Help us decide on a new Bay Star

[picaro]

We are starting our search for a new Motorhome -- was looking at the Allegro 32CA and liked what we saw. However, came home and did some research on their forum site and got cold (very cold) feet after reading a l2 page thread on roof cracks. Have also been considering a Newmar Bay Star (either the 2901 or the 3002) and found our way to this forum. From a quick glance on here I see no threads dealing with cracks or other problems. Would just like to hear back from some owners as to their level of satisfaction with their Newmar motorhomes (in particular Bay Star) and if this is the route we should be going instead of Allegro. i.e. Is everybody out there happy? !!

["007"]

Welcome picaro to Newmar forum & irv2.
Help you get started here is a brochure and a Owners Guide for the BayStar.
Here are some construction Video's of Newmars.
Here are pictures and options, floor-plans of 2012.
Here is a on going thread that someone ask how Newmar holds up with use.
I have own three Newmars and never had a leaky roof or cracks in side walls the Video will explain why.
You can do a forum search of forum top right hand corner for BayStar problems people may have had and which I will say have been corrected by Newmar or Dealers or through the help from the good people here.
Good luck in your quest enjoy the forums and do post any questions for help.
My coach is now 9 years old and I'm in the process of redoing all my seams on roof & sidewalls.
The Owners Guide will give instructions for yearly checks for your motor home.

[Mr_D]

I run a Newmar DP owners forum and have never had a report of a crack in a Newmar roof from any of the 1800+ members.
We have the BriteTek roof on ours and have had no problems other than having to check the seams, but you have to do that with the fiberglass roofs too.
We're on our second DSDP (a 2000 and now 2002) and would buy another one if we had to, but this one is doing just fine.

[GaryKD]

Hi picaro,
Welcome to iRV2. Your Bay Star will have a BriteTEK roof just like my coach and many other Newmar coaches. My coach is and has always been leak free. My roof has been in a hail storm that took out the HVAC roof top shrouds. The roof remained un scathed. Not a scratch. If you purchase a Newmar coach, take a leaky roof off the things you need to worry about.

[CoastieSCPO]

We've been long time Tiffin owners and I am now looking into buying a Newmar instead of a Tiffin when the time comes. I've been reading the threads on this forum as well as others and have learned a lot. The Bay Star would be in our price range. Thanks "007" for the links that you made available. GaryKD, I appreciate the comment you made concerning the BriteTEK roof and it was good seeing you at Beth Page.

[Rodneykrantz]

I did alot of research before I bought my Canyon Star this web site helped me to make my decision on Newmar one of the biggest factor is the insulation you can heat and cool it better than most coaches one of my first trips in it was Darlington race I walked around looking at rvs and found 2 people with Baystars and they loved them the only problem one guy said he had was a Ford issue something with power steering I have met the owners and VPs of Newmar good down to earth people I am sure you will be buying a Baystar if you do some research

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodneykrantz I did alot of research before I bought my Canyon Star this web site helped me to make my decision on Newmar one of the biggest factor is the insulation you can heat and cool it better than most coaches one of my first trips in it was Darlington race I walked around looking at rvs and found 2 people with Baystars and they loved them the only problem one guy said he had was a Ford issue something with power steering I have met the owners and VPs of Newmar good down to earth people I am sure you will be buying a Baystar if you do some research

Agreed about the insulation. In Yuma in 95° weather we got by just fine on one 13,500 heat pump. Could have started the second as we had 50 amp power but just didn't need it.

[padre44]

We got a new 2011 Bay Star this spring. Had problems with dash a/c spitting water. They the whole unit stopped working. Had to have fixed twice. Lots of other small items that I took care of myself rather than taking back to dealer several hours away. Newmar customer service was not responsive on the a/c water problem until I filed a BBB complaint. This was after writing to the owner and president. Then they still didn't seem to know what to do to correct the problem. I finally came up with a fix myself. So, I would not buy another Newmar. From what I read, Tiffin has great customer service so I would look there next time.

[yes2baystar]

Love our Baystar 2901 to the MAX!! Picked it up in the end of April and have spent 66 nights in it with weekend camping and a three week trip. Only issue I have is the heat pump is awful noisy if you go with that option but I'll be getting it back into the dealer for that to be taken care of. This unit performed perfectly on a 3 week vacation in CO. It handled the mountain passes with ease and handles wonderful. Only problem was everyone in the campgrounds wanted to see it, They loved the quality coach in a shorter size . Camping in state parks, national forest campgrounds were no problem with the 30' length. Camped this weekend in MN with temps. in the mid 20s and we were toasty warm inside. Make sure you're comfortable with your dealer, we've had a great experience with ours here in MN. You won't be disappointed with the Baystar as far as I can tell. Sad to have to winterize it soon and put it to bed until spring :(

[B Bob]

Picaro - Several of my close RV friends have Newmar coaches and like them. But there are many models in the Newmar range. For the heck of it I looked up the chassis length, CCCs, and so on for the two models you listed in the Bay Star line. They get below average ratings from the RVCG due to little CCC capacity. In no way do I want to discourage you from a Newmar who I think is one of the very best makers, but maybe you should look into the carry capacity of those two models and see if it meets your needs.

