Monaco Signature 2008

[Daddyrv]

Hello everyone, I'm looking to buy a Monaco Signature 2008.
1 thing that i believe is that we want one from the old monaco fabrication.
after looking for a while and searching about diesel pushers i think that monaco sticks out for the quality,features and price..But of course i want to hear opinions of fellow rv's much more experienced than what we are.
Thank you and a good day to all...p.s. until which year is the fabrication of the original monaco diesel pushers or/and until what year should i look for ...

[8.3Oilbuner]

Hi Daddyrv; I would love to have a Signature coach if they had made it in a shorter version. This was Monaco's top dog in their line up. Lots of quality through out the coach and tons of options. I have walked through many Signatures on dealer lots and they are fantastic inside! I am sure you will hear from owners of these coaches. I have a Windsor and even through their production ended in 2006, it was #4 from the top. The Signature was still built on a steel Roadmaster frame with a tag axle, 10 air bags and continued being built that way all up until Navistar bought them out of bankruptcy. I think somewhere between 2011 and 2012. Not 100% sure on those dates. Others here will have those numbers nailed down to the exact year.

From what I have read for that year, the only concern would be if the coach has a Cummin's, 600H.P. ISX engine. I think that year could be close to the year or years that the ISX had all the problems with dropping cylinder head valves. I can't remember Mr. D's year of County Coach that has had this problem. I think he is on his third rebuild and from what I have read, that third one has been successful. You will get more accurate info from owners here. I just thought I would start with some answers. I know I am not 100% correct on some things, but close. The engine, for me, would be the only thing standing in my way from a Signature and that it is too long for my use. Happy researching!

[engine103]

2000 Signature with ISM 500. Couldn't be happier.

[Ivylog]

I would have asked your question in the Monaco owner’s section.
As you can see below I’m biased towards the RR10S Monaco’s. Well made with lots of nice features and excellent handling. Very few problems over the 16 years I’ve used as half timers. Around 10 years old, the thread in the slide toppers gives up and it cost me $140 to have them re-sawn on both rigs... one of my bigger repairs.

Sold my 04 Dynasty to my son after 14 great years and replaced with a 08 Navigator (almost identical to a 08 Sig) with a ISX 525. I bought it 2 years ago, just before the #6 problem became well known. I know of 2 525 that have broken #6 and even more 600 HP... it’s not just 650s. The greater the HP, the more engines with the problem.
The best guess of what’s doing it is the acid in the EGR gasses so I put a metal freeze plug in the EGR tube where it bolts to the intake tube.

Would I buy a big Monaco with a ISX, probably not and especially if a 600 or 650 HP. Monaco bought a bunch of extra 06 engines but they ran out of the Detroit 60 (my 1st choice) engines in late 07... I need a 08 or newer because of a dumb 10 year old rule in our snowbird park.

[Daddyrv]

Originally Posted by 8.3Oilbuner

Hi Daddyrv; I would love to have a Signature coach if they had made it in a shorter version. This was Monaco's top dog in their line up. Lots of quality through out the coach and tons of options. I have walked through many Signatures on dealer lots and they are fantastic inside! I am sure you will hear from owners of these coaches. I have a Windsor and even through their production ended in 2006, it was #4 from the top. The Signature was still built on a steel Roadmaster frame with a tag axle, 10 air bags and continued being built that way all up until Navistar bought them out of bankruptcy. I think somewhere between 2011 and 2012. Not 100% sure on those dates. Others here will have those numbers nailed down to the exact year.

From what I have read for that year, the only concern would be if the coach has a Cummin's, 600H.P. ISX engine. I think that year could be close to the year or years that the ISX had all the problems with dropping cylinder head valves. I can't remember Mr. D's year of County Coach that has had this problem. I think he is on his third rebuild and from what I have read, that third one has been successful. You will get more accurate info from owners here. I just thought I would start with some answers. I know I am not 100% correct on some things, but close. The engine, for me, would be the only thing standing in my way from a Signature and that it is too long for my use. Happy researching!

Thank you,8.3Oilbuner... thank you for the informative information. I do remember reading about cummins issues in various isx engines. I think that engine problems are a major upset in the enjoyment of a coach etc. I would have thought that cummins/coach owner would have repaired the issue by now being ten 12 years after, but definitely something to inform myself about through cummins and any service repair sheets or info. as for the monaco signature, I believe that it is a good coach for the price point especially when i compare it to others and it seems like the original monaco company , it seems that they have been doing things right..wonder if possible putting a new engine
instead of dealing with those issues and what would that cost if possible at all..
Thank you for your response , greatly appreciated, Good travels to you sir

[Daddyrv]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

I would have asked your question in the Monaco owner’s section.
As you can see below I’m biased towards the RR10S Monaco’s. Well made with lots of nice features and excellent handling. Very few problems over the 16 years I’ve used as half timers. Around 10 years old, the thread in the slide toppers gives up and it cost me $140 to have them re-sawn on both rigs... one of my bigger repairs.

