OUR Newmar 5th Wheelers Group & 2012 5th Wheels

[MT flyfisher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007";740200]This thread was 7 pages back in the forum you all are quite. :flowers: Was wondering if any of you 5th wheelers have any comments on the new, I would guess, lineup of [B][URL="http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/2011-5th-wheel-arrivals-79433.html 2011 5th Wheels[/URL][/B] from Newmar. Some non owners have said they just have new names put on old lineup. The Kountry Aire isn't the old Mountain Aire 5th but who knows if RV business gets better maybe that will show up also. Take your time this thread will be on first page, for a few days anyway, don't want to spoil your afternoon nap's.

My nap is over, and now it is almost my bedtime. I think I'm more awake than Newmar is these days however.

I tried calling there a couple times in the past few days. No one answered the phone on one try, and when the receptionist relayed my call to service parts on the second attempt, no one answered there either. I also sent an email with a question about 2 weeks ago and no one has replied to it.

Honestly, I don't think Newmar really cares about being in the 5th wheel market, and I wonder (based on their lack of communication with my inquiries) if they are really still seriously in the RV game at all.

I looked at the 2011 brochure for the 5th wheel model that Newmar now calls the Kountry Aire, and this doesn't appear to have all the same luxury features that our 2008 Kountry Aire had (such as cherry wood cabinets, for example). I don't know what additional luxury items the old Mountain Aire 5th wheels had, if anything, that our 2008 Kountry Aire did not have - maybe a sturdier frame? - but it looks to me like Newmar is sliding into 2nd or 3rd place among the top 5th wheel manufacturers, whereas they were #1 in my mind when we bought ours now almost 3 years ago.

John

["007"]

Looking at this

video of 2008

looks like you had many options that the 2011's are missing, nice 5th John.
Fancy wood work also like the MA 5th had.

[Dennis M]

John,

As I understand it the Kountry Aire was always a step up from the Mountain Aire fiver. A few more luxury features and a bit heavier. At one point I think they had a heavier frame as well, although our MA also has the dual wheel axles.

I agree that the new fivers seem to have lost a bit, but I have not really taken a close look at them.

I have found Newmar service to be very responsive. We have had our fiver in for out of warranty repair and they took good care of us at a reasonable price. You may have just hit at a bad time. Often there is only one person in the parts dept. and they have also been working short hours during the market slowdown.

[MT flyfisher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007";740470]Looking at this [B][URL=" video of 2008[/URL][/B] looks like you had many options that the 2011's are missing, nice 5th John. Fancy wood work also like the MA 5th had.

I think our cherry woodwork looks nicer than that shown in the video, but it may just be the lighting for the video. Also, cherry darkens as it ages.

We have a different floorplan, but otherwise ours looks quite similar in many respects to the one on the video, including the same body paint, and hydraulic corner jacks.

I also noticed in the 2011 brochure for the Kountry Aire that it looked like it had frameless windows, and if so I think that'd be something I would seriously consider if and when we get a new 5th wheel.

[Shaun and Amy]

We have been researching high end fifth wheels and waiting for the 2011 Kountry Aire info to come out from Newmar. After reviewing this and visiting the DRV Suites factory, we have, as of right now, made up our minds that our next fifth wheel will be an Elite Suites from DRV Suites.

I definetely think they have taken some of the nicer features off the Kountry Aire. It's too bad, because in my opinion, the only reason why they would have done this is to bring the overall costs down, but at the same time, dropping their over all ranking.

[Dennis M]

Ran into a problem with the fiver this week. Headed into Appomattox, VA I notice that the fiver was dog tracking, I could see more of the left side than normal. After we got to the campground I looked and the rear axle had shifted back a couple of inches on the left side! Crawled underneath and found that the bushing that holds the back of the left rear spring was gone completely and the spring had shifted rearwards, fortunately not enough to drop completely.

Long story short, we came up with a truck road service that came out to the campground, checked it out, and found that all four bushings were shot. With the standard MorRyde suspension (two axle dually) there are bushings at the front of the front axle springs and at the rear of the rear axle springs. Thursday they got the parts in and came out and replaced all the bushings.

We purchased our Mountain Aire in 2007 with unknown miles, but appearance wise it was very few. It was a repo unit and we know it was two years old and had been sitting for at least a year, so there were not many miles on it.

Since then we have towed it just under 50,000 miles. So if you are getting near that milage I suggest you take a look at your spring bushings.

[rbuttolph]

Sheff
In your travels witch campany had the best product in your opinion.
Looking ourselves ( our normal trading cycle ) at new 5er's.
Sounds like most all brands have leaks. Some not so evident.

Duffy
08 Excel
IH Totter

["007"]

We will wake up the 5th Wheel group with the 2012 5th wheels now on display.

[BKWB36]

I am presently looking at buying a 2003 Mountain Aire BKWB. Can anyone tell me anything about this unit. It is fair priced and original owner. Thank you for any help.

Brian
USN Ret.

["007"]

Welcome Brian to the Newmar forum & irv2.
Here is a Brochure of MA 5TH Wheels and here is a Owners Guide.
The MA is a top of the line in 5th wheels during that period.
Here is information on Newmar construction.
As far as pricing you can compare with dealer pricing on web.
For recalls with problems on MA check here.
I see nothing on 5th wheel frame itself but there will be on Norcold fridge or Dometic which may have been done by owner.
Good luck in your quest and happy RVing.

[jojolima]

I don't see the price, etc. These were great units, but VERY HEAVY. Make certain that you have enough truck to pull this unit. It will require 1 ton, dually, and maybe air bags.

Happy Trails!!!!

[Dennis M]

That brochure from 007 is invaluable! Good job 007.

I was about to post that the '05 Mountain Aires all had a GVWR of 20k, but I see the one you are looking at is 16,250, so a medium duty truck will handle it. I would still recommend a HDT for comfort and capacity. We tow with a '99 Volvo.

Newmar downgraded the Mountain Aire a bit after about '06 or '07, but in the '03 period the were the top of the line for quality and construction. The Kountry Aires of the same period had a few more frills (and more weight) but not necessarily better quality. As a Newmar dealer (whom I trust) told me at the time: "The MA is for people who will be towing, the KA is for those who will sit in one place for extended periods."

You did not mention the price you are looking at, but for comparison, we purchased our '05 Mountain Aire in the spring of '07. It was in virtually unused condition and we paid almost exactly 50% of original MSRP, a little over $50k.

There are a number of factors that influenced our choice of the MA, but the things we have found to be of the greatest benefit include the dual wheels which improve towing stability, the ducted AC which is very comfortable in the hottest weather with just one AC unit, and lots of little features and details like the single switch to control compartment lights.

The MA has proven to live up to it's reputation for quality and livability. We spent 9 months living in it in 2010 and will be close to 8 months this year. We have also towed over 50k miles with the only non-maintenance repairs being new springs, shocks and tires this year. The unit still looks and feels as good as it did the day we bought it.

If the price is right for you I don't think you will regret buying a MA.