Donflem Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 So I’m in Cincinnati for the day. I was thinking about driving up to Elkhart just for the experience and to go to the RV museum. I was wondering if anybody’s been there and is it worth my time to go up there? I also need to have my Aqua hot worked on I thought maybe that would be a good place to do it? Any thoughts thanks in advance. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena154 Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 We loved the museum and it's worth the trip. Tricia Neuzil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstickbill Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 I agree with Tricia, the museum is well worth the trip. Do you need any spare parts?, last time We were in the Elkhart are we visited several of the RV surplus places, I always seem to find that something that I need. Bill B 07 Dynasty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hales Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 The Museum is a pilgrimage for all real RVers. I don’t remember much else going on in Elkhart other than RV manufacturing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Haggard Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 Good advice above It's easy to spend 3 or 4 days in Northern Indiana rv country Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bklaes Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 Yes to the museum. I've had very good service at Elkhart Sales and Service. Tom there is a Monaco expert. Although I don't have an aqua hot so I can't speak to that. ES& S stays busy and hard to get in without an appointment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Haggard Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 1 minute ago, The Hales said: The Museum is a pilgrimage for all real RVers. I don’t remember much else going on in Elkhart other than RV manufacturing. Lots of great Agricultural 👍 sites Amish restaurant s Fruit stands Antiques Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmw188 Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 You might want to stay in Shipshewana and drive into Elkhart. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerman Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 Definitely worth the trip. I would suggest a factory tour also if you can get a spot. We did Newmar and Entegra. It was something to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck B 2004 Windsor Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 It is worth the trip and time spent there. As far a Monaco brand is concern I doubt there is much to see like it was in the mid 2000 years. Chuck B 2004 Windsor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Jones Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 I have been to the RV Museum several times. It's definitely worth the visit but in my opinion, not worth it if you have to drive there from Cincinnati. You mentioned Aquahot service, I STRONGLY recommend you call so see if you can get an appointment. We were in Elkhart about a month ago and many places were 2-3 months (yes, months) of waiting for an appointment. I have used Paul's RV Service and Interiors, 66540 State Rte 19, Wakarusa, IN 46573 (574) 862-6778 (be sure to call for an appointment). on two occasions and thought he was fair, did good work, and I would use him again. I've known Tom at Elkhart Sales and Service for several years and recall that he told me they were writing appointments nearly two months out when I called him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwhittle Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 What at the preferred RV Surplus locations in Elkhart? I would like to find a matching ottoman for our 2005 Signature. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredelkamp Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 I just left the area, spent the night at JC Refrigeration's parking lot in Shipshewana to upgrade our 4-door 1200-series Norcold to a 12 volt residential fridge with a 6am appointment I had made back in April. While there I took a long shot and looked up the local Dometic dealer, found National RV Refrigeration, 3 miles away. Gave them a call and they said they could squeeze us in at 1pm the next day to install a new Penguin II High Capacity unit W/ Heat Pump replace my non-working Penguin unit W/ Heat Pump. The old Penguin had decided it would only work in Heat Pump mode and then just gave up the ghost. With temps in the plus 90s the last few weeks I was willing to replace both ACs and the controller, as one AC was not cutting it. JC Refrigeration had us done by 8:30 so I headed to National RV Refrigeration, hoping I could get in a little early as I had a campground reservation two hours away. I was amazed to find an AC tech that decided to trouble shoot the problem instead of just replacing the unit(s). After four hours in light rain the AC was working great and the bill was under $100, I wrote them a check for a bit more more knowing I had just saved a bunch of money. I know Shipshewana will be in my travels in the future, maybe I'll even get to visit the RV museum in Elkhart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donflem Posted July 9, 2021 Author Share Posted July 9, 2021 Thanks guys for all the info I just got here this evening with all your advice. I decided to drive out see the museum tomorrow and go from there. I’m going to try and get a few things done and off to Mount Rushmore. I was thinking of maybe even calling a local RV tech to come out and do a few things for me. Do you guys have any suggestions or recommendations on somebody to call to come to me? Thanks in advance. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet P Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 We always schedule a stop at Elkhart Sales & Service whenever we are going from AZ to PA to see family. Tom Bumpus is one of the best Monaco/HR techs around. We're on our way now to stop there next Monday morning for some body and paint work. We have stopped there 6 times in the last 10 years. Always very happy with their work. Chet P 2004 Monaco SIG 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hales Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 3 hours ago, Chet P said: We always schedule a stop at Elkhart Sales & Service whenever we are going from AZ to PA to see family. Tom Bumpus is one of the best Monaco/HR techs around. We're on our way now to stop there next Monday morning for some body and paint work. We have stopped there 6 times in the last 10 years. Always very happy with their work. Chet P 2004 Monaco SIG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmw188 Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 13 hours ago, Chet P said: We always schedule a stop at Elkhart Sales & Service whenever we are going from AZ to PA to see family. Tom Bumpus is one of the best Monaco/HR techs around. We're on our way now to stop there next Monday morning for some body and paint work. We have stopped there 6 times in the last 10 years. Always very happy with their work. Chet P 2004 Monaco SIG They do the painting too or just your service work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstickbill Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Perhaps some of the folks that visit Elkhart Sales & Service could check around and see where some of the surplus places are located and post the locations. Last time I was in Elkhart there was one very close to Elkhart Sales & Service. One that I recall is Bontrager's in White Pigeon, MI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 You might want to call and see if any of the factory tours are still operating again. The last I had heard they were closed due to the COVID fiasco. I'm planning on heading that way in late Aug or early Sept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet P Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 (edited) Elkhart Sales & Service does paint and body work. They are going to do some fiberglass repair and painting on our coach starting Monday. Coach is sitting in their lot right now. The surplus near ES&S has closed. Bontrager's in White Pigeon, MI. is the one I always go to. Will scout around Monday and see if there are any more in area. Chet P 2004 Monaco SIG Edited July 10, 2021 by Chet P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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