Sold my 04 Dynasty to my son after 14 great years and replaced with a 08 Navigator (almost identical to a 08 Sig) with a ISX 525. I bought it 2 years ago, just before the #6 problem became well known. I know of 2 525 that have broken #6 and even more 600 HP... it’s not just 650s. The greater the HP, the more engines with the problem.
The best guess of what’s doing it is the acid in the EGR gasses so I put a metal freeze plug in the EGR tube where it bolts to the intake tube.

Would I buy a big Monaco with a ISX, probably not and especially if a 600 or 650 HP. Monaco bought a bunch of extra 06 engines but they ran out of the Detroit 60 (my 1st choice) engines in late 07... I need a 08 or newer because of a dumb 10 year old rule in our snowbird park.

Hi Ivylog, Thanks for your reply, i guess getting some sort of warranty at least for the engine etc would be a thing to think about, the 600hp/650hp is something im looking for cause of power driving through the hills on the west coast especially and a possible stacker trailer.
Not easy finding the right coach.....
Thank you, good travels sir.

[palehorse89]

Great Coach's, type ISX 600/650 in the search bar at the top of page, and do some research, not good in that era.

[vito.a]

Monaco Coach Corp was the largest RV manufacturer in the 2000's. They are one of the few RV builders that also made their own chassis. Most others build the coach on top of a pre-manufactured chassis. Monaco coach filed Ch 11 in Mar 2009. They were just beginning the 2010 models. I would include 2004-2009 Signatures, Navigators, Executives, and Marquis in your search. Remember, a 2009 coach was probably built in 2008.

The Signature is the top of the Monaco lineup. Monaco also built the Beaver Marquis as an equal to the Signature. The Monaco Executive, Holiday Rambler Navigator, and the Beaver Patriot are just under the Signature in the Monaco lineup.
The Signature is built on a Roadmaster RR10S chassis with 10 outboard air bags and 10 shocks and a side radiator. It comes from a modified Chrysler military vehicle design and is very strong. It's only fault may be it weighs slightly more than some of the newer chassis designs. They are available in 40', 42', and 45' floor plans. In 2007 they had a full wall slide floor plan available. Full wall slides are now taking over the high end coach market. 1 1/2 bath floor plans are available in 2007-2009 models. In 2006 they raised the roof line and integrated the awnings. This was 1-2 years ahead of the rest of the high end coaches.

It has an awesome list of standard equipment and even some options that were ahead of the time. One of these is the Eaton Vorad Smart Cruise system.

The Signature has always had a large engine by RV standards. In 2003 a Signature came standard with a Cummins ISM 500hp and had a Cummins ISX 525hp and Detroit Series 60 options. In 2006 the Cummins options increased to 600hp and in 2007-2009 the 650hp ISX was available. Some 650hp Cummins have had the #6 intake valve failures. If you own one of these, or even a 600hp ISX, the key is to address the early EGR (exhaust gas re-circulation) system. There are lots of ISX 650hp engines running well with very pleased owners.

I will warn you that many Signature owners neglect the coach and you may inherit a long list of systems needing repair. Expect to spend $20k and lots of effort bringing it back up to like new. If it has heat checking in the dark exterior colors it can get very expensive. Plan on spending $25k on new paint. Tires and batteries can also be expensive with tires costing $5k and batteries as much as $2k. Also plan on updating the TV's and other electronics.

You can download the Signature brochures and study the floor plans and options.
https://www.monacocoach.com/luxury-rv-brochures

The owners manuals are available here:
https://www.monacocoach.com/rv-owners-manuals


Make your search an adventure. Do not be afraid to travel. You can easily save $50k on a high end coach. Take a notebook and a camera and take lots of notes and pictures.
Best of luck!

[CountryB]

Originally Posted by vito.a

The Signature is built on a Roadmaster RR10S chassis with 10 outboard air bags and 10 shocks and a side radiator.

My notes indicate that the Signature was built on the Roadmaster S-series chassis (Monaco's top-of-line chassis).

[Outbound]

I have been very happy with my 02 41' Executive with 500 ISM, but a Signature would check all the boxes.

[Ziggy8321]

Would I buy a big Monaco with a ISX, probably not and especially if a 600 or 650 HP. Monaco bought a bunch of extra 06 engines but they ran out of the Detroit 60 (my 1st choice) engines in late 07... I need a 08 or newer because of a dumb 10 year old rule in our snowbird park.

