Community Forums

Mark_m · 12-01-2023, 06:26 PM

I’m looking at a 2016 Monaco Dynasty. Trying to find any online groups for that era and not having much luck.

Seems like Monaco groups are really geared to the pre-bankruptcy era, and they never restarted the brand after shutting down production in 2020 for covid.

Very concerned that I would be buying an orphan!

I read somewhere that they are rebadged American Coaches or Holiday Ramblers. Any truth to that? And if so what is the comparable AC or HR?

Any recommendations on groups for these coaches.

gsgriffin · 12-02-2023, 05:04 AM

Monaco purchased Holiday Rambler from Harley Davidson back in 1996 and then Safari in 2001. It doesn't mean they were exactly the same inside and out and just badged differently. Still had slight differences, but very close in certain years.

What I personally like of that golden era Monaco was their chassis. They made a wonderful chassis (Roadmaster RR8S) specific for their motorhome and not just slapping a motorhome shell on a truck chassis. I think most of us early 2000's Monaco fans are starting with that as the basis for our love. In addition, my Cummins 330ISC is a beast and reliable.

I met a gentleman at an RV park that had a brand new, expensive, BIG Tiffin. He was walking around with a Monaco jacket on. I spoke with him for a bit and he stated that he wished he never sold his earlier Monaco and loved it more than his new rig. He was having problem after problem with the new rig. Not all Tiffins have constant problems. Not all Monaco's are problem free.

Of course, they all can have problems. There is no perfect, problem free, works forever class A motorhome manufacturer. Engines are different, chassis, features, headroom, basement space, etc... You'll get all kinds of advice here from everyone who has purchased. Some strong supporters of their brand and years, because they had good experiences. Then you have those who strongly recommend against that brand and years because they had a bad experience.

I can only testify to the 2004 Monaco Diplomat. I've owned it for 7 years and now have gone full-time in it for the last 2 years. It is "right for us". That is probably the best way to look at it. Our rig would be wrong for others.

If you are looking now for a first-time class A, I personally would look at it like this:

1) Purpose:
a) Drive lots of miles for many months at a time or even go full-time?
b) Short excursions for a few weeks at a time and couple times a year?
c) Family or just a couple?

2) Appearances:
a) You want everyone to see a beautiful, new, flashy motorhome
b) You don't care if you have the newest, shiniest rig on the road

3) Money:
a) You have a lot of play money and plan to pay for all service, upgrades and repairs and don't care
b) You have a budget and want something reliable and plan to do service and repairs as much as you can yourself to save thousands of dollars a year (or more)

Then the results:
If you want shiny and new looking and can afford maintenance and repairs done by others and have lots of money to buy, then go new and expect to pay more up front and perhaps more through the years, but you will look good doing it. Flashy new feature that may work well and may cost a fortunate to repair when they break.

If you want utility, time-tested, durable, want to do some maintenance and repairs yourself, don't care as much about flash (can still look good) but have a larger support community from the hordes of people who own one like yours, then get a 2003-2008 Monaco.

I know that these kinds of evaluations and model perspectives brings a lot of heated discussion. Everyone is welcome to throw their experience and perspective into the mix. Nobody is wrong. We are all just sharing the way we see it, how it has played out for us, and how we would go about it if doing it over again. This is my take.

For me, if doing it over, I'd be looking for a 2004-2008 Monaco Diplomat DST...the floorplan is what is most important for us. Don't care about how new or flashy or feature. Love 1.5 bath and can't imagine living without it. After two years full-time, we are perfectly comfortable and lacking nothing. Of course, I've done a lot of repairs and even more upgrades all myself. I enjoy that. Very low cost of maintenance. Never had to take it in for repairs as I have been able to do it all myself, to this point.

jacwjames · 12-02-2023, 02:20 PM

Not sure which Holiday Rambler coach would be equivalent to the Dynasty, I did a quick look and I didn't see any with Tag axle but I didn't look at each model in depth.
That being said, a 2016 is a ~7 year old coach but most of the systems are still supported and REV does maintain a website for parts etc. I'm sure they would provide technical assistance since they were still producing the Dynasty through 2018.

Lots of orphaned coaches out there and lots of people willing to help solve a problem.

I guess you have to decide if it is worth the effort to buy and own. It helps if you are a DIY'er and willing to get your hands dirty. If I didn't do pretty much all my own maintenance I couldn't afford to own my 2002 Windsor

Rusty Kramer · 12-02-2023, 07:53 PM

There has been some cussing and discussing on facebook groups about the new Rev Dynasty's.
I think an owner of one said that is was a good coach and that Rev hired one of the Legacy Monaco Engineers to help with it.

Sounds like they could be nice. I have read that they are similar to the American Coach line but I don't know for sure. Those are pretty good rigs from what I understand.

I am not sure how many of them were made but my guess is you would be in a pretty small owners group.

I would call Rev and try to get some info on them if you are interested in them.