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RE: Coach W/ Full-width Rear Bath
I bought my '02 Endeavor in 2005. It is the bath and a half model you want. The model is 40 DST. I looked high and low for it. That DST model is the same across the Monaco family (Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Safari and Beaver). When I was looking I would use "DST" as a key term in Rvtraderonline.com and the other Rv online search websites. I also used "1/2 bath" - "half bath".
If you do your searches like that you'll probably find one or more.
Also, the Fleetwood Revolution had a bath and a half model. Also Mandalay made them, I think the 40E was their model number. All these were diesel pushers. I think Monaco stopped using DST as the bath and a half model a couple of years ago, but they used it for many years before they changed it.
We have really enjoyed the layout of our coach and would never buy a coach with a single full bath in the center of the coach.
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squadleader
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03/18/10 04:28pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Sewer Smell While Driving
We had this problem for a couple of years. Finally, in desperation, I bought one of the aluminum vanes that creates a venturi effect and rotates to face the wind.
It has to have a couple of inches of exposed vent pipe to be installed. My coach had the low profile sewer vent on the roof. We took that off with the idea of extending the pipe to install the new vane.
After removing the low profile vent, we discovered the hole in the roof for the vent pipe was an inch wider than the vent pipe. The hole was wide open, no effort had ever been made to even seal around the pipe whatsoever.
Not only could sewer gas be sucked back into the coach through that hole, rain could also enter it, especially if you were driving. All this poor workmanship was hidden by the low profile sewer vent.
We extended the vent pipe a few inches to facilitate installing the vent vane and properly sealed the roof around the extended sewer vent pipe.
That ended all our sewer gas problems. It blew my mind that someone would install a sewer vent, that only extended a inch or so above the roof line, without sealing the hole, then hiding all this beneath a low profile cover which allows in blowing rain.
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squadleader
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03/16/10 07:47am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Changed Cummins fuel filter. Now won't start!
Call me crazy, but I just pre-fill my new filters with diesel from my jug. How dirty could fuel poured off the top of a fresh jug be?
This is a case of "perfect procedures" getting in the way of getting down the road. It's hard for me to imagine how 10 ounces of clean unfiltered fuel is going to ruin my engine. So far it hasn't. Just lucky I guess.
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squadleader
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01/03/10 06:54am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Bicycles - I am buying the ammo - shoot holes in this!!
With our six kids we had to have a receiver added to the front of our coach, so now we can carry as many as 10 bikes between the front and back.
Many pickup trucks have receivers available that can be bolted on the front. We don't use a toad so I don't know if that would interfere with the truck being towed. If the bikes mounted on a carrier in front of the pickup didn't interfere with towing the truck that would solve your problem.
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squadleader
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06/18/09 09:36am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Converting from dual to single rear tires
If I get too much time on my hands, I've been known to start solving problems I don't have. Going to the time and trouble of switching out duals for super singles could be a sign of that, especially when they don't even have as much load capacity.
Take it from a fellow sufferer, you need to think about something else.
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squadleader
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06/16/09 06:04am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Golfer in RV Crash!
On a hot Saturday afternoon 4 years ago I had my right front tire blow out. There was no warning, just an explosion and INSTANTLY my coach jumped to the right into the lane beside me.
I was 46 at the time, so my reflexes are still pretty good and because of my work I've driven over a million miles, so I've got plenty of experience, so believe me when I tell you that at least with the type of blowout I had, that lane change could not have been prevented. If there had been a countdown clock in front of me telling me when it was going to happen, the lane change couldn't have been prevented, it was instant.
I've watched the Michelin video. That's great for control after the blowout but it does nothing about the instant move in the direction of the blowout. I had control in less than a second and got it safely to the shoulder but anyone who thinks that method will prevent the instant lane change is kidding themselves.
We were on the interstate I-295 on the bridge crossing the James River near Richmond. We were going about 73 mph.
Because of that incident we only run about 63 mph now. It really bugged me that I could change lanes and sideswipe whoever happened to be there (lucky for me no one was in the lane next to me that day) and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. Reducing my speed is the only thing I've been able to come up with that might help, so that's what I do.
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squadleader
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06/11/09 05:11am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ultimate Retirement RV Design
Almost all rear bath coaches have a half bath at mid coach for guests and the man of the house.
