Monaco monarch questions

JerryofWV wrote:
We have had ours for about 9 months. Currently in Florida for the winter in it. Both of us love it. The only thing I don't like about it is it is not full body paint. Other than that it is great.

I echo your comments. Full body paint would have been nice. I found myself finding a problem with every used coach I looked at. I finally came to the conclusion I either had to buy a new one, or not sweat the small stuff.

cvbdsl wrote:

Billinwoodland wrote:
Came across this older thread when I was just looking at the Monaco. Ended up buying it. We have had one shake down trip, a few hundred miles. DW and I are very happy, and I think the advice I received here and over at the irv2 site was invaluable. I still need to get under the front end and see if the cheap fix was done. The coach handles really well so I have a hunch it has already been done. One thing I learned is that the dealer really did not know much about this coach. I did my homework (carfax, reading the forums, hired an independent inspector) and negotiated a good deal. I also was lucky that the previous owner took good care of the coach and kept up with the maintenance. This I discovered after finding some old paperwork in the coach during our first trip. Recently bought a used Vitara as a Toad since my other vehicles can't be towed 4 down. Now just need to get the base plate and supp brakes with break away installed. Fit and trim on the Monaco is superb, which I was somewhat worried about considering they were going broke when the coach was made. All is good, thanks friends.
Bill

Congrats on the new coach! If you're the least bit handy you can install the base plate yourself, lots good instructions from most vendors and YouTube videos - I did my last two and saved about $800 each time for the install, just take your time.

You'll find lots of good info on supplementary brake systems on this forum as well (everyone has their opinion on which is best!). I had the Blue OX Elite, but since I changed toads I went to the Patriot System, just because I had trouble getting a cable through the firewall and around the engine compartment in my 2013 Edge.

Don't forget to enjoy the journey!

Chris

Thanks Chris. I turn a decent wrench. I bought the blue ox base plate and the Ready brake system with their break away. Yes, I plan to install it myself. It does't look like rocket science. I found a blue ox alladin tow bar on Craigslist for $200 which was in perfect condition. For those using the Ready brake system with Blue ox tow bar, there is an additional part you need to buy to allow the brake cable to pass by part of the tow bar. The Hitch supply outfit was not familiar with that part so glad I had done the research.
Bill

We have had ours for about 9 months. Currently in Florida for the winter in it. Both of us love it. The only thing I don't like about it is it is not full body paint. Other than that it is great.

Billinwoodland wrote:
Came across this older thread when I was just looking at the Monaco. Ended up buying it. We have had one shake down trip, a few hundred miles. DW and I are very happy, and I think the advice I received here and over at the irv2 site was invaluable. I still need to get under the front end and see if the cheap fix was done. The coach handles really well so I have a hunch it has already been done. One thing I learned is that the dealer really did not know much about this coach. I did my homework (carfax, reading the forums, hired an independent inspector) and negotiated a good deal. I also was lucky that the previous owner took good care of the coach and kept up with the maintenance. This I discovered after finding some old paperwork in the coach during our first trip. Recently bought a used Vitara as a Toad since my other vehicles can't be towed 4 down. Now just need to get the base plate and supp brakes with break away installed. Fit and trim on the Monaco is superb, which I was somewhat worried about considering they were going broke when the coach was made. All is good, thanks friends.
Bill

Congrats on the new coach! If you're the least bit handy you can install the base plate yourself, lots good instructions from most vendors and YouTube videos - I did my last two and saved about $800 each time for the install, just take your time.

You'll find lots of good info on supplementary brake systems on this forum as well (everyone has their opinion on which is best!). I had the Blue OX Elite, but since I changed toads I went to the Patriot System, just because I had trouble getting a cable through the firewall and around the engine compartment in my 2013 Edge.

Don't forget to enjoy the journey!

Chris

Came across this older thread when I was just looking at the Monaco. Ended up buying it. We have had one shake down trip, a few hundred miles. DW and I are very happy, and I think the advice I received here and over at the irv2 site was invaluable. I still need to get under the front end and see if the cheap fix was done. The coach handles really well so I have a hunch it has already been done. One thing I learned is that the dealer really did not know much about this coach. I did my homework (carfax, reading the forums, hired an independent inspector) and negotiated a good deal. I also was lucky that the previous owner took good care of the coach and kept up with the maintenance. This I discovered after finding some old paperwork in the coach during our first trip. Recently bought a used Vitara as a Toad since my other vehicles can't be towed 4 down. Now just need to get the base plate and supp brakes with break away installed. Fit and trim on the Monaco is superb, which I was somewhat worried about considering they were going broke when the coach was made. All is good, thanks friends.
Bill

Called CHF. cheap handling fix. Moving anti sway bolts to inner holes. Go to "irv2" forum and a lot on it. That is not just specific to Monaco but for all ford gasser chassis.

Most Ford chassis handle better with anti sway front and rear and a rear trak bar plus steering stabilizer. You would probably do the same with a Winnebago. The unit being a 2008 probably has that on it by first owner. Some have modified factory anti sway. Others have added after market anti sway. Newer F53 has front trak bar but handling is better with rear trak bar also added.

doxiemom11 wrote:
We have a 2000 Monarch and love it. At least for our year, it is a quality build and we purchased it used when it was 10 years old - now almost 15 years old and very few problems. We also have the Ford Chassis. Our roof is aluminum. To improve the handling and the push from semi's, we put new tires on, had an alighment, installed a front steering stabalizer and did the cheap fix for the ford chassis. The "cheap fix" made a huge improvement in the push from semi's going past. We did not get any manuals, but downloaded them for all appliances, furnace, water heater, and for the ford chassis.

Doxie, you got me, what is the cheap fix?

Corkey05 wrote:
2008 Monarch Owners Manual

Monaco Owners Manuals

Excellent, thanks

We have a 2000 Monarch and love it. At least for our year, it is a quality build and we purchased it used when it was 10 years old - now almost 15 years old and very few problems. We also have the Ford Chassis. Our roof is aluminum. To improve the handling and the push from semi's, we put new tires on, had an alighment, installed a front steering stabalizer and did the cheap fix for the ford chassis. The "cheap fix" made a huge improvement in the push from semi's going past. We did not get any manuals, but downloaded them for all appliances, furnace, water heater, and for the ford chassis.