Community Forums

DanB327 · 04-15-2025, 11:34 AM

My wife and I have jumped in with both feet and bought a Class A RV to start our retirement adventure.
I want things to go as smoothly as possible of course so any tips are greatly appreciated.
We bought a 2006 Monaco Knight PLQ so anyone with knowledge of this model please share your insights, do's and don'ts.
We have 8 months before we fully retire and make the complete transition to the RV lifestyle. Cannot wait to get started.

3pedal · 04-15-2025, 11:43 AM

Welcome. Be sure to checkout the Monaco Owners forum here. Lots of knowledge there.

I don't know much about the Knight, but have been learning a lot about my Diplomat in the last year 1/2 I have owned it. These rigs are nice, but with the age, always need a little TLC. Looks like the PLQ floorplan has the sitting area in the bedroom? I always thought that was cool.

MSHappyCampers · 04-15-2025, 11:44 AM

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

Congrats on the new rig! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

SJ-Chris · 04-15-2025, 11:52 AM

Welcome!

My suggestion is that you try to take it out for a 2-3 day weekend somewhere close by (within 100 miles) as soon as you can. During that weekend, try out every feature your RV has. Bring a notebook and start making a list of all the things that you'll want to fix/modify/learn/etc.

You should also double check all the fluids in the engine and generator to make sure they are at least where they should be. If you don't have good records from the previous owner, I would change the oil and filter on the engine and generator.

You should also flush/bleach your fresh water tank to sanitize it to give you a good clean start. It's very easy to do (just google "How to sanitize my RV fresh water tank").

When you find issues, bring them to these forums along with your questions and you will find a great community eager to help with just about anything.

Welcome, and good luck!
Chris

d23haynes57 · 04-15-2025, 12:21 PM

So to put things in perspective, you now have a 20-year-old, lower-level Diesel pusher.
How many miles? How many hours on the generator? Do you have a comprehensive service history? Do you have some level of being able do things yourself?
First thing to consider is getting all the chassis and running gear maintenance up to date. All fluids and filters, engine, transmission, rear axle, power steering or other hydraulics. Oil and coolants. Engine coolant updated to the latest Extended Life stuff, (ELC). Radiator and charger air coolers may need cleaning. All belts and hoses.
Chassis inspection should include all brake parts, Pnuematic controls and all. Air bags and controls for the suspension. Tires!
Electrical. Generator maintenance, oil, coolant, filters. Onan QD, there is a belt for the water pump and brushes, a bearing that needs service at some point. The brushes often go bad from lack of use and humid environments. Batteries, alternator, and starter tested for condition. Transfer switch and inverter/charger all tested for proper operation. Voltage and frequency, switch of neutral/ground bonding and isolation based on power source. For all the high voltage panels, inspect for corrosion and loose connections.
Heating system, water pump and heater. Al sorts of things to check or have checked.

You have some time. As others will mention use it, a lot. Learn how to get the best use of the equipment and learn the limitations. How well does the heat and AC work? What are the limits? Can you take it on Snowmobile outings? Will it handle LAs Vegas in July?
How many days can you go with the water capacity? Days or hours on battery? Winter heat fuel supply?

Are you planning to tow a car? Get one set up and test that also.

Oh so much to do!

The better you test and prep, the more you will enjoy.

Good Luck!
Dennis

jacwjames · 04-15-2025, 01:20 PM

Here is a link to where you can download an electronic copy of your manual

https://www.monacocoach.com/service-and-repairs/
I have both a paper and PDF copy, one advantage with the PDF is you can search it using key words so it's sometimes easier to find stuff.

I look at my copy all the time, I've owned my coach +16 years and still have to look things up.

If you are mechanically inclined and a decent DYI'er you can do most of your own maintenance and repairs. Considering the cost of taking a rig to a shop it's advisable to learn as much as you can and carry enough tools to work on the rig. That's what I do.