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squadleader
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06/08/09 10:12am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV shipments down again from 2008
All of us have just witnessed the death of this industry, at least the big Class A's. A very painful death. The numbers are amazing. From 40,000 Class A unit sales a few years ago to less than 8,000, and still heading down.
It's like a fire has swept through a forest. All sense of what was, has or soon will be, gone. For Class A's these are the empty years. The existing fleet of class A's is now aging and slipping away through attrition.
Who knows how long this will go on for.
Right now the entire country is looking back mourning the loss of all this wealth and trying desperately to make adjustments to preserve what's left. Little else is occupying the thoughts of those who can afford new Class A's.
Time will pass and those with the energy and strength will build new wealth, they always do, thank God. They will adjust to the new conditions and will be leading businesses that are growing and strong, not scrambling to stay alive like right now. That's when the Class A's will return with a vengeance, and trust me they will.
Same old, same old. Life, death and rebirth, whether a person, company or entire economy. As painful as it is, it's absolutely necessary to clear out dead wood, it's the only way to stay strong and adapt to changing conditions.
The best example of something which does not go through this essential process is our government. It seldom contract,s evenly slightly and it seldom adjusts to changing conditions. As a result, it becomes a giant bloated tick, incapable of doing anything other than sucking the life out of another creature (our private sector).
Personally, I look forward to when the fire is over and we can get busy rebuilding, because that's what we were put on the earth to do.
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squadleader
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05/01/09 06:58am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Zip It....Thanks
A plastic device that pulls hair out of a drain. Like a Zip tie with teeth.
Click here for website
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squadleader
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04/13/09 07:34am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: First Time Class A Owner - Some initial questions about it
Not all my outlets were wired to work on the inverter, like that from the factory.
On my unit the inverter does not have to be used on shore power or gen set. But my inverter is factory, I'm sure that's the difference. Probably a tougher aftermarket install of the inverter to do it right. Previous owner may have not done it properly.
Don't know about your step cover, is it factory or homemade?
If you like the idea of a cover, you could expand the the supports for it, so it's not unstable, what you have is a good start anyway.
Don't know about your TV waves, my TV's don't do that on inverter. However, once I plugged my refrigerator into the wrong outlet (an inverter outlet). The refrigerator did not like inverter power at all, and starting flashing a complaint, until I figured out my mistake and plugged it into the non-inverter outlet.
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squadleader
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04/13/09 06:20am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: One Dead in Crash on I-95
After that I put a Pressure Pro system on the tires, which I like. At that time though, I didn't have it. I was running Goodyears and had them at 105 psi, I didn't and still don't measure tire temperature. Of course since I didn't have the tire pressure monitoring I have now, I don't know if the tire lost any pressure before it blew. There was no warning, just a big bang and she jumped to the side.
My point about the video is, there was no time to do anything, we were literally in the next lane in a flat second. If I had known it was going to blow, and had my foot waiting to stomp the accelerator, it wouldn't have helped, it was that fast.
Maybe mine was worst than most, or faster than most, I don't know. It did explode with a big bang. But in my case, there was no time to do anything. I had it under control almost immediately, I was just in the next lane.
My side of I-295 was 3 lanes and we were crossing the James River east of Richmond. I was lucky we were in the middle lane and we moved to the shoulder lane. It blew in the middle of the bridge. I wasn't going to stop on that bridge, so we went a 1/4 mile or so until we got off the bridge and went as far off the shoulder as I could get.
By the time we stopped, there wasn't much rubber left on the wheel. It tore off the hula skirt in front of one of the air bags and shined up the metal, bright as can be, of one of the metal members that holds the air bag, also knocked loose one of the supports for the fiberglass panel next to the door and tore off the mud flap. I was lucky I didn't ruin the rim, but I didn't.
I'm afraid it proves to me at least, that you can't be ready for everything, to this day I know we would have wiped out whoever would have been next to us if they had been there. I put on whole new set of tires, even though the set was only three years old and in good shape.
I bought my coach used and from what I've read, the tires should be run once a month to move the oil around inside the rubber. From talking to the previous owner, he said the coach was only moved twice a year, between Florida and Canada, for those three years. Because of the blowout I didn't trust the tires that came on the coach anymore, and replaced them all.
I really like my coach, and partly to exercise the tires and generator, but mostly because I like to take out, I do run it at least and hour a month on the Interstate, even in Winter.
