Chassis selection help

[JDCrow]

Our most recent trip, I’m still technically on it, our coach wasn’t of the shop. 

We had a full schedule of jeeping so hooked it up behind the pickup and rented a house in AZ

We totaled the truck last night and now are more serious about a coach, bigger, and safer than our Dip.

On the S chassis coaches, who has been or seen one after an accident?

There have been some posts here where it looks like the house detached from the frame in an accident with RR chassis 

Any thoughts? Our nighttime driving days are officially over.

thanks for any insight. 

[Dr4Film]

I have owned two Monaco coaches, both with the Semi-monocoque chassis.

Wouldn't have it any other way plus a side radiator.

There are many additional reasons for my decision but these two played a big part of it.

[FLynes]

Are you hellbent on a DP? I know they beat the gassers on torque, but we absolutely love our Workhorse chassis and, with the ECM/TCM mods we did to it, we're at about 400hp & 535lb/ft. When we're not towing, we get about 7MPG average, and that's going up the hills of Idaho and Oregon.

[Chargerman]

I think any production built motorhome that is not a commercial bus conversion/ build will basically decintergrate upon experiencing any significant impact. 

[Guest Ray Davis]

1 hour ago, FLynes said:

Are you hellbent on a DP? I know they beat the gassers on torque, but we absolutely love our Workhorse chassis and, with the ECM/TCM mods we did to it, we're at about 400hp & 535lb/ft. When we're not towing, we get about 7MPG average, and that's going up the hills of Idaho and Oregon.

I believe the gassers today are far better than the gas moho we had in the 80s.   However, once you have cruised down the interstate in virtual silence it might be hard to go back to a gas rig.

 

53 minutes ago, Chargerman said:

I think any production built motorhome that is not a commercial bus conversion/ build will basically decintergrate upon experiencing any significant impact. 

Unfortunately,  I have to agree

[JDCrow]

2 hours ago, FLynes said:

Are you hellbent on a DP? I know they beat the gassers on torque, but we absolutely love our Workhorse chassis and, with the ECM/TCM mods we did to it, we're at about 400hp & 535lb/ft. When we're not towing, we get about 7MPG average, and that's going up the hills of Idaho and Oregon.

Yeah we are looking at 40-42 tag. Kinda our last coach 

2 hours ago, Chargerman said:

I think any production built motorhome that is not a commercial bus conversion/ build will basically decintergrate upon experiencing any significant impact. 

Likewise, I’d think so as well. I’d like to see or talk to anyone first hand. 

[Chargerman]

9 hours ago, JDCrow said:

Likewise, I’d think so as well. I’d like to see or talk to anyone first hand. 

Unfortunately, when someone experiences an accident so bad that the house broke away from the chassis they likely won’t be reachable to talk about their experience. 

[JDCrow]

6 minutes ago, Chargerman said:

Unfortunately, when someone experiences an accident so bad that the house broke away from the chassis they likely won’t be reachable to talk about their experience. 

Just looking for anyone in an S chassis who’s been in or seen one wreaked. I guess it’s your time it’s your time. We are just shook up and wanting to make sure we are trying to keep as safe as we can 

[Chargerman]

WOW!!!!  So sorry to see that but happy that you’re ok.  Certainly understand your concern going forward. If you want the safest type A if would be shopping for a bus. The cost will be high for a comparable year and mileage but they are built quite different  

Thought I’d help you Out with your shopping 😂

[vito.a]

The best place to view wrecked RV's is online salvage yards.  Usually, the larger Monaco coaches like the Dynasty, Executive, and Signature fare much better in an accident than the smaller coaches.  You can look through the pictures in the links below.  

Monaco Motorhome Parts | Motorhome Salvage Parts RV Exterior Body Panels Used RV Parts For Sale - Used Motorhome RV Parts | visonerv.com

You searched for monaco | Colaw RV Used Parts (colawrvsalvage.com)

[David Pratt]

I have been involved in several investigations involving Monaco Coaches with the Roadmaster Chassis and a couple of Prevost Coaches. Everyone of the coaches were involved in head-on collisions or rollovers due to a steer tire blow out.  The only coach that the house separated from the chassis and disintegrated was  a rollover that hit a concrete light pole after it had rolled.

