Welcome
to
monacohelp.com
Your brief guide and access to the...
Monaco-Brands Parts Database
Note from this site owner, Ron Jones...
This
site is not associated with Monaco Coach Corporation or the "Monacoers" group site on Yahoo.
This is a private site that I volunteered to create and support to help
Monaco-brands owners easily find help
during these strange economic times. After all, I own a Monaco
(2007 Dynasty), am active on the Monacoers e-mail group, so the group site and
Parts Database is important and valuable to me, too.
Read on...
Why Is This Important to You?
This
is a click-through site whose sole purpose is to provide you with
information about an online-group of RVers—(mostly owners) of Monaco
brands. Our group is called "Monacoers." The concept behind this online group is "Members
helping Members." The e-mail group site is located at Yahoo
Groups. Using that site will provide you the opportunity to join well
over a
thousand Monaco owners and other interested parties.
The
site owner and volunteer moderators monitor
the messages. The site welcomes owners of
Monaco-branded
coaches and other motorhomes produced by the Monaco Coach Corporation.
If
you have another make of coach or are seriously considering the
purchase of a Monaco coach, you can still join us. Note, we do not
deal with Towables.
The Monaco Mess?
With
Monaco Coach Corporation filing bankruptcy (Chapter 11) late February
2009, their National Parts outlet was closed. Therefore, if something
breaks, wears out, or you have an accident with your Monaco-brand coach
(no matter what year or model), where do you locate the specific repair
parts now?
As
Monaco-brand owners, all of us hope that the company will be back in
some form. The latest news is that another company is in negotiations
to purchase the "recreational vehicle manufacturing business"
portion of Monaco. Until that time, our "Monaco-Brands Parts Database"
is the
potential source of help for owners having trouble. The Monaco Parts Solution
Our
online group (Monacoers) decided to create a database of parts from
OEM's (Original Equipment Manufacturers)—companies that furnished parts
to Monaco for use in the coaches. This is a vast range of parts
including things such as steps, jacks, lights, furniture, air bags, air
compressors, a variety of PC boards, dash instruments, slide-out motors
and controls, and appliances just to name a tiny few. Monaco did
manufacturer a few parts such as end caps, doors (on more recent
coaches), as well as others but purchased the vast majority of items
used to construct a motorhome.
Originally, many of the OEM's were not set up to sell directly to the end user (retail).
They sold directly to the manufacturer (Monaco). These same OEMs will
(most likely) sell to us, a repair facility, or RV dealer in order to
stay in business. Unfortunately, those OEM's that sold exclusively to
Monaco have lost one of their major customers. Some have refused to
sell retail. We are not sure what to do should an OEM make this
decision.
What
is the Monaco-Brands Parts Database?
Our Database is a collection of information about the companies that
furnished parts to Monaco and includes (if possible) part names,
numbers, company
contact information, and related information. The Database is
maintained by one person (to eliminate errors) and the data comes from
you—Monaco-brand owners. You know from invoices what work you had
completed on your coach (under warranty or not). If, for example, you
had your steps repaired and this required replacement parts, we would
like to add that information to the Database. The more obscure the part
and repair, the more we need the information. After all, someone else will need their steps repaired, too.
The Database is
constantly updated as new information comes in—from Monaco-brand owners like you. When updated, a new Database
file
(in .PDF format) is uploaded to the group site on Yahoo <http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Monacoers>.
If you are a member of Monacoers (the online e-mail group), you log in, and can download
the updated Database file
from the "Files" section of the website. Easy, fast, up-to-date, and
best of
all, free!
This is a voluntary
effort, no one is profiting from it, and there is no cost to join or
access the information. We are simply "Members helping Members."
This project is our effort to organize information that, when needed,
will be invaluable to the specific coach owner during that time that
Monaco is not functioning and parts are not available normally.
So, What if Your Coach Breaks?
At some point, you will have problems with your coach, need repair
parts, and the Database may
help. We are all hoping that the Database will provide helpful
information to coach owners that have problems.
We know there are
thousands of Monaco-Brand owners out there that do not belong
to our e-mail group. They will need help at some point if and when a part breaks on
their coach. Spread the word to them, too.
Why
Do I Have to Join This E-mail Group?
Currently,
there is no "normal" website where you can access the Database.
One person
maintains (updates) the Parts List and the process has been working
very well to ensure the most current information is available for you
to download. Until such time that a website is developed and made
available, the "Monaco-Brands Parts Database" is only available to
e-mail list members.
Joining is easy. There
is no cost or
commitment. If you do not want numerous e-mails to show
up daily (it is
an active list), you have the option to select "Digest"
and you will receive only one e-mail daily that contains a brief
description
of the messages posted that day. This active list often generates 100
messages daily and that number will only increase with new members—like
you—joining. You can even turn off all incoming messages so none are
sent to you. If you do this, you can always read the messaages by
logging in to the Monacoers site.
However,
there are two major
advantages to joining.
- First, you can ask a question...
and
you will get an answer—most likely from someone that has experienced
the same problem as you, traveled the same route you may be asking
about, stayed at the same campgrounds, and even had dinner at the same
local restaurant. They can and will provide guidance or help that makes
your RVing easier, safer, more convenient, efficient, and far, far more
fun.
- Second, you can offer some help... answer a question, provide a
suggestion,
make someone's life easier.
When
you join our group, note that we sign our posts so you know you are
dealing with
real people. We use real names and newcomers should also expect to
do that in order to be welcomed into the group. Last Name and Initial
is okay for skeptics, but a complete first and last name is much
better. There is no bickering, politicing, religion, or sports
discussed. There is no commercial spam. There is, however, a group of
great RVers with a focus on helping other RVers—especially those with
the Monaco brand.
Just CLICK HERE to join. See you on the group and, well, I hope you never have to use the Database!
Questions??? E-mail me here... info@monacohelp.com
Note from this site owner, Ron Jones...
Sandy (wife) and I are vendors. RV Stuff
is our company and we sell RV books—three that we have written and one
book for another company. I am a writer in the RV world. I am a
columnist for Coast to Coast RV Magazine, a feature writer for
Motorhome, Highways, and have published in Family Motor Coaching and
Escapees magazines.
Click here to visit our RV Stuff Bookstore to review the RV books below...
"Fulltiming for New and Used RVers" My newest book (2009)—the latest on fulltiming.
"All the Stuff You Need to Know About RVing" Over 500 tips on making your RVing easier.
"Wrinkle-Free RV Laundry" How to use the Splendide combo washer/dryer Model 2000 or 2100.
"The Wal-Mart Atlas" The latest comprehensive directory w/phone numbers and GPS coordinates.
Questions about the books??? E-mail me here... info@rvstuff.org