Community Forums

Sharoncbrn · 03-13-2016, 10:05 AM

Hello friends after months and months of researching for our 1st coach we have narrow it down to the Fleetwood expedition 38S fully loaded and a Newmar Ventana LE 4037. We have made our comparisons list and talked and talked. The comfort drive and nice windshield area is a large factor on LE. One thing we notice on Fleetwood the mirrors vibtated while going down the road, is this common? And no VIP smart wheel 😌. But we love the extra outdoor entertainment center, power electric reel, back rock guard etc.

I would like to hear from anyone who drives either of these or have in the past.

Many thanks and kindest regards.
Sharon

RV Wizard · 03-14-2016, 06:25 AM

Hello and

We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy our website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.

vapor3000 · 03-14-2016, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharoncbrn

Hello friends after months and months of researching for our 1st coach we have narrow it down to the Fleetwood expedition 38S fully loaded and a Newmar Ventana LE 4037. We have made our comparisons list and talked and talked. The comfort drive and nice windshield area is a large factor on LE. One thing we notice on Fleetwood the mirrors vibtated while going down the road, is this common? And no VIP smart wheel 😌. But we love the extra outdoor entertainment center, power electric reel, back rock guard etc.

I would like to hear from anyone who drives either of these or have in the past.

Many thanks and kindest regards.
Sharon

I haved owned both the Fleetwood and Newmar products. In my view, Newmar wins hands down in every catagory. I don't have Comfort Drive, but I wish I did!

Gary RVRoamer · 03-14-2016, 08:04 AM

The Ventena is a step or two above the Expedition, so not surpising it seems better made. The Fleetwood equivalent to the Ventena is more like a Discovery.

In my opinion, the Ventena would be the hands down choice between those two (all other things being equal, of course).

lenny-shawna · 03-14-2016, 04:42 PM

Those two brands do not compete with each other for market share. Newmar hand down.

Gordon Dewald · 03-14-2016, 04:45 PM

Take the floor plan you like the best and then consider the difference in cost.

rocky34 · 03-14-2016, 07:01 PM

Been looking at the Venata coaches lately also but the LE is a no go for me the single pane windows that come standard is just no gonna work for me. Class A coaches need dual pane Windows in my opinion.

lenny-shawna · 03-15-2016, 06:16 AM

Duel pane windows are a plus but that one deciding factor should not rule a coach out. Newmar makes quality coaches

Elwood58 · 03-15-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenny-shawna

Duel pane windows are a plus but that one deciding factor should not rule a coach out. Newmar makes quality coaches

Easy to say from Florida or the Southwest. Dual Pane can make a very big comfort difference in many other locations.

Sharoncbrn · 03-15-2016, 02:52 PM

I really appreciate all the input. We really like both floor plans therefore it is a push on that feature. This is an 2016 Ventana LE, which a Newmar has bump to an 360 Cummins and it does has double panel Windows. The Newmar lacks a outdoor entertainment center, and the Fleetwood has an few more upgrades on the exterior. But we feel the comfort drive is a huge plus ��.

Cat320 · 03-15-2016, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

...The Ventena is a step or two above the Expedition, so not surpising it seems better made. The Fleetwood equivalent to the Ventena is more like a Discovery...

As noted, this is not an apples to apples comparison.

Get the floor plan the D/W likes best...can't go wrong there.

docj · 03-15-2016, 03:11 PM

In case you change your minds about which Ventana LE model interests you, be advised that Newmar is very deceptive about the specifications for the smaller (34' and 37') models. For those MH's the GCWR and the GVWR are only 2,000 pounds apart which means that if you were to tow a ~4,000 pound vehicle you would have to deduct 2,000 of the weight from the usable GVWR or you would run the risk of exceeding the GCWR.

The reason I'm aware of this is because there was a thread a couple of years ago in which someone was quite upset because he had bought one of these models and had discovered that he had virtually no available CCC because of this "reduction." Personally, I think it is pretty bad form for a company as reputable as Newmar to rate their vehicles this way.

I recognize that you are thinking of buying the larger model for which this isn't a problem, but I wanted you to know this in case you were to consider a smaller model.

MJFZ · 03-15-2016, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

In case you change your minds about which Ventana LE model interests you, be advised that Newmar is very deceptive about the specifications for the smaller (34' and 37') models. For those MH's the GCWR and the GVWR are only 2,000 pounds apart which means that if you were to tow a ~4,000 pound vehicle you would have to deduct 2,000 of the weight from the usable GVWR or you would run the risk of exceeding the GCWR.

The reason I'm aware of this is because there was a thread a couple of years ago in which someone was quite upset because he had bought one of these models and had discovered that he had virtually no available CCC because of this "reduction." Personally, I think it is pretty bad form for a company as reputable as Newmar to rate their vehicles this way.

I recognize that you are thinking of buying the larger model for which this isn't a problem, but I wanted you to know this in case you were to consider a smaller model.

Hi docj, While your point is accurate that the their is only a 2000 pound difference between GVWR and GCWR for 34' and 37' Ventana LE, I don't see how Newmar is being "very deceptive". That information is openly disclosed on the Newmar website and in the brochure. I don't see Newmar trying to mislead anyone about this fact. Newmar is one of the few companies that lists a Approximate Unloaded Vehicle Weight and an Approximate Net Carrying Capacity in their marketing literature, so a shopper can make these evaluation before they buy.

Mike

HavingABlast · 03-15-2016, 04:08 PM

I don't have experience with the Fleetwood models. So I can't compare them to the Ventana. We have the 2015 Ventana (VTDP) 3636 (not the Ventana LE -VLDP). We chose the the VTDP because of the amenities and the carrying capacity (our 4 door Wrangler weights 4290 lbs). We also chose it because Newmar allows you to customize the coach for you. DW took full advantage of this. I can say without reservation that our coach handles beautifully.

Best of luck in your new coach...which ever brand that you choose.