|
|
10-20-2016, 05:15 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,550
|
'06 / '07 Signature, Marquis or Essex
Hopefully our decision is coming down to the short strokes. But... you never know.
We am seeking opinions from those who know from personal experience how these three coaches compare - the Good, the Bad, the Ugly (?).
Assumptions (and yes I know that the following can't happen. But...) when comparing these three (3) coaches:
1. They have the same engine - at least a 500 HP diesel
2. All have similar mileage - about 50k to 60k
3. A 12,500 KW generator (Newmar uses a 12,000) with similar low hours
4. All are 45' (several are actually 44' or 44' 11")
5. All are located in a reasonable distance from our home (reasonable ??)
6. All have three (3) roof A/C Heat Pumps - 13,000 or 15,000
7. That they all have VERY SIMILAR equipment - or at least in our opinion they are similar enough for our evaluation
8. That a certified inspector has verified that they are all in very good to excellent condition
9. That we are happy with all of the layouts and accommodations
10. That we feel that the agreed to purchase price is acceptable to us (after almost two (2) years of this evaluation)
Hopefully I've covered all (most ?) of the salient points.
What I'm interested in from this IRV2 incredable source of knowledge is - your opinion!! I am very specifically NOT interested in offending one coach owner against another. I'm simply seeking knowledge from those who own or have owned these specific coaches and that would like to venture an opinion.
In advance, thanks for sharing.
__________________
2006 Monaco Signature 45' Commander IV ISX 600 & 12.5 KW Genset
2013 Avalanche toad
And a rather large and very hairy Bear for a traveling companion
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
10-20-2016, 05:25 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2016
Location: On the road, again
Posts: 432
|
You said same engine, does that mean same cummins model? or about the same Hp? I would worry about Cat in the 2007 timeframe, and Not all cummins model diesels have the same torque/ Hp and reliability...
Do they all have the same tranny?
__________________
posted from 2001 Monaco Exec 40DSFD, ISM 500
tags from the live free or die state, trailer - Z3 roadster on board
|
|
|
10-20-2016, 05:28 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,723
|
If they are in great shape, and have been well maintained, I dont think you could go wrong with any of those great coaches !!
__________________
Ben & Sharon
2008 43' Holiday Rambler Scepter PDQ
|
|
|
10-20-2016, 06:58 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,550
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kerryvan
You said same engine, does that mean same cummins model? or about the same Hp? I would worry about Cat in the 2007 timeframe, and Not all cummins model diesels have the same torque/ Hp and reliability...
Do they all have the same tranny?
|
500 HP and above all have the 4,000 tranny.
__________________
2006 Monaco Signature 45' Commander IV ISX 600 & 12.5 KW Genset
2013 Avalanche toad
And a rather large and very hairy Bear for a traveling companion
|
|
|
10-20-2016, 06:59 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,550
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide
If they are in great shape, and have been well maintained, I dont think you could go wrong with any of those great coaches !!
|
Agreed. But I'm interested in the differences and which is the best-of-the-best and why.
__________________
2006 Monaco Signature 45' Commander IV ISX 600 & 12.5 KW Genset
2013 Avalanche toad
And a rather large and very hairy Bear for a traveling companion
|
|
|
10-20-2016, 07:08 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2016
Location: On the road, again
Posts: 432
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just For Fun
500 HP and above all have the 4,000 tranny.
|
great tranny! but you did not answer the diesel Q, the reliability of the ISL, ISM, ISX are not the same. Cat 9, 12, 15, are very dif, the 15 is too big IMHO for rv due to weight, and very thirsty. There were some lawsuits against Cat, forget the details but it resulted in cat getting out of the over thge road market. Detroit had a solid diesel...
__________________
posted from 2001 Monaco Exec 40DSFD, ISM 500
tags from the live free or die state, trailer - Z3 roadster on board
|
|
|
10-20-2016, 08:28 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,702
|
I haven't owned either of theses coaches but here are some other things to think about.
The '06s will be pre-DPF.
The Sig and Marquis will be a straight front axle - not IFS. Not sure about the Essex.
The Marquis will have the nicest woodwork (matter of preference).
I'm guessing that more Sigs were built so you will have more to chose from.
__________________
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4328 K2
2017 Grand Cherokee Summit 5.7
2008 Beaver Contessa 40' Pacifica 425 Cat
|
|
|
10-20-2016, 10:54 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,550
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tankcj
I haven't owned either of theses coaches but here are some other things to think about.
The '06s will be pre-DPF.
The Sig and Marquis will be a straight front axle - not IFS. Not sure about the Essex.
