Monaco Roadmaster Chassis Maintenance

In this video I show some items that I feel should be checked and serviced during normal routine chassis maintenance. Although this video is more specifically geared towards the Roadmaster S-Series chassis, much of this will apply to most all diesel pusher RV's.

[@frankmcelroy3792]

As always a great informative video. At age 18 I learned that if I wanted the job done right, I'd better to it myself. My cars and coaches never see a repair shop. If I want a job done right, I'll do it myself. Yep, I even mount my our coach tires and do my own engine / transmission / drivetrain repair and maintenance. Over the past 55 years I've saved tens of thousands of dollars, driven millions of miles, and have had the confidence of knowing a vehicle could drive coast to coast without trusting someone to make quality repairs - for me it was great piece of mind knowing that I've done the job right. Yes, I've invested a lot of money in specialized tools and computer diagnostic equipment but for piece of mind it was well worth it and in my opinion priceless. After your video, I'm thinking about changing my 5 P's of Prepare to Prevent Piss Poor Per Performance to your 7 P's of Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. I also have the 6 D's - Duck Dodge Delegate Defer and Don't Do. When I was a manager in big oil corporate America I often told employees to follow the principles of 5P and not 6D.

[@zmotorsports62]

Thanks Frank. I couldn't agree more with the peace of mind it brings knowing the job is done right by doing it yourself. Thank you for taking the time to watch and for the comments. Mike

[@RAW2125]

Great video Mike. I have a Monaco S Series Road Master coach. I learned a lot. Thank again for sharing your knowledge and experience. I have watched all your videos.

[@zmotorsports62]

Thank you. I'm glad that my videos have been helpful. Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to watch. Mike

[@MoflipperG]

Mike! Just now found you! We bought our neighbors 2002 Monaco Dynasty Chancellor Tag with 39k on engine. Cardinal sin of coaches sat for 5 years without a start 😬 We were taken for a ride by an unscrupulous service center that knew it is our 1st coach and 35k later just now semi functional. Your video is extremely informative and I WILL watch all of them. Thank you for the education!

[@zmotorsports62]

Congratulations on your new to you Dynasty. They're great coaches but they do require some routine maintenance, and as you're finding out, coaches don't respond well to sitting without being used. Glad the videos are helpful and thank you for taking the time to watch. Mike

[@Jurornumber5]

Hi Mike. I just found your channel after Scanner Danner recommended it in one of his videos. He mentioned you do some motorhome videos as well as many other things. After listening to you go over this chassis and hearing all the work and upgrades you've made, I'm really impressed at how much knowledge you have on EVERY part. I would like to pick your brain because I recently had a little accident while doing maintenance on my new to me 2011 Tiffin Allegro Breeze 32BR with a Maxxforce 7. I lost a tiny plastic clip(1/4" x 1/4") down the oil fill tube. I have removed the tube and extension neck so I could attempt to retrieve it from the top of the engine. I connected a vacuum to a small diameter tube and try to see if I could suck it up. I can't see it and don't know where it may have travelled and I surely don't know the routing from when the oil goes in, passes through the filter, and all the other orifices in there. Since this is such a tiny piece of cheap plastic, do you think it's something to worry about or will it be pulverised or melt?

[@zmotorsports62]

Thank you for the kind words. With the clip being plastic you are probably correct that it will be pulverized and/or melt but it could still get lodged in an oil pickup tube or oil galley and therefore could be directly responsible for a catastrophic failure so I would not be inclined to recommend running it until the clip is retrieved. Ultimately that would have to be your call. Keep in mind that if or when it fails, Murphy's law states it will be at the most inopportune time and if you are like me, it will be a constant worry and always on your mind. Best of luck. Mike

[@Jurornumber5]

@@zmotorsports62 Thank YOU for the quick response. Do you have any tricks or thoughts on a way to extract?

[@zmotorsports62]

@Jurornumber5 not really. The trick that you tried using a vacuum and tube would be the best way if it worked. Anything else I think will be more invasive.

[@Jurornumber5]

@@zmotorsports62 OK. I think that deserves a second try then. When I first did it, some oil started to shoot up the clear silicone tubing, so I shut it down. I will use a mini shop-vac and sacrifice it if necessary, on the second attempt. I'll let you know if I succeed. Thanks again for your time and I will look forward to your future videos and catch up on your past videos.

[@jimw3799]

Thanks Mike, That tip on how to get to the air dryer was worth the price of admission all on its own. I've completed pretty much all of my other maintenance but was dreading that part just because it is so confined in there.