The rest of the coaches all had sustained major significant damage to the front and side of the coach but the house remained intact. Two of these coaches were not Monaco welded steel Monocoque house structure, but had the aluminum frame structure which is now the standard on most production coaches manufactured today. Though the house structure on these aluminum framed coaches did not disintegrate they had separated from the chassis. The two Prevost coaches did not fair any better than the welded Monocoque Roadmaster Monaco coaches. Surprisingly, the majority of these accidents the driver and passengers survived

A very good way to answer your question would be to visit an RV Salvage Yard  and look at the wrecked coaches in their inventory and you will get all your answers.

All the Monaco coaches built in Coburg, WA were all built with the steel welded Monocoque house structure. None of the Monaco coaches that were manufactured by REV are aluminum house frames.

There is only one manufacturer today that still builds a welded steel Monocoque house structure and that is FORETRAVEL.

If I were looking at purchasing a Class A DP today, I would be looking at any of the Monaco Brand coaches that were built in COBURG by Monaco.

[Paul J A]

NO tag axle Monaco brand coaches were ever built in Elkhart, In.

[dl_racing427]

5 hours ago, JDCrow said:

Just looking for anyone in an S chassis who’s been in or seen one wreaked. I guess it’s your time it’s your time. We are just shook up and wanting to make sure we are trying to keep as safe as we can 

Wow, glad that you're okay. 🙏
What happened?

As far as coach safety, I don't have any direct experience, but the semi-monococque chassis just looks like it would hold things together much better in a significant crash or a rollover.  It's not a commercial bus chassis, but it's closer to it than a raised rail.

[FLynes]

Jesus, what the hell hit you, JD? As long as you’re okay, vehicles can be replaced. How did the JKU fare?

[Tom Cherry]

Two comments….one based on a personal, in my rearview mirror OMG, event….and a lot of experience towing “stuff”….

Second comment on some crashes that folks wrote about or sent me pictures….over the last 14 years.

FWIW, David Pratt’s comments are excellent…..with NO implied “bashing” of any other.

OK????  GEE…that looks ugly.  Of course glad you are OK.  Don’t know the specifics….but this is my experience.  My late FIL ran a “dairy” replacement service.  Being very logical and was a “Fight Engineer” INSTRUCTOR during WW II as his crews got more hours out of their engines and had fewer “OMG….something BROKE” events in the air or on take off and landings, he was a top notch mechanic and took care of his farm equipment.  A war injury messed up his knee and he spent considerable $$ designing and building a nice, sunken pit (think about how Josams works UNDER the MH) milking parlor where he could handle 6 cows by himself.  The “state” changed a simple rule, and his refrigerated bulk storage tanks were to close to cow poop in the parlor.  He quit and sold his herd and then folks wanted MORE and he starred buying herds, shipping in and selling….with a NO Questions GUARANTEE.

But, being a bit “cheap”, he bought a 2 horse trailer and puled 3 Holsteins in it.  In theory….2 hosses equals 3 hefers….BUT hosses are TIED….hefers ain’t and they MOVE….

Bottom line, his low end 6 cylinder cheap manual transmission pickup was NEVER designed for a horse trailer with shifting weight.  I learned very quickly, when the trailer started to wag the truck….TROUBLE.  Pulling the lever of the hydraulic brake control tied down the trailer.  Same as when I started down, as a cocky teen, an icy hill and there was a semi coming in the other direction and the 40 ft trailer had jackkifed…..OMG…I’m DEAD.  The truck driver knew what to do.  Hit the trailer brakes and the trailer quixkky got baxk on his side,  SO….a Towed vehicle…of any sort, without a way to tie it down presents a “risk”.  

Was in the SUV on the way to the beach.  Guy in a Dodge Durango with a 24/26 ft TT was a “gittin” it.  We stopped for awhile….my daughter then drove….maybe 30 miles later, the Durango was pulling out from a convenience store, except a blonde lady was driving now.  She pulled out behind us.  Within 5 miles, she did something….as in a small avoidance maneuver…..the TT swayed a little….and then she compensated and within 4 oscillations, the TT rolled…as did  Durango.  Folks were stopping and I called 911.  I watched from the side mirror and my daughter was hysterical as she saw it all in the rear view mirror…

AS TO….do I need to get a NEW MH….?  A friend rolled his 2009 Camelot 43 in Alaska.  His Toad, a full sized Escalade, got clipped in the LR quarter panel by a Pick Up in the opposite lane that rounded a curve….lost it and ran partially up a side embankment…corrected and then headed back into the lane and crossed over and clipped the Escalade.  He was still on level road or maybe hugging the shoulder…but the blow to the Caddy was enough to Roll it…and the 6K SUV took a 34K 43 ft MH with it.

