Big Surprise for my Wife!!!!

[LoveOurRV]

My wife went out of town and while she was gone for the week, my RV BFF's spotted a 1999 Newmar Dutch for sale in their neighborhood. My wife has wanted to get a pop-up and go camping so for fun I went over and took a look, man was I surprised, what a beautifully built and well designed Home on wheels, I fell in love with it on the spot!!! I really know nothing about motor homes so I have a lot to learn but long story short, during the week I bought the Newmar and when she got home I dropped the bomb and took her over to see it. She was speechless , she said, I'm not going out of town again, you might sell the house next!!! I am very thankful to all the authors of this great website for all the wonderful insight into a the wonderful world of motorhome travel. I can't stop reading all the great info available to bring me up to speed. I have already dug the trench to the house and ran the wire through the 3/4" rigid conduit with 4 conductor #6 and a mounted 50amp breaker panel to plug into for shore power. We are going on our maiden voyage this weekend, in Georgia with rain in the forecast but we will be happy in any weather! My wife has already created a Hawaiian motif inside, greenery, flowers, pics and all... Sorry I'm so long winded, just excited to join such an elite group of great people... Thanks again for all you do for the new bees that are wet behind the ears!!! We appreciate all the experienced help we find here!!!! 73, Gary WR7L in Marietta, Ga

[RVThere]

Gary,

Welcome but I hope RV'ers really aren't known as a 'elite group'. Your excitement will not fade. Even after doing this for many years, I still get excited to go on a camping trip. In two weeks, we'll be going to Shenandoah National Park for Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait!

[LoveOurRV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVThere Gary, Welcome but I hope RV'ers really aren't known as a 'elite group'. Your excitement will not fade. Even after doing this for many years, I still get excited to go on a camping trip. In two weeks, we'll be going to Shenandoah National Park for Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait!

Maybe elite was the incorrect word there, sounds like a good trip is in store for you, we will be taking short trips while the gas is at 4 bucks a gal here in GA... I would really love to see all the awesome sights of this great land of ours!!! So much to see, so little time... This RV will be paid for in 4 years, I will be 64, just in time to do some touring!!!

[go6car]

How exciting!!! Best of luck to you and your wife!!

Why don't you post some pictures of the new addition? We'd love to see it!

[RJay]

Hi Gary and welcome to the forum and glad we could be of help.


You have a great coach there and the factory related problems should be long gone. The only other problems you could run into are those due to a lack of maintenance and end of life components. Since you know the prior owner you can find out about the maintenance issues, so that just leaves the normal component end of life issues. Your coach still has a lot of life left in her so take her out and create some memories.

[LoveOurRV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay Hi Gary and welcome to the forum and glad we could be of help. You have a great coach there and the factory related problems should be long gone. The only other problems you could run into are those due to a lack of maintenance and end of life components. Since you know the prior owner you can find out about the maintenance issues, so that just leaves the normal component end of life issues. Your coach still has a lot of life left in her so take her out and create some memories.

Thanks RJay, this is a one owner rig, it has 48k miles on it, I have only driven it from the previous owners home to our home but he has taken good care of it! I checked the fluids, will be checking the air pressure today, the batteries were pretty thirsty, about 4 pints for the two Chassis batteries, I'm thinking they may have been overcharged or the previous owner was unable to get down under to fill them. I may need to change them, however they have started the Onan just fine. We will know more after the short trip. My RV friend just purchased a new 5 th wheeler at the same time I bought my MH so it's his maiden voyage also with his new rig.

[GaryKD]

Hi LoveOurRV,
Welcome to iRV2 and the Newmar family. When you get a chance, stop at a Pilot/Flying J fueling location. See the store cashier and get a RV Frequent Fueler Card. It is free. Register the card on the PFJ RV website. To to Hi I'm Lynsay from Pilot Flying J and read post #1. It will provide the instructions for you to receive frequent fueler benefits.

[Nick-B]

Hi Gary and Welcome to the Forum.

Congratulations on your "new" Dutch Star and definitely post up some pictures!

[JohnRR]

I look forward to more posts of your unique way of going about things, and I'm waiting to see pictures of this jewel.

[DutchStar38]

So Gary why don't you tell us how you really feel about your new RV. Just kidding. Great find. As long as you two are happy with it and enjoy it then BEST of Times to ya. Welcome and see you down the road......

[RJay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveOurRV Thanks RJay, this is a one owner rig, it has 48k miles on it, I have only driven it from the previous owners home to our home but he has taken good care of it! I checked the fluids, will be checking the air pressure today, the batteries were pretty thirsty, about 4 pints for the two Chassis batteries, I'm thinking they may have been overcharged or the previous owner was unable to get down under to fill them. I may need to change them, however they have started the Onan just fine. We will know more after the short trip. My RV friend just purchased a new 5 th wheeler at the same time I bought my MH so it's his maiden voyage also with his new rig.

It might be a good idea to equalize your batteries. Take specific gravity readings first and then equalize according to manufacturers voltage and duration specifications. It may be all your batteries need. I'm not sure if your year coach has an inverter though.

[micd]

Congratulations to you both on your new coach. We bought a 1994 Winnebago last year about this time and have had less problems with it than most folks who post on here having bought a brand new coach. Its likely due to two thing, less complexity and if something was going to break it already would have. We had a great year using our coach and are looking forward to this year. I hope everything goes as well for you!

We did have ours professionally inspected by a mechanic and did all the recommended things before taking it on a big trip and that likely headed off problems. You probably want to check the date code on the tires and replace them if they are over 5 years old, replace the brake fluid, check the shocks for leaking etc...

Cheers!
Michelle

[bjsheldon]

Welcome to the RV life. Ga. has numerous state parks thruout the state and most are very nice. Get the yearly park pass and its like $24.00/night full hookups. We have used many of them and really enjoy it. Good luck on your first trip.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Welcome and cograts on the new to you Dutchstar. Remember that the best trip was the last one you took. The one thing you might want to check before setting off on your trip is tire age...if tires are original you want to consider replacing. Happy trails to you and DW.