Question about Engine

[Galena]

Looking at the Kountry Star and the Ventana. We would like to get the KS but at this time the ~30K difference is too much. My big concern is the smaaller HP and torque on the Ventana. We tow a Ford Focus and would appreciate any comments from anyone tht has the 350HP engine. Also if we get the Ventana and trade in a couple of years, how has the resale been?

[Galena]

Looking at the Kountry Star and the Ventana. We would like to get the KS but at this time the ~30K difference is too much. My big concern is the smaaller HP and torque on the Ventana. We tow a Ford Focus and would appreciate any comments from anyone tht has the 350HP engine. Also if we get the Ventana and trade in a couple of years, how has the resale been?

[GaryKD]

Galena,
There should be no problem for you with the engine on the Ventana. Look at my signature. You'll see my engine and the weight I am moving down the road. The Ventana may be the same or lighter than my signature coach. The coach has been to 8200 feet elevation in the Rocky Mountains. I am please with it's performance.

I can not comment on the Ventana resale. I will mention that coach depreation makes automobile depreation look small. Consider buying what you want now. The hit you will take on the depreciation will be more than the $30K price difference mentioned in your OP.

[Route 66]

I agree with Gary on both issues, adequate horsepower and quick depreciation.

It's not just the Ventana that depreciates quickly in the first few years, but all motorhomes.

[afrank1971]

I am in the process of unloading my Winnebago, upgrading to a Kountry Star. I have yet to unload it so cannot say yet what the actual hit will be, but would agree with the other posts, get what you want now, it will hurt WAY less to pay it now then it does paying it in the form of essentially wasted money (depreciation). Good luck!

[Spikester]

Galena you did not mention what length you were looking at, the 39Ft Ventana are a 38K Lb coach.

I just today pulled over the Siskiyou's from Yreka CA to Eugene OR today with my ISBXT 350 in a Ventana towing a Mini Cooper on a dolly, had at least 80 gallons of fuel when I left Yreka, 1/4 tank of water, grey and black. Returning to the Pacific Northwest from AZ so I pretty much loaded up. Pulled the steepiest of grades (6%+) in economy mode, cruise on, locked into 5th gear to minimize the up-shifts to 6th, at 59 MPH. Would pull down to about 53 MPH then downshift to 4th , back to cruise speed then upshift. Fuel economy is 9.8 MPG since fueling in Corning CA. Same story pulling over the Tehachapi's from Mojave to Bakersfield. Couldn't be happier with its performance and fuel economy, don't think you would be disappointed in the performance. It will travel at 65 or 70 MPH but I am not interested in wasting the fuel at $4+ a gallon.

Most folks who have looked at our coach cannot believe that it is an "Entry Level" Pusher. They are amazed at the quality of construction and material, features, and standard equipment. Therefore I would anticipate that resale would be good. We would have liked to buy used but could not find one, so we bought new and have not regretted it.

Spike

[afrank1971]

I should caveate my post here a bit. I did not mean to say that you should stay away from the Ventana. I think the Ventana, with the 350 Cummins would serve you well, I don't think it would be underpowered at all. I have been very happy with the 350hp Caterpillar in my Winnebago and often tow a 10,000lbs trailer. All I meant to say was that if you have an inkling toward a Kountry Star, but figure you could settle for a Ventana, think hard about that before jumping in. On the other hand, if the Ventana suits your every liking, and only the engine is causing indecision, I would think you cold rest assured that the Ventana will be fine, and cheaper, especially now that the Kountry Star is supposedly no more and you would have to get a Dutch Star. Anyway, just my thoughts. Good luck!

[slickcher]

We have a 2006 Ventana 3935 and love it. The quality is excellent compared to some others we have seen. It has a Cat C7 330 HP, pulling a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Toad. It has adequate power, and gets about 8 MPG average. The mechanics at our Newmar dealer say the Ventanas are easy to work on compared to some others, and have not seen many problems with this model. You should be happy with the Cummins 350 HP.

[SNAIL1]

I would suggest you look at the CCC of both coaches to see which properly fits your plans and needs. Some coaches have very low cargo carrying capacity.