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Monaco Camelot 40PST  (33-6)  By Garth W. Cane

Monaco's Camelot 40PST is a rear diesel pusher motorhome with three slides for extra floor space. As you step into this front-entry coach you can't help but feel completely amazed by the extra space provided by the slides on each side of the living room. On the unit I reviewed, the street side held a sofa and dinette with overhead cabinets, while another sofa sat on the curb side. Adjacent was a solid-surface kitchen counter with a Sharp Carousel microwave oven, an off-white enamelled double sink with a single control faucet that had a pull-out spray attachment for rinsing your dishes, and a filtered drinking water faucet to the left. A pantry for storing canned goods was on the right end of the kitchen counter, with edge guards to prevent them from falling out during travel. Two of the shelves were moveable to accommodate items of differing heights. To the left of the counter was a waste basket and a hidden slide out drawer. I felt that the drawer for knives and forks could have been larger for a coach of this size. The dinette was freestanding with no supports to get in your way as you move your legs around while seated on the upholstered chairs. There were good sized overhead cabinets for storage over both the street and curb side slideouts. Our test unit had a floor-to-ceiling mirror on the wall beside the dinette, with another pantry with slideout shelves. Beside this was the large capacity four-door Norcold refrigerator. The floor in the living room area was carpeted and the area in front of the sink and back to the bathroom was covered with ceramic tile. Side windows in the slideout were covered by day/night pleated shades and surrounded by fabric trim. The bath area was a walk-through type with the new style Thetford toilet (operated by push-buttons instead of a foot valve) and sink on one side with a privacy door. The large shower cabinet was trimmed by gold accent glass doors and easy to clean surround walls, while another sink was located on the opposite side. Above each sink was a cabinet for storing toiletries. Again the shelves were provided with little guards to prevent items from falling when you open the doors. The area was well lit with a skylight over the shower, and with ceiling lights and more lights over the bathroom mirror. A quiet Fantastic exhaust fan was mounted in the ceiling to remove excess moisture and warm air. The head of the king-sized bed was in a slideout for extra room with a four-drawer dresser on the curb side of the motorhome and a large mirrored-front closet all across the rear. In one corner was space for the optional clothes washer and dryer, with room for a color TV above. Since this was a rear diesel coach, there was very little storage under the bed. More storage was provided for sweaters and folded clothes in the slideout over the head of the bed. Pocket doors slid out of the wall at each end of the bathroom area to give extra privacy for the bedroom. The driver's area of the coach was set up with two six-way, power, leather-faced swivel chairs that could be rotated in the evening to extend the conservation area, and there was enough room behind the driver's chair when the slide was in the travel position to be able to adjust it for a comfortable driving position. The co-pilot's chair could also be provided with a power footrest. This coach has a tall front windshield but has individual roller type sunshades that come down to protect your eyes when driving into the western sun. The foot pedals are adjustable to fit individual drivers. The large driver's side window slides for easy access at toll booths and when asking for directions. The dash had the usual control systems for stereo, heater and air conditioning, with two fans mounted at the bottom of the windshield to prevent haze from forming on the window during a drive in cold, moist air. Sony provided the rear view monitor system and the large color TV that was mounted above the centre of the window. Above the windshield were the controls for the optional VCR/satellite receiver that allowed you to view either your videotapes or live programming from the regular antenna system or programs from home on the satellite system. Lined fibreglass drapes cover the large windshield in the evening for privacy, and to shut out the light when viewing your programming. The Camelot's 'smart' steering wheel contains the controls for your stereo, windshield wipers, cruise control and other systems. This means that you don't have to take your hands off the wheel when changing stations or selecting your favourite CD. The coach was built on Monaco's Roadmaster chassis and powered by the Cummins ISC 350 hp diesel. This was coupled to the Allison model 3000 six-speed electronic transmission through a 4.30:1 rear axle ratio differential. An ISL 400 hp Cummins engine is available as an option. The tires were 275/70R/22.5 with eight air bags and gas shock absorbers providing a smooth ride on the highway. Stopping power was delivered through the anti-lock braking system with full air brakes and a Pac Brake exhaust retarder. The body is built on an aluminum superstructure with a steel cage cockpit. The roof is a one-piece moulded crowned fibreglass for better water runoff. The walls of the coach are laminated, gelcoated fibreglass with deluxe full body paint to keep the motorhome looking fresh for many years. The baggage doors in the under-floor storage area had integrated single handle latch mechanisms, and one option that I would order was the 3M film front mask to protect against stone chips without taking away the beauty of the front graphics. This is a coach that you can use for the long term, with as many weekend jaunts as you can fit into your schedule, or for those three to six month journeys to your place in the sun. Our test coach was provided by Dave McKee of The Hitch House in Shanty Bay, Ontario. Retail pricing varies according to floor plan and options selected, so see your Monaco dealer for details. (Page Top)