Available at a price point where the motorcoach enthusiast can make the transition up into the realm of the luxury diesel pushers, the affordable Monaco Knight may in fact be the last coach the enthusiast will ever need. Introduced in 1999, Monaco continues to enhance and improve upon the Knight, and model year 2006 is no different. Among the litany of new and improved standard and optional features available for 2006, the important items are many and merit enumeration.

Leading the list of “What’s New” is the single-piece Panaview™ windshield. Totally unencumbered, the pilot and copilot now have an unobstructed view of the world outside from the cockpit seats. That’s right, no longer is there a vertical black rubber seam to contend with. In fact, the single-piece windshield is now a standard feature on all Monaco Coaches.

Further augmenting functionality and the comfort of the passenger is the six-way power copilot seat with power footrest (a feature that was optional and has now been made a standard feature on every Knight). The coach owner can now elect to include in their instrumentation and controls presentation, carling switches that include both words and icons that identify what each switch is for. Oh, yes. And to ensure good visibility along both sides of the unit, 17.5-inch chrome power heated mirrors (with turn signals) now come with every coach. The entryway stairwell is dressed with low maintenance laminated tile flooring, where it was previously available only as an option.

From front to rear, in the salon, galley and rear stateroom areas, the interior livability has been improved. Case in point is the interior height. This could be the perfect venue for all but the very tallest of NBA players, for the height has been increased to a full 84 inches. It’s now seven feet from the floor to ceiling. Unbelievable!

Previously offered as an option, and now a standard feature for 2006, is the home theater system that includes both a DVD and VCR player. And aft of the salon area, in the state-of-the-art galley, the large four-door refrigerator w/ice maker that last year was optional is now included in every Monaco Knight. Even the bedroom wardrobe slideout has been redesigned and reconfigured, both for aesthetics and to facilitate access and functionality.

Model year 2006 sees two new floorplans being offered (the 40 PDQ and the 40 PET), for a total of five to choose from. The Knight is offered in three different coach lengths (37'10", 38'10" and 40'10"). The 40PET offers three slideout rooms, one in the rear stateroom and two forward in the galley and salon areas. The 40PDQ features a total of four slideouts, with the fourth slide being included in the rear stateroom. The depth of one stateroom slide has been increased to 30 inches.

Exterior aesthetics have greater appeal then ever before. Examples include the redesign of the side hinge baggage doors, with all doors now including redesigned extrusions and latch locations. The one-piece fiberglass roof has been peaked to facilitate runoff, while residential-style fiberglass insulation (with its excellent thermal barrier qualities) is now featured in the roof structure as well as the walls.

In addition to the visually correct interior and exterior presentations that offer excellent eye appeal, other features that are less glamorous, but oh so important functionally, are now included on the Knight. Examples include a fully automatic three-point coach leveling system and a standard manual retracting power cord reel. A 2,000-watt inverter, along with two additional house batteries, provide an almost endless supply of 110-volt power. These two components are now standard equipment, along with an energy management system that has been added as an option.

The Monaco Knight now comes standard with deluxe, full-body paint that is (suffice it to say) “drop dead gorgeous.” Further underscoring the correctness of this coach’s presentation are the standard polished aluminum wheels and the full length, coach-wide mudflap. To protect the front of the coach from road debris (bugs, stones, sand), a 3M Film® front mask is now included on every coach. And once a destination is reached, the coach enthusiast will enjoy a standard awning package that includes an Eclipse automatic patio awning and an automatic front door awning.

To fully appreciate the Monaco Knight, it’s important to note the proven technologies that are embodied in the design, construction and the source of this coach’s motive prowess. To begin with, the foundation on every Monaco Knight is Monaco Coach Corporation’s own Roadmaster Chassis, a platform that has been designed and tailored specifically for every model. The drivetrain includes the time-tested and well-proven Cummins 330 horsepower turbo-charged diesel that develops 950 ft. lbs. torque. Married to the Allison® 3000 MH transmission, together these components develop the power necessary to move this 33,000 GVWR coach at sea level, up and over the highest mountain passes and through all venues in between. The Knight has the design capability to tow 10,000 pounds on top of that.

For the house portion, the Monaco Knight utilizes Monaco Coach Corporation’s patented and unique Alumaframe® Superstructure, a technology that integrates vertical and horizontal aluminum structural C-Channel crossmembers that are welded together at each point where they intersect.

The walls are five-layered structures, comprised of exterior gel coat fiberglass, fiberglass insulation, a vapor barrier, bead foam and interior paneling. The roof is a nine-layered structural system that includes a Luaun-backed one-piece fiberglass exterior, thick bead foam insulation, aluminum double I-beams that are filled with fiberglass insulation, a vapor barrier and a thermal insulative barrier of half-inch bead foam insulation. The floor features a 1.5-inch welded tubular steel infrastructure with blue foam insulation embedded in between the structural members. To this Structurwood™, Darco (a product that protects and seals the roadside of the floor structure) and Luaun panel are integrated.

To make a long story short, the Monaco Knight has once again moved up another notch, to a new level of excellence. This is a state-of-the-art coach that merits the coach aficionado’s attention. Check it out.