I do run my tires at the maximum pressure now, 120 psi (that's the wheel maximum pressure too), and even got a Power Tank (CO2 canister that can top off 120 psi in a few seconds) so that I can get to 120 psi (My coach air can only get 105 psi easily and struggle to 110 psi).
Even with all that, it could happen again tomorrow, and there's not a thing more I can do. Ya just have to live with it.
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squadleader
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04/12/09 05:46pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: One Dead in Crash on I-95
I've seen the Michelin video about accelerating during a blowout and I've had a front right blowout on an interstate, the speed limit was 70 and that's about where we were. It was a hot summer day over 90 degrees.
I can't speak for anyone else or another coach other than mine, but the that video is a joke. My right front exploded, and in the blink of an eye we were in the next lane. It was that fast. There was absolutely no time whatsoever to do anything, much less accelerate. We didn't move over any more than one lane, but we made the lane change instantly.
If there had been something in that lane, we would have side swiped it whether we liked it or not. For whatever it's worth, I drive the coach between 10,000 and 15,000 miles a year, and I'm comfortable with it.
The wheel didn't get away from me, the coach just moved over 12 feet instantly, which considering the size of the wheel, speed and the sudden drop of one side going down 8", instantly, is probably to be expected.
The only thing I took away from that experience is, to keep it 62 to 65, to give myself a little more control, if it should ever happen again. I'm also religious about getting rid of tires at 6 years old. I don't ever want that to happen again, if at all possible.
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squadleader
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04/12/09 01:59pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Universal Studio Orlando
We really like Fort Wilderness. I'll bet they have finished the new pool complex by now. It was torn up when we were there about a month ago. We've stayed at several campgrounds with prettier sites like Blue Water Key in the Keys, but none where there is so much to do without driving.
There's so much stuff to do at Fort Wilderness whether you go to into the Parks or not. My kids favorite part is riding bikes, they like that better than the rides. We'll take the boat to lunch at any of the other hotels, ride the monorail through Epcot, rent a boat on the lake
Universal is only about 20 minutes or so away, if it's not rush hour. We've driven our coach to Universal several time. They have a nice parking lot directly adjacent to the parking deck for large coaches.
We've never stayed there, but I've seen posts in the past of people who like Tropical Palms. I've seen the entrance on 192 about 5 or 10 minutes from Disney. Here's the website Click Here. Since it's adjacent to 192 you can walk to restaurants and so forth.
Here's a good website with lots of Rv Park Reviews click here
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squadleader
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04/01/09 05:19pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Seat Belts in Class A Bunkbed area
That's great news, you'll all have a ball with it.
If you're willing I'm sure other folks looking would love to know how far off the retail sticker it was. News fresh from the front is always valuable. Maybe it'll encourage others to take the plunge and help out the manufacturers.
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squadleader
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04/01/09 04:39pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Wet Bay Heaters
Thanks Tom
Very helpful.
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squadleader
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04/01/09 04:32pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Seat Belts in Class A Bunkbed area
I understand he is thinking about a coach with bunks, and that's great if thats what he wants. I'm just raising the question giving him the option to consider it.
My own personal experience is with six kids. We have a jack knife sofa, a fold out queen and a booth that converts. It takes us less than 5 minutes to throw all the linens under our bed in the bedroom and convert the cabin back from beds. The kids use the front compartment as a slumber party/dorm. To me, three kids would be even easier.
I agree bunks are newer and unlikely in older coaches. If someone goes even further back and gets a 90's Foretravel they would also be giving up slides. In our case we decided on an older heavier/larger diesel with slides, over a newer lighter/smaller gas unit with bunks and slides.
He may decide different from us of course. I'm just asking the question before he spends his money. There's no harm in him considering alternatives. Ideas of no interest are easily discarded, no harm, no foul.
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squadleader
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03/31/09 07:58pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Seat Belts in Class A Bunkbed area
Like Rick Jay said, seat belts are definitely personal opinion and a refection of our personalities.
Just like some like to ride horses, motorcycles or snow ski, everything we do has risk, which we balance against how useful or fun the activity is. 50,000 per year die in motor vehicles, an inherent risk in being in one, but as a society we accept that risk because of the value it brings to our lives.
I make the kids buckle up in the car but not in the coach. We let them lay on the bed and watch TV in the back or sit upfront. Because hitting the brakes can cause them to fall, I don't allow them to loiter standing up. They are allowed to move from one spot to the other.
