Community Forums

MoonchaserTX · 03-08-2012, 02:42 PM

Hi everyone. Currently we have a Winnebago 30' Sightseer, but we'd REALLY like to get into a quality rig like Newmar for our after-retirement rig to take off for months at at time. We are about a year and a half from retirement and would like to get into our post-retirement rig sooner than later if the right one comes along. We've found a 2009 Newmar Grand Star 38' 3752 FRED that (to us) has the PERFECT interior layout, it's real clean, has all the features we've wanted and more, like the Hydronic heat and exhaust brakes. We obviously want to move away from the gas unit and get into a diesel to be out for months at a time and be in mountain passes more often than we are here in Texas. We probably will be in the lower 48 and if we go back to Alaska, will likely fly/rent like we did once and keep our own motorhome in the lower 48 and Southern Canada.

So, what are people's thoughts about a FRED for a motorhome that we will be in for 3-6 months at at time?

I would have liked a pusher but I hear the Fred gets better gas mileage, it has the side door where we like it, and it still has exhaust brake and diesel torque. But is a FRED something to avoid and just wait for a clean pusher (I havent seen any pushers in this price range that are this clean and this new)

Any comments appreciated!!

"007" · 03-08-2012, 03:06 PM

Welcome to the forum Curt.
Here is a thread with comments and links to the coach your interested in.
If you go to the search engine at this forum first page you will find more threads on the FRED, just enter grand star Fred.
Good luck and enjoy the hunt.

GaryKD · 03-08-2012, 03:13 PM

Hi MoonchaserTX,
Welcome to the Newmar Owners Forum. The FRED chassis does get excellent fuel mileage. There is a fellow in my camping club that owns a Grand Star and reports 10-12 MPG. He splits his time 1/2 in Florida and 1/2 in Maine. The only repetitive problem I know of is with the jacks. I think they are Power Gear. The jacks tend to loose their "brain" and will not retract. The fellow I just mentioned had them taken out and replaced with HWH jacks. Nobody was able to fix the problem. It had something to do with where the electrical components were installed on the chassis. They tended to collect moisture and not work until dried out. Other than that, the Grand Star is a fine coach.

Go to http://www.newmarcorp.com/uploads/br...20Brochure.pdf to get the 2009 Grand Star brochure.

don8ch · 03-08-2012, 07:01 PM

Moonchaser:
I sent you a PM, in reply to your direct question. I didn't think of the Power Gear jacks at the time. I did have an issue is spring 2011 and ended up breaking a shear pin. There is an extremely long thread in the Fleetwood forum about the levelers that you should find and read. In my case the real issue was a seized brake in the right front jack. My issue was resolved in July 2011 and I have had no further issues with them.

Don

SueMac · 03-08-2012, 10:12 PM

We test drove a Grand Star "Fred" a couple of years ago. It sure was nice. Almost bought it, but didn't. Just as well, for now we were able to get a Dutch Star for full timing.