Monaco lapalma - RV-Dreams Community Forum

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Monaco lapalma

Our_Time · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi I have been in search of a motorhome for some time and it seems the diesel's in our price range are pretty beat up so far. I found a pretty good by on a 2006 Monaco lapalma 37.5' v-10 gas tripple slide. This seems a little long and heavy for a v-10 ford chassis. The owner says it is a 2006 and some of the parts look 2006 but others looks 2005. The Ford tag and Monaco tag both say 2005. It appears this may be part of both years. Problem is which engine does it have. Accourding to the 05specs it has the 310 Hp with 4 speed and the 06 has the 362 hp 5 speed. The 05 has a 2pc windshield and the 06 has a 1 pc windshield. This one has the 1pc windshield. But the color is of the 05 year. So much with the confusing stuff.. Has anyone owneed one of these coaches? If so what do you like or dislike about it? Anyone with any opions on the Monaco Lapalma Ford v-10 gas motorhome, Quality etc?

Thank You for your input

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would check the monaco owners forum.....

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Go over to irv2 forum and get on the Monaco page. Someone there will be able to help you out.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Be careful on irv2, since they give their moderators too much power. Just a warning.

Our_Time · RV-Dreams Community Member

OK thanks everyone for the input :)

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are willing to go a bit older you can afford a DP.

http://motorhomesoftexas.com/coachrv/foretravel/1998--u320--40--C1580

http://www.buybyebluebird.com/index.php?category=Wide+Body+%28WB%29&srt=price+ASC&p=10&submit=Click+to+Sort

The first is a Foretravel, priced around what NADA says the Monaco is. The second link shows several Wanderlodges, all wide-body coaches, 40' in length. They are a bit older, but were more expensive when new. MOT is a dealer, while the other listing is a brokerage. Randy knows 'Birds, though, so you can call him, tell him what you want to do, and he will be able to point you to coaches that might suit you.

The big question is how are you going to use your coach? Are you planning on full-timing or weekends and an occasional vacation? The general consensus when we were doing our research is that a diesel costs more for each service but it doesn't need service as often, making that part a wash. You generally will get an air suspension with a diesel, while gas usually doesn't offer it.

Edit by moderator: Activated links. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 17th of March 2013 08:10:23 AM

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Be careful on irv2, since they give their moderators too much power. Just a warning.

Hear, Hear...........They are actually a little too arrogant for their own good.

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

We own an 2000 Monaco La Palma 34' SBD V10 gasser. We have owned it for almost two years and are very happy living in it. We have two large slides and find the living area more than comfortable. It was in great shape when we purchased it (48,000 miles) and has proven it's quality to us in our travels.

The La Palma is the next step up from the Monarch and seems to have a higher level of cabinets and counter tops. We have put a fair amount of miles on it since moving from our sticks and bricks. The V-10 engine pulls the rig fine but you will not scream up 7-10 degree mountain inclines. We do tow a 2012 Honda Fit. Our La Palma drives like a dream and surprised my wife by how easy it was for her to drive.

If our Monaco is any indication of their quality after 13 years of service you should be happy.

In answer to your question about models crossing over years, it is very common. Our model was not shown in the 2000 brochures but was shown in 2001.

Things we like are:
Kitchen quality
Four door fridge
Dining table and chairs
Great quality on basement bays
Interior storage
My leather recliner (it's the retirement chair)
Larger hot water heater. (great for long showers)

Things I don't love:
7 miles per gallon
Passenger side blind spots when turning
Grey water holding tank could be double it's size (for longer showers)

All things considered it is a great RV for the price we paid. No payments is a good thing. Costs of repairs have been minimal (DIY) in the two years (under $500.00). Six new Michilan tires - $2,700.00

We could have spent a lot more than we did to own a newer RV but in the end we are out there having a blast the same as a new motorhome. We just have a much bigger cash reserve to keep us going for as long as we want to do our Dream.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

It was my friends' experience with their 2004 LaPalma that swore us off used coaches. It nickeled and dimed them to death for the seven months they had it and they still refer to it as the LaPoopa! The final straw was the dash A/C quitting on them.....

I'm sure there are lemons in with great units of the same model and year........but their bad luck with the LaPalma was enough to turn me off of them

.

Good luck on your search!

Jodee

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

It really makes a big difference on the previous owners maintenance practices for sure.

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

In reply to Jodee with her review of a friends La Palma,

All gas powered class A motorhomes in the last 15 years have been built on only 2 chassis, a Ford V-10 or a GM 8.1. For the past several years there has been only one option, the Ford V-10.

So when comparing gas powered motorhomes new or used you have two options. Do you buy a gas or diesel powered motorhome or RV.

If the final straw for your friend was the dash powered air conditioner going toes up that would leave them with one option....maybe two.... buy a diesel or quit RVing. I seem to remember the owners of this web site and others having to purchase new diesel engines for their rigs. So maybe in the end there is no perfect or even great option that stands out. If we are going to RV than we must accepts the fact that "stuff will happen".

Thus far I have never talked to anyone, new or used owner, gas or diesel, that believes their RV will be maintenance free.

When choosing a gas powered motorhome your options are what box(RV) is built around the one remaining option, a Ford V-10 chassis.

So for all of us that own RV's or are planning on owning an RV we will just have to roll the dice and see what happens. It's just like real life, no guarantees.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The dash air is added by the RV builder to Class A motorhomes, gas or diesel. Often the same Evans system. Often the same failure, the reversing valve. That Evans valve failed in both our gas Dolphin and diesel Dutch Star. When the dash air is broken, you run the built-in generator and the roof air conditioner when driving down the road. The generator needs exercising anyway and .5 to .75 gallons an hour is affordable for comfort.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Friday 17th of January 2014 04:52:00 PM

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill, that's exactly what we do, what the previous owners did, and what the original owners did. In fact, that's one of the reasons why we went with a MH over a towable - the whole coach will be comfortable all the time. The dash air just won't cool the front of a coach, much less reach back to the bedroom.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

And this whole time I thought the dash air was just for keeping my drinks cool in front of the Vent!

Whoo Da Thunk!!!!

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Note that the dash air was the "last straw" after several coach, chassis and engine issues. Likely their lukewarm lemonade sent them over the edge

Mike!!

There may only be one "iffy" LaPalma out there and now we know where it is! Don't buy the used unit in Sacramento!!!

Best of luck to all who are still searching for their perfect home on wheels - it's always so great to read when another one has realized the dream.

Jodee