This allows them a more fun, relaxed traveling experience. It may increase risk some, but we accept that. No one knows what fate holds for any of us, so the perfect answer isn't available.
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience. What a rotten feeling to suddenly have the rig develop a mind of its own and finding it steering instead you. I'm glad it turned out OK.
I think you and the kids will really enjoy your new class A. They're great for camping but also really shine for touring and even just day trips and special events. It was handy for the Christmas parade this year. We staked out a spot a couple of hours early, the little ones stayed warm and could see over the heads of those standing front of the coach.
Take your time shopping. There are some great buys out there.
I notice you are looking at pretty recent used gas units. You might also test drive a few slightly older diesel pushers while you're looking so you'll know what they are like. Slides have been out a long time now, so going back to 2001 or so will give you diesel pusher probably in the same price range you're looking now, maybe cheaper, but still with slides. You'll get a much heavier coach (handles the bow waves of trucks better), air brakes, probably exhaust brake and maybe better handling. Drive a few and see what you think.
Another option you might consider is going to a real high end coach like a Foretravel from the 90's. They originally sold for several hundred thousand but now are less than what you are looking at. The trick would be making sure it was in good condition. The top of the line construction will always stay with one of these coaches if it has been well maintained. PPL Motors in Houston Their Website probably handles more than anyone. They also have a great list of sold coaches, giving you an idea of what the going price is. CrankyApe.com which auctions coaches also has some sold pricing at the bottom of their RV's auction page.
As you probably already know, watch your CCC's, some (gas and diesel) coaches are overweight before you put anything in them.
I'm thinking anything you buy today will be NADA low retail (with no options added other than engine size) or even less. Good luck with your search, couldn't be a better time to buy. Someone, who no longer has a use for their coach, will appreciate you turning it into cash for them in the current market.
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squadleader
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03/31/09 05:05am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Wet Bay Heater
Thanks ShapeShifter for the full explanation and trouble shooting guide.
I'm going to have to get the heater fixed or replaced before next winter. The detail is very useful since I'm not that mechanical. With enough detail Iike you posted though, I can usually muddle through especially with the help of an old Navy chief I know who takes pity on me.
I left the heat on in the coach recently and still had partial freezing in the waste gates while dumping. Had to use the hair dryer to loosen things up. Luckily no damage.
If it gets down in the low 20's, it's just too cold in that bay without a heat source.
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squadleader
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03/31/09 03:49am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Wet Bay Heater
Mine has stopped working as well.
What is a temp snap switch.
On my coach, the bay heater switch is on the panel with the tank levels, amp meter and hot water heater. If I cut it on, it turns on a red light when it engages at around 40 degrees. On a cold night while the red light was on, I tried to get the 12volt bay heater to come on. It used to, but now it doesn't.
It is a pain to wait for a cold night to check the system. Is the temp snap switch a way to bypass the temperture switch and manually turn on the power?
If so that would be very helpful trouble shooting the heater. If that is so, what should I be looking for? A toggle switch?
Thanks
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squadleader
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03/29/09 07:07pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: No Longer A Rumor About Monaco
Monaco's assets are going to be sold, either by the company or the judge. Whatever it brings in pieces and or in whole (including the brand names) will be applied to whatever the debt is (I've seen 50 million mentioned). Unless someone buying the assets in whole or part agrees to it, the assets will transfer without any debt.
In the end whatever is recovered will be allocated by the bankruptcy judge starting with secured creditors down to unsecured creditors. Some or all of the creditors are going to take a bath.
There couldn't be a worse time to liquidate this company, sales off 80%, people scared to buy and the value of their real estate (plants and resorts) also hard hit.
I don't know what assets Navistar is buying, but it's probably dimes on the dollar and won't transfer over the old debt. I think the creditors are just out of luck here, they're only going to get what little bit the assets bring, it's better than nothing is about the best to be said.
If someone buys the brand names and assets right (they will), they could afford to bring it back as a much smaller company. That's what brought the company down, they have the debt and infrastructure to build thousands of coaches when they only need hundreds or even dozens. The overhead and debt have devoured them. Frankly, very few companies could survive an 80% drop in sales no matter what they sold.
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squadleader
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03/29/09 11:38am |
Class A Motorhomes
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