BUT….the MH never detached.  Or “body pulled loose”.  Yes…totalled….they were belted in….maybe 50 MPH, but coach was not torn up.

YES…a Dynasty would be heavier….harder to roll from a physics standpoint…and  body is “more robust”.  You are probably OK…but, yes…heavier and stronger body….but would I trade up to a Dynasty or higher..based on rollover concerns?  NOPE.  BUT…did I feel safer with the US GEAR Universal Tow brake in my Hummer….in that I could “tie down” the Hummer?  YES. But, I KNOW that when i hit the service brake hard that my air operated M&G brakes will literally almost lock down the Yukon.

[JDCrow]

Thanks everyone, 

As far as the accident, we were headed north on Hwy 95 about 40 mil out of Hawthorne, where we were stopping for the night. 
 

Was driving along and saw 3 semis in a row. The last one came over into our lane to pass the other two. I moved over has fast as I could, hit the gravel and as the truck was going by us the edge pavement must have caught the jeep and we veered out of control and hit the trailer axles head on.  It spun us around and snapped the hitch so the jeep came around and stuck the passenger side as well. 
 

2 trucks left, the one that hit us went 1/2 mile and couldn’t go any further as we broke his axles from the frame. Jerk (I’m being nice) never got out of his truck to even see if we were alive. 

[dl_racing427]

I hope they charged that bastard with felony hit and run.  Luckily you broke enough stuff to force him to stop.
Stuff like this just pisses me off.

[JDCrow]

2 hours ago, dl_racing427 said:

I hope they charged that bastard with felony hit and run.  Luckily you broke enough stuff to force him to stop.
Stuff like this just pisses me off.

Never hired a lawyer for an accident but being told over and over I should. Tore my knee on top of the regular aches and pains from being hit 

[dl_racing427]

49 minutes ago, JDCrow said:

Never hired a lawyer for an accident but being told over and over I should. Tore my knee on top of the regular aches and pains from being hit 

I agree you should.  His passing when the way wasn't clear puts him squarely at fault.
Be sure to get checked out.  That was obviously a hard impact. Many neck and spine injury's don't show symptoms for a day or three.  BTDT

[JDCrow]

Thanks everyone, sorry Tom, I’ll get back on topic. 
 

I’ll search over pics of wreaked rigs, I appreciate everyone insight 

[FLynes]

6 hours ago, JDCrow said:

Thanks everyone, 

As far as the accident, we were headed north on Hwy 95 about 40 mil out of Hawthorne, where we were stopping for the night. 
 

Was driving along and saw 3 semis in a row. The last one came over into our lane to pass the other two. I moved over has fast as I could, hit the gravel and as the truck was going by us the edge pavement must have caught the jeep and we veered out of control and hit the trailer axles head on.  It spun us around and snapped the hitch so the jeep came around and stuck the passenger side as well. 
 

2 trucks left, the one that hit us went 1/2 mile and couldn’t go any further as we broke his axles from the frame. Jerk (I’m being nice) never got out of his truck to even see if we were alive. 

I’ve noticed over the last several years that there are quite a few truck drivers who have no business possessing a CDL I’ve been in that exact same situation as you were two different times and both scared the living fecal matter right out of me, one forced me to pull over and contemplate life for several minutes.

[Dr4Film]

Hopefully, you had a good Dash Cam running to capture the event to give to your insurance agent.

I have been using a high quality Dash Camera on every vehicle I drive including my motorcycle. The vehicle doesn't move until that camera is powered on.

One year while traveling south on I-81, I had a Federal US Government vehicle ahead of me displaying road rage by brake checking in front of me. I got the entire event on my camera but the Virginia Highway Patrol would not do one thing about it as they did not witness the event in person. 😠

[dl_racing427]

3 hours ago, Dr4Film said:

Hopefully, you had a good Dash Cam running to capture the event to give to your insurance agent.

I have been using a high quality Dash Camera on every vehicle I drive including my motorcycle. The vehicle doesn't move until that camera is powered on.

