Community Forums

moisheh · 10-11-2015, 09:48 PM

Most OEM mfrs. charge a lot for their parts. Monaco was never cheap but the Old Monaco sold me a lot of parts at OK prices. The new guys are crazy. Parts that anyone can source for say $100 are $800 or more. Independent shops have told me they buy nothing from Monaco unless it is an emergency.

Papa_Jim · 10-12-2015, 09:27 AM

Well, a couple of thoughts come to mind on this.

If the part is worth $100.00 and Monaco quotes $800.00 for that same part, then Monaco is looking for a way to not have to be bothered about supplying that part. A ridiculous price is one way to do that.

The other thought is one that I don't really believe, but it is a thought. If Monaco really does have to get $800.00 for that part, it could mean they can't make the parts division of their business work unless they force those levels of profit on individual parts sales.

Jim

JohnBoyToo · 10-12-2015, 10:57 AM

or just supply and demand at work maybe ?

They are the only supply, so until someone else makes that part, they demand mo money

RustyTools · 10-12-2015, 02:57 PM

You're probably right about it being a supply-and-demand issue, but it sure seems like the table is tilted against us sometimes.

I've been told more than once that: "Since you can afford a motorhome (or 'boat' or 'airplane') you can obviously afford the cost of the parts". What they don't understand is that owning them is the reason I CAN'T afford the cost of the crazy parts markups! And I'm in all 3 of those driver-seats.

Several years ago, the alternator went out in our '06 Endeavor and we needed to positively-absolutely-must-had to get to a certain destination in a certain time. Called the old Monaco and they had it for $700+ overnited. Called a shop outside Coburg who was reputed to be the OEM for Monaco and their price was just under $400 overnited, so I told them to go-ahead and ship it. Then went to a truck-stop right next to where we were staying for the nite and asked if they could put on the alternator when it came in (I had no tools that trip). Guy said "Sure, what engine do you have?", and when I told him he said "We got one in stock for $250 and can install it right now". Cancelled the $400 one and got it there. Pressed out the diodes and I now have a spare (that will never fail now).

Yeah, we got neon (excuse me, it's now: LED) dollar signs over our heads to a lot of people. It pays to shop around and find the same thing elsewhere... if possible.

(And I won't bore you with the story about my 4-figure $$ airplane starter that crossed EXACTLY to a $100 Ford truck starter!)

Nana25K · 10-12-2015, 06:29 PM

I guess its the part your after. Chassis things we start with Cummins then source the part. Some other things have been super reasonable. Need a light component for the water pump switch. When I called Monaco for the part number they not only sent me all those part numbers for our coach but quoted me a price. At $5 and change it isn't worth my time to go digging around the internet for it

Mr_D · 10-12-2015, 06:52 PM

I thought I needed a slide motor for our '02 DSDP. No one but Newmar could sell it so I found a Newmar dealer in FL that had one on eBay for about $400 (over $500 from Newmar). Ordered it, it came in a Newmar box direct from Nappanee. So Newmar made something, the dealer made something and I save a hundred $ or so.

brobox · 10-12-2015, 07:00 PM

That is the price Monaco will charge and get for those that do not do their own research to find the original source of the part. I owned a Travel Supreme that went orphaned. Never had a problem finding parts from the manufactures and their suppliers.

kidoo · 10-12-2015, 07:24 PM

I don't think you have to deal with Monaco for most of the parts, for my old 2003 anyway.

The house part of the MH is like any other MH, nothing special for those. Body parts can be repaired but it could be Monaco only if you really need one.

Suspension, air bags, brakes, alternator, starter, hoses, lines, tires, muffler, so on, can be purchase anywhere, or rebuilt anywhere. I had my alternator rebuilt for 70 dollars. Radiators can be rebuilt by any good rad specialty shop, mine where rebuilt, nothing to do with Monaco. Even my start key is a GM key.

Cummins or any engine have many parts that can be purchased at Cummins or at a big rig shop, again, nothing to do with Monaco.

Go to specialty shop for what you need, do not get all your repair done at one place only. I am skeptic about places that does it all, jack of all trade, they often know some about everything , but not much in depth about anything, and they often charge an arm and a leg.

One thing I learned is if you want to do many things at one place, it is very hard to see how much they charged for every item, everything is hidden within everything. They will take more time in between every job. Get one quote for one job and get it done, never have an open bill.

Dan Osborne · 10-12-2015, 07:30 PM

Really no different than The price Kwickee wanted for a step motor. Did my homework and got one at autozone for less than half.

walt2137 · 10-12-2015, 08:20 PM

Yes Dan a Ford window motor.

kidoo · 10-13-2015, 07:23 AM

If you find a good electrical rebuilt shop, like a starter and generator rebuilt shop, they will rebuilt just about anything. Sometimes for electrical motor all you need is a good cleaning job.

There are many many parts of a MH that are just a bunch of pieces from someone else put together.