The Marquis will have the nicest woodwork (matter of preference).
I'm guessing that more Sigs were built so you will have more to chose from.
|
"IFS (independent Front Suspension ?) as apposed to a Straight Front Axle?"
I'm a total non-tech. Can you explain the differences from the quality and ride perspective?
__________________
2006 Monaco Signature 45' Commander IV ISX 600 & 12.5 KW Genset
2013 Avalanche toad
And a rather large and very hairy Bear for a traveling companion
|
|
|
10-20-2016, 10:58 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,550
|
Also, I believe that the Signature has an "S Series" chassis and the Marque has a M 10 series (tag) chassis. SO the ride should be different.
But I've driven a '06 Beaver Patriot Thunder and it had a incredibly smooth ride.
__________________
2006 Monaco Signature 45' Commander IV ISX 600 & 12.5 KW Genset
2013 Avalanche toad
And a rather large and very hairy Bear for a traveling companion
|
|
|
10-21-2016, 07:50 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,702
|
I'm not totally sure but in those years I believe Beaver would have used the S series chassis for the Marquis. On my 2008 Beaver Contessa, it has the same chassis (RR8S) as the Camelot and Scepter.
Also, an IFS typically has a better ride than a straight axle but when I was test driving coaches I did not see (feel) that. It could have had something to do with the fact that these are not cars. They are large heavy coaches.
__________________
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4328 K2
2017 Grand Cherokee Summit 5.7
2008 Beaver Contessa 40' Pacifica 425 Cat
|
|
|
10-21-2016, 12:49 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: bis. nd
Posts: 1,124
|
most '07 models are on '06 chassis so pre def
__________________
2007 Alfa Gold!! model 1008. 400hp Freightliner, IFS!!
|
|
|
10-21-2016, 01:00 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kerryvan
great tranny! but you did not answer the diesel Q, the reliability of the ISL, ISM, ISX are not the same. Cat 9, 12, 15, are very dif, the 15 is too big IMHO for rv due to weight, and very thirsty. There were some lawsuits against Cat, forget the details but it resulted in cat getting out of the over thge road market. Detroit had a solid diesel...
|
Over 45,000 miles my ISX has averaged 7.6 mpg, that's about the same as the previous ISC 350 in a 15,000# lighter rig did!
And not all rigs that have CAT engines use the Allison transmission, some used a CAT 6 speed.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
|
|
|
10-21-2016, 01:03 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tankcj
I haven't owned either of theses coaches but here are some other things to think about.
The '06s will be pre-DPF.
The Sig and Marquis will be a straight front axle - not IFS. Not sure about the Essex.
The Marquis will have the nicest woodwork (matter of preference).
I'm guessing that more Sigs were built so you will have more to chose from.
|
Essex has always had IFS.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
|
|
|
10-21-2016, 02:13 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 798
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just For Fun
Hopefully our decision is coming down to the short strokes. But... you never know.
We am seeking opinions from those who know from personal experience how these three coaches compare - the Good, the Bad, the Ugly (?).
Assumptions (and yes I know that the following can't happen. But...) when comparing these three (3) coaches:
1. They have the same engine - at least a 500 HP diesel
2. All have similar mileage - about 50k to 60k
3. A 12,500 KW generator (Newmar uses a 12,000) with similar low hours
4. All are 45' (several are actually 44' or 44' 11")
5. All are located in a reasonable distance from our home (reasonable ??)
6. All have three (3) roof A/C Heat Pumps - 13,000 or 15,000
7. That they all have VERY SIMILAR equipment - or at least in our opinion they are similar enough for our evaluation
8. That a certified inspector has verified that they are all in very good to excellent condition
9. That we are happy with all of the layouts and accommodations
10. That we feel that the agreed to purchase price is acceptable to us (after almost two (2) years of this evaluation)
Hopefully I've covered all (most ?) of the salient points.
What I'm interested in from this IRV2 incredable source of knowledge is - your opinion!! I am very specifically NOT interested in offending one coach owner against another. I'm simply seeking knowledge from those who own or have owned these specific coaches and that would like to venture an opinion.
In advance, thanks for sharing.
|
Don't know about the Essex, but those Monaco coaches have the all steel semi-monocoque chassis which is extremely strong. My coach rides and drives like a dream and it does not have IFS. Don't know how it could make it any better than it is. The quality of the build in those year coaches is quite a bit different than what you see many of the manufacturers doing today. JMO
__________________
Randy & Kathy-n-Auggie
07 HR Navigator 43PBQ, 525hp Cummins ISX, 17 Ford Supercrew Ecoboost King Ranch 4x4
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|