Community Forums

johnboy2 · 10-26-2012, 04:35 PM

Pat and I want to replace our current motor home, a 1993, 36 foot Sportcoach V, dp which is very comfortable for us but getting long in the tooth. We want to downsize to a 34 with slides. I know that’s not much but it will get us into more of the places we love to go. We live in FL and RV June to November. At this point, I like the HR Endeavor or the Monaco Windsor between 1999 and 2002. These tend to be in our budget range as well. My opinion is based mainly on what I have researched on the internet, there are none for sale close enough to me to walk through. I have my heart set on a full air coach as that is what I have now. I love the ride plus I feel safe with the air breaks. Let me hear from those of you who have a shorter wheel base. I would like to hear any pro or con remarks on these 2 coaches, other coaches of decent quality and the shorter wheel base. I don’t want anything that can be construed as 35’ or larger. Many state and national parks will not accept a coach over 34 feet.

DtBt · 10-26-2012, 05:17 PM

Finding a Windsor in 1999 -2002 under 38ft would be tough. Windsor is side radiator, HR Endeavor is rear radiator and is equivalent to a Diplomat in the Monaco line. Windsor and Imperial are the step up from Diplomat/Endeavor.

lonestarace · 10-26-2012, 05:38 PM

Here's a few

34' 2001 Windsor 2001 Monaco Windsor 34pbs Single Slide, Mesa AZ - 106208240 - RVTrader.com

34' 1998 Endeavor 1998 Holiday Rambler Endeavor, WINNETT MT - 106429811 - RVTrader.com

34' 1999 Endeavor 1999 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 34wds, Salem OR - 105308796 - RVTrader.com

35' 1998 Endeavor 1998 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 35wds, Vancouver WA - 106559606 - RVTrader.com

R&J · 10-27-2012, 02:59 AM

Here a couple more to look at
1997 MONACO DYNASTY -(low miles)1 SLIDE,LEATHER,DIESEL PUSHER 40FT

Priced Reduced!!2004 Monaco Monarch SE

johnboy2 · 10-27-2012, 05:08 AM

DtBt

Thanks for the info on the difference between the monaco and the HR I thought the were very closer brothers, that does explain the large up tic in the nada priceing on the monaco. I like the side radatior I'm not sure how to work with one in the back? DtBT since you have a monaco what are your thoughts on a; the roadmaster chassis and runnin gear, b; the coach construction.

John

Gearshift39 · 10-27-2012, 04:35 PM

Johnboy send me an email. i'll show you what I have and I'm close to ya.

gearshift39@bellsouth.net

DtBt · 10-27-2012, 05:59 PM

Johnboy2,
I had a rear radiator MH before and would never go back. If you don't do much of your own work it doesn't matter. Just some repairs are more expensive on a rear radiator MH due to more labor. Side radiators are generally more efficient.
The roadmaster semi-monocoque RR8S (side radiator) or RR8R (rear radiator) chassis is much more stiff than a rail chassis such as Spartan or Freightliner due to the outboard air bags. You feel the road more with the roadmaster while Spartan or Freightliner is more floating or softer or wallowing.
I think you will find most people will not trash their current MH. Personally I am very satisfied with my Windsor after sitting behind the wheel for 40K miles. It is stable and rides great after new shocks and setting for the ride height.
Some things I would change with my Windsor include a larger slideout extension. Later models go out much farther. In cold weather I dislike the propane furnace. It is loud and stinky. We use portable ceramic heaters when possible. Hydra-hot would be great.

Pay careful attention to the floorplan and options of anything you choose. Shorter MH's can benefit from more slides particularly.

vito.a · 10-28-2012, 12:17 PM

As a two time Monaco owner, I think you will like Monaco. But you should include other brands in your search: Travel Supreme, Newmar, Beaver, Country Coach, and American Coach are all great brands.

I would not restrict your search to 34' models. Most of the great bargains are on longer coaches. Most campgrounds allow longer coaches, you just can't park your car in front of the coach.

I agree with DtBt on the propane furnace issues. After owning two of them, Aqua Hot is near the top of my list.

johnboy2 · 10-30-2012, 12:57 PM

DtBt,
It sounds like you do some of your own maintenance which I do too, how hard is it to get the repair info you need and how hard is it for you to get to the parts/areas that you /needwant to maintain?
John

johnboy2 · 10-30-2012, 01:18 PM

Vito.a,
We are looking at other than Monaco and HR, however, the shorter, full air coach are much harder to find.
We need to stick close to 34' because some of the campgrounds that we like won't take longer than 34'/35'. Many state and federal campgrounds were built before the longer RV's so their sites are not long enough for our 36'
Thanks for your input
John

We like wooded campgrounds plus the state and federal campgrounds which many only allow dry camping. We generally go without reservations so this makes it harder to find longer sites when we arrive at our destination.
We feel we will make up for space in a shorter MH with slides than our present 36' that has no slides.

Papa_Jim · 10-30-2012, 08:23 PM

I assume that you do realize that with a DP, when you reduce the wheelbase to less than 36', you are going to have trouble handling the coach on the road. The tail remains the same length, the wheelbase becomes shorter. The tail wags the dog.

DtBt · 10-31-2012, 05:24 AM

johnboy2,
"DtBt,
It sounds like you do some of your own maintenance which I do too, how hard is it to get the repair info you need and how hard is it for you to get to the parts/areas that you /needwant to maintain?
John"
That is a very broad question. Monaco at least made a effort to put maintenance items reasonably easy to access. With a side radiator there is easy access to alternator, belts, air filter, hydraulic filters etc. I still crawl under to lube, change oil, change shocks and check the ride height.
As far as parts go most items are not made by Monaco and can be purchased from the internet or local RV parts outlets. Body parts and some interior trim parts made by Monaco will be difficult at best to find. Monaco still stocks a few items for older coaches but I would not rely them for long. Monacoers yahoo group members have compiled a part file that has been useful. There are some motorhome junk yards that are always parting out wrecked units.

JimM68 · 10-31-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboy2

Vito.a,
We are looking at other than Monaco and HR, however, the shorter, full air coach are much harder to find.
We need to stick close to 34' because some of the campgrounds that we like won't take longer than 34'/35'. Many state and federal campgrounds were built before the longer RV's so their sites are not long enough for our 36'
Thanks for your input
John

We like wooded campgrounds plus the state and federal campgrounds which many only allow dry camping. We generally go without reservations so this makes it harder to find longer sites when we arrive at our destination.
We feel we will make up for space in a shorter MH with slides than our present 36' that has no slides.

not real sure what the problem is...
Last summer we got into a dry site in the C loop at black canyon of the gunnison...
out paint job may never forgive me, but I got it in and out of there (had to back out of a pull thru site, and scratched the sh%^&* out of the sides of the bus getting in...lol)
the difference between 34 and 36 is nothing, and 36 to 40, not so much.

We also go without reservations much of the time. the standard is "find something you can get into, then come back here and pay for it."

Adam Hunter · 10-31-2012, 02:40 PM

For whatever its worth,

Take a look at the short Newmar models - like the 3303. If you go 2008 or newer you will get the Comfort steer system - which helps with many of the road behaviors that you can expect from a 33' DP.

While my wife and I made the switch to our 2008 HR Scepter this summer as the 42' tag had the perfect floor plan for our family we came out of a Newmar 3303 - It was a great short DP, we just made the mistake of buying the wrong size to start out.
Build quality is excellent and the spartan chassis is no slouch. They (Newmar) will be very similar quality etc to the shorter Monacos you are looking at.

Adam