Looking at a Ventana Saturday, What Should I Check?

[69RoadRunner]

I've never owned an RV. On Saturday I'm going to look at a Newmar Ventana 3942 (bunkbeds). I'm not going to buy anything yet. I'd more likely order a 2009 with the options I want.

What things should a newby check out to determine if this is right for me? I don't need to do a PDI since I'm not actually buying it.

Some suggestions I've read:

Sit on the throne for a while (frankly, this isn't a big deal to me but is for others).

Stand in the shower.

Act like you're preparing a meal.

Lay on the bed.

I KNOW the kids will love the bunkbeds. They loved them when we went to RV shows. They're 4 years old and almost 22 months.

I can't see my wife ever driving the MH (she doesn't want to drive my 2006 Ram Mega Cab 2500). So I guess she should sit in the passenger seat for a while.

We're going to install the child seats for the kids. The one for my 4 year old has its own harness and is designed for bigger kids (up to 80 pounds). I got it because we use it in my Road Runner that only has lap belts.

Thanks!

[69RoadRunner]

I've never owned an RV. On Saturday I'm going to look at a Newmar Ventana 3942 (bunkbeds). I'm not going to buy anything yet. I'd more likely order a 2009 with the options I want.

What things should a newby check out to determine if this is right for me? I don't need to do a PDI since I'm not actually buying it.

Some suggestions I've read:

Sit on the throne for a while (frankly, this isn't a big deal to me but is for others).

Stand in the shower.

Act like you're preparing a meal.

Lay on the bed.

I KNOW the kids will love the bunkbeds. They loved them when we went to RV shows. They're 4 years old and almost 22 months.

I can't see my wife ever driving the MH (she doesn't want to drive my 2006 Ram Mega Cab 2500). So I guess she should sit in the passenger seat for a while.

We're going to install the child seats for the kids. The one for my 4 year old has its own harness and is designed for bigger kids (up to 80 pounds). I got it because we use it in my Road Runner that only has lap belts.

Thanks!

["007"]

You may not be doing a PDI but a list of things to look for would be helpful.
PDI lists
Child seats can be used at dinett table or in the seats on couch or captain chairs as in a ALL STAR.

[Shaun and Amy]

I always like to sit and try to figure out where I'm going to put all the items I'll be packing in there to make sure there's enough storage space, inside and out. Always look at the quality of the fine details. I think it's an easy way to compare different manufacturers. Details like the way the molding is put together. I think you'll find that Newmar are definetely at the top for quality. Good luck!

Shaun and Amy

[69RoadRunner]

Good ideas. Today I'm leaning toward an All Star 4154, but there aren't any near me.

Tomorrow, who knows what will be in the lead?

[dhole]

Here are the things we discovered after we have been enjoying our 2007 Ventana (3936). We spent a couple of months researching our order options and still missed a couple.

1. In 2007 and 2008, the passenger seat does NOT have a moveable leg rest like a recliner. It is not available as an option. The only choice is to upgrade both front seats to the next model up (for 2009, I guess that is a Dutch Star)in matching ultraleather.

2. We had the shoe storage added in the rear cap. (Look at any higher model picture inside the rear closet).

3. We had the standard flourescent lights on the ceiling deleted and halogon lights like under the cabinets added throughout with two position switches. Much nice lighting like in the higher line. Downside is more power consumption if boondocking on batteries only.

4. We added cabinets over the master bed. Looks like they might again be standard for 2009.

5. Wood plank flooring throughout kitchen and bath instead of vinyl. Again rumor says 2009 is tile throughout. I might be concerned for total weight on the chassis. (reduces the available carrying capacity) We should have had wood plank flooring throughout in retrospect.

6. Docking lights on sides of coach. Adds light for manuevering in the evening so you can see low lying posts etc......

7. Upgrade to sealed gel batteries for house. I am tired of the corrosion and boil off of the traditional flooded cell batteries.

8. Have them wire the forward passenger basement compartment for a freezer. We didn't and now have one and are using lengths of wire back to the back storage compartment. Both 120 and 12V.

9. Be aware that the Ventana standard hide a bed mattress is only 48 inches wide reather than a standard 52. Suggest upgrade to the hide a bed from the higher level with the inflatable mattress topper.

10. Electric Visors on Windshield. Great when driving into Sun.

11. The best thing is that Newmar will put "specials" like the things above and you can have a rig suited to your taste. The only thing they wouldn't do when we ordered was but an LCD TV up front (said they hadn't finished the engineering for that yet. It became standard in 08) and build all our cabinets in Coastal Cherry Hardwood. Other than that they were great to work with. We have been back to the factory twice for warranty items and it was a great experience............I would be happy to answer any questions. We love our Ventana.

OOPS.

12. Suggest you go with two piece washer/dryer. Single units are slowwwww.

Take Care

[Nathan Focht]

When we started looking at coaches, we had a simply routine. We went from the back to the front and pretended to do everything in the coach:

Lay in the bed
Stand in the shower
Sit on the toilet
Pretend you are brushing your teeth
etc...

This is a great way to see if the coach has something wrong with the space.

[slickcher]

We bought a 2006 Ventana 3935, and are very happy with it. Just a couple things: We had them install a folding curtain between the shower and bathroom and the bedroom. The layout of this model lacked the privacy needed in that area. Also we were disapointed with the combination washer/dryer. It takes over 2 hours to do a small load of clothes, not worth the money and space it takes up. We are going to remove it and install shelves.

[69RoadRunner]

I thought the 1 piece washer/dryer sounded like a bad idea.

[kneal]

Keep in mind that Newmar now has a new Specials Policy. Specials will only be permitted on the All Star, Dutch Star, Dutch Aire, Mountain Aire, and King Aire. No more specials period on any Gas Models or the Ventana Model. Newmar evidently was getting overwhelmed with these request on the lower end models.

[GaryKD]

For me, the washer/dryer combo unit is great. It fits my needs and RVing style perfectly. I would make the same purchase again.

[rebelsbeach]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GaryKD:
For me, the washer/dryer combo unit is great. It fits my needs and RVing style perfectly. I would make the same purchase again. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Indeed why they offer both models.... one doesn't suit both crowds.

For me, it was the stack unit that performed the best.

Some like one, some like the other and some put in shelves..... purely personal preference.

[Scottsdale]

My suggestions would be:

1. Sit in the coach for an extended period to get a good feel. Does it feel like a place that you would want to spend a lot of time and does it make you feel comfortable.

2. Bring in all the slides and then see how much space you have from front to back as you would when on the road. How easy it is to get into the refrigerator, etc.

[69RoadRunner]

Well, my reply was from the perspective of someone with 2 young kids who go through a lot of laundry. The one unit doesn't make as much sense. For others, I guess it would work.