Community Forums

TJ · 09-12-2017, 12:38 PM

This is getting expensive! In looking at putting a satellite dish on the 2014 Ventana LE...and, some other upgrades...my wife has started looking at new Dutch Stars. Yikes, this makes the cost of a satellite dish pale in comparison.

Anyway, we are looking at the Dutch Star 4018 for possibly ordering in the next few months. We live on a country lane that ends in a cul de sac at our house. There are four homes around a 90' diameter cul de sac. We can pretty easily maneuver the Ventana LE 3436 around the circle and into our driveway. How much larger turning circle will the DS 4018 have? Does the passive-steer tag axle help in this regard?

Being able to loop around the 90' cul de sac and into our driveway is pretty much a requirement. I suppose I could unhook the 2014 Honda CRV "towed" before coming down the lane and then back and fill until I get lined up with the driveway, but that would not be ideal.

Comments, anyone?

TJ

Skip426 · 09-12-2017, 12:45 PM

Do you have a Newmar dealer in mind ?
Do they have that length unit in stock ?
If they won't let you drive one home ( I'm sure they will ) you could take it to a mall parking lot and do some tight circles , and dig out a tape measure.

TJ · 09-12-2017, 12:50 PM

We have not yet identified a dealer (though Guaranty RV in Oregon is one possibility) and we plan to pick up the special order coach at the factory. Good idea, however. Has anyone out there with a DS 4018 done this...and, what did you find?

Dutch Star Don · 09-12-2017, 07:19 PM

I live on a cul-de-sac with four homes in the radius. My Dutch Star can make the loop.

Stripe34 · 09-13-2017, 07:00 AM

Our DSDP can do a U-turn in 3 wide lanes or 4 regular ones. 90' no problem!

tjZ06 · 09-13-2017, 10:24 AM

I don't know the exact number, but my '17 DSDP 4018 turns much tighter than the '09 Southwind 34' gasser I had before. With the IFS allowing tons of wheel cut and the steering tag the DSDP turns around in a typical cul-de-sac. Gassers don't have a great turning radius because the front leaf springs limits front wheel cut.

-TJ

ghaynes754 · 09-13-2017, 01:08 PM

TJ depending on how you are towing, wheels down or on a dolly, will determine whether you can back up if I am reading your post correctly. Wheels down, you can't back up a toad. On a dolly I guess it would be possible but pretty difficult.

tjZ06 · 09-13-2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghaynes754

TJ depending on how you are towing, wheels down or on a dolly, will determine whether you can back up if I am reading your post correctly. Wheels down, you can't back up a toad. On a dolly I guess it would be possible but pretty difficult.

I was speaking for the RV itself. I tow a stacker trailer, not a TOAD so that's a different scenario. The tongue on my trailer is long enough that I can go full-lock, so in my case I can turn the whole thing around in the same space as the coach alone.

-TJ

TJ · 09-13-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghaynes754

TJ depending on how you are towing, wheels down or on a dolly, will determine whether you can back up if I am reading your post correctly. Wheels down, you can't back up a toad. On a dolly I guess it would be possible but pretty difficult.

Yes, I am very aware that I can't back up with the "toad" (or "towed"). If I need to back up, I would unhook the "toad" before heading down our lane. It is looking like I should be able to make the loop around the cul de sac as I have been doing with the Ventana LE 3436.

The 4018 (or 4002 the wife is now looking at) has only a 46" more wheelbase than the 3436 and looks like it has just slightly more wheel cut angle. Since we easily make the loop now, I think we should be able to make it with the 40' Dutch Star as well if I am careful.

Thanks for the input, folks.

TJ