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Old 04-19-2017, 07:10 AM   #1
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A low Maintenance, easy care Motorhome?

Is there a manufacturer who produces a lower maintenance, easy care Motorhome?

I spent the entire day installing a new Tough Top slide topper over one of the slide outs. (Carefree of Colorado). Since the D/W will not get up on a ladder, I had to do this job by myself. Up and down a 10' ladder and moving it back and forth 100 times. I try and do my work myself, as I am particular in the process, (perfectionist). I like to take apart, and clean everything which is something many shops do not do when doing work.

I spoke with Tyler @ Tough Top and he told me the original material Carefree uses is a much lower quality. And I agree with him. This new cover I put on a much superior product.

I also spent a day just cleaning the roof. I have also been replacing ALL exterior nuts/bolts/screw with Stainless Steel. Some of the original hardware begin to rust and you know that is nothing but trouble. Use sealant for a tight secure waterproof fit.

Question for you Motorhome folks.... Is there a manufacture that builds a coach taking all of this in to mind. Longevity, well built, using top materials, paint, fiberglass, a combination of aluminum & stainless steel for exterior hardware?

As we approach the time we go F/T, we want these type of features in our next coach since it will be exposed to the elements all the time.

Thanks! James
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Old 04-19-2017, 07:25 AM   #2
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I think older coaches were built better. Our 2000 Monaco still has the original patio and window awnings on it and they were made by Carefree of Colorado. They must have been better quality to survive the last 17 years and show no signs of imminent failure. It's not low maintenance though, there is always something to lube, adjust, fix or replace. It's just the nature of the beast.

I try to do what you do when I repair or replace something and use better materials--stainless steel screws instead of the painted steel for instance. I had to replace one of the ends of the plastic moldings on the side of the coach and I fabricated it out of aluminum instead of steel like the original.
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Old 04-19-2017, 08:15 AM   #3
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One AC shroud just 2 years old!!

One AC shroud in rear of coach damaged by falling branch in Camp Ground spot. Just 2 years old.

Last year we was up on the coach cleaning roof and found a 4' dead branch that had fallen from the tree above on my rear roof shroud putting a 2" crack on top of it.

The campground manager was not sympathetic in fact had somewhat of an attitude about the my issue. He said that the branch could have been from another tree or campground we were at. I told him no, this came from last nights storm and we heard it hit the roof.

My options are to 1. just replace it for apx $150. Do the repair myself and I am sure it will be water tight and look fine. Just a few months prior, my front one took a hail storm and I replaced it.

Made me wonder, why not take them off and to a place like Rhino lining or Line -X. Ya it would be an initial cost but would probably last a life time. I am not sure if anyone has ever done that or knows of a product that could could be applied to covers that are up on your roof.

And yes Dennis, I would agree with you that Coaches like your Monaco, say pre 2008 years were of higher quality. I enjoy doing what I can, but I also see the day coming that climbing up on a ladder for my roof will not be what I enjoy. About 5 years ago now, I climbed up there to trim a branch that was blowing in the wind and hitting my roof line. Carrying the trimmer in one hand climbing up a hand slipped and I fell backwards from 1/2 way up. I am extra careful now climbing. My mind still says I am 30 but my body often reminds me otherwise.
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Old 04-19-2017, 08:47 AM   #4
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Quote:
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Is there a manufacturer who produces a lower maintenance, easy care Motorhome?
...
Not really. Even the $500k MH have their problems/lack of quality components.
Unfortunately it all comes down to the bottom line. They make more money with the some old same old stuff so why change?
Consumers keep buying them (and recently, buying A LOT of them). Much cheaper to fix the ones that come back here and there than to implement a quality program in a manufacturing process. In My Opinion of course. As long as it makes it through the warranty period there is not much thought about how long it lasts.
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Old 04-19-2017, 08:50 AM   #5
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And yes Dennis, I would agree with you that Coaches like your Monaco, say pre 2008 years were of higher quality.
My 2005 Safari (Monaco) is VASTLY superior to the 2014 Thor we had before.

