Community Forums

Cherokee180C · 07-11-2016, 03:52 PM

Can someone familiar with the Newmar standard diesel pusher line give me the basics on the differences between these models as there is a large price difference when you step up to the Dutch Star. I read another post that talked a bit about the cabinets and flush floor and one piece roof. Will the roof make much of a difference if the Ventana roof is a quality roof as well? Any advice welcome.

plasma800 · 07-11-2016, 04:00 PM

There's quite a bit of difference, and sometimes it's in items you might not be aware of..... and no salesman will tell you about...

For instance, single pane windows VS double pane insulated windows....
13.5k AC units VS 15k AC units....
2 AC units vs 3 AC units....
Completely different awning systems on the dutch star VS Vent. and LE....
Different slide toppers
Side vs Rear radiator....

If you can afford a Dutch Star, then the LE should removed from the table.
If you can easily afford the Dutch Star, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
If the Dutchstar is a stretch, I'd no issue with the Ventana.
If the Ventana was a stretch, I'd look at quality used units.

Just some food for thought.

Be sure you get 15k AC units, 3 if you can. And be aware that dealers will order new units that aren't fully optioned... For instance, you can order a Ventana with 3 A/C's - but the dealer won't for their own stock, and they might not inform you you could.

They might even order it with 13k units, and not mention they normally come with 15 units.... stuff like this.

plasma800 · 07-11-2016, 04:02 PM

and the LE has smaller motors.. 340's and 360's Fine for the shorter lengths, under for the 40's a tad.

Ventana is all 360's and 400's

Dutchstar's are all 450's across the board

quentinc40 · 07-11-2016, 04:04 PM

Dutch Star also has an independent front suspension.

plasma800 · 07-11-2016, 04:06 PM

Just check the Newmar site...

the LE comes with 2 13.5 AC
The ventana is also standard 2 13.5 ac OPTION 2 15k or 3 15k
Dutchstar the same

I would want 3 15k units, period.....

quentinc40 · 07-11-2016, 04:11 PM

I test drove an LE then a Ventana with the steerable tag and the LE felt severely underpowered. Believe both was the 4002 floorplan.

plasma800 · 07-11-2016, 04:13 PM

Sorry to keep pecking away... but it's also important to know that if you are comparing an actual unit DSDP to an actual Ventana, and if that Ventana has 2 13.5k ac units, and the DSDP has 3 15k units, then that DSDP is also going to have an upsized generator, which makes a big difference in price.

The DSDP also those beautiful gerard awnings... lovely! I bet the paint is very different on the DSDP, plus the bigger engine.... all adds up to much more money -- but it's worth it, and the DSDP will certainly hold it's value much better than the LE that's for sure.

Cherokee180C · 07-11-2016, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the quick response. I have just started my research and quickly zoomed in on Newmar as a quality brand. Hard to get use to the warranty being so limited in the industry. 2-3 years seems to be the norm. The price differential makes a lot more sense to me now. Quick question on size. Does the smaller 35' / 36' rv's make a big difference in the number of camping sites that can accommodate you vs the 40'-43' rigs? Does the smaller size make any real difference in gas mileage, mostly from gross weight I imagine? This will be my first Class A after only owing a 27' TT in the past. Looking to part time 4-5 contiguous months per year.

quentinc40 · 07-11-2016, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherokee180C

Thanks for the quick response. I have just started my research and quickly zoomed in on Newmar as a quality brand. Hard to get use to the warranty being so limited in the industry. 2-3 years seems to be the norm. The price differential makes a lot more sense to me now. Quick question on size. Does the smaller 35' / 36' rv's make a big difference in the number of camping sites that can accommodate you vs the 40'-43' rigs? Does the smaller size make any real difference in gas mileage, mostly from gross weight I imagine? This will be my first Class A after only owing a 27' TT in the past. Looking to part time 4-5 contiguous months per year.

We went from a 30" TT, fifth wheel, then bought our first class A. First was a 36' gasser which was great for short trips but just likes to wander to much for long trips so we upgraded to a Dutch Star. Most of your campgrounds will accommodate a 40' coach. Where you might run into an issue is some state parks are limited to 34-36'. Just about whatever you get you will end up 5-7mpg. I can't tell a difference between the 36 and the 40 as far as manoeuvrability but that's mainly because I have a steerable tag. I think the turning radius is actually tighter than the 36 because of the steerable tag. Of course all of this just my opinion but just get out see if you can test drive them.

gtsum2 · 07-11-2016, 07:03 PM

I thought I was narrowed down to a le, but not sure how 360hp/800 torque would do in the mountains of west va. My truck has same engine and does fine with 27k combined weight with th, but 40ft dp with that might be a bit anemic? Also reading more and more about rear radiator disadvantages....might start looking at used Dutch stars?

quentinc40 · 07-11-2016, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtsum2

I thought I was narrowed down to a le, but not sure how 360hp/800 torque would do in the mountains of west va. My truck has same engine and does fine with 27k combined weight with th, but 40ft dp with that might be a bit anemic? Also reading more and more about rear radiator disadvantages....might start looking at used Dutch stars?

