Community Forums

JMonaco · 08-03-2022, 10:02 AM

I need to replace the radiator in our 2006 Holiday Rambler Navigator. The diesel service center reached out to REVRV to see if they have any available. The good news is REV does have a radiator but the cost is $15,000.

I asked the diesel repair shop if there was any other radiator replacement option. Since they are not a fabrication shop it seems they just want to bolt in the new unit and are not interested investigating any other options. I'm not bitter with the repair shop for not wanting to look at other options but this radiator seems excessively expensive.

If you happen to know of any other option, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Thank you
-John

vito.a · 08-03-2022, 10:08 AM

There are several threads on this forum on radiator replacement. They are expensive, but not $15k. Most folks are paying from $2k-4K for a replacement radiator.
Have they looked into repairing your radiator? That would be the cheapest option.

Call Radiator Supply house in Oregon.
https://radiatorsupplyhouse.com/page...-page?q=monaco

Also call these guys.
https://cgj.com/product-category/rad...onaco-radiator

Use the search engine on this forum and search in the Monaco section for radiators.
This thread is for a 2004 Navigator: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/nee...or-563738.html

Make sure they check the CAC (charge air cooler) as its sandwiched in with the radiator and may also be damaged.
Good luck!

dizcom · 08-03-2022, 10:27 AM

You might try some of the RV salvage yards also.

jacwjames · 08-03-2022, 11:17 AM

Back in 2015 I had road debris take out my radiator. Both the Cummins shop and I tried to source a replacement. Prices ranged from ~$7k down to ~$2650.

I ended up buying one from CG&J and initially I was thrilled the delivery was fast, price was great, and it was an exact fit. Took one ~5K trip in the fall and then the rig was seldom used until last year.
Another Windsor owner also had to replace his and went with CG&J. Only after ~4 year he had a leak in his and used Irontite to seal.

Then last year after a trip I noticed antifreeze seeping out of mine so I used Irontite to seal!

Then last year on my trip (first big trip in the summer I saw high transmission temps, and I also remembered I had a high temp back in 2015 when I took that trip), so I started watching. Under good driving conditions the transmission temp were good but under any stress (hills, mountains, stuck in traffic) the temps would climb.

So I contacted CG&J to inquire as to how they sized the internal transmission cooler, they couldn't tell me. They did offer to sell me an auxiliary cooler for $750, even after I told them about the seep. Not a happy customer now.

So I went ahead and installed a separate fan driven transmission cooler which solved my problem with the high transmission temp.

So I would not recommend a CG&J radiator. You may save some $$ in the short term but in the long term you may have problems.

I believe Radiator Supply House provided radiators to Monaco, check with them.

Also, I'd have your CAC checked while you have everything apart, mine was bad and had to be replaced.

Argosy · 08-03-2022, 11:29 AM

I don't think they want to change your radiator. I'd look for a shop that does and will have it recored. That bolts in the same as a new one.

FIRE UP · 08-03-2022, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonaco

I need to replace the radiator in our 2006 Holiday Rambler Navigator. The diesel service center reached out to REVRV to see if they have any available. The good news is REV does have a radiator but the cost is $15,000.

I asked the diesel repair shop if there was any other radiator replacement option. Since they are not a fabrication shop it seems they just want to bolt in the new unit and are not interested investigating any other options. I'm not bitter with the repair shop for not wanting to look at other options but this radiator seems excessively expensive.

If you happen to know of any other option, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Thank you
-John

WOWWWWW!
$15,000 for a radiator????????? What are you driving, a Terex Titan mine ore truck?????? Over 10 years ago, our rig, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP, developed a radiator leak right after we purchased the coach. It's a long, long story but, I ended up yanking that radiator and CAC myself. The radiator, like many before it and after it, at least in Winne/Itasca diesel coaches, is/was an aluminum radiator with clamped on plastic tanks.

The local radiator shop said "impossible" to fix. I had already done research on finding an original replacement. $1,750 and it would take 3 weeks to get and that did not include shipping. He replied, "you don't want one of those" let's see what we can do. Within 2 minutes on his computer, he'd found a COPPER/BRASS exact replacement. He stated he could have it in the morning and, the cost, $1,200!!!!!!! I replied, "Do it". It was delivered at 07:30 the next morning.

The point is, there's got to be an alternative to a $15,000 radiator. Heck, I think my entire CAT C-7 330HP would cost less than that. I'd have to look into plan B, C, D.....
Scott

bigb56 · 08-03-2022, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argosy

I don't think they want to change your radiator. I'd look for a shop that does and will have it recored. That bolts in the same as a new one.

Exactly. If you are capable of removing it yourself take it to a radiator shop.

ArtJoyce · 08-03-2022, 04:36 PM

Have you checked with the chassis manufacture for the radiator? I would think they are the ones that installed it.

vito.a · 08-03-2022, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtJoyce

Have you checked with the chassis manufacture for the radiator? I would think they are the ones that installed it.

Monaco Coach Corp manufactured both the chassis (Roadmaster) and the coach (Holiday Rambler). Monaco went through tough times in 2008 and was purchased by Navistar in 2009 and later sold to REV Group in 2013.

The OP has called REV Group and was quoted (indirectly) $15k to replace the radiator.

As is often the case in RV repair it requires the owner to become an active participant in the parts procurement and repair process. If not some these repair shops take advantage of RV owners. Another case in point is a dealer that quoted $50k to replace an engine.

Dutch Star Don · 08-03-2022, 05:48 PM

John....I went through this in 2011 with my 2005 Monaco Diplomat, rear radiator. Monaco was out of business, so nothing from them. Custom radiators were $3K to $4k back then. Luckily, I found a surplus company that bought up a lot of new/old stock and got the entire assembly, radiator, CAC, shroud and trans cooler for $900.

With that said, I found that the one of the few places who would build one were in Sacramento. It's been too long to remember the shop name, but you might check. Sacramento has a large truck repair community.

153stars · 08-03-2022, 06:05 PM

This place re-cored member Rightstuffer rad and CAC for 2k total. He said to let them know where you found info reference IRV2 that's is.
https://www.normanradiators.com/
I know it's Texas you could literally take a vacation on money saved.

JMonaco · 08-03-2022, 08:02 PM

Vito, thanks you very much for the links and information. I'll be placing calls to these shops tomorrow.

-John

JMonaco · 08-03-2022, 08:05 PM

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'll call the Radiator Supply House to see if they can help.

JMonaco · 08-03-2022, 08:10 PM

Hi ArtJoyce, $15K is the price we were quoted from RevRV. RevRV, as I understand purchased Monaco and Holiday Rambler's inventory. I'm hoping to find a shop that can provide an alternative replacement as the original is outrageous.