Community Forums

FredFB · 01-17-2019, 08:40 AM

I am looking at a 2005 Beaver Marquis Opal.Looks real good but would love any advice or input. Thanks in advance!

Golfer Guy · 01-17-2019, 09:05 AM

Fred that would be a fabulous coach as the Beavers are well respected coaches and the Marquis is the top of the line. We have an 06 and just love it. IMHO 2005 and 06 were the sweet spot in that vintage of Beaver. Get a good inspection done, hopefully it works out. We are in Surprise AZ and there are a lot of Beavers here where we stay for the winter. Beaver Coach Sales and Service in Bend, OR can answer many of the Beaver specific questions you may have as well as the Beaver Ambassador Club has very good support as well.

Where are you located?

Steve

CountryB · 01-17-2019, 09:29 AM

Well, I 'm a Beaver owner so I'm a little biased, but IMO, that is the best coach in it's class out there.

Its the top of the line Beaver, and the 2005 with CAT C13 will not have the emissions devices (the ARD head or DPF) that was horrible on the 2007-10 cat engines.

If the coach is in good condition and mechanically sound, I don't think you can find a better coach.

To be fair, the C13 engine is not the best regarding fuel economy. Expect around 5.5 mpg. But as far as longevity and power - it can't be beat.

MSHappyCampers · 01-17-2019, 10:57 AM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Not familiar with that rig so can't help. Noticed that you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Ivylog · 01-17-2019, 11:15 AM

As a former Beaver owner the biggest complaint at the Beaver Rallies was the big decrease in mpg of the 04-06 rigs. Mechanical issues started with the 07 and latter engines but a lot of 07 rigs still had 06 engines...Monaco bought up a bunch of extra 06 engines. It is on the excellent handling RR10S Monaco chassis with the most beautiful woodwork of any MH.

As you can see below I’m a fan of the RR10S chassis that is no longer built. Only Prevost, Newell, and Foretravel still use the more expensive 10 airbags.

vito.a · 01-17-2019, 12:58 PM

The Beaver Marquis is the top of the line Beaver Coach and very similar to the Monaco Signature. Monaco purchased Safari and Beaver coach in 2002, so most of this coach will be Monaco. Beaver coaches used Caterpillar power. Most Marquis models have the Cat C13 but some have the Cat C15. Both are very reliable engines and very powerful. Just check the trip meter mpg as some Cats are thristy.

The chassis (Magnum) should be almost identical to the Roadmaster RR10S with 10 airbags and 10 shocks. The radiator is on the drivers side. There may be some minor Beaver unique differences.

The interior wood work is the finest ever installed in a motor coach. Beaver is famous for fine wood inlays. Some of the old Monaco folks say Monaco purchased Beaver just to aquire the hardwood supply and manufacturing facility.

If you are not familiar with these high end coaches, I would hire a professional inspector who is. I would also suggest engine oil samples as well as Trans and rear axle oil samples.

Best of luck!

Smitty77 · 01-17-2019, 04:13 PM

They were the top of the food chain in Monaco of that era, IMO Signature Equivalent and the Holiday Rambler Navigator. Well built, solid chassis for good handling, if not the most compliant soft ride. (Think BMW vs floating era Caddie'r suspensions.)

The C13 525HP, probably 1650 Lbs Torque coupled with the Allison 4000 - is a power train combo you'll never need to apologize for. And yep, they do drink a bit more fuel then other higher output engines. (ISM and DD Series 60 have a bit less power rating, and torque - but usually yield a higher MPG. And as I recall, their a lighter weight engine too, which may contribute some to the MPG.).

If the coach checks out, and receipts are all good on maintenance, and PDI as well as Analysis samples all come back good. Then it comes down to if you like the layout of the coach...

Beaver Marquis were on our short list. We test drove one being sold from an estate, but it had sadly been neglected - so we kept on looking.

If you end up still looking, the Beaver's a bit older, had the C12 in them. A bit less power, but much better MPG.

But the reality of overall coach ownership, is that MPG and fuel burn is one of the lower costs items of coach ownership

!

Best to you,
Smitty

vito.a · 01-17-2019, 04:14 PM

Here is a link to the 2005 Beaver Marquis brochure.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...slDnzyfzIv6Bj2

CountryB · 01-18-2019, 06:46 AM

[Mod Edit]

I found/saved this old Beaver brochure on the 2005 Beaver line (although it is actually showing 2004 info/cost for the Marquis (and Patriot) as the HP went from 505 to 525 for 2005 year.

The coach you are looking at was selling for around $490,000 in 2005. So in today's dollars that would cost around $600K. Comparing to current coach models there are only a couple that cost more (such as Prevost, Newell which are million+ dollars). Point being that the Marquis was very top end when it was being offered.

https://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/...on-adjustment/

MSHappyCampers · 01-19-2019, 10:44 AM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I'm not familiar with that coach but noticed you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

HJLowell · 01-26-2019, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryB

I provided my opinion on this coach in your other thread (Class A forum), but I thought you might find it interesting to know the cost of this coach and how it would compare to the cost of a new coach in today's dollars.

I found/saved this old Beaver brochure on the 2005 Beaver line (although it is actually showing 2004 info/cost for the Marquis (and Patriot) as the HP went from 505 to 525 for 2005 year.

The coach you are looking at was selling for around $490,000 in 2005. So in today's dollars that would cost around $600K. Comparing to current coach models there are only a couple that cost more (such as Prevost, Newell which are million+ dollars). Point being that the Marquis was very top end when it was being offered.

https://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/...on-adjustment/

Plus 10 to CountryBs post.

Give it a good look.

You will be delighted over time.