Newmar DS vs HR Endeavor vs Monaco Dipolmat

[edaa53]

I have done considerable research and narrowed down to the 3 models in 38 to 40 foot years 2001 and 2002 (budget). Although I do not put much weight on the NADA I did notice that the 2002 NMDS (Sparten) 3852 w/ 2 slides is $10K+ more then the HR End 38PST w/ 3 slides. The Monaco Dip LE 3 slide is close to the HR End 38PST. Would one consider the Newmar DS a better quality coach over the other two? I like the 3 slide concept but 2 slide is fine as well. Quality first. Based on NADA this seems to be the case. Input appreciated. Ed

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by edaa53

I have done considerable research and narrowed down to the 3 models in 38 to 40 foot years 2001 and 2002 (budget). Although I do not put much weight on the NADA I did notice that the 2002 NMDS (Sparten) 3852 w/ 2 slides is $10K+ more then the HR End 38PST w/ 3 slides. The Monaco Dip LE 3 slide is close to the HR End 38PST. Would one consider the Newmar DS a better quality coach over the other two? I like the 3 slide concept but 2 slide is fine as well. Quality first. Based on NADA this seems to be the case. Input appreciated. Ed

Those HR and Monaco coaches are near twins and share an 8 air bag and 8 shock chassis. They were and remain high quality coaches. I'm on several Monaco forums and those vintage coaches are solid performers.

[datrbone8]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. drive them all and choose the one you like best

[becks]

As said, all three would be fine. Get the floorplan you like, and the one in the best overall condition.

["007"]

Welcome to irv2.
If you have any question of Newmar build this should answer your question.
They have been built this way since I have own them and back.
If you know what coach Newmar year and coach KS,DS,MA,ESSEX I can give you the Brochure and Owners Guide for the coach plus chassis info, come down to the Newmar forum.
Good luck in your quest.

[B Bob]

All good. Do your own research on quality. Look where it is hard to see. In general Newmar and Monaco products of similar original cost will have about the same level of quality. If HR or Monaco come with their own chassis built by Monaco that is a plus. Dutch Stars are very good motorhomes.

IMHO almost any Country Coach from those years will be better than any of the three you mention. The only CC's I do not like are the rear radiator ones. Dutch Stars got a lot nicer about 2003. Many upgrades in components. Also, DS came with longer chassis on 40' models. A good thing.

Front passenger side slides are not all good. They block the basement storage and patio.

[Mystery]

I have a Newmar DS 2002 3852 on a Freightliner chassis and have been very happy with the quality and ride. Mine has 72,000 miles on it and seems to run better now than whe I purchased about 12,000 miles ago. My .02.

[tquarles]

For the years in question, look at actual weights very carefully. If I remember correctly, we went with the '02 HR over the dutch star in part because all the DS's we saw then had very little weight capacity. The HR's and Monaco's, if you don't get the 40 footers, have lots
(I've got the 34, and I've got almost 7000 lbs carrying capacity, but not enough space to store that much unless I stock up on something like bricks or concrete). The last DS I looked at (an hour before I bought the HR) had less than 1000 lbs capacity.

[Mr_D]

In '02 the DSDP came with a 12,000# 50° cut front axle. In 2003 they went to the 13,200# axle but it only had a 45° wheel cut.
Due to the overweight front axle we ended up getting a 14,600# 55° wheel cut axle installed in ours. Newmar also issued us a new weight sticker showing the modification too.

[edaa53]

I am new to replies and wanted to answer all of you. Thank you all for your input. I will look closer at carrying capacity. 3rd passenger slide does inhibit storage access and patio area so I wonder the real benefit since many campsites limit slide extension on two sides due to trees, etc. The Monaco products in 2001/2001 did not build their own chassis at least in the models I look at. "007" I have been to brochure achieves on these models for specs, floorplans, etc. I will relook the Country Coach line. I keep w/ the Class IV 10K hitch and the 8 bag suspensions for ride quality and safety. HR End and Monaco Dip LE are sister ships as was said. What about the chassis? Sparten vs Roadmaster vs Freightliner. Seems more Freightliner service stations exist? Also I think the Sparten and Roadmaster bags are further outboard (just inside outer rear tires) then Freightliner - might be wrong on this. Ed

[chuckster52]

You have to go with the Newmar....DSDP...over all the others...the quality is far superior...Chuck

[tquarles]

The Monaco products in 2001/2001 did not build their own chassis at least in the models I look at.

I don't know how you found that monaco/HR didn't build their own custom chassis. In '01/'02, monaco OWNED roadmaster, and the RR8R chassis used in the endeavor/diplomat/safari-sister-model/beaver-sister-model was built specifically for that RV by one division of monaco for another.

[R2Home]

We recently traded a 2003 Endeavor in for a 2009 Diplomat. The Endeavor was a nice MH and we really liked it. We just wanted a 'newer' MH because.....
From driving both, other then more bells/whistles and larger engine, they were about the same. As has already been said, look at the floor plan and pick out what best suits your wants/needs.

[ARTWERKE]

I'm not sure if the HR & Monaco have rear radiators or not, But I wouldn't have a DP without a side radiator. I haven't driven the Dutch Star enough to complain about solid axels,only about 5000 mi. this yr.The ride is so much better than my old Southwind.