Trying to find a n-used coach is hard work

[mike_brez]

I never thought looking for another Moho would be so hard. Most everything I find has a split/walk through bath that just does not work for me. The two that I'm drawn to is the Monaco Diplomat 40SKQ and a the Fleetwood Providence 40X. I like not having a tv above the driving area. I know from reading the side radiator is better but is the rear radiator a deal breaker? I have only seriously started looking for a few weeks now. I thought about a new 35B Excursion but think I'm better off getting a used higher up the food chain DP for the same $$$ or less. I went out and took a new 2013 Bounder 35K out for about a hour test ride and could not stand the engine noise and how it shifted in the lower gears. This was on a Ford Power Platform chassis with a V10.

[Gjac]

mike brez wrote:
I never thought looking for another Moho would be so hard. Most everything I find has a split/walk through bath that just does not work for me. The two that I'm drawn to is the Monaco Diplomat 40SKQ and a the Fleetwood Providence 40X. I like not having a tv above the driving area. I know from reading the side radiator is better but is the rear radiator a deal breaker? I have only seriously started looking for a few weeks now. I thought about a new 35B Excursion but think I'm better off getting a used higher up the food chain DP for the same $$$ or less. I went out and took a new 2013 Bounder 35K out for about a hour test ride and could not stand the engine noise and how it shifted in the lower gears. This was on a Ford Power Platform chassis with a V10.

I found it to be very hard also. My plan was too buy an older MH when I retired 8 years ago, learn about how to fix it, know what I liked and didn't like then buy one between 4-8 years old and keep it until I depart this world. The problem is I can't find one that has better performance than my current one in the size I am looking at. Of the ones you mentioned I like the 34 ft Excursion with the 2 slides on the driver's side. I don't know how it is performance wise.

[JimM68]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions of course, but I don't think Tiffin is quite in the same league as Monaco or Newmar. Most certainly not "several steps up the food chain"

Mike, we paid $158k for the knight on 2010, at lazydays in florida. New, the Dip was a $35k hit over the knight to buy the 400 horse motor, so $130k today is a good to decent deal.

We shopped for 2 years... The first 18 months to figure out what we wanted, the last six to find her. When you find her, be ready, the good ones don't last long. Send the dealer a $5k deposit, make sure it is fully refundable. Ask lots of questions, have the salesman take lots of pictures for you. When you find "your coach", you'll know. Don't hem and haw, just go there ready to execute (as well as prepared to walk away if it turns out not to be right.)

[mike_brez]

mike brez wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Have you checked out PPL motorhomes in Houston? They always get great comments from buyers. They have a large selection of consignment rigs, and are known for being realistic on prices. They have a great website where you can view the rigs and floorplans.
What bath configuration are you looking for? Bath and 1/2 models are becoming more popular, and with those you get a full bath in the rear of the coach with a powder room between the bedroom and the living room. They are nice because you have a private bathroom for yourself, and something for guests to use that keeps them out of your private space. The Monaco Brands and the Newmar brands all have variations of that floorplan.

Lol I'm on PPLs site 12 times a day. They just got a nice 2008 Diplomat SKQ listed for 130k.

Just looked at PPL again and within in 6hrs of my last time looking the SKQ is pending sale. Didn't take to long. It was only listed two days ago.

[mike_brez]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Have you checked out PPL motorhomes in Houston? They always get great comments from buyers. They have a large selection of consignment rigs, and are known for being realistic on prices. They have a great website where you can view the rigs and floorplans.
What bath configuration are you looking for? Bath and 1/2 models are becoming more popular, and with those you get a full bath in the rear of the coach with a powder room between the bedroom and the living room. They are nice because you have a private bathroom for yourself, and something for guests to use that keeps them out of your private space. The Monaco Brands and the Newmar brands all have variations of that floorplan.

Lol I'm on PPLs site 12 times a day. They just got a nice 2008 Diplomat SKQ listed for 130k.