[@zmotorsports62]

Glad it was helpful Jim. Thanks for taking the time to watch. Mike

[@cruzincondo3395]

True, in 2009 there was an economic downturn…. Whatever previous parts were in the warehouse were used. Then, the shortcuts were used to keep the lights on …lay-offs etc. My old school gasser has a cut-above quality. Aluminum roof, aluminum floor vents as opposed to the short-cut flexible dryer vents strung through the cabinetry. Try cleaning out those every autumn without breaking/ ripping them. It can be a chore finding quality aftermarket furniture. Man made cushions only lasts so long. No computerized shades/ awnings and such. Our systems are stand-alone systems. When something needs repair, I stand alone fixin’ it. ✌🏼

[@larryturner8722]

Mike, I am glad that I ran across your video and presentation. I have a 2000 Monaco Diplomat that I purchased a couple years back. It's been hard to get good information about the chassis. For example, the Tie rod ends, and the center link are a problem that no one in my area in South Carolina seem to supply parts. There are a lot of things under the coach that I'm trying to service but it's not so easy when I don't have anything but an owner's manual to lead me. You video was very well done. I have subscribed to your channel and will be viewing your other videos. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@zmotorsports62]

Thank you for the kind words Larry and thank you for taking the time to watch and for subscribing. Mike

[@timaz1066]

Thanks Mike, I have a 2000 Dynasty and have learned a lot from your channel as you were the one that convinced me to put in the FASS set up on my coach. So this is just a good reminder of some thing I will be starting in about two weeks as a full-time in my coach, so I have to wait until I’m on a concrete pad. Thanks again for the video.

[@zmotorsports62]

Thanks for the kind words Tim and for continuing to file my channel. Best of luck as you full-time. Mike

[@timaz1066]

@@zmotorsports62 Thanks again and Happy Easter!

[@juliecallender5539]

WOW ! That's all I can say right now. We just purchased an '02 Holiday Rambler Navigator and it looks very familiar to yours. So much to look at. Thanks for all that and I'm a new subscriber and will watch more of your videos.

[@zmotorsports62]

Thank you for watching and congrats on the new to you Navigator. They're great coaches. Mike

[@zcs1669]

Thanks Mike for the video! I didn't know about the balance plates and crossfire. I'll be ordering them soon.

[@zcs1669]

Oh Mike, How can you check the suspension bushings, bump it with a long bar or something like with ball joints?

[@zmotorsports62]

With the weight neutral, meaning not loaded at either end of its travel, which is usually ride height on level ground, place a long prybar between the joint housing and the double shear bracket and try to push it radially on the bolt in both directions (perpendicular to fastener) and look for play. There shouldn't be any.

[@zcs1669]

@@zmotorsports62 Got it, I thought the load might be too much to see an effect.

[@JimSandefur]

"Mike, great videos! They help me a lot with multiple things related to service and repairs. I purchased a 2003 Monaco Dynasty 42’. We have the exact same Monaco made in Oregon. If you could provide me with some pictures of the fuse schematic on the driver’s side, that would help me tremendously as I’m trying to troubleshoot some electrical issues. I may be pushing my luck by asking for the part numbers for the airbags. Keep the videos coming!"

[@zmotorsports62]

When I have time I'll pull the schematic and snap a picture. Can you send me your email address as I cannot attach pictures to messages on KZbin. Mike

[@JimSandefur]

I don't know how to send you something privately. I will ask my daughter to help me send you my email. This is greatly appreciated.

[@JimSandefur]

@@zmotorsports62 I tried to send you my email privately. I have a channel as well so I tried doing it through mine as well. No luck. Do you have a Facebook associated with the channel?

[@zmotorsports62]

@JimSandefur sorry, I don't.

[@JimSandefur]

@@zmotorsports62 Thank you for trying. Keep up the good videos. Thank you!!!

[@NOWELLSBLESSEDADVENTURES]

Hi Mike, You got the RV looking good as always. Say hello to the Wife for us.

[@zmotorsports62]

Thanks David. Hope you and Kim are doing well.

[@jimwalters6444]

Mike I just bought a 2004 Monaco Camelot 40 PDQ with the ISC 350 only 5400 miles on it.. Stored inside all its life its in factory new condition . I am going through it head to toe. Your videos are really helpful. Especially this one on the chassis. Due to the low miles I will be doing an oil /fluids analysis after 5900 miles . Am I crazy for buying a 20 year old coach with no miles on the engine and generator?

[@zmotorsports62]

Congrats on the new to you coach. While I would rather see some miles on them there's also something to be said about low mile rigs. I would definitely zero everything out and give her a fresh lease on life as you are planning. That will be the best recipe for success. Be sure to replace most everything of rubber as those components and out as well as wear out. Things like belts, hoses, etc. in particular. Thank you for taking the time to watch and best of luck zeroing your your coach. Mike

[@alanwilliams7371]

Fellow ‘03 Dynasty owner here ready to replace tires. I’ve always been a Michelin guy, currently running XZA2 295/80R22.5 but considering other brands. Noticed you used Toyo and knowing how detailed you are I thought you might have a good reason for going with the Toyos. Care to share your thinking on the Toyo choice? Did you stick with the 295/80R22.5?

