Taking delivery of 2017 Baystar 3401 questions?

[MikeD1]

So my wife and I went a bit crazy and traded our 12 year old Minnie Winnie in on a brand new 3401 at the Qualcom RV show last weekend. Super excited! Taking delivery next Monday, March 3. I've lurked and searched etc., but any items in particular I need to ask about, be aware of before we take delivery? Approx. 2 weeks after taking delivery we'll be heading out on the 2400 mile hike back to Wisconsin. Planning on taking it out of the park and driving around, re-setup etc. at least a couple of times to try for find any early issues before heading out. ANY input is very appreciated!

[sedaliaterry]

Originally Posted by MikeD1

So my wife and I went a bit crazy and traded our 12 year old Minnie Winnie in on a brand new 3401 at the Qualcom RV show last weekend. Super excited! Taking delivery next Monday, March 3. I've lurked and searched etc., but any items in particular I need to ask about, be aware of before we take delivery? Approx. 2 weeks after taking delivery we'll be heading out on the 2400 mile hike back to Wisconsin. Planning on taking it out of the park and driving around, re-setup etc. at least a couple of times to try for find any early issues before heading out. ANY input is very appreciated!

Hi Mike,

I am no expert as this is our 1st MH (BS3113) and we also just picked it up, but so far other than suggesting you do lots of reading on this forum for the wealth of info that is here (which it sounds like you are doing), I would also suggest lots of testing (2wks should give you some time). Get a good walk-through with your dealer and ask lots of questions.

I feel our Walk-Through was lacking because they could not answer all of my questions about things. When I got home and started checking things out on my own, I found the 2nd 1k Inverter (not associated with the Fridge) would not come on. I traced the issue back to the battery compartment (a somewhat hidden pop-breaker on the positive feed cable).

Also do a load test on your batteries. I apparently have a bad one (or more) in my string, as with hardly any load, the 1 inverter (the fridge was not on) ran everything down in about 4 hours. Still have to deal with the dealer on this.

I am sure you will learn a lot while you setup things (as I am) also. Newmar has a lot of good documentation online (Newgle) which you should get setup for as soon as you can (it will be specific to your coach). Also, don't forget to get your warranty items registered before you head out (you coach documentation suitcase will contain a bunch of them).

Enjoy... I am having a ball setting things up..


Terry

[Jtrving]

We too are 1st timers and just picked up a Bay Star 3124 two weeks ago. One thing I wish we had spent more time with were the slides, particularly the full wall slide. Check to make sure all of the gaps are level when it is fully in (from the outside), and slide it in and out 2-3 times to make sure it goes smoothly. We got ours home and one part is bowing out when closed and it makes some horrible noises when it fully closes so it is going back tomorrow.

Same for power awning (to a lesser extent), and I wholeheartedly agree with checking the batteries.

Truth is there is not enough time in the day to go over absolutely everything. Get it home, go over it with a fine toothed comb and be prepared to go back in a week or two to have the (hopefully minor) fixes taken care of and all of your questions answered.

Congrats on the new MH!!

[MikeD1]

Thanks Terry and Jtrving for the excellent responses and ideas, and congrats to both of you on your Newmars as well!

We decided that my wife is also going to video pretty much the whole walk through as I focus on paying attention and asking questions. I am going to continue researching here and on the Newmar site to be as prepared as possible. I’m now really glad that we’ve been seriously using our older Winnebago for the last year to have ideas of what concerns/questions I’ll have.

We also will pretend we’re dry camping here in the RV park for several days starting almost right away to really check out the electrical and plumbing systems and see just how much draw we’re really getting from the residential fridge etc.

I’m definitely paying attention to the full length slide operation/fit as I’m sure that is one of those things that really has to be set up correctly to work right and not give problems on the road.

Thanks again!

[TonyDi]

Mike
Congratulations on your new Baystar. You're gonna love it.

There are several PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) forms that you can find just doing a search. These will give you some direction.

Best suggestion is to video the demos. It will be valuable as a reference when you can't remember how something works. At least take copious notes.

Happy Trails!!!

[Dan McMartin]

Originally Posted by MikeD1

Thanks Terry and Jtrving for the excellent responses and ideas, and congrats to both of you on your Newmars as well!

