Dale.Traveling
Newport News, VA
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Joined: 12/16/2010
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Beautiful coach, congratulations on the find and the journey ahead.
Don't read too much into the dealer offer new tires and batteries. RV sales are depressed and they are just trying to sweeten the deal to get you to bite. No different than selling a house with fresh paint, new carpets, new appliances that convey. In the overall picture batteries and tires are cheap in the dealer's eyes.
All the down talk about a residential fridge is one person’s opinion. Opinions are like backsides, everyone has one and they all stick but your owns. Personally I would rather have a residential model. Much more efficient with getting cold, staying cold and power consumption. Also repairs or replacement is $$$$ less than a dual fuel. A top end solar system to keep a battery bank topped of costs about the same as replacing a dual fuel RV model fridge.
Ask about maintenance records or if they would put you in touch with the former owner to discuss past maintenance history. Regardless get the coach inspected, preferable by a diesel mechanic and a coach inspector. Separate the house part from the driving part. If you can’t find any maintenance history negotiate a full power train service.
Again, congratulations and happy trails.
2006 Hurricane 31D aka 'Moby' the Whale
FCC(SW) US Navy Retired 1980-2003
Stella my Navigator
Bogart the All American RV Dog
and
Cocoui waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge
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goldviper
Gilbert, AZ
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Joined: 10/01/2009
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Hello All,
Thanks for all of the info, it has really helped. We are going to be signing the papers tomorrow.
There is a certified RV inspector going to be looking at everything.
I will ask about the maint records and info on the previous owner. I also want to see a CarFax report.
I was accually disapointed that this unit does NOT have a residential refer in it. It is not a deal braker.
As Blaster Man said, We spoke for quiet awhile today and he had some good info that I did not know about this coach. Thanks to all of you guys for helping me out. I can not wait for the big day tomorrow.
Les
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paulcardoza
Southeastern Massachusetts
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Joined: 01/15/2010
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I'm sorry RVER, but you are just so wrong here! My Monaco Executive (2003, so not new) has an inverter, with 4 6v batteries. When I have the inverter ON, my Electric/LP fridge STAYS IN THE ELECTRIC MODE. Even when boondocking, the batteries easily last throughout the night, with the fridge on electric, some lights and TV (LCD) watching and the Aqua-Hot on for heat & hot water. By morning, I'll need to run the genny for an hour or so and then again in the evening before quiet time. We don't boondock all that often but have certainly spent many a night in a rest area, Flying J, etc., while traveling and have never run out of power doing so....... In two+ years I have never used any propane and the tank still reads full.
RVER wrote:OK, guys, I do not have an ax to grind with RV dealers, just trying to get this Noobe to be realistic, RV dealers are often(not always) dogs!
All Electric rigs- Yes there are some that have inverters dedicated to batteries for the fridge BUT some were built without any back up for the electric fridge and those who bought them did not know this and so had to run generator to keep fridge and freezer cold.
I did not see where he said the TITLE said it was a 2009, I only saw where the dealer represented it as 2009. IF the title says it is a 2009 then fine it is a 2009. IF it is a 2009, why did the dealership offer to put on new tires? AND why were the new tires not on the rig before this man picked up the rig? AND if it is a 2009 rig why does the rig have 2007 tires on it? Something stinks here really.
So far as having a high end rig knowledge, I surely do, familiar with Monaco, American, Newmar, Newell, Prevost, Tiffen. Have owned two of those actually before decided to down size and go with the fifthwheel. Also, if it matters, have sold vehicles and RVs but the highend ones. SO insults do not stop me from trying to help this guy out. IF and I said IF the rig was misrepresented to him to be a 2009 and it is a 2007 on the title etc, then he has legal remedies(yes went to law school)but would try to talk with dealer before availing himself of the legal system which is one step better than the RV dealers(not all yes I know).
Believe me, most car and RV dealerships see their customers as "marks", "snag, sell'em, send'em on thier way." There are great RV dealers, but they are far and few. The BBB has no industry with more complaints. With all of that said, if you get a good one, then life is beautiful, if you get a bad one then life is a drag. I actually have gotten great ones, but have read here and heard elsewhere from friends and aquaintances horror stories etc.
Personaly, I do not care how nice of a unit, I would not buy a rig with an electric only appliance, for me they would have to switch out the stove and fridge to a propane/electric or I would not buy. YES there are some rigs that are not piped at all for propane and those are not ones to buy in my opinion. Running a fridge and stove and then if you need the furnace while dry camping is way too much for a couple of batteries to run all those appliances but propane handles that easily for long periods of time. MY OPINION but it is sound as those who bought all electric and now defend it 'cause lots of people feel the same way and resale has been found to be lower due to "All Electric" when people want to travel and stop at truck stops and other allowed dry camping areas "All Electric" does not work out well at all for more than a couple of hours at a time and one appliance at a time or the batteries will be DOA.
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
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jbburtch
Nashville, TN
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Joined: 02/22/2005
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I am sure RVer is knowledgeble and has owned a number of motorhomes. Recently I looked at several used motorhomes that would have been considered medium to high end when new, 2007 45 ft Monaco Signature, 2005 Country Coach, 2005 Foretravel. Same had residential, some not.
The newest motorhomes, 2011 and 2012, many come standard as "all-electric" coaches.
I have a new 2012 motorhome that is all-electric'. By defintion and to be efficient this requires residential refrig, electic cooktop, micro-convection oven combo,aqua-hot, larger house battery bank (8 batteries), solar panel, 10,000kw generator, all LED interior lighting, different and larger inverter, different wiring, etc. No propane on the coach.
Unlike some previous years where a residential refrig may be present there have been significant upgrades in lighting technology, batteries, inverters, etc. For example my motorhome has 85 interior LED lights. If all turned on with master switch, pulls 7 amp vs 60 amp with halogen.
A properly equipped all-electric coach can certainly dry camp and can operate effectively.
FYI - when you see those entertainer buses and/or race car drivers and/or other celebrity coaches ( Prevosts), parked in parking lots, outside of nightclubs, etc., these are all-electric.
We all have different needs, budgets, etc. I love my all-electric coach.
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