Paint cracking What years

[mlr1951]

What years did the Dutch Star have the problem with the cracking paint and is it a just a cosmetic problem or structural problem?

Thanks
Mike

[TechWriter]

It appears to be bad fiberglass that other manufacturers, like Country Coach, also used.

Here's a link with pics:
LightCurve on the Road

Makes my real glad I have an old 2001.

[Steve N Sal]

I was just looking at the article on the re-siding of the motorhomes with a new paint job. Interesting but I believe that article might be a little older or not all info is given. My understanding is that pre 05 units pay upwards of $19K now. I don't know how that is fair because people that bought used units as I did were not notified of any such problems. I don't think you'll find a dealer that had/has one on the lot would tell you about it either. I know in my case they didn't. I in the past year have just noticed this starting to happen on our coach but primarily in the dark colors only. Personally I think Newmar should stepup to the plate and keep the price the same for anyone that wants to have the work done all at the lower price. How could they even consider an 05 or older coach as I believe that's when they started putting on the newer/correct type if siding. They are a top notch company and I only think they should stand behind their mistake in choosing the product they did. Lets' face it, we pay a lot of money for these coaches and the mfr. makes a nice profit for the product they produce. JMHO

[Mr_D]

Our 2002 has it, we are the original owners and have never been notified of a problem with the siding so why should a buyer of a used unit be any different? I was at the factory in 2004 showed the damage to the service writer and they "buffed it out" at that time. It was not just Newmar's problem, other manufacturers that used that siding also had troubles. As I understand it that company is out of business now so there is no money there. As to how much to pay: well, what would a jury say? In our case Newmar was notified of our problem in 2004 and the warranty was still in effect then so the warranty should still cover it.
I think the profit on a Newmar is a lot less than some people think!

[mercerc44]

As to the original post, I was told by someone at Newmar that it is not a structural problem but a cosmetic one. My 04 has it on the door side slide-out. Rest of the coach looks good and only shows on the dark paint. Still trying to figure out if I want to have ours done. May have it looked at by Newmar on way to Florida this fall.

[Don M.]

I'm sorry but just because a company went out business doesn't let Newmar
off the hook. Kinda of like going back to the woods and blame the tree because the wood warp (I don't think so) ... They are the Manufacture they choose what material to purchase for their units. If the unit was six months old, Newmar would have to warranty...they knew of the problem before the warranty was out on the 02-05 models therefore they should be responsible for the repair. Sham on them for gambling it would go away when they knew it would just get worse. Who knows maybe the manufacture of the fiberglass issue Newmar and other companies a huge credit for the problem before they went out business. Credits are issue everyday for defective products that the end user never see or knows about.
I just notice it on mine yesterday while I was waxing, it's on the slide in the black color it has cracks in it running up and down the stripe.
...Just my 2 cents...

[ka6bud]

I have 2001 dutch star with cracking. Stopped at Newmar was quoted 15 th to replace side They would repaint entire coach any color and scheme that they had, store coach all winter until spring 15thousand ,travel lodgeing etc with 90thousand miles on a 2001 I poassed for now


Joe(Ka6bud)

["007"]

Here are some threads on the subject and some links within are long.

[desertbound 1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don M. I'm sorry but just because a company went out business doesn't let Newmar off the hook. Kinda of like going back to the woods and blame the tree because the wood warp (I don't think so) ... They are the Manufacture they choose what material to purchase for their units. If the unit was six months old, Newmar would have to warranty...they knew of the problem before the warranty was out on the 02-05 models therefore they should be responsible for the repair. Sham on them for gambling it would go away when they knew it would just get worse. Who knows maybe the manufacture of the fiberglass issue Newmar and other companies a huge credit for the problem before they went out business. Credits are issue everyday for defective products that the end user never see or knows about. I just notice it on mine yesterday while I was waxing, it's on the slide in the black color it has cracks in it running up and down the stripe. ...Just my 2 cents...

i agree 100% and its not too late for newmar to send out letters to the owners of these coaches and pay it 100% this is not the consumers problem newmar!

