1999 Monaco Diplomat 36B

[Gommo]

Hi ...

My wife and I are looking to purchase our first motorhome. Our two finalists include an older Monaco DP and a somewhat newer gas Coachmen. Here's the link to the Monaco:

Monaco 1999 36B

It is very clean, but has about 80K miles. I'm posting this to ask opinions about this vintage Monaco.

The 2004 Coachmen Aurora Gold has about 35K miles and looks like it never left the showroom.

Both floorplans work for us, with a slight nod to the Coachmen. I have heard a few unflattering comments about Coachmen in terms of quality of build and reliability.

I will appreciate your comments.

Larry

[Dixieray53]

All RV' s will have issues. As long as it fits floor plan and financially, go for it. The coach is 15 years old. Things are gonna break no matter who made it.

Best
Dickson

[jacwjames]

80K miles on a 1999 DP coach isn't high miles provided it has been maintained. Do you have access to any maintenance records, has it adhered to the recommended services for engine, transmission, generator.

If you are not capable of evaluating the integrity of the coach I would suggest having it inspected. I would check history of engine, if you take it to a Cummins shop they could run diagnostics and also confirm if there are any major problems or historic fault codes. Same thing with the Allison transmission & generator.

Last thing would be to check date codes on tires, anything over 7 years should be changed.

Good Luck

[vsheetz]

What is your intended use of the Motorhome? This can help guide the decision between gas or diesel.

[Gorlininc]

I have a 2001 diplomat. Just finished my third 8 month trip out west. It turned 132K miles trouble free. If the one you are looking at checks out. I would have no problem buying it at the right price. Don't over pay.

[96 Wideglide]

i'm guessing the Coachman is a gas MH ?
Dont make the mistake many of us have. Buy the diesel pusher! !!

[Papa_Jim]

Take a real careful look at the seam where the roof and sidewall meet. In the picture, it looks like the wall behind the slide all the way to the back of the coach has delamination, possibly caused by that roof to wall seam leaking.

If that entire wall has delamination, I'd walk away from this coach.

Jim

[96 Wideglide]

Wow..... Just looked at the link !
That whole wall is delaminated. Forget that one!!

[adamfolger]

I just bought a 2001 Dynasty. They are some of the best built rigs ever made if well maintained. But don't buy that one at any price. Cant fix the delamination for less than mega bucks. There are lots of Monacos out there in those years. 98-07. I would advise two slides at least. I made the no slide mistake on my 1st purchase. RVT.com has lots of Monacos for sale.

[adamfolger]

1999 Monaco Diplomat 38a, Class A - Diesel RV For Sale in Banning, California | Ray's RV Sales & Service Con07614 | RVT.com - 93800 This one is in Calif but you get the idea. They are everywhere...