Newmar Ventana or Dutch Stars with Bunks

[jondrew55]

We have a 6-year old and occasionally she brings a friend. Occasionally my older son comes with us too. Higher end MHs don't generally have bunk models. Newmar makes 3 coaches with bunks I am interested in.

Ventana 4316
Dutch Star 4313
Dutch Star 4312

Just on paper my ideal floor plan would be the DS 4313 with a pair of recliners replacing the hide-a-bed which faces the TV. Our local dealer didn't have any of these models on the lot. Does anyone have any of these models they could share some interior pictures of?

[VP Chianese]

Originally Posted by jondrew

We have a 6-year old and occasionally she brings a friend. Occasionally my older son comes with us too. Higher end MHs don't generally have bunk models. Newmar makes 3 coaches with bunks I am interested in.

Ventana 4316
Dutch Star 4313
Dutch Star 4312

Just on paper my ideal floor plan would be the DS 4313 with a pair of recliners replacing the hide-a-bed which faces the TV. Our local dealer didn't have any of these models on the lot. Does anyone have any of these models they could share some interior pictures of?

Just my Opinion. But I do not think the resale on a bunk model would be that great. Check with Newmar and I'd bet you will find the build rate for bunk beds is very low. For the occasional event as you describe a DS 4369 with two couches, instead of one couch and the two recliners may be a better option.

[STEVE-JUNELL]

Jmo we have 4 children that travel with us and prefer the 2 couches they are easy to make the beds and in the am you can flip them up and don't ha e all the wasted space of a bunk. Also the children aren't sleeping right outside your bedroom door.

[Luv2go]

Our 2008 CSCA is a bunkhouse and we love it. No need to make up beds every day and we have enough space with the slides out to make everyone happy. We really like being able to use the living room after the kids go to bed. We are not too concerned about resale as we are planning on keeping it until the kids grew up, but it looks like it's value is similar to the other CSCA floorplans. If you're willing to consider gas a quick google search shows RV Trader has a couple listed, there are probably more if you did a better search.

[sassyannie]

Not sure where you'll be camping with a 43 footer but a word of caution.....most campgrounds cannot comfortably accommodate rigs over 40' and even then, it's hairy. As far as resale value, don't worry about it. You purchase what you need, use it and enjoy. Resale value isn't greatest for any of our Class A's.

[MikeGriffin]

Sassy,

I plan to do a LOT of camping all over the country in my 43' coach. I've done a lot of research on this and, by far, owners of 40'+ RVs will tell you that they rarely have problems finding places to camp. Restrictions are mainly in some state/national parks. We actually sat in a 43' rig several hours at the Tampa show and asked just about everyone who walked in if they had a problem finding places to park their big rig. I don't recall anyone saying a flat-out "no". Several said they had experienced problems in some parks, but they just went to another one nearby.

Just curious where you get that "most campgrounds cannot comfortably accommodate rigs over 40' and even then, it's hairy". That runs contrary to every bit of research I've done over the past two years.

Also, regarding resale value you mention that it "isn't the greatest" for the Class A's. I don't think anyone would argue that these things depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot, but I think you'll find that resale values for diesel pushers are not that bad. In fact, in some cases I've been very surprised at how much money people are getting for their used DPs.

Mike

[tomakat]

Originally Posted by jondrew

We have a 6-year old and occasionally she brings a friend. Occasionally my older son comes with us too. Higher end MHs don't generally have bunk models. Newmar makes 3 coaches with bunks I am interested in.

Ventana 4316
Dutch Star 4313
Dutch Star 4312

Just on paper my ideal floor plan would be the DS 4313 with a pair of recliners replacing the hide-a-bed which faces the TV. Our local dealer didn't have any of these models on the lot. Does anyone have any of these models they could share some interior pictures of?

Here's a video of a family with 12 kids in their 2015 DS4312 (if you decide to bring your daughter's girl scout troup):

:-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll9-6RdGl0c

[jondrew55]

Good thing I've already found the pictures I was looking for.

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by tomakat

Here's a video of a family with 12 kids in their 2015 DS4312 (if you decide to have any more kids or bring your daughter's girl scout troup):

:-)

Thanks. I saw your "Moving in" Video. Didn't think I'd like that rear bunk configuration, but seeing in the video it's obviously the way to go.

Since I've only got one 6-Year old I think my definition of "quiet" is a bit different.

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by tomakat

Here's a video of a family with 12 kids in their 2015 DS4312 (if you decide to bring your daughter's girl scout troup):

:-)

Oops, tomakat.. Just realized this wasn't your video

[tomakat]

Originally Posted by jondrew

Oops, tomakat.. Just realized this wasn't your video

12 kids???

[allynne]

Sassy You are absolutely incorrect saying that few RV parks can take MH over 40 Ft. I have traveled the country N to S and E to W and have not ever been able to find an RV park that could NOT handle my 43 ft. Mt. Aire.

You will find some that have length limits, but they are not the rule. You just have to check just as you do to see if they are full or have a vacancy for you.

Al Sawyer
'05 Mt. Aire

[jondrew55]

Just to make it official, I've found lots of photos so everyone feel free to hijack the thread about other subjects

[tomakat]

Originally Posted by jondrew

Just to make it official, I've found lots of photos so everyone feel free to hijack the thread about other subjects

Can anyone recommend a good doggie daycare in the south orange county area? (just kidding).