[westernrvparkow]

Have you checked out PPL motorhomes in Houston? They always get great comments from buyers. They have a large selection of consignment rigs, and are known for being realistic on prices. They have a great website where you can view the rigs and floorplans.
What bath configuration are you looking for? Bath and 1/2 models are becoming more popular, and with those you get a full bath in the rear of the coach with a powder room between the bedroom and the living room. They are nice because you have a private bathroom for yourself, and something for guests to use that keeps them out of your private space. The Monaco Brands and the Newmar brands all have variations of that floorplan.

[JimM68]

You made a really good choice with Monac's 40SKQ floorplan.

Add the Knight, and Holiday Rampler's Endeaver (diplommat clone) and Ambassador (Knight clone) to your list, and go shopping.

The Knight / Ambassador have an ISC 360HP, Dip / Endeaver have an ISL 400 HP. ALL are rear radiator. All are identical other than colors.

I love our knight 40skq!

Side bath. A complete room with a door. Not huge, but big enough. Nice hallway with big windows leading to the bedroom.

No TV over the windshield!!!

TV is on the rear wall of the salon, our has an electric fireplace in the cabinet under it. Full view of the television with the slides in, and since it is not in the drivers view, it is not interlocked.

Our has the optional J lounge dinette on the drivers side, it's nice looking and very functional.

And nothing on the highway rides like an 8 bag roadmaster chassis! (well, except a 10 bag roadmaster, or maybe a prevost)

Keep looking, you will find, they are out there. We found ours in Florida, 3 years ago. Pulled out son out of school to go get it, and have never looked back.

[mike_brez]

What model and year Dynasty?

[doubleG]

Want to check out nice Dynasty? DW and I are looking to upgrade.

[mike_brez]

timmac wrote:

mike brez wrote:
I went out and took a new 2013 Bounder 35K out for about a hour test ride and could not stand the engine noise and how it shifted in the lower gears. This was on a Ford Power Platform chassis with a V10.

What is your daily driver a Cadillac or a Mercedes ?, I think my 08 Bounder with the V-10 drives good, not that much engine noise as far as I am concerned, and shifts smooth, but my daily driver is a Nissan truck or a Jeep Wrangler..

Do you tend to drive a lot or just a little, most people don't drive over 5000 miles a year in their motorhome so why spend thousands more for a diesel.

Daily driver is a ridgid chopper,wrangler or my diesel pick up. I know on the fourm everyone says floorplan,floorplan,floorplan. But after driving around in my P30 bread truck for 11 years for me its all about the ride. I most likely wont put on to many miles since we are working full time and still like to take vacations to the islands.

[sailor_lou]

I can't speak about the bathroom configuration because that is all about personal preference. However, I don't see the rear rad. as a deal breaker provided the coach is designed with good and easy access to the engine. I have two bedroom slides and with the slides out all I need to do is open the floor hatches and there is nothing on the engine that is difficult to reach. The bed moves out of the way so no disassemble of the bed or any bedroom furniture is required. I do all my own maintenance so this opinion is based on hands-on experience. Good luck with your search.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

[J-Rooster]

Mike, quit fooling around open up that wallet and do you know how to say Prevost! It's fun spending someone else's money on RV.Net! Your patience will pay off! What I would fear is pulling the trigger to soon and your coach comes up after you already bought one! Hang in there I really think your taking the right approach and, being toward the end of summer is a good time to buy IMHO! Good Luck!

[timmac]

mike brez wrote:
I went out and took a new 2013 Bounder 35K out for about a hour test ride and could not stand the engine noise and how it shifted in the lower gears. This was on a Ford Power Platform chassis with a V10.

What is your daily driver a Cadillac or a Mercedes ?, I think my 08 Bounder with the V-10 drives good, not that much engine noise as far as I am concerned, and shifts smooth, but my daily driver is a Nissan truck or a Jeep Wrangler..

Do you tend to drive a lot or just a little, most people don't drive over 5000 miles a year in their motorhome so why spend thousands more for a diesel.

[steveownby]

Here is one for you:

http://www.monacocoach.com/StaticFiles/monaco/brochures/2007/07Camelot.pdf

Bigger brother to the Dip with a side radiator. Check the last floor plan in the brochure.