I have never owned a Tiffin and have no close friends that own them so I have little knowledge of them except for quick looks I took on dealers lots and at a couple of shows. So I don't know if they have issues with roofs or not. But I can tell you that if you get the Frieghtliner chassis which is one of three available on the Allegro that particular model has a particularly well sized chassis length and CCC capacity.

Is Tiffin or Newmar better? My impression is that they have similar quality in the price ranges. If it were me spending as much money as you plan to I would buy the JC Consumer motor home rating books and get the RVCG to give you specific reports on the motor homes you are looking at. Those two groups do study RV in very detailed ways and should give you the information you are looking for.

BTW - All motor homes have issues. Just try to avoid motor homes that have a chronic, hard to fix one.

Also in the same price range and approx quality as T and New is Winnebago and Fleetwood.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by B Bob Picaro - Several of my close RV friends have Newmar coaches and like them. But there are many models in the Newmar range. For the heck of it I looked up the chassis length, CCCs, and so on for the two models you listed in the Bay Star line. They get below average ratings from the RVCG due to little CCC capacity. In no way do I want to discourage you from a Newmar who I think is one of the very best makers, but maybe you should look into the carry capacity of those two models and see if it meets your needs. I have never owned a Tiffin and have no close friends that own them so I have little knowledge of them except for quick looks I took on dealers lots and at a couple of shows. So I don't know if they have issues with roofs or not. But I can tell you that if you get the Frieghtliner chassis which is one of three available on the Allegro that particular model has a particularly well sized chassis length and CCC capacity. Is Tiffin or Newmar better? My impression is that they have similar quality in the price ranges. If it were me spending as much money as you plan to I would buy the JC Consumer motor home rating books and get the RVCG to give you specific reports on the motor homes you are looking at. Those two groups do study RV in very detailed ways and should give you the information you are looking for. BTW - All motor homes have issues. Just try to avoid motor homes that have a chronic, hard to fix one. Also in the same price range and approx quality as T and New is Winnebago and Fleetwood.

Personally I think that any "rating service" that usually doesn't even look at or drive the units they're "reviewing", then charge for the opinion isn't worth even looking at. JMHO of course.

[treehouse]

Picaro, we are also currently considering the Bay Star 2901.

We want a shorter gas coach and the 2901 had pretty much everything we wanted, but the low carrying capacity ruled it out. If you add us, water and hitch weight from towing a boat, there would be no capacity left.

Then we found out that the 2901 can be special ordered on the 20500 lb chassis that is used in the 3002 (and the 2011 2902). That adds about 2500 lbs of extra carry, for a total of over 4000 lbs.

A number of the Newmar dealers (but not all, unfortunately) order their 2901 stock units they show online with the larger 20500 chassis.

Newmar is willing to do some special orders items for the Bay Star (but not all you might want.) For the 2012 models, some of the former "special order" options are now standard options - power awning, power driver seat, kitchen window. They also have some new options, such as hydraulic jacks.

From looking at on-line listings and pictures, Guaranty RV seems to be a dealer that has been ordering the most "special order" items. That's where I first saw a 2011 2901 with a kitchen window. They have a 2012 2901 with a convection microwave and drawers instead of the oven.

From my reseach and reading, the consensus seems to be that both the Newmar and Tiffen are good brands, but not perfect. I liked the floor plan of the shorter Bay Stars over the shortest Tiffen, think it works best for us.

Good luck on your search.

[kcolivier]

I have owned a 2010 Bay Star 2901 and for the most part have been fairly satisfied with it. I have a single 13.5K BTU AC and during this last summer would have loved to have two AC units. I added Ride Rite air bags and they made a great deal of difference in handling bumps, steering and seems to make it drive somewhat better in cross winds and with big rigs. There are other mods I might consider if I keep the Bay Star to improve ride and handling. See some of the threads that are posted.

I have made one 1 month trip, one 2 month trip, one 10 day trip and a bunch of extended weekend trips. When the grandkids were with us for three weeks, it started to feel small inside. Most of the basement is full (yes, I'm still within the GVWR). I'm sure we could take less of our "stuff" but we are still trying to figure out what we really need to carry. DW complains a little about kitchen counter space and kitchen storage, but you do give up something when you only have 30 feet to work with.

I have started looking for a DP in the 38+ foot category, wanting something that has more power for the uphills and something quieter in the cockpit area. Mine may be on the market if I don't go the trade-in route.

Newmar is on the top of my list. As you go further up their food chain, you do notice some of the things that were left out of the Bay Star to meet its price point. Overall, it's a good coach at a reasonable price.

Good Luck,

[B Bob]

Mr D - As you can see from "treehouse's" post right after yours that the CCC capacity issue that I got out of the RVCG information was something worthy of consideration. Many people knock the RVCG information, but I found it very valuable when I was looking at motor homes. And you don't need to drive a coach to figure out CCCs.