They are like houses though, there's always something...
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Old 04-19-2017, 09:11 AM   #6
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A lower maintenance rig would have to be a non slide, non levelers gasser but of course they don't make those anymore, at least I don't think so. And older ones would have their own issues as they age.

Our former rig, which was a '94 slick side Bounder, was pretty bullet proof for the 18 months we owned it. Other than the generator failing that was about the extent of our issues. But, our 2010 Siena has been fantastic. Double slides, residential fridge, full size range, big stainless sinks but with slides and levelers the potential for issues is there for sure. All exterior hardware is either stainless or aluminum.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:10 AM   #7
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I agree older, high end Coaches used better quality materials, and were put together with pride.
I've owned my 02 Country Coach now for three years and have driven almost 20k miles. I've had a couple of small repairs, but both were routine issues, and are expected from time to time. Nothing yet where parts have fallen off, or broken. I have several people I know that all have newer rigs, and they are fixing stuff all the time. True, most is nit picky stuff, but they want to keep it as like new as possible.
When people tell me they wanted to buy new because they don't want to be repairing things all the time, it's really hard to keep my mouth shut.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:14 AM   #8
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When people tell me they wanted to buy new because they don't want to be repairing things all the time, it's really hard to keep my mouth shut.
I don't keep my mouth shut. I've been there, done that, and hate to see friends do the same.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:22 AM   #9
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Prevost, Newell, Foretravel should work for what you want in a new one. After that check those same ones in used along with Country Coach, Monaco and Beaver.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:26 AM   #10
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Stainless steel screws are in my tool kit and replace the rusty ones that come out. Always seems that something needs attention.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:26 AM   #11
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Prevost, Newell, Foretravel should work for what you want in a new one. After that check those same ones in used along with Country Coach, Monaco and Beaver.
We drove a few early 2000 Foretravels and what a nice coach--love that retarder! The only one even close to our price range had nearly 200K on it so we passed.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:27 AM   #12
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One AC shroud in rear of coach damaged by falling branch in Camp Ground spot. Just 2 years old.

Last year we was up on the coach cleaning roof and found a 4' dead branch that had fallen from the tree above on my rear roof shroud putting a 2" crack on top of it.

The campground manager was not sympathetic in fact had somewhat of an attitude about the my issue. He said that the branch could have been from another tree or campground we were at. I told him no, this came from last nights storm and we heard it hit the roof.

My options are to 1. just replace it for apx $150. Do the repair myself and I am sure it will be water tight and look fine. Just a few months prior, my front one took a hail storm and I replaced it.

Made me wonder, why not take them off and to a place like Rhino lining or Line -X. Ya it would be an initial cost but would probably last a life time. I am not sure if anyone has ever done that or knows of a product that could could be applied to covers that are up on your roof.

And yes Dennis, I would agree with you that Coaches like your Monaco, say pre 2008 years were of higher quality. I enjoy doing what I can, but I also see the day coming that climbing up on a ladder for my roof will not be what I enjoy. About 5 years ago now, I climbed up there to trim a branch that was blowing in the wind and hitting my roof line. Carrying the trimmer in one hand climbing up a hand slipped and I fell backwards from 1/2 way up. I am extra careful now climbing. My mind still says I am 30 but my body often reminds me otherwise.
I know what you mean, I spent about three hours squatting on our roof replacing caulk last Friday and had a little trouble getting on and off the couch for a couple days.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:28 AM   #13
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Monaco and Beaver.
Any of the Monaco line from 2008 and back actually. Don't leave out Safari and Holiday Rambler.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:31 AM   #14
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With the exception of many of the million dollar coaches, almost every MH will have maintenance issues. Some of the older Prevost and Newells can be found that are in great shape, and are kinda reasonable in cost and maintenance.
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