8 year old vs 5 year old Newmar Baystar and general advice

[Unicorn Driver]

Hi all,

I think I am settled on a Baystar for my next purchase.

We have had our 2005 35ft Damon Daybreak since July 2016 and love using it, we purchased cheap at the time as it was what we could afford and we knew nothing about motorhomes or whether we would like the lifestyle.

I would like to upgrade in the next year or two, the sooner the better though :-)

Realistically my budget will be about 60k in 2019 and 75k in 2020. That puts in me in a pre 2016 unit.

As the transmission and chassis are the same spec (5 speed and 20,500lbs) is there any difference between a 2010 and 2013?

My current coach is on a 20,000lbs chassis, 19.5 wheels, 4 speed with 5 star tune. I have done the chf and added a roadmaster ateerimg stabilizer.

My must haves are electric awning, fully auto jacks, full body paint, dual pane windows. We are not full time so will be used 40-50 times a year.

There is a Newmar dealer 5 miles from me whom I have an extended warranty on my Damon, if I cancel the contract early (due Nov 2020) they can put the pro rated cash towards a different unit, even if I purchase elsewhere, this will allow me the same service as if I purchased the coach from them.

I am 2 hours from Midway rv, and 4 from Newmar.

Any advice appreciated.

P.s. if the 6 speed is real game changer I would wait until I can afford one to upgrade.

["007"]

You live in a good spot, one of the best Newmar dealers and close to the plant not 900 miles like I was.
In QT's # 3 the Bay Star section there is threads describing older BS's and problems and upgrades people have done to improve the coach and chassis that you should look at before looking for a older BS.
Good luck in your hunt.

[STORMY 1]

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Hi all,

I think I am settled on a Baystar for my next purchase.

We have had our 2005 35ft Damon Daybreak since July 2016 and love using it, we purchased cheap at the time as it was what we could afford and we knew nothing about motorhomes or whether we would like the lifestyle.

I would like to upgrade in the next year or two, the sooner the better though :-)

Realistically my budget will be about 60k in 2019 and 75k in 2020. That puts in me in a pre 2016 unit.

As the transmission and chassis are the same spec (5 speed and 20,500lbs) is there any difference between a 2010 and 2013?

My current coach is on a 20,000 lbs chassis, 19.5 wheels, 4 speed with 5 star tune. I have done the chf and added a roadmaster ateerimg stabilizer.

My must haves are electric awning, fully auto jacks, full body paint, dual pane windows. We are not full time so will be used 40-50 times a year.

There is a Newmar dealer 5 miles from me whom I have an extended warranty on my Damon, if I cancel the contract early (due Nov 2020) they can put the pro rated cash towards a different unit, even if I purchase elsewhere, this will allow me the same service as if I purchased the coach from them.

I am 2 hours from Midway rv, and 4 from Newmar.

Any advice appreciated.

P.s. if the 6 speed is real game changer I would wait until I can afford one to upgrade.

“
Like you, my first MH was an “entry level” 2012 Fleetwood Storm 32’. After four years , almost every chassis upgrade you can add, and months in the shop to “fix”things that never should have happened, we also decided to upgrade.

I had been looking at upgrading for months reading the various owners blogs, and I repeatedly read about how happy Newmar owners are with their coaches. I’m not a diesel pusher kind of guy, so the Baystar(3401-35’) was in my crosshairs. My Storm was a five speed, the BayStar a six speed. There IS a difference. No better gas mileage, but the engine does not seem to work as hard. I have once moredone all of the chassis changes everyone talks about in order to enjoy the journey a little more. I did the “tune”, which seemed to help also. I would encourage you to do the CHF you read about. I bought the extension plates from Tejay and they were a big help without having to put extensions on.

The difference between most “entry levels” and
Newmar’s is night and day. The quality everywhere is
SO much better. The same guys that Build the $500,000
and up coaches, build your $150,000(MSRP) units.
Their service is top tier and my service rep Steve Mosier has always been there to help on the very minor adjustments there has been. The 22,000 lb. chassis with the 22.5” wheels was a big change in the way that the coach rolls down the road and the overall ride. Put Dynamat under your dog house and the engine noise is reduced by 70% or more. I’m getting ready for my 10,000 oil change , so the coach is getting used. Every item I have mentioned has made a substantial difference over the Storm

Long story longer, I would defiantly look at Newmar 2016
and up for the six speed. People seem to take care of them and the more you look, the better deal you may find.the heavier chassis makes a difference.

Good luck in your quest. Enjoy the journey.

[lnanne]

We test drove both the 5 speed and 6 speed and immediately decided we'd go with the 6 speed. Much smoother shifting and much quieter. But I don't know if the 5 star tune makes the 5 speed close to the 6 speed. That could be a way to go.

If you do decide to go with the 6 speed and you look at 2016's, be sure to check the VIN in the 10th position. It should be a G and NOT an F. 2016 motorhomes were built on both the 5 speed and 6 speed chassis'. We didn't trust the sellers word because they often didn't know or assured us it was the 6 speed.

We envy where you live for looking at and buying and servicing Newmars!

Good luck to you!

Ellen

[Unicorn Driver]

Thanks all for the replies,

I would definitley like a 6 speed if possible but it will more than likely be a 2012 model.

I have spoken ro Midway and they are going to let me know if a used Baystar comes in.

[Patti Brown]

We love using our Bay Star! However, if you can manage a 2014 model, you will have moved up one generation in electronics from the 2012 and 2013 models. Fully LED, too, which is nice for saving batteries.

Good luck!

[Unicorn Driver]

Originally Posted by Patti Brown

We love using our Bay Star! However, if you can manage a 2014 model, you will have moved up one generation in electronics from the 2012 and 2013 models. Fully LED, too, which is nice for saving batteries.

Good luck!

Hi Patti,

What changed with the electronics? I did replace the majority of LED's on my old rig.

[Unicorn Driver]

My wife said she would rather keep the coach to about 30-32 foot, that's fine by me also.


So it looks like a 20,500lb chassis with a 5 speed.