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Old 03-13-2008, 12:24 PM   #1
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I'm thinking of getting a new Beaver Contessa 40' with a 425 Cat engine. We are fulltimers and presently have a Newmar Mountainaire Class A. Any thoughts on the Beaver as to quality and dependability of coach.

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Old 03-13-2008, 12:24 PM   #2
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I'm thinking of getting a new Beaver Contessa 40' with a 425 Cat engine. We are fulltimers and presently have a Newmar Mountainaire Class A. Any thoughts on the Beaver as to quality and dependability of coach.

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Old 03-13-2008, 12:33 PM   #3
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Batman22...
Welcome to iRV2! You will get lots of great information from almost everyone here!
I am going to also link this down to the Monaco Forum where many of the Beaver people might be...
Again...welcome to iRV2. Please visit and post often....


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Old 03-13-2008, 05:49 PM   #4
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I'm anxious to hear the replies, Batman. We really liked the '08 Contessa we test drove at the Pomona FMCA rally last month. We were most impressed with the cabinet work inside.

What year is your Newmar? That rig is more in line with the Beaver Patriot Thunder if it is fairly new (400K range.) The Contessa would compete directly with the Dutch Star (300K range.) A Newmar is on our short list along with Monaco/Beaver. Any reason why you'd jump ship?

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Old 03-15-2008, 06:48 AM   #5
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I drove the Beaver and was pleased how it rode and handeld the crosswind. I was impressed with the woodwork until I looked inside the drawers and the bottoms were just thin paneling. There were a few other things I did'nt like after closer inspection...I'm staying with Newmar for sure, I guess I just had a senior moment but my wife set me straight. Thanks for your reply.
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Old 03-15-2008, 01:00 PM   #6
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What type of drawer bottoms does Newmar use? It's interesting that the thing Beaver brags most about (cabinetry) is what disappointed you! I'll have to start looking closer at the drawers.

I just went through one of my other favorites, a new Tiffin Allegro Bus, and the woodwork inside was not impressive at all.

Ughh!
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Old 03-15-2008, 01:20 PM   #7
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">What type of drawer bottoms does Newmar use? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Newmar is known for their cabinet construction.

The lower lines have vinyl covered cabinets, but I have all cherry cabinets.

The drawer bottoms in my Dutch Star are the same 1/8" to 3/16"? paneling that is used on the walls.

I have a couple of large drawers, and the bottoms are quite sufficient.

Highline may have different cabinet construction.
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Old 03-18-2008, 12:37 PM   #8
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The drawer bottoms in my coach are 3/8" thick, the same as the sides of the drawers..My coach is a 2003 Newmar.
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Old 03-18-2008, 12:40 PM   #9
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Once again we see a wide variety in RV construction.
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Old 03-19-2008, 11:17 AM   #10
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I haven't found any coach yet that has better wood work than the Monaco products. I was looking at the different coaches at the Rally last weekend and nothing compared to what Monaco puts in their products...Now to be fair I was only looking at coaches in the Dynasty class or better, but Newmar, Country Coach, nor any of the rest, rang my bell as far as cabinets go.
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Old 03-19-2008, 12:21 PM   #11
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This the first forum that I have ever joined and talked on so if I sound a little dumb at times, I'm nervous about offending someone..I think it's great that we have different likes & dislikes in coaches, it helps to see other opinions and it makes me look at things in another perspective. Thank You All for your comments..
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Old 03-19-2008, 01:39 PM   #12
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I`ve owned 2 Mountain Aires (1998 & 2002) Both had better wood work than my current Monaco,a 07 Camelot -- I have found several places where the Cherry Wood has split, & the fit & finish is not that good -- One of the big drawers split in so many places, that I threw it away, & made a new one out of maple plywood -- I live in AZ. & it does get hot inside the coach, but the Newmars were parked in the same place, & never a problem -- Bill Willard
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Old 03-19-2008, 01:59 PM   #13
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If I had an '07 that the wood had split I would be talking to Monaco and having them fix the problem...The wood in my '07 Dynasty is beautiful and so is the wood in my new '08 Signature. I have the natural cherry and love it.

Mama, you saw the woodwork in the Sig, how would you rate it...?
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Old 03-19-2008, 02:01 PM   #14
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Batman22, welcome to iRV2.

We're pretty casual here, so don't hesitate to join in.

Your opinion is just as valid as ours.

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