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08-09-2014, 02:18 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Salem, Illinois
Posts: 355
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DutchStar 4018 questions
Those that have the retractable L sofa....what do you think?
Also I understand it is a jackknife sofa.....will that sleep 2 adults?
Do most 4018s come this way from the dealers?
If you were to special order from the factory what would you change?
Thanks
__________________
Len and Sue Rose .. Lake Centralia, Illinois ...................
................."Trixie" the rescue dog...
2021 Essex......... Cadillac SRX
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08-09-2014, 02:54 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
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Welcome to the forum you may find some of your answers in the Hoot's threads by Deek, PDR John and others in QT's # 3, plus people at Newmar to build your coach to your own design.
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08-12-2014, 12:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Elko, Nv and San Diego
Posts: 134
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The L sofa is great..We really like it....Sleep 2 adults?? No way..Prob not even one......One child, maybe 2......
I would order the all electric...I have propane and it takes too much storage room for the tank....
I have the televator and also the TV bet driver/passenger...I would pass on the TV forward and use that for storage....Pretty redundant having 2 TV's within 8 feet.....
I really like the 4018 and for buying it off the lot I am pleased...
__________________
Steve and Liz
Elko, Nv and San Diego
2017 Lance 1172 truck camper
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08-12-2014, 12:42 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 37
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We bought a MA 4361 that was on the lot. It had the L sofa, but the jackknife sofa would not work for adult guests so as part of the deal Newmar agreed to swap it for the air mattress sofa. It took several months for it to get to the dealer (miscommunication on getting it ordered), with a slight modification our dealer did a great job installing the new sofa. The new sofa matched perfectly.
The jackknife was great for lounging and watching TV but the sofa bed trumped the L.
__________________
Debbie, David, and Sparkle the Westie
2014 Molten Metal MADP 4361, Cummins 450
2014 Silver RAM 1500
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08-12-2014, 05:50 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 1,244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sd1209
The L sofa is great..We really like it....Sleep 2 adults?? No way..Prob not even one......One child, maybe 2......
I would order the all electric...I have propane and it takes too much storage room for the tank....
I have the televator and also the TV bet driver/passenger...I would pass on the TV forward and use that for storage....Pretty redundant having 2 TV's within 8 feet.....
I really like the 4018 and for buying it off the lot I am pleased...
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X2 in all respects. We ordered our 4018 and took factory delivery. We definitely wanted the L sofa and are still glad we got it. That being said, it is not a good sleep sofa, no question about that. Fine for two small kids, no good for any average size adult. That is it's major failing. If you need to sleep adults, go for the "fold and tumble" sofa. If you look at the references 007 gave, there will be plenty of discussion about this and pictures of the fold and tumble.
We also ordered all electric. Would not order another coach without it.
I agree with the TV discussion too. We have the televator and the bedroom TV. We saw no need for outside TV or front TV. Others will certainly disagree with this but we only watch movies on our TV with Blu Ray and for that, snuggling up on the L sofa with the High Def wiring and surround sound is all we feel we need.
I would recommend getting the induction cooktop if you go all electric. And, if Newmar will allow it (they would not when we ordered our coach but I am of the belief that they will now), get the third AC unit on the roof. Whenever you are in hot climate, it will make a significant difference. In cooler climes, the two AC's are fine but not in hotter conditions. The front keeps up but only adequately.
Don't miss IMO: GE Advantium 120 microwave / convection; power hose reel; power 50 Amp electric cord; full Girard awning package if you can justify the cost; auto power shades throughout.
Outstanding coach! One of the absolute best models and one of the top values that Newmar offers.
Best of luck!
Deek
__________________
”Deek” / FMCA #363986
2023 Winnebago View 24D Bay Mist II
What a Hoot!
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08-13-2014, 12:09 AM
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#6
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 24,059
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We have the L shape sofa. We like it, except for the seat cushion that folds away when the unit is stored for travel. For some reason, they made this cushion rock hard.
We bought ours off the lot the same as many others. My dealer likes TV's so we have four of them. Our previous coach only had two and we rarely watched the bedroom TV, maybe once a year.
Even though we thought the four TV's were overkill, we've found the outside TV is great for movie night when camping with friends and worked well with the grand kids. We also thought the 40" over the dash was a waste, but we watch that 95% of the time unless we watch a movie with several people. The televator TV is great, but is in a odd position if you like sitting in the recliner like I do. My wife also likes to lay in the corner of the sofa and watch the front TV. So all four TV's work great for us. You just need to decide how much TV you want to watch and where you like to sit.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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08-13-2014, 06:18 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Posts: 1,670
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lrose44 ... a couple comments
If they still offer the queen bed option ... you might want to check that out. It allows for larger bed side tables/shelves which we really like.
We did not get the L-shaped sofa due to the fact it will not sleep an adult. We needed that ability so went with the fold-n-tumble.
Did not get the front TV ... but would probably be on the fence if I did it again. I can now see how much easier it would be to watch like Dutch Star Don mentions. We did get the outside TV and do use that a lot.
I love the all electric.
Three (3) AC's would be nice if they offer it.
Keep us posted as you move forward.
Steve
__________________
Steve & Lisa
2022 Mountain Aire 4118
2024 JL Rubicon & 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk
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08-13-2014, 08:36 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Salem, Illinois
Posts: 355
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Thank you folks for the informative replys. What a great forum. What great people that are on here.
Just a little background.....DW is set to retire from an investment firm next July. So we have some time to investigate and plan. I am a farmer...so self employed...but the boys are doing most of the work and don't want me around messing up their plans anyway.LOL
We built our dream home on a lake 5 years ago and sold our 5th wheel because we live on the lake now and wouldn't want to leave and go camping anymore. Right? Wrong! Missed camping so much. Bought two motor homes since ( mostly on impulse). At the Tampa show last Jan was drawn to the Newmars and started reading the owners forum. Took the factory tour last Friday. This time I am going to research and ask questions just like when I was purchasing a $300-$400K piece of farm machinery.
