First Trip in our Newmar

[dustytwo]

1st trip in our new (to us) motor home. 2003 Newmar Scottsdale, SDCA 3257 (34 ft), Workhorse Chassis (W22), 8.1 gas engine (26k miles).

Trip was from Northwest Arkansas to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone to Salt Lake City to Zion Canyon to Grand Canyon (South Rim) to Williams, AZ and back East on I-40 to Northwest Arkansas. 39 days on the road.

3,567 miles. 503 gallons of gas - 7.09 miles per gallon. We pulled a car on a dolly. We used the chassis AC most of the way. We had 6 days of heavy generator use in Yellowstone. Avg gas price was $2.77/gal.

Performance, livability (2 slides), and functionality of the coach was great. I really like the Allison 1000 transmission with it‘s Grade Control.

I have some questions, but will ask them in separate posts.

Some observations:

I was initally concerned about the single Coach AC unit (BriskAir 15k) but I was pleasantly surprised.

Newmar brochure I got from Newmar Customer Service says fresh water tank is 75 gallons, sticker inside coach says tank is 82 gallons.

Brochure says fuel tank is 75 gallons. If so, the fuel gage is woefully inaccurate.

Brochure says wheelbase is 200 inches (measure and is true). Sticker by driver’s seat says 228 wheelbase.

["007"]

Welcome to the Newmar forum & irv2 dustytwo.
Congrats on your new Newmar and congrats on your first safe trip.
Have been in that part of country sure different than east coast just great country.
Your water tank should have a stamping on it by tank mfg that should give the gal size. I have two tanks either side of main rails tied together with a 11/4" pipe.
Fuel gage will go about 200 miles on full before starting to drop down and about 10 gallons left at red mark.
Mileage is pretty good, did the coach have the Brazels UP upgrade installed before you got it?
Enjoy the forum and do post often.

[Doug017]

007,
Whats up with you link to "Brazels UP" upgrade link when I click on it I get unsafe website warnings.

Having just purchased a new (to us) 2003 Kountry Star, I was curious as to this upgrade.

["007"]

Notice that Doug removed bad link and corrected it. The two links on this page do the same thing.
I had the upgrade done at Tenn. irv2 rally in 06 I think. I got a 2 mile improvement in gas mileage on return trip home same route, so I'm happy. Brazels gives irv2 members a discount. Not sure what their prices are now you have to discuss with them.
You live in FL. so you would have to ship your ECM to them and they would ship a programed one. OEMY'S website tells you how to remove. I think he also does program for Brazels also.

Congrats to you and your 03 KS and welcome to Newmar forum.

[bdaball]

Welcome Dustytwo. Keep asking. We have an answer to everything here!

[Steve N Sal]

Glad you had a great trip. Isn't the West GREAT????? Been out there numerous times and just can't seem to get enough of it. I know the feeling on the gas gauge. Takes awhile before it drops off of full then comes down fairly quick. You'll get used to it. Our Fleetwood Bounder was on a Ford chassis and had about the same reaction time. Yes the Allison trans is great. I couldn't believe the difference between the old rig and this one the first time out. Well enjoy your rig as I'm sure you will and many happy miles.

[dustytwo]

Thanks for the input. The coach is in storage and I will pick it up next week. Will let you know what I find behind the "dash panel".