The Monaco Diplomat 40SFT
Mods & Enhancements Maintenance
Photo Slide Show Leveling & Slides
Vintage Motor Homes Useful Links

In February of 2007 we traded in our 1999 Discovery for a new Diplomat.  The Diplomat displays many of the technological improvements that have taken place in the motorhome industry over the past decade.  It's also almost five feet longer, with three slides, giving us far more room inside.
Here are two pictures of our coach showing the slides extended.  On the road-side there is a full wall slide, which allows for a separate full bath and a hallway to the bedroom containing a second large double wardrobe closet (see floor plan and internal views). 

Of course, a motorhome is never really yours until you've drilled some holes in it and changed some things around to suite yourself.  See our Mods Page to review the holes we've drilled.

Going with the flow...

According to RVIA (The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association), nearly 8 million US households owned an RV in 2005.  That represents 1 in every 12 vehicle owning households and represents a 58% increase since 1980, and a 15% increase just since 2001.   More people every year are being attracted by the RV Lifestyle.  We started enjoying family camping back in the early 70's about the time our first son was born.  Our first RV was a 1968 VW bus camper.  The Diplomat is the fifth RV for Suzanne and me.

Actually people have been enjoying "motor homes" almost since the invention of the automobile.  Click here to see some pictures of old and unusual motorhomes I've found.  If you enjoy pictures of vintage motorhomes, check out these two books.

The Toad

Our current "toad" is a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara X-Sport.  This is the second Grand Vitara we have towed.  We love this car.  The Grand Vitara enjoyed a major make-over in 2006, and was prominently featured in the 2006 Dinghy Towing Guide from Motorhome Magazine.  The new Vitara is surprisingly spacious inside with loads of front leg and head room.  And Suzuki gives you an awful lot of amenities for your money - some of which (like the keyless ignition switch) are usually only found on cars costing much more.

The "Big Top"

The Big Top is "home" for the Diplomat.  This galvanized steel framed shelter from Big Top Manufacturing keeps the motor home nice and clean (and dry) all year.  It contains a 30 amp RV hook-up to keep the batteries charged.  There is a small personnel door on the side, and the large door rolls up with a winch from inside.  The frame is well trussed, and anchored to the ground. The translucent PVC coated polyester vinyl membrane cover is then stretched over top, and secured to the frame with cables and ties.  It blocks UV rays, but lets in sunlight.

The garage is 42' long, so the 41' coach barely fits inside the door.  You can order these in any length and width you need, but I originally erected this one for a 36' Discovery motorhome.

 
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