We want to thank everyone in advance for your consideration.
Leonard and Sue Rose
__________________
Len and Sue Rose .. Lake Centralia, Illinois ...................
................."Trixie" the rescue dog...
2021 Essex......... Cadillac SRX
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08-13-2014, 07:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 1,244
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Len and Sue --
It is a great Forum with lots of great people only too willing to help.
Doing the research you are is the best possible way to get the best possible coach. Good luck as you go. And as FLSteve says, please keep us posted. We all love to follow these kind of posts.
Deek
__________________
”Deek” / FMCA #363986
2023 Winnebago View 24D Bay Mist II
What a Hoot!
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08-15-2014, 05:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Salem, Illinois
Posts: 355
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Well the DW has decided she loves the fireplace and floorplan of the 4018.
My question is about the recliner...do you pull it to the middle of the floor to watch tv over the fireplace. Is the recliner comfortable ? We replaced the Euro recliner in our rig because it was so uncomfortable. I see Pressman had a bare space there. Can you order a rig without some of the furniture and put in your own?
Next...the DW has a July retire date so we have time to plan .....by July the 2016s will be coming off the line. Is this what we should be looking at or the last of the 2015s.
__________________
Len and Sue Rose .. Lake Centralia, Illinois ...................
................."Trixie" the rescue dog...
2021 Essex......... Cadillac SRX
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08-15-2014, 06:23 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Piedmont, SD
Posts: 337
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We have a 4318 with the same layout, just a little more room. I pull the recliner out and position it beside the couch. The recliner is pretty comfortable, our last coach the Euro recliner was useless and we removed it. The DW likes to lay on the couch to watch TV and I like a recliner, so this floor plan was perfect for us.
Bill
__________________
Bill & Joanne
2013 Newmar DSDP 4318
2010 MINI JCW Clubman
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08-19-2014, 12:54 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Salem, Illinois
Posts: 355
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Those that have the two recliners opposite the couch and tv......how did you arrive at that decision? The DW wants the fireplace. I am worried pulling the one recliner out by the couch would be in the way........
__________________
Len and Sue Rose .. Lake Centralia, Illinois ...................
................."Trixie" the rescue dog...
2021 Essex......... Cadillac SRX
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08-20-2014, 08:16 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 208
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On our 2014 4018, the dealer had it equipped with the L shaped couch. We paid big extra dollars to have it removed and (6 weeks later) replaced with the fold and tumble sofa so we could sleep our adult children as guests when they choose to join us. We are happy with the result. My DW likes to watch the TV stretched out on the couch, and I pull the recliner chair out into the center of the "salon" to watch the TV. Had I factory ordered I would have probably put a TV over the dash, so it was easy to watch when not putting out the front slides. We felt that the two recliners and a televator behind the couch was too restrictive, and only allowed two to comfortably watch TV, while the televator above the fireplace can be functional for viewers in the drivers seat, the passenger seat, the recliner, the couch, and even the dinette table chairs. We did get the outside TV, but have not used the coach enough to see if we like it.
One item I really appreciate is the optional kitchen window behind the sink. It gives some daylight in an otherwise dark corner. I feel it is worth it even if it is not particularly useful in allowing a view of the people and activities in your campsite under the awning. If it were possible to swap the floor plan to have the dining area view out the door side, that would be nice, but likely can not be done with the full wall slide being on the drivers side.
The power drivers window I would have preferred Newmar to have omitted in favour of a larger window with a simple sliding opening like the Entegra uses, without the mullions separating the front part of the window and the upper half above the power section. The bar above the power window rides exactly in my vision, blocking the panorama of the passing mountains.
We find the king size bed spacious and comfortable.
We liked small details, like the single lever fawcets, the dual stainless steel kitchen sinks.
We wish it could have had Oasis hydronic underfloor heat piped beneath the tile floor. We have retrofitted the Oasis engine preheat pump to ensure we can warm up the engine when we have to camp or overnight park in cold conditions without access to power for the block heater. We'd rather not start the gen set when it too is unable to be preheated by a block heater.
Overall we think the floor plan is what best suits our plans, but as it is our first RV, the true "fit" remains to be seen.
Having driven both the 4318 and the 4018 we felt it had a more "sporty" nimble feel on the road than the longer coach. We were prepared to pack a little less in order to fit into smaller National Park or more remote Provincial Park camp sites. Some say even a 40 ft. coach is not suited to either of these locations, but we can hope. One feature we hope will pay off for these goals is the independent front suspension with the ability to cut tighter than some other chassis brands.
All in all we very much like our 4018 so far. Lots to look forward to, and lots we have yet to learn about the coach and this lifestyle. We have really appreciated the help of the kind contributors to this forum, who helped us significantly over the (lengthy) period we were researching our choice.
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08-20-2014, 08:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Salem, Illinois
Posts: 355
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Thanks Tinman for the informative reply.
I agree the 4018 is the rig for us.
At the factory tour I decided the Dutch Star was the coach for us.....then as I look on the internet at each dealers inventory I see the Ventanas and say do I want to pay the extra.......trying to remain firm.....we have a July retirement date so plenty of time.
We have a unit to either sell or trade in.
What has been the experience of selling a rig outright?
I know buying outright from a dealer us the way to go....just don't need stuck with an extra rig.
__________________
Len and Sue Rose .. Lake Centralia, Illinois ...................
................."Trixie" the rescue dog...
2021 Essex......... Cadillac SRX
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