The Navistar Motor Coach?
Posted on Apr 28, 2009 - 5:50pm by Linda Sunkle-Pierucki in Lifestyle, Trucking
Yesterday’s business news reports that Navistar and Monaco Coach Corporation have put the ink on a deal to sell Monaco’s RV assets to a division of Navistar for $52 million. Monaco, currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy will be turning over virtually all of its high-end RV manufacturing business to Navistar. The business includes manufacturing plants in both Indiana and Oregon. As facilities in both states have seen massive layoffs within the past year, there is much elation and downright prayer among the idled workers in both areas that they may be rehired.
Monaco excels in the diesel-pusher market, making it an attractive adjunct to Navistar’s diesel engine sales. Navistar reports it expects to expand the reach of its diesel engines even further into the RV field. The economy cant stay bad for too much longer-and when it rebounds, they no doubt expect many of the upper-middle-class to resume their plans to sell the house, buy an RV and tour their lives away in the drivers-seat of luxury. And, hey, even investment bankers retire someday.
Monaco has for years been the queen of high-end motor coaches. These puppies sold for more than most of our houses BEFORE the Real Estate market went south. A good percentage of truckers eye them longingly as they pass us – day-dreaming that, someday, we, too can take the wheel of one of those beautiful rigs with no appointment, no logbook and plenty of time to explore the “No Commercial Vehicles” routes.
The Monaco Coach of Trucks
If Navistar does a minor amount of co-branding the Monaco Coach, they’ll have a lock on the retired trucker market for the foreseeable future. But the pairing could have some other benefits for the Navistar truck division: just look at the high-end amenities Monaco has spent years perfecting. First to come should be the complete shore-power wiring system running the great recessed lighting options that you can get with the Monaco rigs. And nobody has ever figured out how to build in specialty features quite like the coach-makers. I can see loads of them translating to the next generation of International trucks.
I could go for the Electric Cockpit Solar Screens with Blackout Shades. I want a remote to open and close them from the bunk! And how could we live without the Tire Pressure and Temperature Monitoring System. I really like the idea of the Central Vacuum System. The Ceiling Fan would be nice for air circulation, the Solar Panel for battery top-off could come in very handy.
The Security Safe and the Deluxe Security Alarm System would be a nice security back-up. But, what I’m really drooling for is a slide-out. . .double the space when you’re laid over for a day or two. I’ve often wished I had one even on a long overnight. It would save many a husband and wife team from divorce. And it would be the truck of choice for the electronics and display show circuit or racing where a trucker might set for a couple of days. Yup, I’ll settle for the slide-out and decorator matched upholstery and drapes.
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I only wish I could retire from trucking and drive one of these units. When I see one all I can think of is how can they afford the fuel and be retired. Yes, I’m very jealous. I wonder if International and other truck manufacturers have thought of “sliding” out sleeper bunks. We sure could use the room. Too bad the truck stop spaces are too small right now even for “regular” trucks. Thanks for the piece. Good job!
Yup-the slide-out dream would have us all scrambling for the spot along the driveway . .I can see it all now! However, a friend of mine read that and suggested to me that what we needed wasnt a slide-out but a pop-up! Here’s his idea: have a pop-up bunk area so when parked, you could just extend the bunk area up and have room for seating underneath. You could even find room for a Lazy-boy! Bet it could be done.
I once saw a guy who had put a truck camper right behind a daycab on an extended frame. Looked kinda silly but I was SOOOO jealous! All the comforts of a cheap hotel with kitchenette!