We took a look at a 98 Monaco Signature today, nice looking coach, some, what appear to be superficial wear, but overall looked good. I do have some questions regarding a few things
1. Under the couch on the drivers side are some HVAC ducts. Is it possible to move these without too much work.
2. How difficult is it to pull new wires for the entertainment equip, ie: divd players, tvs, etc. The tv's would need to be updated as would the dvd player, etc as these are original, I assume I should update the wiring also. There is a satelite dome on top, can this be removed and any holes filled? It is also original and we plan on having a carry out Direct tv satelite.
3. We can get access to all of the maintenence records as all the work has been done at cummin coach care here in Boise. I also have a local mobil RV mech that will do a complete inspection.
4. Are there any specific issues with this year, make and model of a coach that anyone knows of?
Thanks
NorCal Dan said
07:11 PM Aug 5, 2012
If that couch is in a slideout you may want to leave the ducts. The slideouts are not insulated all that well, and those ducts are from your furnace, you might want to keep them. Not many places in the USA that don't get cold in the winter.
If your entertainment center is overhead then you shouldn't have much trouble pulling wires or replacing the television. My equipment is mounted over the windshield, and while it's tight, I have run new cables. Most folks report having to do cabinet work when replacing old TV sets with new flat panel TV's.
I can't imagine any reason why you couldn't remove the dome. We love our slimline traveller from Winegard for DirecTv in HD. We do carry a portable dish, but in 5 years of full-timing I've only used it twice. Sure is nice to just hit a button and the dish deploys and aligns itself with the satellites.
I'm not familiar with the older Monaco's as far as recalls or well known problem issues. Sounds like you have found a very nice coach.
The Bear II said
11:45 PM Aug 8, 2012
I remember one member of a camping club had a Monaco Dynasty and he was considering hiring a lawyer because it had so many problems. It had to be around 1996-1998 that he bought it new.
He was an old time RVer with many RVs under his belt over the years and he said this was the worst one he had ever bought.
Here's the thing about RVs that I have noticed over the years since the 70's. When a RV model becomes popular there is a lag time between the manufacturer being able to keep up with demand. They try everything to keep up...three shifts, new manufacturing facilites, add employees... When he bought the Dynasty it was the most popular MH on the market. It may have been suffering from a lack of quality control due to the market demand.
The service records and your mechanic will be the best guide to determine how sound this Monaco is.
bjoyce said
03:59 AM Aug 9, 2012
A friend I know loved his 1999 Dynasty and had had very little problems with it. I have lost touch with him the last couple years, so I don't know if he still has it.
We took a look at a 98 Monaco Signature today, nice looking coach, some, what appear to be superficial wear, but overall looked good. I do have some questions regarding a few things
1. Under the couch on the drivers side are some HVAC ducts. Is it possible to move these without too much work.
2. How difficult is it to pull new wires for the entertainment equip, ie: divd players, tvs, etc. The tv's would need to be updated as would the dvd player, etc as these are original, I assume I should update the wiring also. There is a satelite dome on top, can this be removed and any holes filled? It is also original and we plan on having a carry out Direct tv satelite.
3. We can get access to all of the maintenence records as all the work has been done at cummin coach care here in Boise. I also have a local mobil RV mech that will do a complete inspection.
4. Are there any specific issues with this year, make and model of a coach that anyone knows of?
Thanks
If your entertainment center is overhead then you shouldn't have much trouble pulling wires or replacing the television. My equipment is mounted over the windshield, and while it's tight, I have run new cables. Most folks report having to do cabinet work when replacing old TV sets with new flat panel TV's.
I can't imagine any reason why you couldn't remove the dome. We love our slimline traveller from Winegard for DirecTv in HD. We do carry a portable dish, but in 5 years of full-timing I've only used it twice. Sure is nice to just hit a button and the dish deploys and aligns itself with the satellites.
I'm not familiar with the older Monaco's as far as recalls or well known problem issues. Sounds like you have found a very nice coach.
He was an old time RVer with many RVs under his belt over the years and he said this was the worst one he had ever bought.
Here's the thing about RVs that I have noticed over the years since the 70's. When a RV model becomes popular there is a lag time between the manufacturer being able to keep up with demand. They try everything to keep up...three shifts, new manufacturing facilites, add employees... When he bought the Dynasty it was the most popular MH on the market. It may have been suffering from a lack of quality control due to the market demand.
The service records and your mechanic will be the best guide to determine how sound this Monaco is.