100K miles

[Lurker52]

Hi Everyone,

My 2001 Monaco knight turned 100k on our trip out west. I have owned it for a little over a year. I have had a few issues with it but seem to have them worked out. The RV preformed pretty well on our trip from Florida to Wyoming and back. It is a little under powered with only a 5.9 Cummins (300 HP). Big hills will slow it down, but I am never in that big a hurry. I considered selling it but we have everything pretty much the way we want it. Replacing it with a substantial upgrade would cost probable at least double what I have in this one. So we have decided to keep it for a while longer. We are planning another trip out west next summer.

My questions is for those who have older motorhomes with over 100k mile on them. Are you confident in your motor to go to 150-200k mileage? I know anything can happen at any time mechanically. I have read a lot of posts of people having major problems with RV that have a lot less mileage them mine.

How long will the little 5.9 go? I will probable keep it a few more years and maybe up to around 150K or so. My Ram had 155k on it when I sold it and it had no issues and probable still running strong. I know maintenance and upkeep is key to keeping any RV in good working order.

I look forward to hearing all your experiences.

Thanks, as always.

[sjholt]

25 years here too. 198,500 miles on my 5.9 12 valve and still runs great.
I have a bypass oil filter and run the oil 15-16,000 every change and Blackstone says wear is low and I'm good to go 3,000 miles more each oil change.

[Ava]

Most mechanics and long time rv folks say my old 12 valve 5.9 Cummins with the Allison trans will out live the motorhome. 25 years so far.

[1320Fastback]

The 5.9 is based on the 12 Valve which has been around since 1983 I believe. It was designed to operate at 100% duty cycle all-day long in tractors and pumps. In trucks and highway vehicles you should get no less than 500,000 miles before major overhaul assuming all regular maintenance is done and the cooling system is maintained.

Your concern more should be aimed at the transmission and all the systems and seals of the motorhome. The engine, while underpowered for your application is good.

[Charley67]

I’ve owned 3 trucks with the 5.9. That coach will fall off of it before that engine gives up the ghost.

[Lurker52]

I've been under it more times than I would care to say. I replaced the rear air bags a while back. The front ones will be done soon. Everything looks good.

[wolfe10]

Pictures in second post in this thread:

https://community.fmca.com/topic/569-important-safety-issue-monaco-hr-safari-chassis/

[oldave]

Lurker52 wrote:
2001 did not use the same trailing arms Per Source Engineering. The bad one started in 2002

Thanks

Good news , Thanks
Obviously I didn't know that , actually I thought all the Knights
of that era were the same .
I would still scoot under with a strong flashlight and look them
over myself , make sure there was no cracks .
I believe at one time there was pictures on the IRV2 Monaco forum

[wolfe10]

oldave wrote:
100k just shows it was put together right , didn't blow up during
break in .

You probably know about the recall on the rear trailing arms for your
chassis .
Chances are the arms have already been replaced , so an alert just in
case .

The original Monaco is long gone so you will have to pay for it
yourself .
Source Engineering makes replacements .

Details of the trailing arm issue:

https://community.fmca.com/topic/570-serious-problem-some-monaco-holiday-rambler-safari-chassis/?tab...

[js218]

Meant to say I have 165,000 miles on my rig

[Lurker52]

2001 did not use the same trailing arms Per Source Engineering. The bad one started in 2002

Thanks

[oldave]

100k just shows it was put together right , didn't blow up during
break in .

You probably know about the recall on the rear trailing arms for your
chassis .
Chances are the arms have already been replaced , so an alert just in
case .

The original Monaco is long gone so you will have to pay for it
yourself .
Source Engineering makes replacements .

[ScottG]

js218 wrote:
165,000 miles, just keep up with the maintenance.

Check the plaque on the side of the timing cover.
The 8.3 was in the 300-350 range.

[Tyler0215]

Cummins engines in semis regularly get a million miles. Regular maintainence is the key. Your coach will fall apart long before the engine.

[larry_barnhart]

You are doing better than my friend that had $47000.00 of repairs in 28K miles on his tiffin. Not a normal but true for them.

chevman