Community Forums

LOC2020 · 02-16-2020, 06:28 PM

Hey all! New to the community and searching for our first coach. Need to tow 10k lbs and stay in a budget that is quickly changing from $50k to around $75k. Looked at a 2008 Holiday Rambler Scepter 40pdq today, and the same year Monaco Camelot last night.
1. Are these the same build?
2. Is the only was to identify the Cummings issue by finding the serial number on the block?
3. Is this vintage Holiday Rambler a high quality “luxury” well built coach that would compare to say Beaver, Monaco and American Coach?

Thanks all!

Dutch Star Don · 02-16-2020, 06:44 PM

The Holiday Rambler is like the Buick of GM, same company, just a different name to give dealers an option. Both the Scepter and Camelot were up the food chain of the Monaco lineup. It was the first level that used a side radiator.

The wrist pin issue was more associated with 2006 models. I doubt an 08 had a bad wrist pin Cummins. On the very few coaches where there was a wrist pin failure, it was in the first few thousand miles.

They were fantastic coaches and if you can find one in good shape, it will give you years of service.

LOC2020 · 02-16-2020, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

The Holiday Rambler is like the Buick of GM, same company, just a different name to give dealers an option. Both the Scepter and Camelot were up the food chain of the Monaco lineup. It was the first level that used a side radiator.

The wrist pin issue was more associated with 2006 models. I doubt an 08 had a bad wrist pin Cummins. On the very few coaches where there was a wrist pin failure, it was in the first few thousand miles.

They were fantastic coaches and if you can find one in good shape, it will give you years of service.

Thank you! 👍🇺🇸

96 Wideglide · 02-16-2020, 07:16 PM

It will be very similar to the Camelot, with just different colors, fabrics, and which options were included.

If the factory build sheets are included in the case of documents, it will list the engine serial number.

Great high end coaches that other manufacturers are only now catching up with some of the standard features that these units had back in 08'!

Fred Cooper · 02-16-2020, 09:43 PM

During 2008, the motorhome industry was in decline, and Monaco went bankrupt in 2009. I have read some posts that indicate quality control was not as good in the final weeks. Probably any problems on a used coach have been resolved by now.

By 2008 the problems with the 4 air bag chassis by Monaco may have been resolved, but there are problems with trailing arms on the rear suspension and harsh ride on some of the 4 air bag models.

Good luck with your search.

Dutch Star Don · 02-17-2020, 12:09 AM

Just a note.....the airbag issue was only with the Roadmaster R4R chassis, two levels below the Scepter and Camelot level. Those came with the RR8R chassis and RR10R chassis (tag axle models). The 8 airbag chassis' work well.