Community Forums

chkwgn · 06-06-2014, 08:40 PM

I'm looking at a used 2013 Ventana 3434. Wondering how Ventana 3434 owners like their floorplan and what kind of fuel economy they get?

Does the stationary TV behind the dinette table prove to be a distraction? With the slides in, is the space between the reclining chair and kitchen countertop too narrow? Is the bathroom sink area roomy enough for a big guy to shave and not make a mess?

The unit I'm looking at is a Ventana 3434, not the Ventana LE 3434. It has the Cummins 360HP Freightliner chassis. Wondering what type of engine or compression brake that chassis has? Read the 2013 brochure and could not find any mention of an engine brake.

Any other comments about a 3434 would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Chuck

"007" · 06-07-2014, 04:59 AM

Chuck, if you go for starters to QT's # 3 and read some of the threads posted at the top some of the people THE HOOT's that purchased the new DSDP's had owned the Ventana before.
Here is a Owners Guide for 2013 and dependent on what chassis it has you maybe could get some of your answers in the chassis forums.
Looking at the 3434 floorplan you should have able room in bathroom if you look at floor plan below it the 1/2 bath would have ample room for you also. That is something Newmar has tried to do is provide the space needed. Its a 34' coach they will be smaller.

SWag · 06-07-2014, 08:03 AM

Chuck,

I'm running the Cummins ISB 340 in my coach and it is equipped with an exhaust brake. I am quite sure the 360 HP version is equipped the same. It does the job well for this size coach. Here's a slide from a Newmar/Freightliner presentation ... hope this helps.

Not sure if you've owned Newmar before but we love ours ... great product and customer service. Good luck. Scott

chkwgn · 06-07-2014, 09:31 AM

Thanks for the feedback! I have been reading different owner posts on IRV2. I'm also looking at a Winnebago Journey which is built on a Freightliner chassis with the 340HP, or 350HP Cummins engine on some older units. Read many claims that their Cummins engine were yielding fuel economy in the range of 10-12 mpg. Seems too good to be true.

Thanks again for the feedback!

Chuck

SWag · 06-07-2014, 09:38 AM

We went out for the Memorial day weekend and averaged right at 10 mpg pulling our SUV. I'm reading that fuel economy from my VMSpc so it is an accurate number. This was on relatively flat terrain with little wind but my VMSpc is showing 9.0 mpg since inception on a total of 8,200 miles, about 80% of which is pulling the toad.

Scott

lass · 06-07-2014, 02:56 PM

Chuck, We've had our 3434 for about 1 1/2 years and for this size and price point, we would buy the exact same unit. The 360 HP with exhaust brake works fine for us and while towing a Honda CRV, we'll get any where from 9.5 to 10.4 MPG.

The space between the counter and recliner is not for everyone, so while traveling, I turn the chair side ways and that adds sufficient space for movement.

The one thing that you should be concerned with is the Fridgedaire microwave oven and as a minimum, check the stickies on the recall. Other than that, our major change was to replace the Norcold with the residential Samsung 197 and the addition of the GE Advantium oven.

Also, you should inspect ever cabinet door and insure that the joints are not separating. Mine were replaced with the standard Ventana doors the first time, and the Mountain Aire doors the second time.

SWag · 06-07-2014, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lass

Chuck, We've had our 3434 for about 1 1/2 years and for this size and price point, we would buy the exact same unit. The 360 HP with exhaust brake works fine for us and while towing a Honda CRV, we'll get any where from 9.5 to 10.4 MPG.

The space between the counter and recliner is not for everyone, so while traveling, I turn the chair side ways and that adds sufficient space for movement.

The one thing that you should be concerned with is the Fridgedaire microwave oven and as a minimum, check the stickies on the recall. Other than that, our major change was to replace the Norcold with the residential Samsung 197 and the addition of the GE Advantium oven.

Also, you should inspect ever cabinet door and insure that the joints are not separating. Mine were replaced with the standard Ventana doors the first time, and the Mountain Aire doors the second time.

Here's some information on that microwave recall.

wracinti · 06-08-2014, 04:19 AM

Chuck,
I just purchasd a 2008 Ventana 3330 about 6 months ago. Too early to tell how we will like it. Has a different floorplan, can probably google around and see it.

chkwgn · 06-08-2014, 11:30 AM

Thanks again for all the replies!

My brother is a happy Newmar owner. He has always picked on me for being an SOB (Safari)! Maybe I'll be joining him as a Newmar owner so I can be happy too.

Chuck

wracinti · 06-09-2014, 04:23 AM

Chuck,
Nothing wrong with Safari! My last coach was a 1995 Safari Serengetti 38' with a cummins 8.3 300 HP and magnum chassis/BF goodrich velvet ride. Loved it! Would have been interesting to see where Matt Perlot would have taken the company had he not sold to Monaco.