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Old 10-23-2016, 12:28 PM   #1
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Buying a Newmar-need opinions

Wife an I are shopping for a new (used) MH.

Currently have a 98 Dolphin gas 33' and are looking to go full time.

We want a tag axle DP. Wife is totally sold on Comfort Drive so we are considering Ventana or Dutch Star.

We will be towing a Honda CRV.

The question is what length?

Wife wants a 40' based on accessibility to more campgrounds-shorter is better.

I am OK with that but a 42-43 will expand-greatly-our purchasing options but narrow down where we can park it. I have also been told that a larger MH will handle better but don't know if that is true or not.

Any comments on Comfort Drive? I have searched the forum and found the most detailed reviews were circa 2009. Any thoughts on CD with the later models (2012 and up)?

Thoughts?
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Old 10-23-2016, 12:48 PM   #2
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Can't speak to the smaller coach as both of mine have been 43 or 44, but I can tell you that I have never found myself unable to go where we want to go. That being said, you may want to go somewhere different than me! For us the extra space was important as we spend 4 to 5 months a year living on it, half bath was critical also. Nothing can beat Comfort Drive, it makes those longer days so much easier, and the tag axel definitely smooths out the bumps. We love our 4369 DSDP.
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Old 10-23-2016, 12:52 PM   #3
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We just purchased a 2017 Dutch Star 4369.

1. Comfort Steer is great. We recently drove with heavy crosswinds and I was able to easily hold our coach in its lane. With Comfort Steer, you could drive with two fingers on the wheel, although I do not.

2. We moved from a 40-foot single axle motor home to the 43-foot tandem axle Dutch Star. The basement storage is essentially the same because the tag axle takes up space that would normally be allotted to basement storage on a single axle coach. I suggest to take a look at the basement storage on a 40-foot Newmar with tandem axle before you make your decision. You may find 40-foot is OK, or like us (full-timers) you may find you need more basement storage.
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Old 10-23-2016, 03:45 PM   #4
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We moved up from a Tiffin 40' Phaeton (a real POS I might add) to a 45' Newmar. The 45' is easier to drive, maneuver, and park by far.

The Tiffin 40' had a 55 degree wheel cut versus the Newmar 67 degree. Also the tag is steerable on the Newmar. I back into my MH garage much easier than the TIffin.

There is no comparison to the comfort drive.

If you are considering a Dutch Star, the overall length is 43'11". the 45 footer is only 1 foot longer (44'11"), but with much more living and storage space.
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:21 PM   #5
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I like the 4037. 40' with tag. Bath and a half. 40p ISL.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:27 PM   #6
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love our 43'

We love our 43 foot Dutch Star. The 4369 floor plan is just perfect for us. There are not 3 feet I'd want to give up. Re getting into campgrounds: I don't think there are many that could accommodate a 40' but not a 43'. Basically, you have the very old campgrounds like most of the national and some of the state parks that can't take more than a 30' which rules out any Class A and then you have newer campgrounds that a 43' will fit into fine. If you're going to full time or spend months at a time in the motorhome, I'd definitely recommend going with the 43'. If you won't be in it for long periods, you can save some money by going with the 40'.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:49 PM   #7
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I won't be the one to challenge your wife on the 40' vs 43' issue I'm not up for it. I will share we had a 40' for 10 years and so far I've seen no difference in available accommodations with the 43' unit.
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:00 PM   #8
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Welcome to the forum here is a link to cover which ever you may want and people to talk to for specials or what you can put in coach from higher models ups in lineup.
Good luck in what ever you chose.
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Old 12-24-2016, 06:01 AM   #9
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Thanks for all the advice.

We bought a new 2016 4369 Ventana. Very happy so far.

Wanted a DS primarily for the HP increase but just could not make the budget.

Now that we are living in it wife admitted she is glad we went with the 43'.......
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Old 12-24-2016, 06:59 AM   #10
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Welcome to the Newmar family.

What a great Christmas gift.

We went from a 2008 DS 40' to our current 2014 DS 43'. Love it!

Tell us more about your new coach.
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Old 12-24-2016, 07:13 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnT View Post
Welcome to the Newmar family.

What a great Christmas gift.

We went from a 2008 DS 40' to our current 2014 DS 43'. Love it!

Tell us more about your new coach.
Thanks.

So far the biggest problem is this:http://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/new-c...on-321004.html

The other thing is we replaced the sofa with an L shaped one as part of the deal. It is paid for and we are supposed to get it installed at the factory. The sofa has to be special ordered since it is last years style/color and will take several months to arrive. This is OK since we are in Florida now and there is no way we are going to Indiana in the winter.

I just worry something will go wrong with this plan since we paid the dealer for the sofa. Anyone have experience dealing with the factory on something like this?
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Old 12-24-2016, 08:52 AM   #12
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Congrats! Don't sweat the HP difference in the DS. I drove both quite a bit and couldn't tell the difference. We also went back to Nappanee with our three month old coach for a slight interior remodel. They removed the passenger sofa and installed a fire place. Went smooth as silk and we treasured the experience back at the factory.
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Old 12-26-2016, 06:37 PM   #13
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If you choice a Dutch Star or for that matter any 40 plus Newmar a Spartan chassis will give the best chassis out there plus disc brakes on all axles. There has been a lot info. on Newmar forum on why the Spartan chassis is the best no cost choice for Newmar owners buying or ordering a Newmar.
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Old 12-29-2016, 05:58 AM   #14
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We have signed our papers on a Newmar! We have a day or two to think over some things. Mainly, do you get the coat protection they offer? Suppose to repel bugs, hard water, bird ick, etc. They also offered extended service warranty through American Guardian, 7 years at $12k or 6 years at $9k. Anyone heard of American Guardian? Is that a standard price for warranty and is the warranty worth it? This is for a new 2016 Dutch Star. Thanks for any help!!
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