Opinions please

[odis]

Hello,
I'm looking at 2006 Monaco Cayman 300 hp cummins ,Alison 5 speed. Was this a entry level coach in 06? Opinions on this coach would be appreciated .
Thanks
Jim

[big_jim_2]

I have the Cummins 5.9 in a 38 ft pusher but it has the 6 speed transmission. We have about 105,000 miles on it and I swear it gets stronger with more miles. Having said that I would like more power in the mountains but I have never felt I wasn't going to make it. Remember its the journey not the destination.

[tinkerer]

The last pre-emmison Discovery's were made in 2007 that had a 2006 manufactured engine. I happen to own one of those.

[RonaldNC]

I have a 2009 Monaco Cayman and like it very much. I bought mine new and was aware of the trailing arm issue. I viewed it as a $5,000 problem... which is the approximate price of an installed Source Engineering trailing arm replacement and Ride Enhancement Kit. It took care of the issue and improved the ride substantially. This is my third motorhome and it rides better than any of my past coaches with the Source Engineering modifications. I am currently a full-timer and have driven the coach all over the U.S. with just short of 30,000 miles.

You'll find that ride quality is very subjective. If you have a Prevost, you won't like anything else. If you have a 10 bag chassis, you won't like the 8 bag.. etc. I know that mine doesn't ride as well as the more expensive Monacos... but it rides much better than any of my previous gas motorhomes. Also, my exhaust brakes work just fine. In fact, I recently went down Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado (which is very steep) and only hit my service brakes three times. Of course, this is just my opinion.

If you can get a great deal and are willing to budget the modification, I think it is a fine coach.

[wolfe10]

EPA specs are based on date of engine production, not chassis or coach.

[Dance_Chick]

What length is the Cayman? We had a Thor 38' with the 300 ISB/5-spd tranny. It was under-powered, especially for hills/mountains. It was okay on flat land.
As mentioned, we couldn't add additional HP due to the smaller tranny.

[odis]

Hello,
What do you think about a 2008 Fleetwood Discovery 39R? Any thing bad about a full body slide?
Is a 08 pre emissions ?
What is the last year without emissions ?
Thanks
Jim

[wolfe10]

Monaco Corp trailing arm discussion:

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

[odis]

Thanks
Jim

[SacsTC]

odis wrote:
How could you tell if it has trailering arm issues? Who would fix this? Would it ride ruffer than a 2002 fleetwood discovery 39d? It's 5 hrs away. How would this compare to a 2016 fleetwood excursion quality wise?
Thanks
Jim

Jim, call Jim at Source Engineering
He can probably answer every question you have about the Monaco.

[odis]

How could you tell if it has trailering arm issues? Who would fix this? Would it ride ruffer than a 2002 fleetwood discovery 39d? It's 5 hrs away. How would this compare to a 2016 fleetwood excursion quality wise?
Thanks
Jim

[odis]

Thanks,
Wow disappointing , it only has 12000 miles on it. And has been in climate control ts whole life.
Thanks guys.
Jim

[DSDP_Don]

Jim, you can't go wrong with the Monaco line, except when it comes to the Caymans. The Knight on up all use the 8 air bag system. Monaco tried a 4 air bag system on the Cayman and it's a ROUGH riding coach. Our friends have a 37' that I tried everything (within reason) to try and soften the ride. I made sure the ride height was correct, added Koni shocks and lowered the air in the tires to the minimum. It still knocks their clothes off the hook in the closets.

The Cayman also comes with the Cummins ISB 5.9 and smaller Allison trans. On almost every Cummins engine you can add some additional horsepower, except in the Cayman configuration. Since it has the smaller trans you can't increase the HP.

Lastly, the Caymans had a trailering arm issue (the two large arms that run from the frame to the rear end). They all eventually fail and are about a $3000.00 repair. They were a recall item, but Monaco went out of business before doing the recall.

[krivanj]

I think it was their lowest diesel coach. We looked at one a few years ago. If a Cummins, it had the 5.9 ISB in it.
Nothing wrong if it works for you.
It might have a propane generator. The one we looked at did.
A friend owned one for a long time. His only complaint was it went down hill too fast as the engine did not have the mass to let the exhaust brake help a lot. Otherwise, he liked it a lot.