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06-17-2018, 06:27 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Georgie Boy Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 527
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Used Dutchstar 40' - Modifications for fulltiming
Here is my story:
DW and I hope to be fulltiming in less than 5 years. After much research and thought, I still have not seen the ideal coach for fulltiming. But,I do have a good idea of what we would like in a coach.
No gas coach for us. We used to have one. Too noisy up front.
My wishes are for a 40' length, tag axle, diesel ISL, front independent suspension, side radiator.
DW wishes for a floor plan as in the Thor Aria 3901. Unfortunately, the ISB engine in the Thor with plans to pull a toad and loading the roof with lots of solar panels makes the ISB engine less than ideal.
So, I'm contemplating buying a used Dutchstar 40' and modifying the living area to be like the Aria.
Into the Dutchstar:
Install the 68" Sofa Bed.
Install dual 68" reclining theater sitting.
Possibly even add a drop-down overhead bed just as in the Aria.
Take out any carpet in the older Dutchstar and replace it with wood or tile flooring.
Replace the TV in the Dutchstar with something from 5 years in the future.
Questions:
1 - When was the first year that the 40' Dutchstar came out with a tag axle, independent front suspension and side radiator?
2 - Are there places to take an old RV and have them do what I'm contemplating doing?
3 - Any experience from others here on updating an old Dutchstar?
Thanks for any help on this.
__________________
17' Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer
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06-17-2018, 08:13 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Posts: 2,744
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Dutchstar is a nice coach but I wouldn't limit myself as there are several realey nice makers out there.
The key is what is your budget?
I would keep an eye on a couple different places like PPL Motorhomes.
https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/
You can check out a lot of floor plans on their site.
you might find something hear at Motorhomes of Texas Luxury Pre-Owned Motorhome Dealer for Foretravel Newell Country Coach..
Or
https://www.txrvoutlet.com/
Yes you can get a coach modified anyway you want it. I know several places that do great work.
Let me know what you think.
Bill
__________________
2008 Newmar Mountain Aire
450 HP Cummins ISM 4000MH Allison Trans.
Towing a 2014 Honda CRV with a Blue Ox tow bar.
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06-17-2018, 08:22 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Well, our '02 DSDP didn't have a tag, so look for a latter one.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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06-18-2018, 12:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Washington State or Western Montana, depending on the season.
Posts: 3,473
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Have you looked at the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire 4047? From a quick glance at the Thor Aria 3901, the floorplans are, at least, similar. In 2019, the MADP 40' model will use the 4018 floorplan. The Dutch Star has used the 4018 floorplan for several years. The 2016 Dutch Star was something of a problematic coach with a number of recalls that you would want to be sure were completed before considering a purchase. Most of thos issues were resolved in the 2017 DSDP.
From my perspective, putting a significant chunk of money into modifying a then seven-year-old coach is not cost effective. You will still have a dated coach with a floor plan that may not enhance resale/trade-in value. Since you are five years out, you might want to consider an interim coach before buying your full-timer coach. Certainly, spending time in a coach...even part-time...will give you a good perspective on what will work best for you. YMMV
Good luck in your search.
TJ
__________________
Jim (W7DHC), Diane & Mini Schnauzers, Lizzy & Ellie
2018 Mountain Aire 4047
2014 Honda CR-V 2020 Lincoln Nautilus "toad" w/AF1
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06-18-2018, 01:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 233
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2012 is the first year Newmar mentions independent front suspension in their brochures for the Dutch Star. I don't know if they made them with IFS before 2012 however. Seems they'd include that detail in the brochures though.
https://www.newmarcorp.com/owner-too...hures-archive/
__________________
USAF Retired 1986 - 2008
19 Silverado 3500HD Duramax 4x4 LTZ CC 6'6"
Still shopping for our first 5th wheel
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06-18-2018, 02:58 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Canton, MI
Posts: 1,004
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I have a 2004 Dutch Star on a Spartan Chassis and it has independent front suspension.
__________________
Tigerfan1
2016 DSDP 4369, Freightliner Chassis, AF One brake system, 2016 Chevy Equinox
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06-18-2018, 03:01 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: NH
Posts: 113
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We have a 2004 DSDP with independent front suspension on a freightliner chassis.
__________________
Racing4Fun
2007 Newmar Dutch Star 4035
2013 GMC Yukon XL
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06-18-2018, 06:49 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
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You can look through every Newmar in the TSB link,Brochures, of this link and in QT's # 3 find MOD's by the Hoot's and many mod redo's done by Newmar owners.
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06-19-2018, 06:20 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Georgie Boy Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 527
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007
Thanks for the info. Lots of stuff in there.
__________________
17' Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer
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06-19-2018, 06:30 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 149
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The Foretravel folks in east Texas say they do the interior work you mentioned. I have no idea what it would cost. Check their website.
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06-19-2018, 06:32 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Georgie Boy Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 527
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim
From my perspective, putting a significant chunk of money into modifying a then seven-year-old coach is not cost effective. You will still have a dated coach with a floor plan that may not enhance resale/trade-in value. Since you are five years out, you might want to consider an interim coach before buying your full-timer coach. Certainly, spending time in a coach...even part-time...will give you a good perspective on what will work best for you. YMMV
TJ
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Yea. I'm starting to think that what I'll do is buy a used Thor Aria 3901 when it is time in about 5 years. That will get us the floor plan we like and get us fulltiming. We may be able to move up to a DSDP later. A lot can happen with new motorhomes in 5 to 10 years.
__________________
17' Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer
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06-20-2018, 08:31 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,984
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The older Newmar coaches that had a tag were all Spartan chassis, Freightliner did not supply tag axle chassis. However, the Spartan chassis of that time had ball joint problems on the IFS chassis while the Freightliner chassis did not have ball joint problems on their IFS chassis.
__________________
'04 Newmar Mountain Aire 4016
400ISL/Freightliner
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06-20-2018, 10:17 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Washington State or Western Montana, depending on the season.
Posts: 3,473
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cucotx
Yea. I'm starting to think that what I'll do is buy a used Thor Aria 3901 when it is time in about 5 years. That will get us the floor plan we like and get us fulltiming. We may be able to move up to a DSDP later. A lot can happen with new motorhomes in 5 to 10 years.
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Be sure you do your homework before buying a "used Thor Aria 3901." They have had their issues too. And, despite some of the issues you read about here, Newmar is pretty much at the top of the list in customer service. You can make your own evaluation of Thor's customer service.
It sounds like you don't plan on buying anything in the next five years; is that correct? If so, at the rate of technological change in motorhomes, I think you will need to do a complete re-evaluation when you get ready to buy.
TJ
__________________
Jim (W7DHC), Diane & Mini Schnauzers, Lizzy & Ellie
2018 Mountain Aire 4047
2014 Honda CR-V 2020 Lincoln Nautilus "toad" w/AF1
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06-20-2018, 05:26 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Georgie Boy Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 527
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim
Be sure you do your homework before buying a "used Thor Aria 3901." They have had their issues too.
It sounds like you don't plan on buying anything in the next five years; is that correct? If so, at the rate of technological change in motorhomes, I think you will need to do a complete re-evaluation when you get ready to buy.
TJ
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Yep. Thor is not known for quality control for new coaches. That's why I'll buy used. I figure any issues with the unit out of the factory would have been fixed by the time I buy.
Yes, 5 years to fulltiming. If I could get a severance package from my employer, I would be fulltiming sooner.
__________________
17' Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer
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