[@zmotorsports62]

I liked my Michelin XZA2 Energy (295/80R22.5) tires and would have ran them again. However, since I bought my last set the prices had gone up substantially. I started looking at other options and ran the Bridgestone R250 on my last two coaches and really liked them, but they didn't offer them in the 295/80R22.5 size. I then noticed that the Toyo M144 has a very similar tread pattern and had heard good things about them so I went with the Toyo's. So far I like them, can't really tell any difference from the Michelin's that they replaced.

[@juliecallender5539]

Mike do you have any videos of an oil change? We have the HR Nav with the 500HP Cummins. New to us so I usually change oil whenever I get something new like this. Just looking for any advice before I attempt it. Lube a well. Thx and really enjoy your posts.

[@zmotorsports62]

Sorry I don't have any videos showing a standard oil change.

[@bingobandit]

Great video, we are done with fifth wheel trailers and bought a 2001 Holiday Rambler 38 Scepter, has the Roadmaster. When you talk about the new coolant. How do I switch it out, drain and refill? Or are there other things I need to do, filters?

[@zmotorsports62]

Drain, fill with distilled water, run then drain and repeat until just clear water comes out. Generally takes 4-6 times. Once purged of old coolant, fill with coolant of your choice mixed with distilled water. Also, if your coach was equipped with a coolant filter that took the slow release SCA additive, you'll want to replace that with a non additive filter only.

[@bingobandit]

@@zmotorsports62 Thanks so much, very helpful.

[@joelander4377]

I have heard that these older Monaco Roadmaster Chassis are great but have also heard about a rear suspension issue that some are recommending it be upgraded do you have any comment on that issue believe it was the rear control arms or something like that and is the upgrade as good as the folks who are pushing the change out?

[@zmotorsports62]

The RR4R Roadmaster chassis had some trailing arm issues. By now most have more than likely been addressed by the replacements. That being said, those were the lighter Roadmaster chassis under the entry level Monaco coaches. When you step to the upper models using the RR8xx or the S-Series chassis, those issues were not relevant as these models used a much heavier trailing arm and dual air springs at each axle (except tag axle). Hope that makes sense. Thank you for taking the time to watch. Mike

[@roykoch2584]

What size are your airbags and where did you find them? Our bus is an 2004 Monaco triple crown signature series.

[@zmotorsports62]

I used a Contitech air springs on our coach, made by Continental Rubber Co. The part # for mine was AS8897 which was a direct crossover for the OEM Firestone air springs. I purchased mine from my local Fleet Pride truck parts store but I've seen them priced well from MJ Heavy Truck Parts online as well.

[@ResurreXionNova]

@zmotorsports Where about in Utah are you? Wondering if you do any work for others? I am in St George and have a 05 Beaver Marquis

[@zmotorsports62]

I'm in northern Utah. Sorry, I'm not taking on new clients at this time. But thank you for the interest and thanks for watching. Mike

[@brucehull8541]

😊 thanks mike

[@jorgel.diazmejesuseslaresp7015]

Thanks 😊👍

[@RAW2125]

One question, I need to do so welding on the frame, do I need to disconnect the batteries, and if so what else so not to fry any circuits, transmission, Intelitec systems, ectopic. Help please.

[@zmotorsports62]

Sorry, but to avoid any liability I am going to have to suggest you follow the recommendations laid out by Monaco. I hope you understand. Mike

[@RAW2125]

Thanks anyway I understand

[@timaz1066]

There should be a sticker on the inside of your battery door yellow in color that tells you to disconnect the transmission controls. If it’s not there, I’m sure you can find it in the owners manual.

[@chevy5515]

Really no sense in buying an older coach unless you really I mean really know all and how the services were done. I really doubt most people are as thorough as you. I mean like the coolant I bet most mechanics don’t know about the additives to use so if it hasn’t been done for 15 20 years that motor is probably about shot. Was considering moving in to an older beaver or something along those lines but maybe not worth the headache. Cheaper to stay in hotels.

[@zmotorsports62]

True, but we'll never travel via hotels. For us RV'ing is a lifestyle, not about cheapest way to travel. There are much cheaper ways to travel, but it's about the journey, not the destination. If looking at any coach regardless of year, I highly recommend insisting on maintenance records. If someone selling has all of the maintenance documentation I suggest not lowballing them and pay them for their well maintained stewardship over the rig. If someone chooses not to keep records, then I don't feel their coach should bring the same money as someone who did. But that's just my opinion. Thanks for taking the time to watch. Mike

[@chevy5515]

Thanks for the reply. That’s good advice.