We decided that my wife is also going to video pretty much the whole walk through as I focus on paying attention and asking questions. I am going to continue researching here and on the Newmar site to be as prepared as possible. I’m now really glad that we’ve been seriously using our older Winnebago for the last year to have ideas of what concerns/questions I’ll have.

We also will pretend we’re dry camping here in the RV park for several days starting almost right away to really check out the electrical and plumbing systems and see just how much draw we’re really getting from the residential fridge etc.

I’m definitely paying attention to the full length slide operation/fit as I’m sure that is one of those things that really has to be set up correctly to work right and not give problems on the road.

Thanks again!

Great idea on the videos. We shot video when we went to the RV show and to a couple of dealers. We wanted to be able to watch them later and remember what was what and hear our impressions.

Having a record of the walk-through would be a good resource down the road when you can't remember how stuff works.

BTW, good luck on the new coach. We're seriously considering ordering a 3113 this summer. Very exciting.

[Patti Brown]

I don't think there's anything crazy about trading in a Winnebago for a Newmar!

[knightstorm]

We have a 3113 that should be coming next week. I don't know exactly when we will pick it up.

[MikeD1]

Thanks Tony, Knightstorm, Dan and Patti It is hard to wait, but I'm trying to use some of the time to research stuff I'll want to be most on top of for the PDI. Congratulations Knightstorm on your soon to be Baystar . . . hope we both enjoy them a lot. Patti, we've enjoyed our 12 year old Minnie Winnie, it has been a great "trainer" for us. But yes, the Newmar is in a different league.

[AITG]

Another recommendation for Newgle ASAP. The manual box is pretty light and the manual is generic for everything Newmar makes. Newgle is everything for your particular coach and it's all downloadable.

[Vanslam]

Here is a link to a PDI list you can use to test mostly everything.

https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/insta...2013PDPRES.pdf

[HavingABlast]

Congratulations, and welcome to the Newmar family. Coming from an RV, you are mostly familiar with most of the usual system related questions. There have been appliance upgrades from your 12 year old Winnebago, so ask about these. Ask about the location of ALL of the GFI plugs in your coach. At some point you will trip one of these, so it is good to know where they are located. Familiarize yourself with the charging system on your new Newmar.

[MikeD1]

Thanks everyone! Great PDI list Vanslam. I have already signed up for and started using a Newgle account. The internet where we are staying is somewhat sporadic so haven't done as much research yet as I want, but will continue doing what I can today and tomorrow . . . only 48 more hours to wait

[Indy Glenn]

Congrats on your new motor home Mike.....

Plenty of good advice and suggestions in this thread for you.

It is a great idea to video the walk-thru.

A couple things come to my mind.....

Since you already are "RV" qualified, so to speak. I would pay particular attention during the walk thru in regards to the change in brands, such as where the dump valves are, tank rinse, low point drains, fuse box, etc. You get the picture.

Also, appliances. Does this have an upgraded fridge perhaps with an ice maker, washer/dryer???

I believe all brands are similar but different in the way things might be laid out and placed.......if this makes sense.

Next, if something goes wrong while you are on your trip, not to worry. You will be given the name and phone number of a brand specialist. (Also on a decal on your drivers side window) Call this specialist if you have any questions or troubles. They will help you by giving advice on how to fix something or getting an RV repairman either to your camp site or an appointment at a Newmar dealer.

We took delivery of our 2017 Canyon Star last September 1st. We did the shake down trip and camped in it as much as we could before we left for Florida for the winter.

We had some issues, before we left, Newmar factory fixed them.

Now that we are back from Florida and living in it for 3 months, I have a definite list of things that need to be looked at or worked on.......nothing that was a trip stopper. The one trip stopper we had was taken care of immediately by the brand specialist by having a mobile RV repair cone to our site........

Also......on our way to Florida, on a Saturday morning I had an issue with the slide - I called the brand specialist - he called me back within 20 minutes and had me on my way in less than 5 minutes.

It's all good. Newmar customer service has been great to us - we are on our second Newmar.

Just take copious notes at the walk thru along with your video.
Keep a running list of issues you may encounter on your long trip.

Go and enjoy your new motor home.....

g