Did you ever consider lying to the RV park. Do you really think they would know one model year from another?

[hypoxia]

The Signature is nice to spend time in, very comfortable with lots of amenities. I can't find the words to say how wonderful living in it is.

What Vito said about some being not taken care of may have merit, I would suggest an RV inspection by someone that really knows the Signature. I do all of my own maintenance and have spent a lot of time repairing the stuff that was not previously maintained.

The engine comments have merit if it is a 2007 emissions CM871 ISX with DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). If it is a 2006 emissions CM870 ISX (EGR but no DPF) I wouldn't give it too much thought as they don't seem to have much trouble. I'll be turning over 100,000 miles this summer and haven't had engine problems.

All Signatures are excellent. I am a big fan of the 2007 and later model due to some of the changes made in those years.

[Daddyrv]

Originally Posted by Ziggy8321

Did you ever consider lying to the RV park. Do you really think they would know one model year from another?

lol,, no , i wouldn't lie to the park. im sure there is lots of parks that can receive 45ft coaches. Gotta start somewhere..Thanks

[Daddyrv]

Originally Posted by vito.a

Monaco Coach Corp was the largest RV manufacturer in the 2000's. They are one of the few RV builders that also made their own chassis. Most others build the coach on top of a pre-manufactured chassis. Monaco coach filed Ch 11 in Mar 2009. They were just beginning the 2010 models. I would include 2004-2009 Signatures, Navigators, Executives, and Marquis in your search. Remember, a 2009 coach was probably built in 2008.

The Signature is the top of the Monaco lineup. Monaco also built the Beaver Marquis as an equal to the Signature. The Monaco Executive, Holiday Rambler Navigator, and the Beaver Patriot are just under the Signature in the Monaco lineup.
The Signature is built on a Roadmaster RR10S chassis with 10 outboard air bags and 10 shocks and a side radiator. It comes from a modified Chrysler military vehicle design and is very strong. It's only fault may be it weighs slightly more than some of the newer chassis designs. They are available in 40', 42', and 45' floor plans. In 2007 they had a full wall slide floor plan available. Full wall slides are now taking over the high end coach market. 1 1/2 bath floor plans are available in 2007-2009 models. In 2006 they raised the roof line and integrated the awnings. This was 1-2 years ahead of the rest of the high end coaches.

It has an awesome list of standard equipment and even some options that were ahead of the time. One of these is the Eaton Vorad Smart Cruise system.

The Signature has always had a large engine by RV standards. In 2003 a Signature came standard with a Cummins ISM 500hp and had a Cummins ISX 525hp and Detroit Series 60 options. In 2006 the Cummins options increased to 600hp and in 2007-2009 the 650hp ISX was available. Some 650hp Cummins have had the #6 intake valve failures. If you own one of these, or even a 600hp ISX, the key is to address the early EGR (exhaust gas re-circulation) system. There are lots of ISX 650hp engines running well with very pleased owners.

I will warn you that many Signature owners neglect the coach and you may inherit a long list of systems needing repair. Expect to spend $20k and lots of effort bringing it back up to like new. If it has heat checking in the dark exterior colors it can get very expensive. Plan on spending $25k on new paint. Tires and batteries can also be expensive with tires costing $5k and batteries as much as $2k. Also plan on updating the TV's and other electronics.

You can download the Signature brochures and study the floor plans and options.
https://www.monacocoach.com/luxury-rv-brochures

The owners manuals are available here:
https://www.monacocoach.com/rv-owners-manuals


Make your search an adventure. Do not be afraid to travel. You can easily save $50k on a high end coach. Take a notebook and a camera and take lots of notes and pictures.
Best of luck!

much appreciated vito.a,, all the information is helpfull, Iknow that there is alot to check and regardless how much we check I agree to around 20k in upgrades or/and other issues because there is no perfect coach. It seems that they all have issues or recalls etc. even the more expensive ones like newell and prevosts, but based on what i searched liberty is on top, i haven't seen issues with them from people complaining or i haven't looked hard enough. We find ourselves very interested in monaco signature but as mentioned alot to look out for. I was thinking of getting the coach completely checked and inspected by professionals not the dealer that is selling it and evaluate that specific coach as well as contacting cummins for any other info of repairs to the engine or any other information..as for tires we prefer to start with a new set and thinking of michelin as the brand , being that tires are a safety importance to us and an issue when it comes to driving and travelling with the coach. definitely a process before actually making that purchase..
thank you Mr Vito. great travels to you sir.