Community Forums

Skyy54 · 11-06-2014, 11:15 PM

Help a poor girl out, we want to trade up from our 1998 Monaco Dynasty, which has only 1 slide and we need at least one more for the bedroom area. I've been looking at Coaches but my head is spinning! We plan to live in our Coach full time and I really would like a bedroom I can move in plus a reliable Coach. What's reliable out there in the 2003 - 2010 range!! Thanks in advance & sorry for the long read

Mr_D · 11-06-2014, 11:30 PM

Crapshoot!
Depends on the maintenance that was done over the years and how well it was built to begin with!

Skyy54 · 11-07-2014, 12:32 AM

Thanks, I was looking at 4. Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Newmar & Beaver

Ramets · 11-07-2014, 07:21 AM

As Mr D said, look for those maint. records. Doesn't matter the quality of the coach if it wasn't taken care of.

OLYLEN · 11-07-2014, 07:31 AM

You have chosen four good MH's. Now fit floor plan with budget. HAVE IT PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED. And enjoy you new home.

LEN

Skyy54 · 11-07-2014, 10:14 AM

Thank you all go responding, maintenance cords are important that's for sure. When we purchased our Monaco the dealer doesn't do any checks until purchase, what a mess. We didn't take delivery for over a month!!

Lincolnboy2 · 11-07-2014, 10:17 AM

I asked to see the service records on a coach I was looking at before this one I bought and the dealer gave me a song and dance about how there weren't any records due to privacy issues and blah blah blah.....when I bought this coach, the original owners had all the repairs, tickets, oil changes, etc all in the big suitcase expanding file along with all the stuff from when it was new, warranties, owner's manuals, etc.

So make sure to look to see because the dealer originally says nothing there, but there just may be all the records anyway.

Best wishes and keep us posted on your selection!!

becks · 11-07-2014, 10:20 AM

Your four choice's are all good. You might add Country Coach and Travel Supreme to the list as well. And American Coach if you like. The idea being to buy a quality coach from a high end builder. Good luck.

**NLOVNIT** · 11-07-2014, 10:23 AM

There's a lot of coaches in that date range. Maybe help us out by posting your budget, how many people will be traveling, gas or diesel preference (I could guess diesel since you state you want to FT, but people do FT in gas coaches) & preferences in floorplan (i.e. full wall slide, front kitchen or front lounge) & our members can better assist you in narrowing down some recommendations for you.

Lori-

DieselTech39 · 11-07-2014, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyy54

Thanks, I was looking at 4. Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Newmar & Beaver

Don't forget about American Coach....Revolution, Eagle, Heritage. Find one that the floor plan works for you and then go from there.

bamaboy473 · 11-07-2014, 10:34 AM

Opinions are free, so here's mine for what its worth...

Look for a 3 slide coach instead of a 4. Two smallish slides in the bedroom become huge advantages if you FT...and they rarely malfunction.

OTOH, a large slide that holds the kitchen supports a ton of weight, and would be the first to fail. Also, cabinets are smaller on a slide than a fixed wall.

G.G. · 11-07-2014, 12:43 PM

To reference what Lincolnboy said, We got the same song and dance from the dealer about there being no records found. We then said we wanted to talk to the former owner. Still got a song and dance until the dealer realized we were serious, and they were going to lose a sale. Remarkably, we then got a phone call from the previous owner who told us where the records were in the coach (in a little set of drawers in the closet-no one had thought to look there). The previous owner was happy to talk to us and has since called us numerous times as things about the coach came to mind. I'm perplexed as to why dealers don't ask the owners when they trade if they have records and where they are.

Garbageman · 11-07-2014, 01:19 PM

You have gotten a lot of good replies. We have a 40ft with 4 slides which has a ton of room compared to our previous 36ft with 2 slides. Floor plan is going to make a huge difference between motorhomes. We like a coach with only one couch/hide-a-bed and euro chair with a desk/computer station, free standing dinette vs. a booth dinette. There are many things we have become particular about. Have the TV's been updated, what inverter does it have, etc etc.

Since you will be full timing get what you want and will be comfortable in.
Good luck and be picky.

Paul

JFXG · 11-07-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.G.

.......I'm perplexed as to why dealers don't ask the owners when they trade if they have records and where they are.

A lot of used vehicle dealers seem to think that transparency is not their friend. Apparently they reason that if they claim there is no documentation they can tell you there are no issues and all is fine. What amazes me is that many don't even check to see if there actually ARE records, even if only to cover their own butts!