Looking at older Newmar Dutch Stars

[SeaWolfHans]

Is it possible to fit a mini dishwasher in the kitchen? Thanks!

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by SeaWolfHans

Is it possible to fit a mini dishwasher in the kitchen? Thanks!

That would be the last thing I'd want. You'd loose storage space, for sure. Doing dishes is therapeutic! Two people surely don't make many.

[FatChance]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

That would be the last thing I'd want. You'd loose storage space, for sure. Doing dishes is therapeutic! Two people surely don't make many.

Not only that, but flushing the used dish water down the toilet is good for the black tank!

[SeaWolfHans]

While it is easy to do dishes. We just want to have that comfort at the end of the long night to push a button and the next morning the dishes are done.

[moconno]

If you are considering a DutchStar you should consider a mountain aire. I have a low mileage 2 owner coach in excellent condition that I have just listed on RV Trader. Email or call me @ (561)703-7157

[Littlestinky]

Might give a look/see at the old Safari coaches. We love ours.

John and Martha Rowin
Safari Continental Panther 42’

[AnonCO]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We had a 2004 Dutch Star for 8 years of full-timing. It was awesome and we had no issues with it. Never spent a night doing repairs..... just regular maintenance. Ours was 370 hp Spartan/Cummins. We spent the majority of our time in the western mountains and it took the mountain drives effortlessly - up and down. We'd highly recommend that year. If you can find one that has maintenance/repair records that would be an added plus. Good luck!

Just bought a 2000 DS 3859 pusher Cummins/ Allison. 70K miles. $35K from private party second owner. Nice rig. A few minor issues. I had to install all 6 batteries. Tires great. Awnings great. The coach had been inspected one year ago and mechanically sound. Second owner replaced power switch, converter and surge guard. Those are most of the big items. I am a firm Cummins fan after having a 2012 Jaco Seneca for 7 years. Tech guys at Newmar and Spartan have been great to talk to and get part numbers.

[dutch99]

The big difference in the older coaches is, just having one slide, and paint jobs are very different, get rid of the carpet.

If you buy an old coach you need to become an electrician, Carpenter and handyman, I always come home with a longer list of stuff to fix, the good news is it should last forever?

pay for an inspection.

[OkieBill]

I have. 2008 mountain sire that I’m fixing to let go for $169000 if that is something your interested in!

[Autoist]

2 must dos:

1. You are buying a house. Pay for a qualified inspection before purchasing. The price can change depending on what is found.

2. Read the thread on slide motor mounts. If the coach you buy has these loose it's an easy fix with blue thread lock, a torque wrench, and some Nord lock washers.

[Mitchone]

I'm coming from the angle of a seller. In a few months I'll be selling my 2005 Dutchstar. I've been researching what updates owners have done on their coaches. I'm the kind of person that wants to improve not only my lot in life but also to make sure that what I have is an improvement from when I got it. My DutchStar has been a love affair and wonderful to own.


Having said all that, I would say as a buyer I would want a motorhome that has not only been updated but something that's ready to be used. Maintenance records are important, of course. Have a qualified inspector go through the coach to verify not only the soundness of the coach but that whatever updates that were performed were installed correctly.


Here's what I've updated in my motorhome, all these items should be verified not only for operability but quality of installation.


New 15,000 BTU AC Units

Dometic 641816CXX1J0 Penguin II Black 410 Amp Low Profile Rooftop Air Conditioner
Dometic 651816CXX1J0 Penguin II 15,000 BTU Black AC with Heat Pump

Samsung RF197ACBP Fridge

Splendide 2100XC washer and dryer combo

Morningstar Tristar MPPT 45

2 Kyocera KD260GX-LFB 260 Watt solar module, 520 total Watts.

Sirus Solar

LED lights

Silverleaf VMSpc

Winegard Trav’ler

Magnum MS2012 Pure Sine wave Inverter

Magnum AGS (Not Installed)

Air Force One Supplemental Braking system

BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar

4 Lifeline Batteries

Winegard Rayzr Antenna



46" 4K TV inside TV stand and power TV lift.


Winegard Connect +4G LTE



Wood flooring.


The key point is that the motorhome that you purchase should be taken care of, updated, and free of problems, the only way you can ensure is to have an inspector go through it, preferably with you along for the ride.


Just my meandering thoughts. Final advice is: be happy with what you purchase with no regrets. The only way you can make sure of that is that you are heavily involved in your purchase.


I love my DPDS.

[Bob and Lisa]

A thought - I have an '08 Newmar Kountry Star on a Spartan chassis with a 400 Cummins (one down the food chain from Dutch Star line). You might think about the '08s whichever model you chose - most are the '07 chassis so that they don't have emissions "stuff", but you get the Comfort Drive, which really is a blessing for driving. Also, look for one that has been stored inside - I have had to replace a lot of things that I now believe were just "cooked" over time from prolonged outside storage... (expensive air bags for just one example...)

[singpilot]

I bought mine from a dealer in AZ 7 years ago. Had 33k. Many cross country trips with a 20’ enclosed with a Prius in there. Never had a single issue.
Has 67k now. Cummins/Allison on a Spartan.

I’m selling after a bad fall, and will miss it. I’d let the trailer go with it and would entertain an offer. It is in Northern Alabama.

Michael. mbkinmb@aol.com

[dadhanke]

My DW never used the oven and was not enthused with the cook top.
She now uses and induction plate to cook. The new microwave has convection. And she loves the dishwasher.
Easy to swap cooktop/oven for dishwasher.

Get any unit you are looking at inspected by a Certified Inspector!

I admit I am biased toward inspections. I am a NRVIA Certified Inspector.