Newmar Reputation

[wil01]

I’m very sorry to have come to the conclusion that Newmar quality does not live up to its reputation.

1. There are all the slide problems. I’ve not had a slide problem with my 2007 Kountry Star yet, but I know an owner that has a $2,700 repair bill for slide failure. Then there are all the reports of slide problems with very expensive rigs where owners must use unique methods to make the slides operate without damage. Operating the slides should be a non-event.

2. Then there are all the dash air conditioning problems. I do have that problem, and my rig is unusable with an outside temperature above 80 degrees F. This is really unacceptable. My rig is in the shop now trying to correct the problem. Even if it gets corrected, the cost of repair is not acceptable – my goodness, my 1999 Honda AC still works just great.

I am very disappointed. I have owned RVs and MHs since 1960. My 2007 Newmar Kountry Star has had more problems than all the rest together. It’s a real pity because Newmar should be better.

Good Luck!
Wil

[wildtoad]

To be fair, my wife had a 2005 Honda CRV and at 50000 miles the AC compressor disintegrated! Called Honda and they said it would be covered as they had thousands of them fail. Sorry you are having a problem with your Newmar as I'm looking to buy a gasser one in the next 6 months.

[bokobird]

I have an 07 Kountry Star for around 18 months now and have had none of the problems you are having. Perhaps your coach has experienced some rougher miles than mine.

[hawgguy]

Sorry to hear of your problems. Newmar is generally regarded as one of the best of the best. I don't own one now, but I have in the past. Realize that all MH manufacturers are, to some degree, at the mercy of component manufactures. The failing slide or dash AC are probably due to failed components rather that a failure of design, engineering or construction. All MH have to meet a certain price point to stay in business. I think all MH have an abundance of Chinese motors & electrical components. Pretend you are the CEO/CFO, what do you think you would do?

[datrbone8]

I have a 1998 Dutch Star with 90,000 miles. We just finished a 3,200 mile tour of national parks. I had one problem- a very slight drip from the black water valve. Replaced it in around 45 minutes after getting a new part from the hardware store in West Yellowstone. Other than that the thing has been bombproof for the over 3 years I've owned it. Everything works as it should and other than maintenance I've had to do nothing to keep it going. I think the fact that there are so many older units still running the roads is a testament to their quality. It was what lead me to buy this one in the first place

[millerj]

I have a 2012 Newmar Ventana and have had over 40 issues of one kind or another almost all related to the coach and none to the chassis, engine or transmission. I believe for the amount of money spent there should be a much longer warranty than the one year provided by Newmar. This is my first motorhome and my understanding is warranties were longer in previous years than they are today. Due to the complexity of the units one year is not adequate. I think a longer warranty may result in the coach builders insisting on better quality from their suppliers so the components used are more robust and less likely to failure. With my coach the problems have primarily been component failures or quality issues and not been design related. I have also noticed some component suppliers have reduced their warranties from three to one year over the last several years.

["007"]

Since the first of the month when you said you loved your 2007 KS what has made you feel differently?
A trouble with your dash AC which maybe a simple fix which should not cost you a lot, you seem to worry more about newer coach's that have nothing to do with you enjoying your 2007 KS.
It seems some on the forum feel the same way about Newmar as you do and I do not understand why.
Any coach MFG is going to have problems but if you like to let them cause you all this aggravation than maybe you are in the wrong lifestyle and should look for some other recreation to enjoy.
I have owned 6 RV's MH's over 35 years the last three Newmars that were not perfect but not something I would get upset about with the problems I had with them, I just fixed the problems with the three and went about enjoying there usefulness for what I wanted from them to travel to many places we would not have been able to go with out them.
The dash AC problem has been discussed many times on the forum and its not something with just Newmar any coach of different MFG's with a Evans cooling system has the same problem.
Slide problems are created by people not following the procedures on how to use them correctly. If you do not want a FWS do not buy one.
All RV refrigerators can have problems and they all have recalls both Norcold & Dometic.
If you read the stickies at the top of forums you will learn what they are and the answers to correct the problems.
I would concentrate on your problem with your 2007 KS get it fix and go about enjoying your coach.
What ever problems you have with the coach maybe because the previous owner did not maintain the coach as you have been since you purchased it, the maintenance of your coach will be a non stop item as you use it over the years you will own it, just as you need to do with your house if you own one.
Enjoy your coach and safe travels.

[zman62]

Originally Posted by "007"

Since the first of the month when you said you loved your 2007 KS what has made you feel differently?
A trouble with your dash AC which maybe a simple fix which should not cost you a lot, you seem to worry more about newer coach's that have nothing to do with you enjoying your 2007 KS.
It seems some on the forum feel the same way about Newmar as you do and I do not understand why.
Any coach MFG is going to have problems but if you like to let them cause you all this aggravation than maybe you are in the wrong lifestyle and should look for some other recreation to enjoy.
I have owned 6 RV's MH's over 35 years the last three Newmars that were not perfect but not something I would get upset about with the problems I had with them, I just fixed the problems with the three and went about enjoying there usefulness for what I wanted from them to travel to many places we would not have been able to go with out them.
The dash AC problem has been discussed many times on the forum and its not something with just Newmar any coach of different MFG's with a Evans cooling system has the same problem.
Slide problems are created by people not following the procedures on how to use them correctly. If you do not want a FWS do not buy one.
All RV refrigerators can have problems and they all have recalls both Norcold & Dometic.
If you read the stickies at the top of forums you will learn what they are and the answers to correct the problems.
I would concentrate on your problem with your 2007 KS get it fix and go about enjoying your coach.
What ever problems you have with the coach maybe because the previous owner did not maintain the coach as you have been since you purchased it, the maintenance of your coach will be a non stop item as you use it over the years you will own it, just as you need to do with your house if you own one.
Enjoy your coach and safe travels.

