Looking at buying a 99 Dutch Star

[SWALCOP]

I am new to RV ing. Married four kids. We will be weekend warriors and a few weeks over the summer. Does anyone have any imput on this model.
Gas 35 Feet. I dont know what chassy yet. I will go inspect tomorrow.
What should I be looking for.

Thanks Ken

Private sale, no dealer

[GaryKD]

Hi SWALCOP,
Welcome to iRV2. Look for the same things you would look for on any pre-owned coach.
1. Water damage in the ceiling
2. Roof and roof seams
3. tires (date code not tread)
4. miles (for a gas coach >75K might be a concern
5. exterior condition
6. interior condition
7. brakes
8. batteries
9. refrigerator
10. water heater
11. fresh water system
12. wheel bearings
13. rear end
14. shocks
15. fluids and filters

Maintenance records are important. Are they available for you to look over? Have the coach checked out by two separate service techs. A RV certified tech for the coach systems. An ASE certified service tech for the chassis that is on your coach.

The first thing is the floor plan. Floor plan sells the coach. Look at the coach in three positions for your family.
1. travel
2. living/eating
3. sleeping
This part you can do. Smells and odors? Towing capability (weight). Will it tow the weight of one of your cars?

Put the slide(s) and furniture in the position they would be in when in the above mentioned configurations. The above mentioned checks should be done by the certified techs mentioned earlier in this post.

["007"]

Welcome SWALCOP to the Newmar forum & irv2.
Here is a Brochure for the 1999 DS gas and here is a Owners Manual.
You will see that it is on a Ford chassis.
When you look at it look for a sheet of paper with the chassis build number and all applainces listed and the model number of your floor plan. You may find on door in a kitchen cabinet or a cloths closet.
As Gary stated check for water stains in ceiling open some of the cabinets and look at ceiling in cabinet along the wall ceiling corner.
Good luck and maybe a early welcome to Newmar family.

[SWALCOP]

Well I checked her out today. Looked pretty good 31000 miles 4 kw generator. New tires although the fronts are the undersized I read about in other threads. He's asking 24900. Anyone out there have a good idea of actual value. Chasis # is 28527. Thanks in advance.
Ken

[GaryKD]

Hi SWALCOP,
Google "value 99 dutchstar motor home" and see what others are asking. Go to NADA Appraisal Guide for RV Motorhome. Loans by Excel Credit - Your source for RV Motorhome financing and answer the questions to get an idea of what the NADA says it is worth.

[SWALCOP]

The low average without adding all the little stuff is right at 25k. Modle m-3455. I just don't know it seems high and the wife only saw pics but dosent seem thrilled

[GaryKD]

You just mentioned your decision has been made. Floor plan sells the coach and the wife determines the floor plan (and decor). Keep looking. She will not be able to describe what she wants, but when she sees it you'll know, believe me you'll know.

[Dan DeBruin]

I agree with Gary, if the wife does not like it..... don't get it. We have a '98 Dutch Star and love it but we have only the wife and I plus our dogs. We looked at a lot of MH before we bought the one we have. Also, if it seems a little high, offer less. We offered a very low bid and did not really expect to get the MH but you have to be willing to walk away. Believe me, there are a lot of MH out there. Get online, look at all of the dealers within a few hundred miles and check out Craigslist in the major metro areas around you. If you are willing to wait and also willing to walk, you can find some great deals.

Good luck, keep Newmars in mind, we love ours.

[Skip426]

GaryKD, has hit it right on. I would expect your wife has a good idea how much room for eating and sleeping she and the kids are going to need. Get the wrong coach/floor plan, and it may be you outside, BBQing in the rain and sleeping in a pup tent.

[SWALCOP]

What kind of gas milage do you think were looking at.

["007"]

My Ford V-10's would get between 6.5 to 7.5 mpg whether it was a Banks system installed or not.
The Banks would give more power especially with a Trans- Command.

[SWALCOP]

Ok. Several weeks later 20k. Any input.

[Skip426]

Has your wife come around to this unit or is she questioning it ? Would spending more now could keep the peace in the RVhold. MHO. Looks like that's still the biggest consideration. Lots of units out there, maybe look for the one that works for all the family.

[SWALCOP]

Were going to look at it together today.