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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Monaco Cayman
Post Info TOPIC: Monaco Cayman
Fluffykitty


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Monaco Cayman
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Hi everyone!
My DW and I are looking at a 2004 Monaco Cayman 36PDQ with 4 slides and a 300HP Cummins with 27K miles. We plan on towing an enclosed trailer (5500lbs.), moving only 3-5 times/year.

Has anyone had any experience with Caymans? Is 300 HP enough to do what we plan? If not, might this engine be uprated? Opinions on 4 slides?

Thanks for anything you have to offer. Cheers! Frank &Linda

-- Edited by Fluffykitty on Thursday 30th of June 2011 04:55:58 PM

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GENECOP


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I would like more HP with a 4 slide unit pulling a trailer....

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Roz


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In addition to looking at horsepower, make sure the whoa power is adequate. 

Equally important is the rating on the hitch receiver.



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Bill Adams


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The GVW for that coach appears to be 25,000 and the GVWR appears to be 28,500. Towing a 5,500 pound trailer could easily put you over the safety limits of the coach depending upon the actual full and wet weight of the coach prior to towing but it is expected that the full loaded coach should limit the towed vehicle to 3,500#.

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Mallo


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300 HP should be fine assuming you stay in the weight limits you will likely end up in the slow lane going up hills and such but its fine. We run just a bit over 21,000 pounds and have an engine rated at 225 HP doing the towing. More important then HP is torque but that's one mans opinion. Some folks like to drive'em like they stole'em as my old man would of said.

Mallo


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Fluffykitty


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Thank you. I know that these numbers are near the limits. Thats why I want to know what you thought. I hadnt concidered the woah power either, though it does have engine breaking. Also, is it true that more slides make for more weight for a given length rig?


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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do... -Mark Twain
Bill Adams


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Keep in mind the legal issues as well. Just because you "can" tow does not mean that you should. If you are in an accident and you are over your coach weight limits you will deemed to be at fault in almost all cases. The brakes have a rating (w/ or without an engine brake) and exceeding this rating is not only putting your lives in jeopardy but those who might have the misfortune if "running into you". Just how big is your legal fund balance?

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Bill Adams
Fluffykitty


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Good point Bill. Not near big enough Im afraid. So many variables.....might be better off driving the Mini and towing the cycle with it, since we are not moving that often. Smaller trailer to fool with too. Decision, decisions..... Having a blast exploring the posibilities though. Anyone had or know anyone with a Cayman?

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Bill Adams


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See if this is of any help.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/
Google Monaco Cayman (forum, reviews, owners, etc). See what you come up with.



-- Edited by Bill Adams on Friday 1st of July 2011 06:58:24 PM

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bjoyce


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Some friends had a Cayman and liked everything but the kitchen was too small. But their Cayman was more like 33 feet.

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Fluffykitty


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Thanks to both you Bills. That forum is thick with info, like this one. That'll gimme something to chew on for a while!


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RonaldNC


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We have a 2009 38' Cayman and love it.  Our hitch receiver is rated at 7,000 pounds, so we haven't had any trouble flat towing our Honda CR-V.  I'm not sure how different our layout is from the 36', but we have lots of room (even an island kitchen!).  Our's is 340 HP and pulls very nicely up hills, etc.

According to the brochure for this model (can be found in Monaco website archives), your GVWR is 24,000 and the Gross Combined is 28,000... so you'll need to find out the actual weight of the motorhome unladened to determine if you'll have a weight problem.  You'll find this information on the required sticker... usually behind the driver's seat.

Good luck!

Ron



-- Edited by RonaldNC on Friday 8th of July 2011 08:30:06 PM

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Ron Clanton

Fuquay Varina, NC

2009 Monaco Cayman PKQ 38'
Fluffykitty


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Wow! Thanks Ron! Thats some useful info! I'll check that out. The layout on the one we are looking at is fairly conventional, but nicely done. Its amazing what 2 feet and 5 years can do, ey? We like the parking flexability of shorter rig(than a 40'), but like the interior room afforded by 4 slides in the shorter rig. Since my last entry, I suggested to my wife the idea of driving the mini seperately. It did not go over well. Cheers!
Frank

-- Edited by Fluffykitty on Friday 8th of July 2011 09:25:58 PM

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