check all of the systems with your expert before you sign on the dotted line and any items that need fixing must be written into the contract and completed immediately.

Steve Bernard
2008 Fleetwood Bounder 35E/Ford Triton V-10/30 valve

[oldtymer]

Hi Bruce from your cousin

I would suggest paying the extra money and get a independent inspection of the major components such as the drive train and chassie. The dealer, even though they may have a good reputation, will have a conflict of interest in wanting to sell the coach and may not check the coach as thoroughly as an independent inspector. I know this from experience when I bought my coach from Buddy Gregg. You definately want to know if you have to put any serious money into the coach before you sign the dotted line.

[Rex]

LazyDays has had a good reputation about fixing anything wrong with a coach before it is purchased. Ask for (demand) that same service after the sale for at least the first 90 days. Also stay in their RV park at least several days and use every system on the coach to make sure it is working. Do more than the normal road test of a mile or so. Put about 10 miles or more on it to get the feel of how it handles and if you can detect any problem by driving it. If it has the Aladdin system, know that parts are no longer available unless a dealer has them. Once they are gone from dealer stock, there will be no more. If the coach has an Aqua Hot, make sure it is working as it should and that takes some reading of the manuals to understand and determine. Stay in their park as long as you can to find things that need fixing. Once you are gone, it will be difficult to get them to repair anything unless you bring the coach back to them. If they offer an extended warranty, READ IT and see if it can be used out of Florida.

Hope you get a good coach and enjoy it. There will be a gathering of Monaco Owners at LazyDays RV park Feb 8-13. This is an informal rally but there will be lots of experienced owners there who could offer advice or even look the coach over.

[FMFDOC]

Thanks Rex I appreciate your input.

Bruce

[Monacoach]

Make sure they give you a free lunch at the crown club.

[Mike Canter]

Lazy Days has a real good program for checking RVs and I have never heard of a complaint yet. They give you the 30-90 days after you purchase it to have them fix what else you find wrong. I agree with staying at their RV park for a couple of days while you check things out. Disconnect the power and run on the batteries while there also and make sure all works while dry camping then run the genset and make sure all works.