Good luck

DanB327 · 04-16-2025, 09:15 PM

Thank you, the coach was a single owner who kept impeccable records of everything done to the coach since it was bought. All the maintenance is up to date at the time of purchase March 8th. We will need tires within a year or so depending on our travel.
Thank you for the maintenance suggestions I am very capable to do most the work myself. I just need to learn the systems and controls.

d23haynes57 · 04-17-2025, 05:18 AM

As the coach ages there become maintenance items beyond fluid and filter changes. Do look at hoses and air bags, brake chambers and all pneumatic controls. Air bags rarely fail but when they do you are down and sometimes there is suspension damage from the dump. Probably every other set of tires is a good time to change them.

Argosy · 04-22-2025, 03:23 PM

My recommendation is park it in your drive and start living in it. Learn where the controls are and how it works. No stress, no headaches at home. If you have a problem you can't solve go inside, do some research, and relax. These are a house on wheels but it operates a lot differently. Nothing spoils even an overnight trip like no water because of a blown fuse, and you can't find the fuse block. Learning as you go at home makes it a lot less stressful.

Traygar · 04-22-2025, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argosy

My recommendation is park it in your drive and start living in it. Learn where the controls are and how it works. No stress, no headaches at home. If you have a problem you can't solve go inside, do some research, and relax. These are a house on wheels but it operates a lot differently. Nothing spoils even an overnight trip like no water because of a blown fuse, and you can't find the fuse block. Learning as you go at home makes it a lot less stressful.

This is excellent advice. Congrats on the RV.

Dixidoodle · 04-22-2025, 04:45 PM

Congratulations on your new to you Monaco Coach. Don’t let people discourage you about what model you have decided to live with. I have a the 2006 Monaco knight PDQ model and have been very pleased with it. As you read the different Monaco Forms you will see why i have chosen the Knight Also, seems like all the major issues with Monaco’s are with their so call top food chain, upper end coaches. That being said there are 2 MAJOR things that i would (and have} change if previous owners did not change out.

1-First thing is to replace of the IOTA ITS-50R transfer switch, can cause a fire look up recall

2-Second is the NORCOLD 1200 1201, 1210, 1211 model refrigerator if you have it, can cause fire look up recall info.

Then just take a look under your slides for any delamination on the forward and rear ends.

Change out emitence valves under sinks and by washer / dryer area, if you don’t know when they were last changed, if you smell any gray or black water smells. That should keep you busy for at least a 1/2 day.

Lastly just relax and ENJOY your NEW to YOU Coach. Congratulations ��

botiemad · 04-23-2025, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanB327

My wife and I have jumped in with both feet and bought a Class A RV to start our retirement adventure.
I want things to go as smoothly as possible of course so any tips are greatly appreciated.
We bought a 2006 Monaco Knight PLQ so anyone with knowledge of this model please share your insights, do's and don'ts.
We have 8 months before we fully retire and make the complete transition to the RV lifestyle. Cannot wait to get started.

If you have the R4R chassis, the most important thing you can do, for starters, is check out those rear control arms. If they are OEM, it is almost certain they will need replacement. Contact Source Engineering: https://sourcerv.com/

dfb101 · 04-23-2025, 06:47 PM

OEM rear trailing arms must be replaced on the 4R4 chassis. Source Engineering is the best option. The previous owner may have replaced them already.
I also had excellent results with the Source Engineering Ride Enhancement Kit on the 4R4 chassis. You should also look at Safe T Plus steering control shock to help maintain control if you have a steering tire blowout. If the tires are over 7 years old you need to replace them no matter how much tread is left, RV tires age out before they wear out.

eddndee · 04-25-2025, 09:54 AM

As with any new to you RV, test your escape plan in the event of a fire! Have your spouse lay in the bed and scream “Fire!” You have 30 seconds to get out! Open the escape window and determine how y’all will get out. Try your plan if possible. Fires are a common threat in RVs, especially older ones. Enjoy your new adventure with confidence.