LaPalma 36′ DBD

THE MONACO LAPALMA IS BUILT ON THE NEW Workhorse W22 chassis, with a 22,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr). This new chassis is powered by the GM Vortec 8100, a gasoline-powered V-8 engine displacing 496 cubic inches and producing 340 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful gas engine available in a Class A chassis. Backing the engine is the new Allison 1000 automatic transmission, the same one used in GM’s new heavy-duty pickup trucks. Inside the LaPalma 36 DBD is its unique new 1-1/2-bathroom floorplan. The coach features a half bath just aft of the living area, consisting of a toilet and sink; a full bath with shower, sink and toilet is housed in a room just behind the bedroom. The toilets are porcelain with sprayers, and the shower is a one-piece fiberglass unit with a glass door and a brass frame. Monaco’s stated intention with this LaPalma is to offer high-end diesel-pusher features in a gas-coach price range. To this
end, the 36 DBD offers driver/passenger fabric recliner seats (leather and six-way power
optional); an AM/FM stereo CD player with four speakers; and power heated remote mirrors. A fabric barrel chair and a wood drink tray are aft of the passenger’s seat, while a sofa and dinette are located behind the driver’s seat in a large slideout. The galley comes equipped with a high-output three-burner range, an 8-cubic-foot refrigerator, a Space Saver microwave and a conventional oven. A convection microwave and an 8-cubic-foot two-way refrigerator with icemaker are optional. Other interior features include a 19-inch
television with remote, western-oak cabinets, raised-panel hardwood doors, “marble-like”
kitchen and bathroom countertops and pleated day/night shades in the living room and
bedroom. A curbside bedroom slideout, which is standard, houses an island queen-size bed, a dresser and a wardrobe (a 13-inch television with remote is optional). Three interior
colors are offered: Smokey Mountains, Holly Berry and Peacock. The LaPalma comes standard with a 55-amp power converter, two 6-volt deep-cycle batteries, a 5.0-kW AC generator, electronic ignition, a 35,000-BTU furnace with in-floor ducted heating, and a 13,500-BTU air conditioner. Construction details include an Alumaframe superstructure with a five-year warranty, steel-cage cockpit construction, a steel-framed floor on steel trusses, a 1-1/2-inch steel-tube floor with laminated 5/8-inch Structurwood flooring, fiberglass
insulation in roof and floors, a structure-foam-insulated underbelly with lauan backer and
an aluminum roof. Capacities for this 36-footer include 42 gallons of gray water, 42
gallons of black water, 70 gallons of fresh water, 33 gallons of propane and 75 gallons of
fuel. The LaPalma 36-foot DBD retails for around $105,000, nicely equipped. Monaco Coach
Corporation, 91320 Coburg Industrial Way, Coburg, Oregon 97408; (800) 634-0855; monacocoach.com