Would you buy a used Monaco?

[H. Miller]

Originally Posted by WanderingKat

How firm is a firm ride in a MH? would electronics need to be specially stored?

We have the RR8R frame with 15,000 miles under our belts - nothing is ever stowed/tied down - nothing moves - ever! Not so much as a door has ever opened. Computers on tables do not move. They may become missiles in the event of a head on crash but with only a fiberglass shell and a few instruments in front to "protect" you (assuming a DP), missiles would be a minor inconvenience.

[Bentley]

In the central part of the US where I live, it is hard to find good values in used Diesel motor homes. All the manufacturers you mentioned build good products and it would depend on the age, care and current condition of the RV before I would buy. I happened by chance to purchase a Monaco Windsor this time back in February from a local dealer and I am very satisfied and would do it again. I was previously owner of two Fleetwood motor homes and had reasonably good luck with them, however they were both gas coaches and did not perform as well as the diesel. Owning a motor home requires a commitment of time and money to keep them operating effectively. Best of luck.

[HJLowell]

We could NOT be Happier

1999 Monaco Signature

Stored inside sense new
Never winterized as the storage was heated
450 Cummings purrrrrs all day long

for assurance we installed All new batteries
All fluids and filters, Lube job refreshed and new.
the tires are good and she rides Like a ????? better than a Buick or Lexus

Trip's to N.J. Two times, West Virginia and Tenn. were a delight this fall.

[Windecker]

Curious, I have a 1999 Sig also, 40 Signature slide single rear axle (no tag) with the 450 Cummins. I also am happy!
Wonder if we have the same coach
Windecker

Originally Posted by John Haggard

We could NOT be Happier

1999 Monaco Signature

Stored inside sense new
Never winterized as the storage was heated
450 Cummings purrrrrs all day long

for assurance we installed All new batteries
All fluids and filters, Lube job refreshed and new.
the tires are good and she rides Like a ????? better than a Buick or Lexus

Trip's to N.J. Two times, West Virginia and Tenn. were a delight this fall.

[Dynasty_09]

I bought a 2009 Monaco Cayman after 10 years in a Rexhall Aerbus. I tried a 2008 Kountry star for a weekend and prefer the layout, fit & finish of the Monaco.

Yes, I know, they went bankrupt but who cares the warranty is only 1 year on mostly everything.

So, I paid less, loves it and will do many modifications/improvements in it but I'm very satisfied with the support I receive from Monaco and the folks on iRV2.

Good luck in your search.

[RVNeophytes2]

Originally Posted by Windecker

Once the decision was made to give it a shot we rode in or test drove several MH . I drove a Spartan, then a Freighliner, then the Roadmaster... I have to say, not to beat up on anyone products but the Spartan rode better than the Freightliner and the Roadmaster kicked those two's butts.

I'm with you all the way! While I love the way my Spartan rides, like its on rails and virtually invulnerable to gusts; but the Roadmaster is superior. The three Roadmasters I tested actually felt just as nice as a 15 year old Prevost I recently drove.

[HJLowell]

Originally Posted by Windecker

Curious, I have a 1999 Sig also, 40 Signature slide single rear axle (no tag) with the 450 Cummins. I also am happy!
Wonder if we have the same coach
Windecker

iRV2 Forums - View Profile: John Haggard

42, with tag

10 air bags

other than that. it is the same coach Windecker

and 10 new kohni shocks

[Windecker]

I can honestly say I can't see the need for shocks so please tell me, did you notice some sort of difference after the change, if so what?
Thanks
Windecker
P.S. you have a center entrance door, I like those!

Originally Posted by John Haggard

iRV2 Forums - View Profile: John Haggard

42, with tag

10 air bags

other than that. it is the same coach Windecker

and 10 new kohni shocks

[Neptunes]

Originally Posted by mythplaced

They (Monaco LLC) have tacitly accepted acknowledgement of the presence of this defect by producing a more "robust" replacement arm...And I'm sure of several customer complaints received as well...

By terms of the assets acquisition, they (MonacoLLC or Navistar) do not "have" to do anything to repair the acknowledged defect....BUT

Am I alone in thinking that they have a "moral", "ethical", or at minimum, "customer satisfaction" responsibility to warn the owners of these chassis, that at any time their trailing arms might break and cause significant damage to their RV (at minimum) or even break and cause the driver to lose control and be killed??? (worst case)

They have the records of ownership and could easily notify all owners of record...

To not do so (a $0.45 stamp) is reprehensible and morally criminal, in my opinion.

I can hear the arguement in court right now...

"The plaintiff acknowledges to the court that Monaco LLC has no fiduciary responsibility to correct product defects from products manufacted prior to the aquisition of Monaco, by Monaco LLC,

but Do you mean to tell me Mr. X, that your company had in its posession:

• the knowledge of this defect,
• the knowledge of a way to correct the defect,
• the name and contact information of the victim,

and your company did NOTHING to warn the victim of the imminent dangers present?"

I would not by a light bulb from this company. They are complete SCUMM!!!!

[itdave]

I think the post from Neptunes reflect someone who bought a coach with trailing arm problems. But before he condemns the new Monaco he should look into the facts. the Old Monaco did issue a recall notice in 2005 to owners of record of 2002 to 2005 coaches with the suspect trailing arms. With just one Google inquire I was able to pull up a lot of data on the trailing arms so if a buyer of a used coach did due diligence he would know about the issue. Here is a link to a Navistar tech tip on the trailing arms issue.

[Neptunes]

Yes, I have an 06 purchased before this issue came to light.
Pure and simple, Monaco declared bankruptcy to avoid liability and a massive recall. Same company as before, just a new name.
The navistar tech tip on this issue is a joke. Anyone who believes that bull, please contact me as I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.

[DC Cruiser]

They are not the same company at all. Navistar is the company behind the New Monaco and they are in no way associated with the old Monaco.

CHEERS

[HJLowell]

Originally Posted by Windecker

I can honestly say I can't see the need for shocks so please tell me, did you notice some sort of difference after the change, if so what?
Thanks
Windecker
P.S. you have a center entrance door, I like those!

yes, the side entrance door allows us to enter on the granite in the kitchen area. so for bringing in groceries and such. a nice set up for sure.

the shocks. ? 99,000 miles
she rides great.
But I am an update maintenance guy.

[Windecker]

Thanks John, I am an airplane mechanic so I understand the whole maintenance thing
If I am lucky enough to survive this economy I hope to upgrade to a newer coach with the side door down the road. Not really fond of having a 1999 model year coach but it was just such a nice coach for the money it made perfect sense. Now I don't want anything other than a Sig, IE spoiled!

As per this discussion, once you have one and notice all the little things Monaco did, then look at replacing it with something else, you will find a lot of, well lesser quality "things" in them. Not saying there are not wonderful coaches made by others, just saying it is tough to beat the Monaco. Depends on your standards and what you have to spend I guess.
Windecker
P.S. They ALL break and need service.

Originally Posted by John Haggard

yes, the side entrance door allows us to enter on the granite in the kitchen area. so for bringing in groceries and such. a nice set up for sure.

the shocks. ? 99,000 miles
she rides great.
But I am an update maintenance guy.