2009 Monaco Diplomat 41SKQ

[777 Driver]

We're planning to take delivery of a new 2009 Monaco Diplomat 41SKQ later this month. Here's a picture:






For more than 5 years, my wife & I have been looking forward to this adventure. I expect to retire in the summer/fall of 2011; until then, we really won't have time for any trip longer than about a week. So, we're hoping to get all the "bugs" worked out before our first epic journey.

Following retirement, we’ll be free for a Fall adventure. We're thinking that it would be nice to head for the Atlantic coast down near Norfolk and turn north, hugging the coast to New England. There's a ferry from Lewes, DE to Cape May, NJ that looks like fun. IF I can get enough courage, we'll continue across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge onto Long Island and then ferry from Orient Point up to New London, CT. Drive north through New England until it gets cold enough that we want to turn south. We did, a few years ago, happen upon a huge Celtic Festival on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia in early October. It's an annual event; might be fun to do that again! Then, back home to Virginia until we've had enough of winter. When we've got a good weather window, I'd like to head south for a couple of months. We really like Charleston and have friends in Florida.

Summer of 2012 will start the big adventure! We both grew up in Montana and have family & friends throughout the Pacific Northwest. We’ll spend the summer and fall out there. Probably leave the motorhome there for the winter. The next spring ('13), we'll go get everything ready for Alaska. We’re planning northbound using the ferry system along the coast as soon as the weather is good enough. Then, drive as far north as Fairbanks. Our Southbound journey will be back through the Yukon Territories, British Columbia & Alberta (Jasper, Banff, Glacier) by the end of summer.

So, that's as far as we've mapped out, yet.

We look forward to meeting many of you as we enjoy this adventure!

Stu & Cindy

[deadeye916]

Nice looking rig

Sounds like some great plans you have made...

[Pappy2Camp]

very nice! good for you!

envy your upcoming retirement

safe travels

[leedowney]

Enjoy that retirement. You're off to a good start.

[777 Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadeye916 Nice looking rig Sounds like some great plans you have made...

Thanks, Dan & Jan.

12 days until we take delivery & spend our first 4 nights aboard.

Lots and lots to learn!

Take care,
Stu & Cindy

[777 Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappy2Camp very nice! good for you! envy your upcoming retirement safe travels

Thanks, Pappy2Camp.

I never thought we'd look forward to retirement so much!

Take care,
Stu & Cindy

[777 Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leedowney Enjoy that retirement. You're off to a good start.

Thanks Lee & Ginger.

We're looking forward to the adventure!

Take care,
Stu & Cindy

[hardy1000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 777 Driver We're planning to take delivery of a new 2009 Monaco Diplomat 41SKQ later this month. Here's a picture: For more than 5 years, my wife & I have been looking forward to this adventure. I expect to retire in the summer/fall of 2011; until then, we really won't have time for any trip longer than about a week. So, we're hoping to get all the "bugs" worked out before our first epic journey. Following retirement, we’ll be free for a Fall adventure. We're thinking that it would be nice to head for the Atlantic coast down near Norfolk and turn north, hugging the coast to New England. There's a ferry from Lewes, DE to Cape May, NJ that looks like fun. IF I can get enough courage, we'll continue across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge onto Long Island and then ferry from Orient Point up to New London, CT. Drive north through New England until it gets cold enough that we want to turn south. We did, a few years ago, happen upon a huge Celtic Festival on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia in early October. It's an annual event; might be fun to do that again! Then, back home to Virginia until we've had enough of winter. When we've got a good weather window, I'd like to head south for a couple of months. We really like Charleston and have friends in Florida. Summer of 2012 will start the big adventure! We both grew up in Montana and have family & friends throughout the Pacific Northwest. We’ll spend the summer and fall out there. Probably leave the motorhome there for the winter. The next spring ('13), we'll go get everything ready for Alaska. We’re planning northbound using the ferry system along the coast as soon as the weather is good enough. Then, drive as far north as Fairbanks. Our Southbound journey will be back through the Yukon Territories, British Columbia & Alberta (Jasper, Banff, Glacier) by the end of summer. So, that's as far as we've mapped out, yet. We look forward to meeting many of you as we enjoy this adventure! Stu & Cindy

Congrats Stu & Cindy, She's a beauty

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Monaco made great rigs. Congrats to you two. We've been full timing for almost 4 years, you guys are going to love it.
Cheers

[blyons]

We're looking at a 2011 Monaco and would love to know how your 2009 is working out. Everything good? Any problems? Have you had to deal with Monaco service? How was that experience?

Hope all is well and you are having a ball.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Signed, Still looking in Houston

[gasser 38]

Sweet looking congrats on the coach and retirement! Happy trails

[777 Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blyons We're looking at a 2011 Monaco and would love to know how your 2009 is working out. Everything good? Any problems? Have you had to deal with Monaco service? How was that experience? Hope all is well and you are having a ball. Thanks in advance for any info. Signed, Still looking in Houston

So far, so good.

We had a couple of minor issues that were all addressed, to our satisfaction, by the dealer.

We haven't had any dealings, yet, with any manufacturer service other than at the dealership.

Since our coach is a pre-bankruptcy manufactured coach, it doesn't have a traditional warranty. The dealer did include an insurance policy that covers (to my understanding) everything that would have been covered by a traditional warranty.

Since you're looking at a post-bankruptcy coach, I'd guess that Navistar should provide excellent warranty service for thier new coaches.

If you haven't done it, you might want to read some of the Monaco bankruptcy related threads. I think you'll find a degree of disappointment among the pre-bankruptcy owners who had outstanding warranty issues when Monaco declared bankruptcy. Many of them found their warranty claims unpaid during the bankruptcy process. Since they didn't have insurance to cover those repairs (why would anyone purchase insurance to cover something that should be covered by the manufacturer warranty?), they ended up out of pocket for those repairs.

That shouldn't be an issue for you if you buy a 2011 model.

Good luck in your search!

Take care,
Stu & Cindy

[777 Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasser 38 Sweet looking congrats on the coach and retirement! Happy trails

Thanks for your kind wishes!

Not retired, yet. Got another year, or so, until we can pursue those "Happy Trails" for more than a few days at a time.

So far, we're loving the coach. It seems to be just about exactly what we want. It should be quite comfortable for us to spend a few months at a time on the road.

Take care,
Stu & Cindy

[Catch and Release]

Stu,

I retired 4 years ago from a major airline (B767) and bought a MH. There are some safety items you should look into that as a airline pilot you would understand the issues. Tire pressure monitoring and electrical surge and power monitoring systems. Both have saved me twice in 4 years.

Don