Help!! Am I crazy to do this???

[JOHNSON]

Hi All
I am about to trade my 1998 34 Holiday rambler 5er and my 1999 f350 crew cab,Dually, 4x4,7.3 diesel 112,000 miles on it in towards an older but very nice class A pusher. The pusher is a 1993 Monaco crown royale signiture with around 45,000 miles on it. The Monaco is fully loaded and in mint condition. Its going to cost me $24000 with my trade. Am I getting into a maintenance nightmare with a older coach like this???? I am handy and I will do all fluids and lubes but how are the front-ends,brakes,ect. and other maintenance. The wife and I really would like to drive in a coach instead of the 5er. Any thoughts or comments are welcome. Thanks John

[JOHNSON]

Hi All
I am about to trade my 1998 34 Holiday rambler 5er and my 1999 f350 crew cab,Dually, 4x4,7.3 diesel 112,000 miles on it in towards an older but very nice class A pusher. The pusher is a 1993 Monaco crown royale signiture with around 45,000 miles on it. The Monaco is fully loaded and in mint condition. Its going to cost me $24000 with my trade. Am I getting into a maintenance nightmare with a older coach like this???? I am handy and I will do all fluids and lubes but how are the front-ends,brakes,ect. and other maintenance. The wife and I really would like to drive in a coach instead of the 5er. Any thoughts or comments are welcome. Thanks John

[Novi]

Well, diesels are supposed to last a long time and the chassis is stronger than a gas motorhome. My last MH was 13 years old, gas, and had 135,000 miles on it and was still going strong. It would seem to me there should be many miles and years left on it. IMO.

[GStream40]

I would want to view the maintenance records and talk to the previous owner if possible.

I would also want to have it checked over by a mechanic before purchase to get his opinion.

But with just 45k on it, as long as the oil/filter changes were done on the engine and tranny, it should be in good condition.

I am sure that you are aware on the benefits of a diesel pusher and how to maintain the diesel since you have owned your Powerstroke. Make sure you check the walls/fiberglass for signs of delamination and softness indicating possible water leak.

The Crown Royale Signature I believe is a luxury coach in the Monaco line, is it not?

Sounds like a fair deal if everything is in good condition.

Ron

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

You didn't state what the length was, nor which engine the coach has. Some of the early diesels were underpowered by quite abit. If it's in the 39 to 40-foot range and has a 300 or less horsepower, be sure and give it a good road test. Once loaded and pulling a toad you may not be happy with it's pulling power especially in the hills and mountains.

A good friend of mine has a '96 Monaco Navigator, top o' the line in that year. It's 40-ft and has a 300 hp cummings and my 36-ft gasser will easily out perform it in the foothills and mountains.

Just some thoughts...

[BIGRED1]

I have a 9 page checklist for inspecting a used RV. If you'd like a copy send an email to me; ghillix@comcast.net. If you live in the Atlanta area I can give you the names of a couple of guys who could inspect it for you. It also might be worth your time to contact Monaco(contact info on their website) and inquire about parts availability for this coach and its onboard systems.

[JOHNSON]

Thanks for all the great advise so far!! It is a 38 foot with a cummins 300hp and a allison tranny. Hey big red thanks for the offer of the checklist but I will be inspecting tommorrow so if you can get it to me now at jhellmet@optonline.com that would be great,If not I am pretty good at climbing in,out and under everything in a coach. I have had a class-c, a class b,a travel trailer and my 5er,but never a class a. I think the visability of the large windscreen would be nice to drive. And the airbag suspension would be much nicer than the f350 and 5er combo. Is it harder to back into a campsite than my 5er combo?? Thanks John

[Novi]

I would think it would be easier.

[GStream40]

I found that our 40' motorhome is easier to back into a site than the 36' 5er that we used to have.

Ron

[Miles]

Would be interested in what you decide. The wife and I are thinking about going the same route. Trading in the TV and 5er on DP mh.

[The Woodieboys]

We just did the same thing. Traded in my 04 GMC dually and 37' CrossRoads RV 5er on a new Fourwinds Windsport 36A for just the same reason Johnson mentioned.

We've had it a month, use it three times and it is definately easier on the body during the trip.

[troth]

Johnson, just my two cents, but that coach is already 14 years old! And you're thinking of paying about $50K in the end? I'd rethink it...
JMHO.

[JOHNSON]

Hi Troth
The way I see it is I have in the mid $50,000 to spend. That buys me a late model gasser(No way im going gas!!!)or a reallllllly low end late model diesel pusher. I would rather have a top of the line well built early model with airbag susp., tile floor,solid wood cab.,10k diesel gen,bus style basment,ice maker,washer dryer,ect. than a late model cheapoo pusher thats all over the road with compressed board interior. I think the early model,top of the line coaches from Monaco,Holiday Rambler,Newmar ect. are well engineered and well built to go another 20 or 30 years. Any thoughts???

[troth]

Well, I have no quarrel about the earlier diesel coaches being built well. And the Monaco sure fits that bill. I'm just thinking there's a lot of diesel pusher fish in the sea, and that $50k seemed high to me for a '93.
But hey, I don't own one and it'll be years until I can justify having one. Good Luck.