One year while traveling south on I-81, I had a Federal US Government vehicle ahead of me displaying road rage by brake checking in front of me. I got the entire event on my camera but the Virginia Highway Patrol would not do one thing about it as they did not witness the event in person. 😠

I've reported several dangerous drivers over the years, but the police generally do little to nothing to track them down.
I've even followed them for many miles, giving the dispatcher their location, but never actually had an officer catch up with us to stop them.
I guess they'd rather doze along the highway, waiting for someone to go by running 15 over the limit than to actually stop someone dangerous. SMH

[Tom Cherry]

18 hours ago, JDCrow said:

Thanks everyone, 

As far as the accident, we were headed north on Hwy 95 about 40 mil out of Hawthorne, where we were stopping for the night. 
 

Was driving along and saw 3 semis in a row. The last one came over into our lane to pass the other two. I moved over has fast as I could, hit the gravel and as the truck was going by us the edge pavement must have caught the jeep and we veered out of control and hit the trailer axles head on.  It spun us around and snapped the hitch so the jeep came around and stuck the passenger side as well. 
 

2 trucks left, the one that hit us went 1/2 mile and couldn’t go any further as we broke his axles from the frame. Jerk (I’m being nice) never got out of his truck to even see if we were alive. 

You are NOT “Drifting” off topic.  What may have happened…was “driver distraction”.  That is a “term” used back in the 50’s before cell phones.  There was a phenomenon that OTR trucks, especially on a 4 lane highway, late at night or in the early AM….were in a convoy and the 2nd or 3rd trucker was “sleepy” and just “following lights”.  I personally know about it as a friend’s dad was killed, almost decapitated, by the THIRD semi.  Happened on a dual, no divider, 4 lane highway.  My friend’s dad was a State Trooper and had made the MISTAKE, even Pro’s do it, of PUSHING OFF a manual transmission car with his patrol car….a 1957 Ford.  They were in the outside lane.  He had taillights.  Two semi’s switched lanes and passed….the third driver was half asleep.  He kept going.  The impact “catapulted” the stalled car 200 ft.  BUT, my friend’s dad’s patrol car took the impact and the sleepy trucker sort of turned the wheels….to the RIGHT.  Than just kept pushing the patrol car and right into an embankment.  Then entire top was sheared off by the front truck’s bumper and he died instantly.  The morticians had to bring in a reconstruction specialist for an open casket funeral.  My dad and myself, picked up my friend around 8:00.  My friend, in the 7th grade would not accept nor even talk to his distraught mom….and she finally asked us and her late husband’s commander to take him to the tow yard….and I listened to what the commander said.  The investigation had gone on all night.  The troopers had interviewed all drivers and they had been in a convoy for many hours….two lane and four.  The driver said he was groggy and did not see the 2nd truck switch lanes and the taillights of my friend’s dad”s car were bright….yes….the 57 had a big high (relatively speaking) taillight….he just was not paying attention and half asleep.

THAT IS NOT APOLOGETIC in your situation….only one of my many life’s situations that seem to come back….being over 78 does that.

WAY SO GLAD you are OK….a LOT of teenage boys started to understand centrifugal force and F=MA and other “physics” after wrecking….

[JDCrow]

17 hours ago, Dr4Film said:

Hopefully, you had a good Dash Cam running to capture the event to give to your insurance agent.

I have been using a high quality Dash Camera on every vehicle I drive including my motorcycle. The vehicle doesn't move until that camera is powered on.

One year while traveling south on I-81, I had a Federal US Government vehicle ahead of me displaying road rage by brake checking in front of me. I got the entire event on my camera but the Virginia Highway Patrol would not do one thing about it as they did not witness the event in person. 😠

I’ve had dash cams in the past, didn’t on this rig.

Trooper asked me what happened, I explained my take on the events, he said “this is your side of the story?” I said well, his duals left skid marks in my lane when I hit him, step out and see. He said “case closed” 

We did distract ourselves yesterday on the way home. With the F150 totaled and I believe the Jeep will be as well, we stopped in to see if my wife liked the interiors of the new Jeeps. Well, she did.  She spent 2 nights trying to find a truck to replace hers and they have just went nuts price wise. We could buy 2 of these for the same price as a new truck like she had.

Edited November 6, 2023 by JDCrow