Well, It finally arrived and we couldn't be happier. We have taken it out once for a shake down trip. We leave Saturday for a week in the Great Smokey Mountains. While this may not be the end all greatest coach in the world, it meets all of our requirements: bunks, bath tub, non-cloth seating areas, not to mention and ice-maker, central vac, heatpumps, sani-con, 22.5" Alcoa's, 4 TV's, satellite etc.

I also made a few modifications. Because it is a front engine gas and we ordered it with a driver's side door (I lost my only cup-holder from the driver's station) so I needed a new dash for drinks and a drawer for stuff. I also needed to place to put directions wallet etc., so I crafted a new Cherry center dash console. Sometimes, I wonder if the engineers that design modern RV's ever think about how they will be used. Since our MH has bunks and sleeping for 6, the 4 dinky pull out wire baskets in the pantry had to go. I crafted 5 drawers that more than double the capacity of can goods, cereal, chips etc. Since I am a guy and we camp in the fall, I needed a better solution to viewing TV outside than we have had with the prior TT and 5th Wheel. The Monarch only has an exterior Radio option. So, I crafted a pull-out TV and entertainment center. For now, I only have the DVD installed, but have room to add a small audio system. I hope to have the pictures below. If not, I'll beg MM for help!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MonacoMama,

The Photos didn't all show. I'll try again now?

Hey, Bobby C - Bruce here - we've corresponded about the leveling system used on our Monarchs. Haven't done anything about that yet. We were out camping again this weekend (Napa Valley this time - love living in California!) and we only had one wheel off the ground.

Your pictures sure look interesting and useful, but I can't seem to enlarge them. Don't know if MM can help get them in a larger format. I'm not a handy carpenter so imagine I'll be looking for an aftermarket solution for storage and cubbies on the "hump" between the seats.

Your Monarch sure looks nice and very comfortable for a family of six. Nice work!

If you want, I can send them to you 2 at a time from my PC. Which ones would you like?

The dash console was the most difficult. I made a template from cardboard then transfered to cherry. Necessity is the mother of all invention. I needed a place to hold my coffee while driving, mom needed more food storage and I wanted to watch football outside.

Thanks MM, as usual, you are a big help!!!!!!

..and as always..
I am glad to be of assistance.
Just so you know... I don't do any "alignment" when you are uusing the photo button. The other thing was you took the "Photo Properties" from the thumbnail images. You will get the proper size if you take it from the full size photo.

Otherwise... you did a great job for your first photo post! It is definitely a learning process.

MM

Bobby C, You are Da Man! Great woodwork. What type of wood and stain did you use and is your Interior Newport Cherry? Thanks

quote:

bunks, bath tub, ice-maker, central vac, heatpumps, sani-con, 22.5" Alcoa's, 4 TV's, satellite etc.

congrats on your new motorhome.. i like your selection of options as well... your coach reminded me of my first coach a tiffin allegro 32BA http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/1808/cupholdercl0.gif http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/826/allegrojj6.gif

AkTrek, Thank you for your kind remarks. Yes, the interior is Newport Cherry. The dash console is made from Cherry. The exterior TV entertainment is made from poplar and 3/4"birch plywood. I didn't mention it, but the kitchen picture shows the wall mounted key and TV remote holder. All of these pieces are stained with stain I had custom mixed. The formula is 1 quart of Benjamin Moore Special Walnut 234 67 as the base. They then added RY-12, OG-12, and RD-8. The match on Cherry is nearly perfect. Since the drawers in the MH are not stained, I left the pantry drawer natural poplar with 2 coats of laquer and a light rub with steel wool to take the shine off.

Since we have 6 in the family, we need more table space and a place for the wife to spread out her PC and stuff. So, I plan to add a hinged table just behind the front passenger seat and just below the window. The table will fold up when needed and down for storage. I'll post the outcome on this when completed.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bobby C,

Bobby

Really nice woodwork. And a nice looking coach. Congrats. Now if you can get your gas gage stuck in full like Letsgoagain, you'll be in high cotton. s/Toby