Evaluating 2011 Dutchstar

[LK23]

I am new to this forum. My name is Rex and I presently own a 2005 Itasca Horizon 40AD and I am considering upgrading to a 2011 Dutchstar 40 foot. I have several initial questions:

1. Is this the best forum for information on the Newmar Dutchstar?

2. Are there any on-going maintenance or design issues I should be aware of. It seems every brand has their quirks that cause the owners some concern and time to repair or maintain.

[GaryKD]

Hi LK23,
Welcome to the Newmar forum. This is the absolute best Newmar forum on the Internet. The good, bad and ugly, it is all here. This forum is the 3rd largest forum on iRV2. The 2011s didn't change much from the 2010s. I have not heard, read or seen any bad trends on the 2010 models. The 2011s have not been out long enough to establish any unique trends.

There is one change that merits mentioning. With the 2011 models 40' and up will all have tag axles if the engine is compliant with 2010 emissions. For your 40'er, this should mean greater stability on the highway. Comfort Drive combined with a tag,,,,,how neat is that.

[LK23]

Gary,

Thanks for the welcome. After looking at the Newmar online info for several days it all of a sudden dawned on me that the 40 had a Tag axle. Until now, I have avoided the 43 foot coaches because of Tag axle and don't need the extra 3 feet. It really surprised me that Newmar added the extra axle. I don't need the extra carry capacity - my present coach is no where near it's maximum, so I don't see the advantage. It seems to me that I would have two more tires to maintain and replace at some point.

Possibly someone can enlighten me on the advantages of Tag axle.

[Lug_Nut]

Gary is absolutely correct, this is the best, real time, Newmar forum, bar none!

Unlike some others, there is no hipe and nearly no under tow. This is the real deal. Honest help, advice and just plain friendly and fun.

Welcome.

[clubmed98]

The coach will porpoise less over bumps, it is more stable when towing, with less tail wagging, and in wind. The reason you see it on the newer units is the extra weight on the rear caused by the new pollution equipment. There also is a big change in that older DSDP were on Spartan chassis and the new ones are on Freightliner.

[LK23]

Thanks for the feedback. I have never experienced porpoising or problems towing. If I had, the Tag axle would sound much more appealing I'm sure. I will post another message asking specifically the pros and cons of Tag axle and see what everyone says.

[imgoin4it]

I do not have a tag, but with the new environmental equipment , as stated above, I understand you must have the tag to carry the additinal weight of the motor home and still have about the same overall capacity as in the older models. Therefor you do not really have any increase in carry capacity. In fact I have read that some new 40 foot coaches with out the tag are probably overloaded right out of the factory. If you are shopping for a 40 foot motor home, I suggest you do what ever home work is necessary to make sure you end up with a motor home you can sit in with out exceeding the weight limits. I went from a winny Journey to the KSDP. BEST MOVE I EVER MADE.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

imgoin4it is correct. The new pollution compiant engines are much heavier and several mfg's are at max weight empty or so close to it that almost nothing can be added.
I have had a 36' DP and now a 43' DP w/tag. The handling characteristics are so much better and stability on the road with the tag. The tag allows more carrying capability, but reduces the storage area.
You make the choice, BUT be sure to check weights and CCC.

[LK23]

Thanks. YES, carry capacity is a huge factor in evaluating a new coach and Newmar has plenty with the tag axle. With our "stuff", we would be 8-9,000 lbs shy of CC on a Dutchstar 40.

Here's another twist on that subject. I had a friend tell me that motor home suspensions are designed to operate near capacity and if they are not loaded you may get a stiffer ride. Any thoughts on that?

[Brigadoon]

If I were to get a new DS, I thing I would just go straight to the 43 footer. A 40 ft with a tag will reduce basement space and I use all of my basement space. The 43 ft probably would have about the same basement space as my current 40ft Dutch Star. Big carrying capacity will do no good if you do not have a place to put your stuff. Additionally, I would have a little more interior space and access to the bath and a half floor plan that we like (like I used to have in our KS 3740).

[GaryKD]

Hi LK23,
Engines that comply with the 2010 pollution law adds about 1K pounds to the rear axle of a 40' coach. For me this would be unacceptable. I am within 300 pounds of my rear GAWR (20K pounds) 20K pounds is the maximum allowed, by federal law on a single drive axle configuration. The tag would allow recapture of added weight due to pollution equipment.

The increased stability and recapture of NCC, for me, is much more important than the maintenance items mentioned in your post. While shopping for a new coach, if you see a 40' coach with a 2010 emissions compliant engine look very closely at:
1. the rear GAWR. If it is over 20K lbs you will need to watch how much stuff you put on that axle. While the axle can have a GAWR over 20K, the driver can not load more than 20K onto the axle. States are now beginning to install weight monitoring devices at the toll booths on their roads.
2. An axle rated at over 20K pounds also brings additional complexity for the buyer. The tires, wheels, brakes and suspension must also be able to handle the extra weight. While nobody would ever overload their drive axle it may happen.

For me, Newmar took the right path. Keep the customer safe (from themselves?).

As to the coach riding differently depending on the weight, I have seen no difference. In the winter we stay in central and south Florida and camp about one week a month. We travel light (stuff and fluids). I'd guess several thousand pounds lighter than summer travel. In the warmer part of the year, we spend 2 months with the Gkids touring the USA and 3 months by ourselves, touring the USA. For these 5 months we travel heavy, really heavy. My wife's title has been "Grandma Stuff It" for quite some time.

[Route 66]

Quote:

Here's another twist on that subject. I had a friend tell me that motor home suspensions are designed to operate near capacity and if they are not loaded you may get a stiffer ride. Any thoughts on that?

I agree that is true on a MH with springs.

On an air bag suspended MH, it doesn't matter.

The air suspension has ride height control valves.

As weight is added to the MH the ride height control valve will increase air pressure in the air bags to maintain to correct ride height.

[enjoyrv]

LK: Just a couple thoughts regarding your search. I've only had experience with the 40" Dutch Aire which we purchased and compared it to the 40' Dutch Stars we drove both 2010 models. The 43' seemed to handle slightly better in my opinion and we went with the 43' because I didn't want to upgrade to a bigger unit in a couple years if we did the 40' but that's just me.

Now on to the ideas: You might consider the 2011 37' Dutch Star if that model and size work for you as that would be the single rear axle.
OR maybe you could find a 2010 40' Dutch Star on a dealer lot that would give you the size without the tag axle. You might have already thought of these options but wanted to throw out the idea.

Welcome to the forum. It's helped me alot in making the move to a Newmar coach. Their products and service are excellent.

[LK23]

What a dilemma, add the tag axle to address the engine weight and increase CC and, in turn, it decreases the storage area.

As stated before, we have no need for the extra 3 feet in the 43 and have no need for an extra bathroom. To us, that is just wasted space.