Previously Loved 2000 Dutch Star 38'

[Desertboyz]

You must really like floral fabric!

Originally Posted by tomgrigsby

Congrats - I think you're going to love it. We have a 2000 3851 - different floor plan but a very similar couch! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about yours. We've had ours for about a year and I've learned quite a lot about the systems.

[tomgrigsby]

Originally Posted by Desertboyz

You must really like floral fabric!

It's pretty old school alright - might be something my grandmother would have liked. With the dark wood and burgundy seats it has grown on me

[mikee409]

Check the exhaust manifold for cracks. Our 2001 330 hp Cummins Dutchstar had the manifold replaced prior to our ownership. The job wasn't done right and the gasket leaked.
I didn't catch it till the manifold was washed out . $2800. later I had a new manifold installed. Check the ball joints also. We had to replace them & that was $3500.
It was our 1st motor home purchase, I guess you could say young & dumb.
I also learned that big rig tires cost way more than class C tires. That was another $3000. right off the start.
Nice rig but to expensive for my blood. Kept it 6 years and sold it. We down sized to a class A Winnie that's just less than 30 foot long and gas powered.
Get ready for sticker shock if you take it to the Cummins dealer in Houston. They charged me $300 up front to just put it on the rack & tell me the ball joints were worn, something I already knew. Then they wanted $8000 to fix the front end.
We took it to Heightman truck repair just down the road and got a much better price $3500.
Best wishes the Newmar was a nice rig and we liked it. Mike

[Eight_Bit]

Originally Posted by Alpine36

While we love our old Alpine our friends have a 01 DS38. Great rig, and about on par with the repairs/upgrades we've done. You'll find a wealth of information and great folks with much experience on this forum.
Congratulations on your purchase, now get out and have fun with it.
Oh, post some pictures too!

Thanks...Will post some pics after we pick it up, the wait is killing me.

[Eight_Bit]

Originally Posted by mikee409

Check the exhaust manifold for cracks. Our 2001 330 hp Cummins Dutchstar had the manifold replaced prior to our ownership. The job wasn't done right and the gasket leaked.
I didn't catch it till the manifold was washed out . $2800. later I had a new manifold installed. Check the ball joints also. We had to replace them & that was $3500.
It was our 1st motor home purchase, I guess you could say young & dumb.
I also learned that big rig tires cost way more than class C tires. That was another $3000. right off the start.
Nice rig but to expensive for my blood. Kept it 6 years and sold it. We down sized to a class A Winnie that's just less than 30 foot long and gas powered.
Get ready for sticker shock if you take it to the Cummins dealer in Houston. They charged me $300 up front to just put it on the rack & tell me the ball joints were worn, something I already knew. Then they wanted $8000 to fix the front end.
We took it to Heightman truck repair just down the road and got a much better price $3500.
Best wishes the Newmar was a nice rig and we liked it. Mike

Appreciate the heads-up on the dealer in Houston. I'm a retired trucker, and know a few independent shops in the area.
I did a lot of my own class 8 repairs back in the day, not so much these days especially ball joints !

If our plan works out, there's no telling what our next rig will be like. My wife likes small (minimalist forever) and I prefer big...We started looking at 5'rs and Cs and went up from there.

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by Eight_Bit

If our plan works out, there's no telling what our next rig will be like. My wife likes small (minimalist forever) and I prefer big...We started looking at 5'rs and Cs and went up from there.

yup, like a boat owner, suffering from "2 footitus!"