Greetings Folks!We are full timers who are trading up from a fifth wheel to a motor home. Considering our budget, the current market availability, and our needs, we are considering these three coaches:2007 Fleetwood Discovery 40x (custom)2008 Monaco Safari Cheetah2009 Monaco Safari CheetahWe would appreciate any information you may have to assist us in our decision. As we all are, I'm sure, we are striving for the coach that is the best quality-manufactured. We will of course be checking service records and as much information as possible regarding the history of these units. Once again we are full-timers who God willing will be traveling every season change as long as we are able.Thanks in advance! ;)

Welcome to the Forum! Could you help us by fleshing out your request a little......are you looking at those three models for a particular reason....does a nearby dealer have them available at your budget? .....do you have friends with those coaches? did you look at specific features and thereby choose those models? Have you thought about how you will use the coach?

gonesouth wrote:Welcome to the Forum! Could you help us by fleshing out your request a little......are you looking at those three models for a particular reason....does a nearby dealer have them available at your budget? .....do you have friends with those coaches? did you look at specific features and thereby choose those models? Have you thought about how you will use the coach?Good questions above and should be answered first. Another thing to consider is that Monaco, the manufacturer of Safari Coaches, went out of business around late 08-09. There are some that say quality suffered greatly as they struggled to stay in business. Corners were cut and materials were second rate. That's all hearsay so take it for what it's worth and do some more research. Good luck with your search. Oh and of that group I would pick a Fleetwood all else being equal because of what I mentioned.

Thanks for the reply! We searched nationwide within our budget over the last few months and then made a list of floor plans and amenities that were important to us. We researched as much as we could and read forums such as yours to help weed out coaches that we didn't feel fit our needs. One of the motor homes is here in Houston with us, one is in CA and the other is in FL. If we choose one that isn't close we are willing to fly out and look at it and if we like it bring it home.We will live in the home full time and most of the time it's just the two of us. We will be traveling and either work camping and/or playing some music and local VFWs and other venues that have an appreciation for classic country music! As well as our extensive research as to whatever the World Wide Web has to tell us we will also be walking in, touching, and examining similar models to the ones we are considering. So I suppose what we are hoping to find out from seasoned motor home owners such as yourselves includes the following:Opinions and facts on manufacturer quality and/or reputationHow important is it to go with the newer model?Based on reputation and/or experience what model do you prefer?Any other comments and information is more than welcome!

Thank you. That allows us to understand much more clearly what you are asking. As mentioned above 2008 and 2009 are reputed to be years when Monaco was 'cheating' on quality due to the effects of the Bush recession. I have no personal experience of Monacos at that time but if they're cheaper than others of that age the market may be reflecting that sentiment. OTOH, Safaris have alsways been a lesser-known brand and any price difference may just reflect brand awareness. in either case, a full inspection would be warranted. You don't just want to make sure every feature works, but also look in detail - verify that the frame is solid, that there are eight or ten air bags, which model of Allison is there, etc.On the older unit vs newer question, my approach has been to buy the best model I could, old enough to afford. My last coach was bought at 13 years old after a long search. The other piece of advice I give everyone is there's no substitute for looking at real coaches.....if you haven't done it yet spend a day or two at PPL in Houston and MHSRV outside Dallas and you may have different questions on what is important to you. For example, I was set on an American Eagle until a visit showed me that our most frequent visitors wouldn't fit in the commode rooms (Both are broad-shouldered)My personal favorites are Beavers for the interior quality and Foretravels for the 'Hidden' quality. Also, if you're going to sit anywhere for the winter (or summer) I'd look at a coach with air levelling. If your co-pilot, like mine, wants to adjust the jack pad at the last minute it saves a lot of stress. As well the lower ground pressure saves on jacks that make their own hole and reduces frame strain and breakage on the windshield.

If you buy the Discovery you can get a lot of help with problems or questions by joining the DOIAHere is a 3MB PDF Brochure for a 2007 Discovery

Fleetwood Discovry or Monaco Safari Cheetah | Good Sam Community

gemert
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
gonesouth wrote:
Welcome to the Forum! Could you help us by fleshing out your request a little......are you looking at those three models for a particular reason....does a nearby dealer have them available at your budget? .....do you have friends with those coaches? did you look at specific features and thereby choose those models? Have you thought about how you will use the coach?

Good questions above and should be answered first. Another thing to consider is that Monaco, the manufacturer of Safari Coaches, went out of business around late 08-09. There are some that say quality suffered greatly as they struggled to stay in business. Corners were cut and materials were second rate. That's all hearsay so take it for what it's worth and do some more research. Good luck with your search. Oh and of that group I would pick a Fleetwood all else being equal because of what I mentioned.
gonesouth
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Welcome to the Forum! Could you help us by fleshing out your request a little......are you looking at those three models for a particular reason....does a nearby dealer have them available at your budget? .....do you have friends with those coaches? did you look at specific features and thereby choose those models? Have you thought about how you will use the coach?

Forum Discussion

Fleetwood Discovry or Monaco Safari Cheetah

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Fleetwood Angler wiring

Fleetwood Elkhorn

2005 Fleetwood Expedition

Tiffin or Fleetwood.

2008 Safari Cheetah