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07-19-2014, 08:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Louisville
Posts: 134
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29th International Rally
My wife and I just attended our first Newmar rally. It was a great one -- good entertainment, tremendous array of good food, excellent work by the service personnel, and tremendous weather (only need air conditioning a couple of days and rained only one night). We heard lots of good news on the health of Newmar and the increase in business and market share.
When I was looking for our third diesel pusher, I read in depth about all the manufacturers and customer reports. I wound up selecting Newmar as the manufacturer to pursue. After having attended the rally, I'm confident I made the right decision for us.
By the way, I got to speak with Matt for a bit -- the right man for the job even if he's family.
__________________
Byron Songer - fulltiming out of Louisville, KY
2002 Newmar Dutch Star on Freightliner/CAT, 2016 Lincoln MKX, Air Force One
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07-19-2014, 08:15 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 1,244
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Great news, Byron. Sounds like a fabulous rally. Thanks for the update. We were at Newmar factory during the rally and it was frankly a lot quieter than normal there as a lot of the Newmar people were at the rally. Nonetheless, it is very apparent that, just as you say, Newmar is humming with activity and will have a big year with the '15 models.
Congratulations on your choice -- be sure to let us all know what model you end up selecting. And be sure to post pictures -- we love to see pictures.
By the way, be sure to check out the Hoots' rally in Sevierville, Tennessee this September (See "Newmar Hoots Looking for a Roost" thread and the sticky posted by 007 above in Newmar Owners' Forum). We have 26 coaches signed up to date and the resort advises that they can still accommodate a limited number more. Dates are 9/20-9/27. Some of the best and brightest Hoots will be in attendance and we will all have a ball discussing our coaches, modifications, layouts, furnishings, ideas for the good of the order. We'd love to have you and your wife.
Cheers --
Deek
__________________
”Deek” / FMCA #363986
2023 Winnebago View 24D Bay Mist II
What a Hoot!
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07-20-2014, 06:07 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Louisville
Posts: 134
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Deem, first off, I don't buy new for two reasons: I never had an income above $70k and am retires now; I'd rather someone else take the big hit.
In looking for a used coach brand meant much. His was our third and I've had two orphans and one that the mfg has been tossed about by sale after sale and quality has suffered. I wanted a coach made by some company that was still in business. That narrowed the field quickly.
I like Newmar for two, big reasons. 1) The values of the management and employees. 2) As stated above, a solid company that had weathered the financial swings. Getting a coach on a Freightliner chassis and Caterpillar engine was a plus.
We acquired a 2002 Dutch Star DP 3853 with some options that were standard on the Mountain Aire.
We will be in Chippewa Falls, WI in late September otherwise we'd be looking the you hoots spite of the fact that I think the location is terrible for a thinking person that enjoys being in Towsend instead when getting near GSMNP.
__________________
Byron Songer - fulltiming out of Louisville, KY
2002 Newmar Dutch Star on Freightliner/CAT, 2016 Lincoln MKX, Air Force One
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07-20-2014, 09:46 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Today? Clayton, North Carolina
Posts: 5,093
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Byron....Welcome, and congrats on the coach! It appears we have very similar equipment.
We've never done a national rally. We attended a regional FMCA rally a couple of years back, and felt pretty neutral about it. I imagine a national might be interesting on a different plane. We generally only target organization rallies if they happen to be sort of convenient in an area we are travelling through.
Then, of course, there's the Hoots Roost! We were at the original last year in Sevierville, and had a great time! Can't make 2014 due to schedule (we'll be in Boston), but I think you might enjoy it. Its Newmar, but a large percentage are Dutch Stars, so there are a lot of little pieces of arcana to be had. Think about it for next year.
In any event, Good Luck!
__________________
John and Diane (RIP Lincoln, 21 FEB 22) RVM103 NHSO
Fulltimers since June, 2012
2002 Dutch Star 40, Freightliner, Cat 3126, 2004 Element
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07-20-2014, 08:03 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 809
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Hi Byron, meant to say "HI" to you at the rally, but could only spend 2 days. Wife had surgery, and couldn't take it anymore, so left for home. See you in West Virginia.
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07-20-2014, 08:21 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Louisville
Posts: 134
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I was definitely visible Sunday night since I was in front of the whole group leading the singing of the hymns for that portion of the evening as well as the worship experience.
We've attended a number of rallies of all sizes. We've been to The Rally put on by Good Sam in Louisville, FMCA events in Perry, Madison, and Gillette, not to mention several other rallies of other groups. This was our first all Newmar rally. It was a great rally with a different feel primarily because of the company itself.
I do websites for two smaller groups and edit the newsletter for the Diesel RV Club (an FMCA affiliate) so I've had experience of all kinds since starting in 2007. This rally, with around 370 units registered, was just the right size. Big enough to draw some vendors but small enough to meet a variety of people. For sure, the service rate of $60 per hour can't be beat.
For the last meal, I stood near the end of the escort line shaking hands with almost everyone. I was amazed at how many soreheads won't smile, look you in the face, and share a greeting through a handshake. Thank goodness they are a very small minority. Life should be enjoyed; that's why we have a motorhome.
__________________
Byron Songer - fulltiming out of Louisville, KY
2002 Newmar Dutch Star on Freightliner/CAT, 2016 Lincoln MKX, Air Force One
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07-20-2014, 08:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 809
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Ha Ha, could be those soreheads had to take a shower standing in 2 inches of water, cause we didn't get the honey wagon to them in time.
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