Just made it back from Tucson to Montgomery Tx with my sister's new coach. It's an '99 36' 320 in pristine shape, bought from Jor. He had done it right, a man with a keen mechanical sense who had gone through it from one end to the other with the aim of making it bulletproof and did a fine job of it. What a guy, in addition to being a pleasure to deal I found sheets on the bed, matching towels and a cold six of Dos Eqquis in the reefer when I stopped for the night.
Little tired right now after a blazing quick fly and buy, but that ISM450 is one fabulous engine and the VMSPC is downright addictive. The 4060 appears to have a stronger retarder than the 3060. Managed to dodge the numerous revenue raisers through West Tx.
Must resist.....turn coach over to sister....no keep for me....arrrgh.
Thanks to everyone who helped and provided leads for coaches, no longer searching. Now to find one for my brother and get him out of that steenkin Monaco.
Chuck
Yup that was the first thing I noticed too. The retarder was much stronger
COngrats on finding a great coach.
"..but that ISM450 is one fabulous engine and the VMSPC is downright addictive. "
How true :) I just got back from our summer trip and got to drive ours through some nice mountains. Effortlessly passing trucks and other RV's - I had lots of fun. A pleasure to drive. I was really suprised by the power/torque compared to my previous 360hp rig.
Now that's a host that sets up a visitor in such fashion.... That alone speaks well of the man...
Good deal Chuck....Sounds like a nice rig ,Is she going to bring it down to the Corpus area??
Saw the classified listing and read it to Dolly, and commented, "that is the right coach at the right price, with over the top number of correct things done in the last 10 months". Then saw your "PM sent", and knew it was a goner. Then poof, it was gone off the listing, and happily to a good home.
Hope your sister enjoys her new coach. Any chance you could deliver the "wrong" coach to her?
Looks like this coach will spend a fair amount of time in Wyoming with a trip to Texas at least once a year. I'm getting ready to build dock/storage building for two coaches on our place in Tx., conveniently located 150 miles from Nacogdoches.
Haven't been able to figure out how to do the surreptitious swap of coaches, unfortunately my sister has already seen mine! I'm fighting upgrade fever right now myself but am trying to channel this into gumption enough to tackle the exterior cosmetics on my coach. Those stickers are coming OFF, the buffer is going ON. Think I'll have to be satisfied by pulling a mold from the front generator cover on the new coach.
Other than looking real sharp and having a powerhouse of an engine and tranny which will turn even a mild mannered driver into a power junkie, along with aquahot, the major differences I see between the 96 and 99, the ones that would really matter to me are....the larger entry door and screen is a major improvement. I had poo pooed the idea that it would make much difference but it does. The ducted air is very nice but the new ac units are loud. I'll keep mine running until they melt away. The bus style compartment doors are sweet, I can see an upgrade to these on my coach. I don't see the double pane windows as mattering a lot to me but they sure do to some. The below storage is nicely organized with the split joey bed and more pull out drawers.
She's tucked away in inside storage waiting for Sis to see her for the first time. She bought the Subaru toad and tow setup so it was a true package deal. I think she'll be well pleased but if she's not I know someone willing to work a trade.....
Chuck
Tell your sister that the once a year service for the Aqua Hot needs to be performed by our own Rudy Legget. He is out of the Houston area so not far from Nac! No one else will touch our AH ever again but Rudy. Well maybe Roger Burke!
Good to know, having the factory close was a factor in choosing a FTand Rudy being close is a plus also. Roger Burke has recently been through this aquahot but it sounds like yearly maint is a must.
Chuck
Per Rudy, the AH likes to be used. So just tell the sis that she needs to use this coach often!
Chuck,
The diesel side of the AH really needs to run one heating cycle every month, more ofter is even better.
If either of you have any operating questions, feel free to call 713 eight one eight 3234.