Help with DP for Full Timing
Hi all, I'm researching my first Class A. I've never driven or ridden in one so I have a lot to learn. I have been a fifth wheel guy for many years and I'm full timing in a 36' 5th wheel since Octobe...
Forum Discussion
A quick observation and then some suggestions...have you noticed most of the responses have come from Monaco owners?
To the OP...Ivy pretty much summed everything up, but use caution when looking at the CrankyApe site, or any other for that matter. Most of their coaches are repos or insurance gigs. That TS he referred has a salvage title.:E
We had a 40' non tag Dynasty before we purchased our current coach. The handling difference was night and day. The tag is more stable and easier to drive in all driving conditions. As mentioned, Monaco's S chassis is one of the best built. Eight of the ten air bags are placed outboard the frame rails giving a much smoother, more comfortable ride. They are also one of the few builders that offer the owner/driver the option of adjusting the pressure in the tag. Turn a small gauge in the engine compartment and you'll increase the pressure on the tag. This allows you to adjust the weight on all three axles. Other mfg have to be done manually at a service facility. Make sure any tag axle coach you're looking at can have the tag LIFTED from the driver's seat. Lifting the tag during turns in a campground or parking lot, eliminates the scuffing/wearing of the tires. It also shortens your turning radius.
Monaco went bankrupt, was acquired by Navistar and later sold to Allied Recreation Group who also purchased Fleetwood through their bankruptcy. Allied is in business with service facilities in Coburg, Oregon and Decatur, Indiana.
For your budget, I would look hard at any of the Monaco/Holiday Rambler lines. IMO, look at the luxury coaches only...i.e. Dynasty, Executive, Signature. These three have the S steel chassis. Anything lower on the food chain have a semi-monocoque chassis and consist of an aluminum alloy.
Look for all wood construction inside. Is the interior screwed together or glued/stapled? Is the fit/finish up to your standards? What about sound proofing? Have someone stand outside the coach and talk in a normal voice. Can they be heard? In ours, they cannot. Here's a list of must haves from our perspective:
1. Decent engine specs. Minimum for a 45'..450HP - range 450-600.
2. AquaHot - wife likes long showers, almost instant unlimited hot water.
3. Residential fridge - although any absorption fridge can be changed out. I did ours last year at a campground for less than $1500.
4. Most other must haves come with any high end luxury coach such as macerators, electric hose and power cord reels, Johnny Beds, 10,000w gensets, solar panels etc.
Finally, look at PPL Houston's website. They now have three locations and most of their coaches are on consignment. They offer FLOOR PLANS to look at. This will help you decide which models/makes to choose from and narrow your search. Once you've narrowed your search, be sure to look at their SOLD section. They list the sold prices from the last 18 months or so. This will give you a pretty good indication of the true value of any rig you're considering.
Best of luck in your search....Dennis
Monaco Coach
PPL Motorhomes
To the OP...Ivy pretty much summed everything up, but use caution when looking at the CrankyApe site, or any other for that matter. Most of their coaches are repos or insurance gigs. That TS he referred has a salvage title.:E
We had a 40' non tag Dynasty before we purchased our current coach. The handling difference was night and day. The tag is more stable and easier to drive in all driving conditions. As mentioned, Monaco's S chassis is one of the best built. Eight of the ten air bags are placed outboard the frame rails giving a much smoother, more comfortable ride. They are also one of the few builders that offer the owner/driver the option of adjusting the pressure in the tag. Turn a small gauge in the engine compartment and you'll increase the pressure on the tag. This allows you to adjust the weight on all three axles. Other mfg have to be done manually at a service facility. Make sure any tag axle coach you're looking at can have the tag LIFTED from the driver's seat. Lifting the tag during turns in a campground or parking lot, eliminates the scuffing/wearing of the tires. It also shortens your turning radius.
Monaco went bankrupt, was acquired by Navistar and later sold to Allied Recreation Group who also purchased Fleetwood through their bankruptcy. Allied is in business with service facilities in Coburg, Oregon and Decatur, Indiana.
For your budget, I would look hard at any of the Monaco/Holiday Rambler lines. IMO, look at the luxury coaches only...i.e. Dynasty, Executive, Signature. These three have the S steel chassis. Anything lower on the food chain have a semi-monocoque chassis and consist of an aluminum alloy.
Look for all wood construction inside. Is the interior screwed together or glued/stapled? Is the fit/finish up to your standards? What about sound proofing? Have someone stand outside the coach and talk in a normal voice. Can they be heard? In ours, they cannot. Here's a list of must haves from our perspective:
1. Decent engine specs. Minimum for a 45'..450HP - range 450-600.
2. AquaHot - wife likes long showers, almost instant unlimited hot water.
3. Residential fridge - although any absorption fridge can be changed out. I did ours last year at a campground for less than $1500.
4. Most other must haves come with any high end luxury coach such as macerators, electric hose and power cord reels, Johnny Beds, 10,000w gensets, solar panels etc.
Finally, look at PPL Houston's website. They now have three locations and most of their coaches are on consignment. They offer FLOOR PLANS to look at. This will help you decide which models/makes to choose from and narrow your search. Once you've narrowed your search, be sure to look at their SOLD section. They list the sold prices from the last 18 months or so. This will give you a pretty good indication of the true value of any rig you're considering.
Best of luck in your search....Dennis
Monaco Coach
PPL Motorhomes
