Community Forums

1bigmess · 04-23-2016, 08:40 AM

My brother just bought a 2001 Dutch Star. I have some questions that I hope someone can answer, as I wasn't able to find these things last night.

Does the fresh water tank have a dump valve or some way to drain it directly?

What does the key to lock the storage bays look like? He was given two key rings with literally eighteen keys, and none of them seem to work (at least after driving all evening and trying to find the right key at 10:30 pm we couldn't find the right key).

Is there a Newmar owners manual for this model line?

I have another issue to ask about that will get a thread of its own.

If there are any other words of wisdom, hints, or kinks about these rigs to know about, I'd like to pass them on. For some reason I can't seem to get him to join the forum (yet).

Thanks in advance for any help, we all appreciate it very much!

Skip426 · 04-23-2016, 10:43 AM

Well , JMHO , tell him" the Lord helps those who help themselves" and stop asking the questions for him.

Given that amount of keys ( originally would only be 2 sets ) you have replacements , my original keys for compartments have black plastic on the head and 500 stamped on them.
Fuel doors have their own key same for engine compartment.
Question : Older Newmar used the Dutch Star name on Pushers and gassers, which are you working with ?

1bigmess · 04-23-2016, 10:48 AM

He is busy, so I'm helping him as I can. He has a family to care for and I am single, and properly delegating tasks to others that can do them is a sign of a good leader. I'll tell him the Lord says "Hi".

Gas, V10. Fuel filler cap has no key, water tank fill does.

Thanks for the answers so far, we appreciate it!

Afubar · 04-23-2016, 10:55 AM

One thing to keep in mind, at least on my Newmar, I need to press in slightly when I pull up (out) on the handle. When I first got my Mountain Aire I too tried every key in the locks, found one that turned the lock, but still couldn't get the doors to open. Hello, was informed by the mechanic at the lot to just apply slight pressure to door and wow, like magic, they open.

Good luck, just know your brother is not alone.

1bigmess · 04-23-2016, 11:01 AM

Thanks for the help! We appreciate it!

Afubar · 04-23-2016, 01:20 PM

As for a valve to empty the fresh water tank, (please keep in mind that mine is a mite older) the valve is on both sides of the motor vehicle directly below the fresh water tank. You should be able to find it by looking for a tube that runs directly from the tank out the bottom of the motor vehicle.

Good luck.

(The larger tubes coming off the top of the tank are for overflow protection)

1bigmess · 04-23-2016, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the tip!

JFXG · 04-23-2016, 05:02 PM

bigmess...... Mine is a DSDP, but the vintage is right, so I'll try.

1) key with black plastic is for my belly bays. Same key opens all belly doors.
Name: ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1461452171.144579.jpg
Views: 149
Size: 86.6 KB

Name: ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1461452171.144579.jpg
Views: 149
Size: 86.6 KB

2) This is the front end of my water bay. See the two knobs labeled "Low Point Drain"? They drain the house piping. Nothing to do with the fresh tank.

Now, see the little label way in the back near the floor, cleverly labeled "Low Point Drain"? Nothing there but a hole. Stick your hand in that hole and feel around and you'll feel a round valve handle. THAT'S the fresh tank drain. Easy to figure, huh?

Good Luck! You'll be fine. Newmar is good.

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, Cat, '04 Element
NHSO RVM103

JFXG · 04-23-2016, 05:04 PM

Sorry, here's the second pic.
Name: ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1461452635.745664.jpg
Views: 161
Size: 89.0 KB

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, Cat, '04 Element
NHSO RVM103

1bigmess · 04-23-2016, 08:25 PM

Thank you for the help!

Mr_D · 04-23-2016, 08:37 PM

We've had two Dutch Star's but they were DP's, a 2000 and 2002. So keep the questions coming and we'll try to answer them.

Pexring · 04-23-2016, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afubar

One thing to keep in mind, at least on my Newmar, I need to press in slightly when I pull up (out) on the handle. When I first got my Mountain Aire I too tried every key in the locks, found one that turned the lock, but still couldn't get the doors to open. Hello, was informed by the mechanic at the lot to just apply slight pressure to door and wow, like magic, they open.

Good luck, just know your brother is not alone.

I ended up breaking a lock before I figured out this little trick to open the compartments.

Pexring · 04-23-2016, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We've had two Dutch Star's but they were DP's, a 2000 and 2002. So keep the questions coming and we'll try to answer them.

Where does the larger tube that comes off of the fresh water tank lead too? The one time I overfilled my fresh-water tank I got a compartment full of water. So probably that tube on mine isn't leading to the right place.

1bigmess · 04-24-2016, 09:25 PM

Filled and sanitized the fresh water system today. One gallon of bleach in 40 gallons of water ought to do it!

CW dealer left a lot of water in the sewage tanks. The previous owners tiled over the spot in the slide out kitchen to push up the lever to lock the aft part of the slide in place to travel. They already have plans to remove the tile, I just hope that lock lever is still there.

Thanks for everyone's help so far. It's been great and has really helped us!