The 2006 Monarch SE, offered in lengths from 30 to 37 feet, seems like a great fit for adventures off the beaten path, so we decided to conduct this review with an eye towards dry camping. The job began by boarding the 34SBD model and heading off to a century-old campground near Crater Lake, Oregon sitting under the shade of old growth fir trees and cloaked in the smoke of a campfires.

The 2006 Monarch SE is available on a Ford or Workhorse chassis. We were test-driving the Ford 6.8 liter engine in this unit, which included front and rear disc anti-lock brakes and a 5,000-pound hitch receiver. Towing a Jeep Wrangler along for the ride brought up the question of where to refuel the 75-gallon fuel tank during this tour over some rather steep mountain passes, but we need not have worried. After a long day of driving, including one hour of run-time on the gasoline-powered generator, the fuel gauge never fell below the halfway mark.

A five-speed automatic transmission comes standard with power steering, cruise control and automatic overdrive. All these features work together to make the Monarch SE easy to drive. This road trip was lengthy as product reviews go, and the cockpit did a fine job of offering a comfortable ride. The pilot seat comes standard with six-way power control. The co-pilot seat in this test model was manual, but power controls are offered on the co-pilot seat as an option.

The curbside area of the cockpit has a pull-out desk, wall outlets to power a computer, large overhead storage and a map holder, all of which create a nice workspace for mapping out future trips. Some additional features that enhance the Monarch SE cockpit are dual plugs next to the center console for charging cell phones, Velcro attachments to securely close the privacy drapes, carpeted floor mats and cup holders within easy reach. Power sun visors and a three-camera rear vision system are a couple of options added to this particular unit that also came in handy while driving down the road.

Upon arrival at the campground we left the Monarch SE in an overflow lot and used the tow car to scout out a suitable site. With the right setting located, the Monarch SE was easy to navigate through the winding roadway of the campground and easily backed into that vacant spot. Like many wilderness campgrounds, the ground here wasn’t exactly on an even keel, but we were able to quickly put the motorhome parallel to the horizon using the automatic hydraulic leveling system.

En route to this location we had stopped at a pullout on top of the mountain to enjoy our sack lunch. At the time I made note of how easy it was to walk through the living room back to the dinette area, and even open and close the refrigerator without having to put out the slide room. Now that the slide room was extended in the living area, floor space seemed abundant, as did interior height, which this year is increased to 84 inches.

This unit included an optional hide-a-bed sofa with air mattress. We decided to test the inflation procedure and found that the pump was not only easy to operate, but performed the job in less than one minute. Such efficiency is sure to come in handy where battery power is at a premium with generator operation limited due to quiet time hours.

A choice of six separate décor packages and three different wood styles are available on the 2006 Monarch SE, and the Sand Dune fabrics in combination with the Newport Cherry wood cabinetry in this unit were an attractive match. Overhead storage doors are hinged at the top.

In this model, a satin nickel wall clock is located above the side entry door and anchored on each side by open faced cabinets that would serve well as a couple of bookcases. The stepwell has a wooden grab handle located on the south side, a satin nickel finish rail positioned north, and interior lighting. There is also a storage bin perfect for holding gloves and shoes used for refueling, or flashlights that may come in handy while walking around remote campsites during the dark of night.

There is a laminate countertop and tile flooring in the galley, along with stainless steel sinks and plenty of space to prepare a meal. A booth dinette comes standard, but this unit had the optional dinette table with a buffet countertop and under counter storage. Adjustable shelves are installed in many of the cabinets and the silverware drawer includes a built-in organizer. A large double door refrigerator comes standard, and in this unit the freezer also included an optional icemaker.

New to the Monarch SE this year is a powered ceiling fan. We opened some windows and turned on the fan during our time at the campground. That air flow, along with the shade of towering trees surrounding our campsite, kept the motorhome interior comfortably cool on this 90-degree day.

There were a couple additional items I wanted to mention in the galley area of the 2006 Monarch SE: a light installed over the kitchen sink that includes a nighttime feature, and a trash can positioned inside a cabinet under the sink. I am of the generation that has always tied a plastic waste bag to the stove handle, so that latter item seemed particularly beneficial.

If you like a bathroom that offers total privacy, you’ll appreciate this floorplan in the 2006 Monarch SE. The shower is designed with obscure glass and has built-in shelving to hold soaps and shampoos, an on/off setting on the showerhead to help conserve water during dry camping, and a wall light. There is a good amount of counter space around the bathroom sink and a large wall mirror. The bathroom in this model also has multiple storage cabinets and a built-in magazine rack.

This bedroom floorplan is well laid out with a queen sized bed and fabric headboard, nightstands, a wall mirror on the rear wall, and a vanity countertop with mirrored doors that double as the window cover. There is also plenty of wardrobe and drawer space in the bedroom and along one side of the hallway.

With ample floor space, fine furnishings, attractive décor and quality appliances, the interior layout of the 2006 Monarch SE deserves a five-star rating. However, when it comes to RVing, we know that outside the box is just as important as the inside.

An impressive Panaview™ one-piece windshield and low profile exterior lights are new to this year’s Monarch SE. Additional features outside that help make this a user-friendly motorhome include side-hinged baggage doors, a rear ladder, power heated mirrors and undercoating. We brought along some materials needed to perform this review and found that outside storage near the rear cap is a handy location to access outdoor items when the motorhome is backed into a site.

Two house batteries, a 60-amp converter and the Onan 4.0 gas generator come standard on the 2006 Monarch SE. Fresh water capacity is 60 gallons, and the water service center includes an exterior shower system with hot and cold water, along with valving for winterization. The sewer hose is stored in a contained area.

The sound of the wind rustling the leaves of this ancient forest made it hard to bring in the slide rooms, pull up the jacks, attach the tow car and head back to the factory after this review. The 2006 Monarch SE seemed to have what it takes to make an extended dry camping stay comfortable. If you are in the market for a gasoline-operated Class A motorhome that can capably handle whatever method of RVing you desire, this is one well worth your consideration.