If you can swing it it would be Dutch Star all day but the Ventana with a tag axle has 400hp and 1250lb torque.

plasma800 · 07-11-2016, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherokee180C

Thanks for the quick response. I have just started my research and quickly zoomed in on Newmar as a quality brand. Hard to get use to the warranty being so limited in the industry. 2-3 years seems to be the norm. The price differential makes a lot more sense to me now. Quick question on size. Does the smaller 35' / 36' rv's make a big difference in the number of camping sites that can accommodate you vs the 40'-43' rigs? Does the smaller size make any real difference in gas mileage, mostly from gross weight I imagine? This will be my first Class A after only owing a 27' TT in the past. Looking to part time 4-5 contiguous months per year.

This is a very personal opinion.

My wife and I started with a 40'. Her, I, two small dogs. We found it bigger than we needed. Lots of empty space, hard to keep cool, navigation was a doosey, and in seating we were always seperated (her couch, my couch)... coupled with the cost of repairs and maint., we decided to downsize.

Now, in downsizing, I find our 28 footer with no slides a little cramped with dogs under foot, but I can totally live it... it's not bad enough to make me want to change it. I enjoy not having an engine, and I enjoy not having slides, and I LOVE the interior and big wrap around windows, plus the couch is very conducive to snuggling and TV watching, something we value.

In my mind, were I to own another Class A, which I might, it would be 36 feet and with the least problematic slide setup I could find.... that might mean only one slide, or no slides.

We did find that some state parks weren't nearly as easily to deal with in the big RV. Sometimes it was tight roads/short spots... sometimes it was low hanging branches.... and some state parks were a flat out no... but our trailer can darn near go anywhere.

The last thing I (that's me personally) would want to do is add another 3 to 5 feet on the end in crossing the 40 foot barrier, but I can certainly see why the tag axle could be handy. Back in the day Country Coach made a 38 foot tag, and they are still so darn nice looking... always the same floorplan though....

So you have to decide for yourself.... are you a "bigger is better and badder" type, or are you a "treehouse" type? Are you solo? Big dogs, little dogs, no dogs? Kids? Grandkids? so forth.. It's all about what makes you feel fuzzy....

Stepping off the ledge of a high dollar new unit can be quite an experience... you should fully anticipate the possibility that the unit *could* be out of commission much of the first year, and plan for the possibility of driving to the factory for some help - then cross your fingers that doesn't happen. But this stuff does happen in real life. Units with problems right off the lot, and then incredibly long wait times for repairs you're hoping were done right.

Get referrals on dealers, that's for sure.

Cherokee180C · 07-11-2016, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quentinc40

We went from a 30" TT, fifth wheel, then bought our first class A. First was a 36' gasser which was great for short trips but just likes to wander to much for long trips so we upgraded to a Dutch Star. Most of your campgrounds will accommodate a 40' coach. Where you might run into an issue is some state parks are limited to 34-36'. Just about whatever you get you will end up 5-7mpg. I can't tell a difference between the 36 and the 40 as far as manoeuvrability but that's mainly because I have a steerable tag. I think the turning radius is actually tighter than the 36 because of the steerable tag. Of course all of this just my opinion but just get out see if you can test drive them.

I was under the impression that you would get 7-8mpg, so a 100 gallon tank will only get you about 400 mile range? I am definitely looking for a Deisel Pusher.

quentinc40 · 07-11-2016, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherokee180C

I was under the impression that you would get 7-8mpg, so a 100 gallon tank will only get you about 400 mile range? I am definitely looking for a Deisel Pusher.

7-8 is probably about right for highway mileage but I only got 6.6 pulling a CR-V but this was all back roads only averaging 45mph with alot of stop and go. Headed up to Atlanta this weekend with my tow all interstate so I will have a better idea after this trip. First trip out of state with the Dutch Star!! Some people have said 9mpg but I'm probably to much of a lead foot to see that number.