I was just thinking about the message I received yesterday from Monaco, this message was to advise me of a Monaco rally being held in Salem, Aug. 3-7. It's really a conflict with the western swing rally being held Aug. 4-8th and this seems very odd to me, why would they over lap our rally?

I do know that our Beaver rally is full so this may be of interest to anyone heading to the FMCA rally.

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Regards, Jerry

Most motorhome based RV clubs have a Pre-Rally the week before the FMCA rally, so concurrent timing is normal. One exception to this is Caterpillar RV Club that holds it's rally 2 weeks before the FMCA rally so their members can also attend their coach manufactures club rally the next week.

Gerald

Hi Gerald,

It just seems odd that in years past that we attended this rally as a group,  I assume that we(Beaver) will now be doing our own thing, I assume that Monaco will not be participating in the Beaver rally?

It would be apparent that the beaver group is really on its own, I think that this would be a serious disadvantage to the brand, I would also think that we would see little interest in dealers participation at our rally.

Regards, Jerry

Jerry,
I think that you are confusing the Monaco Homecoming Rallies, where in the past, Beaver, Monaco, Holiday Rambler and Safari coaches all attending together, and a lead-in or pre-rally  where the brands have always been separated because the individual clubs organize and sanction their own rally.  

The email I received inviting us was for the Monaco International RV Club pre-rally, not Monaco RV, LLC homecoming.

Why we BAC members were invited to a Monaco International RV Club rally is surprising to me since we are not Monaco International RV Club members.

Gerald

Gerald,
Your right I am getting the 2 rallies confused, it's still a little strange that they are sending us emails
Jerry

It's easy to see how Monaco International was able to get my email address when you look at the sender. The email that I received came from monaco@monacocoach.com. The same email address that I receive the monthly Monaco online newsletter from.

Apparently Monaco is soliciting attendees for the Monaco International Rally to help the Monaco club, and used their database from all of their makes of coaches to do it with.

Gerald

I'm going to sound like a "sore head" BUT, it seems to me that until Monaco/Navistar decides to treat BEAVERS like part of the family instead of just casting us off, that we BEAVERS should not support them.  Monaco/Navistar doesn't support us!!

I don't think casting off Monaco is wise, they do still support the brand in service and parts, not in new rigs of course.

In the past and maybe still at some future rally provided by Monaco they will include multi brands, they may be happy to see Beavers and will provide some service.

FYI you can still call tech. support for assistance they would not be my first choice for this service but I have been able to get some help.

The thing about this rally is that they overlap the Beaver Rally and as I now understand this issue both rallies are clubs.

The real question is the Monaco International rally no longer for multi brands such as Holiday/Safari/Beaver?
When I visit the club website they only list Monaco products. stating a Coach that meets the criteria as defined in the chapter by-laws.

I have in the past been a Monaco Owner/Member of Monaco International and have also attended the Salem rallies so I can see
how or why I may have been included in an email Invitation, but per the Monaco Intl. by laws we can not attend this rally and should not have been included in the mailing.

Regards, Jerry

Jerry,
If you click on the link to download the rally registration form in the email that you received, you will see that they are allowing non-members to attend the Monaco International Rally at a $50 extra surcharge for some reason.

I have never owned a Monaco or been a member of Monaco International, but I have owner 2 Beavers and been a BAC member for 10+ years, so my email address had to come from the corporation data base.

However, I do agree with you in that we should not burn our bridges with Monaco, because there is no benefit and several disadvantages in doing so. Monaco is still providing some support for Beavers, and if the market changes enough, they may return to Beaver production and full support but do not bet on it.

Gerald

Perhaps I am a bit confused.  Did I hear that Monaco provided some financial aid to one of our rallies this year or was that maybe the FMCA rally.  Are we all (including me) taking this a little too personaly?  How many of us are looking forward to a new Monaco Beaver 2011 even should they make it?  Not I.
We all feel a bit like the wicked step child of Monaco.  Lets give them a year to find their footing.

Keith  

I agree with the sentiments of Keith and Gerald, I think our brands best chance of continuation lays with Monaco/Navistar, after all they own the name.

Keith,
Yes Monaco RV LLC did furnish some financial support to our last International (Lead-In) Rally in Albuquerque, and they have committed to some support to the next International Rally in Harrisburg.

The support was not near as much as it has been in the past, but in the past these rallies have been a sales rally for new coaches were Monaco made a lot of money on coach sales. Since there has been little or no coach sales for the last year, I think that any support should be appreciated.

Gerald  

I agree with the sentiments of Keith and Gerald, I think our beaver brands best chance of continuation lays with Monaco/Navistar, after all they own the name, only with our support and with a strong interest from this group will we ever see a new Beaver rolling down the road.

Regards, Jerry

Considering Monaco was in bankruptcy until Navistar bailed them out, they are doing what is prudent for them financially.  In my opinion, we should be grateful for whatever support they give us.  They helped us out financially at our two International rallies, and without their help, our rally fees may have been higher or we would not have had the extras their money provided.  Had we been in their shoes, we may have made the same business decisions as they.  Carolyn Shirk