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RE: Whatever happened to the Spartan Mid-engine mh?
I remember seeing the Newmar floorplan with two-level bedroom configuration--"great for families", but my first question was what about basement storage? Should handle well being mid-engined!
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Jeff Regan
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02/11/12 11:58pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: What is Monaco's very top of the line?
Thank you. So, when Monaco bought out Beaver I understand the first year or two Monaco combined relatively heavy Monaco surplus walls onto Beaver chassis, making for some less than desirable problems with axel overload in model year 2002 or so. Something about heavy walls, small tires, overweight for the chassis etc.,
I understand the 10 bag system Beaver in later 2000 ( 2004-2008?) was now a better coach being properly massaged by Monaco. Is this right? If so, exactly what years in the Beavers were properly designed by Monaco? Maybe this is the way to go for me?
Also, I've been told the 525HP Cat engine was very fuel inefficient in some of these Beavers. So, did anything get better with the Monaco merger?
thanks again
Monaco didn't bring in their Roadmaster chassis in the Beaver line until 2006. But they did add their running gear to the Magnum chassis shortly after purchasing them.
There were no steel sidewall Beavers prior to the 2006 Patriot Thunder and Marquis, which corresponded to the Roadmaster semi-monocoque chassis changeover from Magnum rail chassis.
The 2002 Patriot's didn't have tag axles in the shorter lengths and the Thunder's were under tired. The 2003 Monterey's appeared with 22K rear axle's, which were illegal on Federal bridges, some turnpikes and toll roads.
The CAT ACERT engines were slow off the line, thirsty and loud. Things were made worse by Beaver not using large enough diameter cooling hoses, air intakes with 90 degree corners, inadequate mufflers in the C13's. The C9 was also a bit anemic, loud and thirsty.
The decision to go all CAT was taken during Monaco's ownership as a differentiator to the other Monaco brands.
Beaver technology that transferred to Monaco was the Aladdin coach monitoring system. Beaver coaches also featured pre-made wiring looms with each wire labeled down the length of it, terminating via military grade multi-connectors to a central ground block. They also did a lot of the Monaco fiberglass work in a Beaver plant. Beaver, of course was known for woodwork and the Marquis was the best example of this, which was incredibly labor intensive and unique.
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Jeff Regan
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01/30/12 10:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: My Unreliable Tiffin
This thread is distressing, as I'm a fan of Tiffin products. Newmar had trouble with side walls developing star cracks, typically with dark colored paint jobs. This was a fiberglass sidewall vendor issue, much like National RV experienced. The vendor/s are responsible for materials, but the cost to redo sidewalls from a labor and painting standpoint is enormous. Newmar tried to cover costs when possible, but had to start charging a reduced amount based upon coach age, warranty status.
The problems being discussed in this thread are happening to a company that has gained a whole lot of market share quickly and may be experiencing issues due to this growth. Every manufacturer has problems, coaches are getting more complex, there are all kinds of economic pressures on the surviving coach builders and dealers.
The issues brought up could end up seriously damaging the good will of this manufacturer and create huge warranty costs for years to come. It is conceivable that a less healthy, less successful RV builder could succumb to this financially.
As an RV sales person for over 3 1/2 years, I saw more than my fair share of new coach issues from a pretty large cross section of manufacturers. I was and remain more concerned by high line coaches, which use cutting edge, low volume, low tested technology in what is a cottage industry that suffered a large setback and may never be what it once was, especially the diesel pusher segment.
Too many owners have seen their manufacturer go out of business never to be seen again or reborn without honoring coach warranties. I truly hope that Tiffin gets on top of these issues quickly for all involved.
Jeff Regan
2000 Newmar Dutch Star/Spartan
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Jeff Regan
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12/03/11 07:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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