Bought the wrong motorhome!!!

I know you have been following my quest for a MH. Been searching, and learning from the experts since January. Found a nice 1997, 38 Monaco Dynasty and got carried away by its beauty, condition, equipment, etc., but underestimated size impact and didn't think thru how it was to really be used. Drove it home, 600 miles, ran great, really a pleasure after the old gas MH I had 10 years ago, but once we got it home than, where do we put it. We moved some shrubs, flowers, cut some tree limbs and got it parked. Have carport on order for it. Realize now, it really is for two people to full time it and stay close to the main highways, not for weekenders or a week or two at a time in the summer for 4 adults and 3 kids. Or go off in the boondocks for a few days of deer hunting. Or take the families to a museum for a day, or to the beach for a couple days. We live in country so to speak and coming down the local, narrow road was an eye opener for this Wide Body mode of transportation, to say nothing of trying to park it. It is for sale.

Now the search is for 34 foot absolutely max. Won't even consider a 35 footer and no Wide Bodys. Thought about the 32 or 34 Dynastys in the same vintage but believe they are wide body. Will still search for diesel pusher but want two sofa sleepers plus booth dinette sleeper and a rear QB sleeper. Diesel pusher with gasoline generator Ok but no LP Generators. Might even fall back to Gaser up front, but only if we strike out on the diesel pusher search.

I have reviewed my earlier posts regarding construction, etc, so starting all over again. There is a 2000 Coachman Catalina, listed as 33 foot but believe it is the 34 foot model that opened my eyes to the fact there are coaches out there that are DP and can sleep 8 and are not more than 34 foot.

I am humbled and chagrin about all of this, but do want to thank all of you for your help thus far and will be seeking your guidance in the future, I am sure. FP

Class A

RSchleder
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
First of all, not all diesel pushers are created equal. Some of the shorter models manufactured in the 90's or early 2000's came with the Cummins 5.9 L engines. These engines came in all sorts of HP levels ranging from 190hp tp 275hp. The issues with these engines is not reliability, but rather lack of adequate TORQUE! Don't be fooled by hp numbers as torque MOVES the coach. The 8.1 L (+) engines provide much higher torque levels and most of the time, better fuel milage, as they are better matched for the weight to torque ratio. I have found the the 5.9 L engines are typically underpowered for the weight of a 34' (+) motorhome as they do not have the torque required.
MPond
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
Jarlaxle wrote:

You had better take her some where to check out a Class A and a Class C. My wife fights to drive the "C". She was not that happy when we demoed a 38 foot Newmar Class A.

Also; I believe a dealer could add extra seat-belts to the couch or standard dinette.

No SANE one would! Too much liability.

My county coach only came with 1 seatbelt on the couch, but had the provisions underneath for 3. It was a piece of cake to add 2 more.
Lobstah
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
As far as I can tell, you just haven't gotten used to driving something this size.
First rule is just slow down. I don't care how many cars are behind you, slow down. Take it easy, remember to relax your shoulders and breath every now and then, and it will all become second nature to you. it takes a while on back roads to realize that you're fine...you can drive them, just lookout for low bridges ;)

And yeah, I'd swap my Pace for the Monaco any day, straight up ;)

Jim
deejay41
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I believe you will have buyers remorse for sure, if you get rid of the Monaco.

Monaco's are great high-end coach's

At least give it a few trips before you throw in the towel!!
doc_brown
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I have a 40' and I boondock quite often. I would not even think about 4 adults and kids in my motorhome - way too small even with three slides. Not sure what you were expecting but you bought that specific MH for a reason. I would try and figure it out before I got a new one.
jassrnj
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I have a 36 foot Southwind and would not go bigger. When I replace it I will be looking for a 32 to 34 foot MH Max. I travel with mine and found that smaller is better for getting in and out of gas stations, parking lots, and all other places I want to go. Could I manage a 38 footer? Yep, just don't want to or see a need to have something that large for just 2 people.

That's why MHs are made in so many sizes. Everyone has a different take on what size is right. There is no wrong or right answer.
thirtydaZe
Nomad
Jun 04, 2013
perhaps the daughter should have been in the market for something to fit her needs?
lfeather
Explorer
Apr 29, 2013
fighterpilota wrote:
Agree, the mechanical 8.3 with the Allison tx best combination in the business. Not real happy with the roadmaster chassis since they are out of business and I had a heck of a time finding air bag replacements. But the rest of the drive train out weighs that disadvantage. Isn't the dynasty the only one built with iron/steel frame? Believe the others may use aluminium since I know they are lighter so not sure how it windson would have handled the roll.

It is our plan to pull one of the sofas and put in a booth dinette if there isn't already a booth dinette in the coach. But the 40 foot over all length make it apparent it wasn't the best fit for us. I may have to readjust search and move up to 35 feet or even 36 feet but for now looking for a 34 footer.

As far as gas versus diesel generators I figure the additional cost and size for the diesel generator probably prompted the builder to go with a gas gen.

Thanks for the comments. Anyone driving a mh that comes close to meeting my criteria, let me know so I can search for that brand and model. So far know Monaco Dynasty, but have got to be some others out there. Thanks

Look at Country Coach. They built the strongest chassis in the industry (IMO). We have the 2003 36' Allure since 2004 and wouldn't want any other coach. They did go out of business a few years ago, but are back up and running for repairs only right now with plans to start manufacturing soon. They are in Oregon and have consignments onsite. They built 32s, 34s and 36'(etc) MHs.

Larry
Executive45
Explorer III
Apr 29, 2013
Whatever coach you consider buying, be sure to check the CCC very closely. With that many people traveling on a regular basis, it's going to be a challenge in a smaller coach...Dennis
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Apr 28, 2013
MNtundraRet wrote:
I would like to point out that most women do not like driving Class A's. She is not going to be happy with any Class A's.

Assumes facts not in evidence! Plenty of women drive class A's!

You had better take her some where to check out a Class A and a Class C. My wife fights to drive the "C". She was not that happy when we demoed a 38 foot Newmar Class A.

Also; I believe a dealer could add extra seat-belts to the couch or standard dinette.

No SANE one would! Too much liability.

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Bought the wrong motorhome!!!

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