Well said...... I think sometimes people feel their coach will be like their car as far as reliability. Its a rolling house that needs little things here and there. If one is not able then they have to go to shops and pay a hefty hourly rate. These things require tinkering and if someone doesn't realize that going in it can be a let down. I have had 12 coaches over the years. I do all my own work and think my LA is by far the best workmanship I have seen In any coach I have worked on. I also think Newmars customer service is second to none.

[Mr_D]

Having had two Newmars (00' DSDP 3865 and '02 4090) and now a CC I can honestly say: I wish we had kept the '02 DSDP or bought a 2015 4375 like my wife wanted!

["007"]

You should have listened to your wife she knew, I miss you over here with out a new Newmar, its a bummer not owning one on my side also, envy all the new owners and these new coach's.
Drove my first MADP for a friend who's sick and not doing to well, I have it setting in my yard, the few miles I drove it from a camp ground where it set all winter was quite a experience couldn't get use to air brakes, but we all made it home, great coach Spartan MM chassis.

[Dutch Star Don]

"007".....Good post! Many often forget or don't realize that the people on these forums probably represent less than 5% of the RVing population. Often, the few that are having issues come here to find solutions, so often it looks like a reported problem is more widespread than it is.

As stated, these aren't vehicles built on a computerized assembly line by the thousands. They're hand built rolling earthquakes. An air conditioning failure 8+ years after it was built and not exercised everyday like a car is, is not a design flaw or manufacturer quality issue.

Sure there are things on my coach that I'm not happy with, but rather than agonize over them, I just fix them and move on. It was the same way with my Diplomat, Fleetwood Terra, Fleetwood Jamboree and 3 Lance campers.

As I think about it, if you think Newmar is not making a quality product, why not go buy one of the other brands and then come back here in a year and report your findings.

[Miramichi]

I can understand things at times get frustrating. Wether an 07 or a 2016, well, things happen.

I knew up front (by reading a lot) that ownership of my 09 DSDP would be a journey. Not only where it would bring me but in the maintenance I would be performing.

I personally don't mind tinkering and enjoy the challenge and learning experience. Besides it does open a window to me meeting and talking with other nice folks that have endured similar issues.

What I have seen (and this is not limited to RV ownership), is that the level of anxiety, frustration and tendency to defame a manufacturer tend to be escalated if the said person has minimal mechanical aptitude. Now that's not to say some machines are better than others, they are. Just trying to express that sometimes emotions cloud the mind.

I am babbling now, so time for coffee.

[DGBPokes]

I am on my fourth motor home, last two were Newmar. This one s a '07 KSDP. The first two were from separate manufactures. Newmar quality, service, part availability, and support is head and shoulders better than brand x and y.

With that said, if you took your " bricks and sticks" house down I-40, you wouldn't make it 10 miles before it was a pile on ruble. Or, look at a mobile home, that has been relocated a couple of times.....junk. Frankly, as I drive this heavy, complex piece of equipment down some of our Interstate highways, I am amazed that anything works.

From what I hear boat owners say, seems like something is always needing repair in them, as well.

Hope things improve for you, yep, things break, some times it is frustrating and expensive. And some products fail, cars built before a holiday.... And there are lemons.

Good luck. I am very pleased with my Newmar experience.

[Sky_Boss]

First, I am not dismissing the OP's opinion and their individual experiences. I take them for face value as being valid for them as reason to generate their overall feelings. That being said...

Reputation for ANYTHING is generally best looked at as a whole, not an individual level. If there are 10,000 widgets out there and 10 of them don't work should the 10 widgets drag down the reputation of the other 9990 widgets? For the most part I would say no but there could be some rare cases they could and should especially if those 10 widgets can cause total product failure, serious injury, death and such.

Also, having been in the business of quality control and obtaining consumer input there is a fairly consistent theme. The theme is that happy people tend to keep relatively quiet and unhappy people tend to be extremely vocal. 10 extremely vocal people can drown out a lot of the "silent majority". This can be easily affect the impression that novices with little overall knowledge might take away from such discussions. It could be a fairly scary thing for them to jump into a discussion and see 10 people hammering away with little rebuttal of substance. Let face it, the opinion of 1 person complaining about things will tend to carry more weight for some than 10 counter opinions.

The internet seems to be an echo chamber for the negative more so than the positive. Angry/frustrated people can pound away at the keyboard to deal with those feelings and there is little in the way to validate the voracity of their complaints and how common they are across the product spectrum.

Finally there is that argument that by sheer price ($$$) of these machines should guarantee flawless performance. I would suggest that folks with that mindset consider looking into Boeing, or any other manufacturer of complex systems. It could scare you! However, I do agree that 1 year warranty are a bit slim especially for those that don't use the coaches full time and don't put them through the paces quickly to find their own special, personal "Punch List".