Purchasing ‘00-‘05 d pusher

[LOC2020]

Looking to purchase my first diesel pusher. Will be towing a 10k lb enclosed trailer that is our company mobile store. Only a 12” tongue and curb side heavy. Safety and towing is most important for us.

We have a budget of $45-$50 k but can go up slightly if we find an amazing coach and an amazing deal. So far I’ve targeted Monaco, Newman and American Coach, all with diesels 350 plus HP.

Driving from NY to FL tomorrow morning to look. Potentially we could be driving home with a new to us coach. Suggestions/guidance/advice Micah appreciated! 👍😁🇺🇸

[ftodaro]

Originally Posted by LOC2020

Looking to purchase my first diesel pusher. Will be towing a 10k lb enclosed trailer that is our company mobile store. Only a 12” tongue and curb side heavy. Safety and towing is most important for us.

We have a budget of $45-$50 k but can go up slightly if we find an amazing coach and an amazing deal. So far I’ve targeted Monaco, Newman and American Coach, all with diesels 350 plus HP.

Driving from NY to FL tomorrow morning to look. Potentially we could be driving home with a new to us coach. Suggestions/guidance/advice Micah appreciated! 👍😁🇺🇸

Look at PPL on line they have some good deals and a good inventory, they are in Tx.

[Dutch Star Don]

I would be looking for a 2005 Monaco Diplomat or a Holiday Rambler Endeavor. They're the same coach, both built by Monaco. The reason for the recommendation is that in the 2005 models, they installed the Cummins ISL 400 HP with 1200 lbs torque. The early 2005 models and the prior years came with the ISC 350.

Monaco made a quality coach and the ISL 400 will have plenty of power to tow your trailer. They were a sharp looking coaches and mine still looked like below when I sold it in 2014.

[LOC2020]

Thank you! That is some great insight/info that I have not heard. Seems like a lot of great deals to be had, mostly in the 2001-2003 years.

[Ivylog]

The ISL 400/1200 is a good engine although in 2006 they had a batch of wrist pin machining issues. The Dynasty got the 400 HP starting in 2003. 1000+ lbs tongue weight on the back of a single axle rig will be pushing the rear axle GVW.

I’ve had excellent service out of my Monaco big rigs...tag axle. Once you’ve had a tag axle coach you will not go back to a non tag rig. I put 1800 lbs on the back of them as the rails run from the front to the back and the hitch is that well designed...not a T but a H-.

OP, nice looking V nose trailer...would not be afraid to use a 18” long receiver on my Dynasty to pull it. Even without I doubt a 40+ long DP can turn tight enough to hit the V nose trailer. It’s backing up when you can jackknife the trailer into the MH.

Most 2000-2006 rigs were not prewired for a trailer brake controller and often not easy to hook it up. After spending several hours looking for the extra wires Monaco ran to the back and the brake signal not being a + signal I mounted the controller in the engine compartment...took 45 minutes as everything needed is easy to find. Once the brake gain is set you do not need to change it.

[Ljwt330]

Some additional details to consider regarding a Cummins engine.


Check the build year of the chassis and engine, not of the motorhome, to determine what engine you may have. Sometimes the engine can be two years older than the coach itself. That may be important to you if you are wanting a particular power plant.


For the 2004 engines, which were first built in late 2003, Cummins went with a high pressure Common Rail fuel injection system which tends to be less troublesome than the earlier CAPS systems. If that is what you desire, check the build date of the engine and verify the serial number with Cummins (or a local Cummins shop). BTW, I have the CAPS system on my 2004 coach because my ISL was built in 2003. As long as you are aware of the maintenance requirements, there should be no reason to avoid an earlier fuel injection system.


Any engine built before 2003, will have no emissions systems. In the range of your search, the only system you will find will be some form of EGR, which may be a cam change, ECM program, or fuel injection adjustment (on early engines), to an actual EGR valve.


Regarding the size of the engine, the smaller ISC will come with an exhaust brake whereas the larger ISL will likely come with a two stage engine brake. Both work well but it is something to know about.


None of these details should be game changers for you, IMO. I offer them up for information and as an aid in understanding how to determine which power plant you will have.


Happy hunting

[LOC2020]

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with me. There sure is a lot to consider. I hear differing opinions on the 350 engines. People have told me they’ve towed large heavy trailers with then no problem? I know bigger is better and I’m looking to purchase the most up I can afford.

[LOC2020]

2003 American Eagle, ,63,000 miles, 400 diesel pusher. Model 40q

Anyone with experience on this rig? Thoughts?

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by LOC2020

2003 American Eagle, ,63,000 miles, 400 diesel pusher. Model 40q

Anyone with experience on this rig? Thoughts?

I love the American Eagle and American Tradition coaches. Does it have a tag axle? I would want one to tow what you’re towing.
I looked at dozens before selecting our 02 American Tradition which the previous owner did most of the Eagle upgrades to. I opted to not buy a tag axle rig but I’m not towing a 10k# trailer. Also be aware that Gale Banks makes a Power Pack kit that will up the hp of a 350 to 431 and 1200+ torque. If you found a great deal on a low mileage 350hp 8.3 Cummins you could spend a little with a competent shop and have the added torque you will probably want to tow your trailer.

[Ray,IN]

We decided to buy the highest quality vs latest year. I think we made a sound decision.
If this is your first exposure to buying a used MH, I strongly suggest you consider hiring a professional NRVIA MH inspector (not the dealer) to go completely through the prospective purchase first. Sure it will cost at least $300, that however is much better than replacing an engine or transmission 6 months later.
A larger engine will only get you up a mountain quicker, no benefit on level ground. I am quite pleased with our engine. (see sig)

[RVPioneer]

If safety and towing are most important to you, be sure to check the towing capacity of the coaches that you are considering. If it’s 10K, you’ll be right at the limit.

[Rob_M]

I would like to add that our experience with PPL was not the best and buying a rig through them is not a quick process. I ended up buying from an individual.
On the other hand PPL lots are very laid back and you can walk through everything on the lot by yourself with zero pressure which is a good way to see a lot of rigs and sort through options you like or don’t including trying out the sleeper furniture.

[LOC2020]

Not seeing any with tag axles. However we are strongly considering buying a trailer toad to have between the coach and trailer to reduce the weight in the rear. I’ve heard great things about them.

Found two coaches with 350s that look really nice and are good deals. A lot to consider.

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by LOC2020

Not seeing any with tag axles. However we are strongly considering buying a trailer toad to have between the coach and trailer to reduce the weight in the rear. I’ve heard great things about them.

That is definitely an option to consider.