Considering purchasing a 2003 Monaco Diplomat 40 PWD

[wyolincoln]

Looking for experience with the Roadmaster platform, specifically the 8 air bag version. We are considering purchasing a 2003 Monaco Diplomat 40 PWD with two slides. It has subfloor damage in front of the sink in the kitchen from a water leak that was ignored for quite a while. Long enough for the subfloor under the tile to get spongy. The leak was thought to be from the kitchen drain line, but that is up for debate.
I am very handy and have no issues with removing the flooring and repairing the damaged sub flooring and the doing something different, like vinyl plank or engineered flooring.
My question has to do more with known issues in that model and year coach. Slide issues, trailing arm issues, engine issues, electrical, etc.
It has a Cummins 8.9 litre 330 HP diesel engine with the 6 speed Allison electronic transmission. It only has @ 52000 miles on the clock.
We are looking to live in this in a couple years and after we retire here in about two years. This gives us the next two years to repair, take short trips and test everything out before going full time.
I can probably get this coach for 20k out the door.
NADA low end retail is 32k.
It's in reasonably good cosmetic condition, roof looks good (couple small surface cracks here and there), slide seals are dry and small electrics and the like could use some attention.
Body is clean, but needs cleaned. Same with interior.
It starts and idles great. I have yet to run it down the road and I have yet to run the generator which has a about 2200 hours on it. So it sat a lot I think.
I just want to be sure I am not getting into a money pit.
It has new steering tires. Rear tires are old and will need replaced.
I am still on the fence on this.
I know Monaco is out of business... but I spoke with Cummins and any of their certified dealers would service the engine.
The drive train itself seems to have a good reputation. I don't know about the coach itself.
Any suggestions, recommendations, advice?
Please provide some of your experience and knowledge regarding this coach.
All the best.
Wyolincoln

[OLYLEN]

Your talking a $32000 coach with $1600 in tires, $600 in batteries, a Gen that needs service $1000 and a lot of labor with the floor plus some materials. I would look at coming in at near $15000 and then use your judgement. The coach itself is, if in good shape a good RV, the motor and trans good but again use your better judgement. Check things like exhaust brake and turbo, a test drive will determine. If you are that handy you could be in a coach for a very good price.

LEN

[gbopp]

It sounds like you know RV's. If you are okay with the soft floor repair, I think you can easily repair any other house problems, if you find any.
Don't forget to check the tire age, they may need replaced.

Have you checked for a Monaco Coach Forum? They may have specific answers.

[wyolincoln]

This will be my fourth RV, two of which I had pretty much gutted and rebuilt.
No signs anywhere of a soft roof or walls. No staining anywhere either. I really do think now that the water was from down low "somewhere". Walls and roof are solid, no odor from the walls or roof (I'm allergic to a lot, I can tell), no visible mold and nothing I can see hiding behind joints or trim on the walls or roof.
I am thinking that it truly was a plumbing leak.
It is bone dry now and has been sitting outside (not level) for weeks in Florida. So I am thinking not a slide seal issue either. The slide floor and ceiling themselves appear solid and dry. No staining anywhere on the walls or roof near the "soft" area of the floor.
The floor underneath the slide (the ceiling of the storage area below) is solid. So whatever happened was apparently soaked up at the sub floor level in the living area.
I intend to expose the entire sub floor by removing all the tile and carpet. This includes the slides.
Anything else that you would recommend?
Thanks for the response,
Wyolincoln

[gbopp]

I can't help you with the specifics of the Monaco. Double check he source of the leak. If it was from the roof you could have mold and extensive damage in the walls.

Is there any evidence of roof leaks, stains or soft spots? If you are not familiar with RV's consider hiring a mobile RV Tech to do an inspection BEFORE you give the seller any money or sign any agreements. It will be money well spent.