[Norm4015]

Last month I had the sidewalls replaced, new slideout seals, new door seal, new Diamond Shield, new caulking, and my wife and I chose the colors we wanted for the full body paint plus items on the roof. Newmar also made two repairs and did not charge extra for them. We paid $8,500 which I think was a great deal and now our 2005 Dutch Star looks new. Actually, it looks much better than new and the paint job is much better than the original.

[desertbound 1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm4015 Last month I had the sidewalls replaced, new slideout seals, new door seal, new Diamond Shield, new caulking, and my wife and I chose the colors we wanted for the full body paint plus items on the roof. Newmar also made two repairs and did not charge extra for them. We paid $8,500 which I think was a great deal and now our 2005 Dutch Star looks new. Actually, it looks much better than new and the paint job is much better than the original.

why are you paying for newmars mistake and you think you got such a great deal?
Newmar needs to stand up and admit they used a bad company.
consumers should not have to pay for this !

[Steve N Sal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm4015 Last month I had the sidewalls replaced, new slideout seals, new door seal, new Diamond Shield, new caulking, and my wife and I chose the colors we wanted for the full body paint plus items on the roof. Newmar also made two repairs and did not charge extra for them. We paid $8,500 which I think was a great deal and now our 2005 Dutch Star looks new. Actually, it looks much better than new and the paint job is much better than the original.

Sure would like to know WHO you dealt with at the factory. As mentioned ours is beginning to crack and I even did notice the same kind of cracking on the upper fron nose. I didn't think that problem would exist there. I know our front nose was painted back in 06 by the factory as I do have documentation on that from the previous owner. I just had to repair the front again as the clearcoat and paint were peeling off. Now this is starting on the sides. Boy, what recourse do you have?? Newmar wanted $1200 just to repair the front cap again. I just bought some paint from an auto parts after they computer matched the color and painted it myself. Not perfect but looks 100% better then it did. Will it last? Probably not as long as it you would like but what it one to do?? $8500 to get the coach resided and painted, now to me that's a deal that I would look into. Just wanted to insert the after and before pics of my handy work. lol

[Norm4015]

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertbound 1 why are you paying for newmars mistake and you think you got such a great deal? Newmar needs to stand up and admit they used a bad company. consumers should not have to pay for this !

Many manufacturers used defective fiberglass from a company that went bankrupt. As far as I know Newmar is the only company that offered a deal. Many owners of Monaco (and Holiday Rambler), Alfa, Country Coach, National RV and others got the same defective fiberglass and got no help from their manufacturers. Winnebago had a similar fiberglass problem and refused to replace the sidewalls.

My 2005 Dutch Star first showed the problem in 2009 and I talked to Newmar about it and sent pictures. In July 2010 I stopped at Newmar and they inspected the fiberglass and then I had a meeting with Ron Weaver, Newmar warranty manager (since retired). He looked up the date my motorhome was manufactured, the date I bought it new, and the date I first reported the problem.

He told me it was a $26,000 repair and Newmar would do the work for $8,500 if I got it done within one year and if I waited over a year it would cost $17,000. During the year I waited the checking problem did not get any worse, but my wife and I decided to have the work done any way.

It took Newmar exactly four weeks to turn the exterior of our 6 1/2 year old motorhome into a new motorhome. It is much more beautiful than the day we bought it new and my wife and I are very happy with the price we paid. Newmar even threw in new slideout covers and repaired two problems at no additional charge. That was over $1,000 in freebies. We chose colors from three different motorhomes including a 2012 Essex so our paint job is one of a kind. And we now have new slideout seals, a new door seal, new caulking, beautiful paint, new nano-fusion Diamond Shield, and zero rock chips or scratches.

We are happy Newmar bit the bullet and sucked up most of the cost themselves. And we are happy we don't have a Monaco, Country Coach, Alfa, National RV or Winnebago motorhome because owners of those motorhomes are stuck with their fiberglass problems.

["007"]

I wish my previous bad company's had stood up like Newmar did for my three coach's with problems they corrected over the years, but they didn't and thats why I still have a Newmar.