Gang Dutch Star:
For organizational reasons, I’m adding this to the thread DEEK started on the 2014 Dutch Star although it should have as it’s basis PDR Johns wonderful thread. (See below).
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/our-...ar-136924.html
After several months of research on Newmar and Tiffin models and due in large part to to the advice and counsel from so many in this forum, we are moving ahead with plans to build our 2014 Dutch Star.
Guiding us along this path have been our great new friends
skmwalden (Steve) and
DEEK (Denis), whose insights and advice have been extraordinary, generous and timely. I’ve also taken the opportunity to thank PDR John whose blog --
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/our-...ar-136924.html -- surely must be required reading for anyone considering a custom Newmar build. Allow me also to give my thanks to
Ma Snart, MJFZ, 007, Roadweary, Mckeerw, Route 66, redbaron73, Steve Ownby and Mr. D. This is only a partial list.
I’ve decided to get “stuck in” to this particular thread of Deek's because it’s a new year and new model. But so much of the information contained is applicable to the decision making process on the 2013 model. While compared to all of you already in “The Show” , I’m still working my way through Class A ball. My only experience with this addiction was a 4K mile, 32 day, bucket-list-fulfilling trip in a Tiffin Allegro last may with the DW and two old yellow labs. We totaled in the neighborhood of 260 in people years. I happened to write a book about the journey describing in detail my numerous bonehead rookie moves. I’m proscribed from revealing the title (according to the forum moderator), but if you just happen to check out page 11 of the May issue of Trailer Life magazine..... All proceeds from this book (all) go to St. Jude Children’s research Hospital. My wife says I’d just lose the $132.11 on golf bets anyway. And there may be a trilogy in the works so be careful what you say!
Inspired by all of you, this rookie Class A guy will attempt to continue the thread -- 2014 version -- and pay it forward for those to follow. With the 2014 models now officially on record, this will signify the start of Part II to Our 2013 Dutch Star. While I can’t bring the experience and expertise of PDR John, the very informative pictures from Ma, Steve and others, or the eloquence of Counselor DEEK, I can at least describe the process for you all to critique and weigh in on. As John mentioned, Michelle at Newmar and other staff there read these posts. I recall your very informative discussions about L-Sofas and Fold and Tumble and the thought of making a collective appeal to Nappanee. Great stuff.
So here’s where we are:
Last week we took the factory tour in Nappanee and were wow’d as you must have been. BTW we stayed at Homespun B&B down on Main street. Fabulous place if you happen to be there rigless. And dogless. Spent the day with Michelle and had a very productive initial meeting with John Sammut. Since it was merely days after the big “reveal” of the 2014 models in Dallas, we were the first to get the info on all the new features and models. That’s good news and bad. Newmar is still getting all the pictures and samples together, and were in the process of taking photos and doing the walk through video tours. Brochures won’t be out until late May, early June. We got to see inside the 2014 Dutch Stars. As Chris from Mt. Comfort (dealer in Indianapolis) would declare during a visit there the following day: “Except for Vorad and some enhanced interior features, the Dutch Stars and Mountain Aires are pretty darn similar! Makes my job either easier or harder.” Your DSs have migrated into the luxury category.
As mentioned, we stopped by Mt Comfort, so that I could experience the joys of Comfort Drive (no connection) and the difference between tag and no tag. Ok. I confess. This was really the very first time my rear end had ever been behind the wheel of a diesel pusher. The Tiffin from last May was a 35’ Allegro Gas. I took out their DS 43’. It was probably 4 days later that I stopped gushing about driving a DP with Comfort Drive. The DW, her brother and his wife who accompanied us, got ill listening to me. Deal with it. Despite all that, my attempt to convince the Navigator that size matters and we should now move to the 43’ were in vain. It did, however, move the needle from 37’ to 40’. She gets her preference, the mid bath model (4038) and I get all 40’. Good compromise.
SInce I’ve taken too much of your reading time already, here’s what we’re thinking. Please feel free to comment, criticize, and critique. Since we have no trade-in and we will definitely be taking delivery at Nappanee as first-timers, I’m told we’re in a good spot negotiation-wise. We’ll see. We’ve contacted and established e-relationships and personal face to face ones with about 8-9 large Newmar dealers around the country. Mt. Comfort is one of them as they were one of four to win the Mahlon Miller award. Chris Anderson there was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Retirement allows us the luxury of just taking our time.
Here’s where we are specs and options (much of this thanks to all of you):
Dutch Star Model 4038
(note: we’re exploring the possibility of replacing the door side 74” easy bed sofa with some sort of cabinet and angled TV which can be seen from the dining and sofa areas opposite. 99% of the time we’ll be by ourselves so we don’t need opposing sofas.)
Options:
Progressive Industries 50 Amp Hardwired Integrated Display EMS-LCHW50C surge protector
2-15M Penguin heat Pump A/C
Stack Washer and Dryer
GE Advantium Convection Oven/Microwave
All electric version (8 batteries) Anyone have any ideas why this is a 13% price increase from 2013 before we go to Michelle?
Replace batteries with AGM Gel versions (Lifeline per PDR John??)
Winegard Trav’Ler (want HD; don’t care about in-motion)
Sirius XM radio
Regular standard Radio and will augment with new Rand McNally or Garmin 760 DEZL LMT (Deek and Steve have weighed in on their preference)
Either the Roll Away table or Desk Dinette
Still thinking Queen bed or may leave it as King. No sleep number
All the electrical options: EMS, LED lights, Power cord reel, Recessed dock lights, Solar prep
BUT NO solar panels
Power water hose reel
Large chrome mirrors
Sliding storage trays
Heating pads for holding tanks (don’t need these per dealer but resaleable)
Power baggage door locks and keyless entry
Kitchen window AND we may ask for the bigger horizontal windows in living area
Still out with the “Jury” stuff:
BriteTek or Molded fiberglass roof. Coin flip time? I’ve read and reread all your thoughts..
electric toilets
“Nice to have but we’re ok for now stuff”:
Power MCD shades
As far as all the interior and exterior color schemes, I am completely out of the picture due to a very convenient affliction: Color blindness. Also my wife used to do commercial design back in the day..We do plan to ask Michelle if we can “borrow” their model/app which allows us to what if exterior color schemes. We were told we have access to most if not all the Newmar paints, and we can try the “fill in” process to create a unique exterior as long as we maintain the Dutch Star graphics. Anyone ever do this.
So that’s it for now. Sorry for the length but we welcome your opinions and insight as always. Factor in that I’m a finance guy (M&A) who doesn’t even pretend to play an engineer on TV. So when John et al can wire their surge protectors themselves, or fix an electric toilet, I’m at the other end of the spectrum.
Look forward to hearing from you all.
Phil