Seriously looking at Newmar Scottsdale

[Ncsoar]

We currently on a 2005 Newmar Scottsdale. It is a very nice coach, but as one other poster said, we've had more than our fair share of problems with the Workhorse Chassis. In any event, a couple of things you will want to look for, and if not there, have done.

Make sure the newest Workhorse engine breather snorkel kit has been added. This is an add-on kit to keep water from getting into the breather and engine. If mounted correctly, the snorkel or exented breather will keep water from coming up from the right front wheel when driving in the rain. It's a big deal and a real pain if you don't have it. We got ours on warranty, but I suspect it's not too expensive if you have to buy one.

Secondly, we had problems with the back two engine spark plugs burning out much sooner than the others. They were getting too hot and were not getting proper ventilation being on the back of the engine. There is an add on kit with two air scoops that hook to the front grill and through a hose that is routed two each of the two back plugs thereby blowing air on them. If you don't travel very far in your coach, you may not have the problem, but we occasionally take some long driving trips and that enhances the need for this ventilation kit.

We've had several other little problems, but all in all we are happy with the coach. The interior is one of the nicest we found on that style and type of coach. It drives better than many cars. Just be sure to follow your maintanence requirements and you'll love it.

Good luck,
Gary Carter

[Mahlon]

We own a 2003 Scottsdale 3670, bought used with one year and 9000 miles on it. It now has almost 40000 miles. Overall we've been very happy with the coach.

The only problems that have ever happened with the chassis are the frozen a/c compressor clutch pulley bearing (WH's supplier got a batch of compressors with bad bearings) and the Actia instrument panel LCD deterioration problem, both of which were repaired by WH at no charge to us. We've never burned a spark plug wire.

The house has been trouble-free.

The only complaint we have about the coach concern weight distribution. The 3670 is entirely too tail-heavy. We're always right at gross weight on the rear axle, and we were forced to go to load range "H" tires because of it. Newmar probably should have stretched the chassis a couple of feet to mitigate this, or at least used the optional 14500 lb rear axle that WH offered as an option (yours should already have this; check your sticker). You may have a bigger problem with this because your coach weighs 900 lb more than ours, but at least your extra weight is further forward (your galley slide-out is what I'm thinking of; the 3670 doesn't have a galley slide-out). Weigh your coach, then you'll know how to proceed.

Things I would recommend: do seriously consider adding front & rear Panhard rods ("track bars") to the chassis; they make a world of difference in the way that the chassis handles. Also, make sure that your wheel alignment is correct.

Just curious... why didn't you like diesel?