We think we found the one for us!

[Cato1966]

We are Tim and Beth and have never owned a RV. We live in west Georgia, we are recent empty nesters and have been looking for a 38 to 40 foot RV that we liked for about 6 months. We read this forum every night and your posters knowledge is amazing.

Our budget is fairly open but we do not want to spend what the top shelf models are bringing. Being open to any year, make or model we are most drawn to the 2005 Monaco PAQ four slide floor plan with the six large windows in the front slide, drivers side kitchen, free standing dinette, toilet in a separate area from the shower and large common area. We know NOTHING about the build quality of any of the brand name builders coaches so we have looked thus far solely on layout and how well we liked it.

We are going to dive in head first and make the best of where ever this new freedom takes us. We drove down to a HUGE RV dealer in Tampa Bay and found an 05 Monaco Diplomat 40 PAQ. The unit has 22K miles, has the 400 ISL Cummins and seems to be in good shape and 2012 tires so we negotiated a price about 10 percent below NADA low retail and place a deposit down on it.

Seems that the early 05 cummins had some wrist pin issues which I am checking on the serial number on the engine to see if this coach is affected. I have also heard an update is available for the fuel pressure rail on the engine and an update on the norcold refrigerator. We are purchasing a 48 month exclusive warranty with the coach from the dealer.

We would love any input you may have concerning this model coach for beginners and any opinions on anything we should look for being uninformed newbees.

Thank you all in advance!

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Tim & Beth! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[JohnRR]

Wish I could help you but that's not in the cards, good luck with your choice.

[DieselTech39]

Tim and Beth, Glad you're aboard. Best of luck with your new to you rig. Make sure to read the extended coverage to make sure it covers the things you expect it to cover. Enjoy your adventures and be safe.

[beamisl]

Cato1066. Go to the top of the page and to the Owner's Forum. There is a Monaco heading there. You should find all the answers you have questions to there. I also have been looking at the Monacos, but really like the Damon floor plans. Most on here say to look for the floor plan you like and go from there. Lot of good info here and I think the owners of Monacos would be your best bet.

Good luck and happy trails! You are going to love this! Lynne

[Fred1609]

Welcome Tim and Beth.....Good luck with your search and choice. The only thing I would suggest is check out the dealership that you intend to deal with.... most are good and some not so good.

Safe and Happy Travels.

[Hudgens]

Welcome to the irv2 gang, Tim & Beth! Glad you decided to jump on board!

You have good advice from Beamisl about the Owners Forums. You can also look in that general area for the Search function. You can search the whole site or you can search within a specific forum or thread. Folks here are really knowledgeable and helpful. I'm sure you'll find lots of useful info.

Good luck with your search and purchase!

[Medico]

Welcome and glad to meet you!

[Chiefbvfd]

Welcome to the forum and the RV lifestyle......

[Benji2]

Welcome to the forum Glad you have joined us . The best place on the web for what ever you need to know about the lifestyle .With the friendliness bunch of people you will ever meet .And congrats on the new rig ! Safe travels and many memories .

[myshaggydog]

Welcome to the Forum and the RV family. We hope you have many wonderful camping adventures. Best of luck.

Happy RV'ing

[Ramets]

Greetings. One thing I would mention is you don't have to purchase an extended warranty from the dealer. I would check www.wholesalewarranties.com and compare prices. Dealers will usually mark them up to increase the profit margin. There are other warranty companies available, but one I WOULDN'T recommend is Good Sam. I've read too many horror stories about them. In fact I have one also. You might want to get an independent inspector to look at the coach. AND anything found that needs fixing, get it done BEFORE you take it off the lot. They'll usually say just make a list of things that need attention and bring it back. Now you have to be inconvenienced by altering any plans you may of had to take it back. They'll be much more inclined to take care of anything while it's still on the lot. We dove in headfirst as you mentioned over 4 1/2yrs. ago, and wouldn't change a thing.

[topdownman]

Welcome! Some Monaco's (I'm not sure which) had problems with trailing arms breaking. Just make sure yours isn't one of those. I think it was only the 4-bag chassis that had the issue.

[ZOOKER]

Welcome to the forum. owner of a Monaco gas. the dealer will make a difference only to some degree just my experience. they should have done an inspection to find out what works and what didn't maybe? keep in mind unless they have spent a night or 2 in it they may not know of some lurking issue. they should do a complete walk through and show you everything and how it works..good luck remembering everything. make sure you get all the manuals for everything you will find them very helpful. take a short trip and stay a day or 2 testing,checking and using everything. if you find an issue you are at least close to home. Warranty i agree read and take your glasses for the fine print. after much reading we purchased an extended warranty on line from Wholesale Warranties,Coach-Net and extended tire plan in a package. they sent a tech out to do an inspection before offering the warranty. there are others out there some may even better? hope i never use it. buying on line could save you some $$. good luck,enjoy and happy trails