WS6LS1 wrote: Thanks for the replies. It really sounds like a toss up! Is Monaco really in trouble! That is pretty scary. Maybe I should look at the Diplomat instead of the Endeavor if there is a possibility that the HR line will be axed.
Also, I will really have to look at the Dutch Star again. The only thing that bugs me about this motorhome is that the storage compartments are so small.
No, Monaco is no more troubled than Tiffin, who has cut their workforce and production by over 1/2, or Newmar, which has also had several rounds of downsizing in today's economy. I don't believe they will drop the HR brand name, as it is their 2nd best selling line.
* This post was
edited 07/20/08 03:23pm by an administrator/moderator *
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
I don't know if any of you have heard, but, Monaco is closing most Indiana facilities, And I only live 60 miles from the Rec. Industry epia center, Elkhart, and every mfg., bar none, is having a tough time trying to keep their head above water. I have a 2005 Monaco Diplomat, cannot say enough good about them, traded a Newmar 5'er for the Diplomat, had no trouble with the 5'er either. Have had the Diplomat too the factory in Wakarusa, In. and the people there are very good, soooo, I would not throw stones either direction at the moment, next week, any make may not weather this storm.
Trailer life shows that the 2008 Endeavor 40 PRQ has a CCC of 2720 lbs.
The 2009 Endeavor uses a 23,000 lb rear axle . 20,000 lbs is the legal maximum in most states.
If enforcement starts- the HR will need helium.
(If the 2008 and the 2009 have the same axles)
Today, looking at both companies I would have to say Newmar. But things could certainly change tomorrow for Newmar. For now, if I was trading it would be Newmar. And this fall when I go to the big RV Show in Hershey, the Newmar area will be the first stop.
Pretty please with my 2005DP Kountry Star (Newmar). I had a Monaco Monarch gaser for about 10 months and didn't like the bathroom and traded up to the DP. But I will say Monaco was very good to work with. And all the times I have had to call about the current coach, which is few, it's been good.
If it seems like a little problem now!!!
Any problem you have with any coach now will only seem to get more aggravating as time goes on. Don't buy any coach that has problems you think you "can learn to live with'.
Both are good manufactures and all RV Companies are having to adjust by downsizing their work force. If they say they are not changing for market demand they are BS'ing somebody! Times are tough across the board except for maybe the millon $$ plus coach's, but they are usally made to order!
Dave & Belinda FMCA 351630 ,HR 111460, DataStormUser 4200 Rallies 9
04 H-R Endeavor 40PAQ,
BlueOX,03 Jeep Liberty Renagade
1 Ragdoll cat 'Sinbad', 2 (Evil) Yorkie's 'Dixie' and 'Rio'
Redfox11 wrote: If it seems like a little problem now!!!
Any problem you have with any coach now will only seem to get more aggravating as time goes on. Don't buy any coach that has problems you think you "can learn to live with'.
Very good advice. Storage is a big deal to me...not to my DW. I knew going into this rig that I would not have as much outside storage as I was giving up. So, my DW won this battle. She got gobs of interior space. I sacrificed outside storage. Never again!
If you are already thinking that one of the rigs is lacking in storage, your decision is easy. Get the other one!
Jim and Deanna
Tiffin Allegro 35QBA 2007 Carson Trailer 22' Titan TH Trailer Toad
Me, Wife, Boy/10, Boy/7, Girl/5
Faith/Springer
1985 Toyota 4Runner
five quads, three kids, two motorcycles, one wife, one dog, one cat!
Monaco is a large company and has the ability to redistribute manufacturing in existing plants in IN while closing others - something GM wishes it could do now. Newmar is a lot smaller than Monaco - I wouldn't worry about Monaco's long-term well-being. If the Dutch Star is moved up the ladder then it might make sense dollar-wise to compare it to the HR Sceptre or the Monaco Camelot. Personally I always thought the DS was a good coach but 1) never found a floorplan I liked and 2) It became rather expensive for how I perceived it's value. JMHO!
Joel & Bonnie
3 teen boys and 3 dogs
2006 Monaco Diplomat 40PDQ w/4 slides, 40.5', Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2001 Town & Country, Falcon All-Terrain, Roadmaster EvenBrake. Rallies Attended: 7;Gatherings Attended: 3
1. The particular newmar floorplan we like does not have the full size storage bay doors. Are there any newmar or other coach owners with the smaller bay doors? If so, has this ever been an issue?
2. Is the quality of the two coaches pretty equal? If you were choosing a coach for the long haul, would it be the Dutch Star or the Endeavor? I understand this is probably very subjective, but when it is time to sell, would the Dutch Star or Endeavor be more desireable to the buyer?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Two excellent choices IMO.
I believe you'll find the Dutch Star does have full sized doors; however they will be on the street side rather than the curb side. That is a function of the larger (and flat floor) side being on the curbside. You might find the large side doors being on the street side to be an advantage. We have the 3910 (like the '09 4010) and do enjoy the large doors, full slide tray, and side hinged doors.
Quality wise I'd call it a toss-up, as both enjoy an excellent reputation. But there is more...
The Newmar offers something the Monaco doesn't, Comfort Drive. We just finished another trip yesterday and all I can say is Comfort Drive is simply amazing. The more I drive it the better I like it. I'm almost to the point of saying a coach without Comfort Drive is a coach I'm not interested in - and a test drive of a non-CD coach today may even put me there. Words cannot describe it and a few test drives with it will only give you a small taste of it. 1000's of miles of seat time tell the whole story.
Add to that the Newmar offers IFS and a side radiator, again something the Monaco does not offer, and dollar for dollar I think the Dutch Star is the clear winner.
I'd also offer I am biased some as we're on our 3rd Newmar and our issues have been just about zero; but I also know a few happy Monaco owners.
Comfort Drive, IFS, and a side radiator are what separates these 2. Only you can determine if thats enough.
* This post was
edited 07/21/08 06:05am by Bruce Brown *
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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FMCA 351630 ,HR 111460, DataStormUser 4200 
