Community Forums

JCAT · 03-03-2018, 06:57 PM

We have spent weeks gathering information about the 2019 Renegade LE LRB and the 2019 Dynamax DX3 37RB to make an informed purchase decision. Recognizing that the purchase of almost any coach requires compromises; we are sorting through a litany of data, features and the few options to determine which would best serve our intended use; Trips nationally, 1-3 months duration.

Our previous and last coach was a Newmar London Aire that we sold a year ago thinking we were through with RVing. Apparently not quite, as we are now considering these Super "C" platforms for a number of reasons.

We would appreciate some guidance from those having experience with either of the two coaches. Regarding; handling, maintenance, options, what works and what doesn't work, etc.

Thank you,

John

dadej · 03-05-2018, 06:37 AM

I was ready to buy these two years ago but they would not put on the freightliner 112 platform with the larger motor. I know people say there is enough power but I just think it is borderline close to not enough power for the weight. You can see what I went with and I can tell you my D-13 Volvo has enough power. The 12 speed Volvo transmission is WAY better and smoother than the 6 speed allison.

netjam · 03-05-2018, 09:47 AM

Looked at both the DX3 and Renegade Verona (bunkhouse ones not rb) eventually ordering the Verona. Choose the Verona for its perceived quality (not sure that is true) and had it for almost a year. Low power issue noted by previous poster is very true but budget etc kept us looking in this range. My only advise would be to buy local.....makes warranty work easier.

JCAT · 03-05-2018, 05:03 PM

I drove the Renegade LE today for the first time and have to agree that the power is border-line. I went to the London Aire just to get more power, but retirement budget presents some constraints. Not sure what I will do at this point.

JCAT · 03-05-2018, 05:15 PM

The quality aspect is also important to me; especially in the area of mechanics and electrical systems. We over did our analysis of the two coaches I believe and the final decision still seems based upon a few prominent differences. But, in the process learned a lot about both coaches and companies.

And yes, I agree that being close to a service center is important and fortunately we are only 30 minutes from a large dealer.

Thanks for sharing.

JCAT · 03-05-2018, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadej

I was ready to buy these two years ago but they would not put on the freightliner 112 platform with the larger motor. I know people say there is enough power but I just think it is borderline close to not enough power for the weight. You can see what I went with and I can tell you my D-13 Volvo has enough power. The 12 speed Volvo transmission is WAY better and smoother than the 6 speed allison.

I Just researched your selection - very interesting. I had not considered this configuration. It means when you are at a Park that you detach and your ride is a rather beast of a vehicle. I plan to research this further. Thanks

rebelsbeach · 03-05-2018, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCAT

I drove the Renegade LE today for the first time and have to agree that the power is border-line. I went to the London Aire just to get more power, but retirement budget presents some constraints. Not sure what I will do at this point.

Back in '07 I owned an Essex that had a ton of issues and Newmar and I made a deal to put me in the '08 version of the London Aire, which is a lot different that today's LA. I traveled full time for several years and then made the decision to come off the road and be nearer my daughter and new grandson in a stick and brick.... Fast forward to a year or so ago and much like you, I decided to get back into rv'ing with my better half. As she had never RV'ed before, I chose to not have a ton of money invested in a coach and went Super C. We traveled to North Trail and kicked a lot of tires and landed on a Verona LE.
I will agree that it's not going to be a mountain climber that either the Essex or London Aire would be, but I made a decision that the "mountains out west" would be a small percentage of our travels. I've been back and forth from Virginia Beach to Florida several times and I've run anywhere from 65-70 on the Interstates.... What I have found is that the more you stay at 70, the faster the fuel goes out of the tank.... Ideal speed I think is somewhere around 65-68 mph. The "old me" was a younger "faster" me and I loved the Spartan K3 with the 600 hp. While I'm not that old, (60) I have changed the way I travel and I'm just not in that much of a hurry anymore.

My Verona LE will never be a speedster, but it does get you down the highway and when you stop, you've got a rather nice appointed rig. The cabinetry and woodwork in this coach is beautiful and while it doesn't have all the bells and whistles like Silverleaf and Comfort Drive that the Newmar has, you have to remember that you spent 250k or less.
If you're addicted to the four slide, three a/c, bells and whistle version that you sold recently, you'll never be happy in either Super C.
To get anywhere near those bells and whistles in a Super C, you'll need to consider an Ikon for about 500k or better.

If you're looking to spend 250k or less and can accept that in the highest mountain grades you'll be in the mid 50 mph range and you'd be happy with a rather nicely appointed rig, then I'd tell you to consider the Renegade.
My Verona LE has the 450D Aqua Hot which heats the rig nicely and provides constant hot water. I don't think the Verona model has the Aqua Hot.

Sorry it's long winded, but I wanted to voice my thoughts... Happy Hunting!!

JCAT · 03-06-2018, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebelsbeach

Back in '07 I owned an Essex that had a ton of issues and Newmar and I made a deal to put me in the '08 version of the London Aire, which is a lot different that today's LA. I traveled full time for several years and then made the decision to come off the road and be nearer my daughter and new grandson in a stick and brick.... Fast forward to a year or so ago and much like you, I decided to get back into rv'ing with my better half. As she had never RV'ed before, I chose to not have a ton of money invested in a coach and went Super C. We traveled to North Trail and kicked a lot of tires and landed on a Verona LE.
I will agree that it's not going to be a mountain climber that either the Essex or London Aire would be, but I made a decision that the "mountains out west" would be a small percentage of our travels. I've been back and forth from Virginia Beach to Florida several times and I've run anywhere from 65-70 on the Interstates.... What I have found is that the more you stay at 70, the faster the fuel goes out of the tank.... Ideal speed I think is somewhere around 65-68 mph. The "old me" was a younger "faster" me and I loved the Spartan K3 with the 600 hp. While I'm not that old, (60) I have changed the way I travel and I'm just not in that much of a hurry anymore.

My Verona LE will never be a speedster, but it does get you down the highway and when you stop, you've got a rather nice appointed rig. The cabinetry and woodwork in this coach is beautiful and while it doesn't have all the bells and whistles like Silverleaf and Comfort Drive that the Newmar has, you have to remember that you spent 250k or less.
If you're addicted to the four slide, three a/c, bells and whistle version that you sold recently, you'll never be happy in either Super C.
To get anywhere near those bells and whistles in a Super C, you'll need to consider an Ikon for about 500k or better.

If you're looking to spend 250k or less and can accept that in the highest mountain grades you'll be in the mid 50 mph range and you'd be happy with a rather nicely appointed rig, then I'd tell you to consider the Renegade.
My Verona LE has the 450D Aqua Hot which heats the rig nicely and provides constant hot water. I don't think the Verona model has the Aqua Hot.

Sorry it's long winded, but I wanted to voice my thoughts... Happy Hunting!!

I truly appreciated the post - it is helpful in that it re-states/validates many of my conclusions. We look at the LE LRB as a scaled back version of our LA 4553, still with most of the function and some of the looks, just not at the level of an LA or as you point out - a lot less price. Actually, this time I want simpler and reliable with some comfort that can move us from one place to another safely.

I hope this coach does all of that because we are planning to finally place an order today pending a request to swap position of the Dinette and Theater seating units.

When you are in the vicinity of SW FL let us know sometime - we are here FT now at least until we start traveling again in the Fall.

Frank Tamez · 03-06-2018, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebelsbeach

Back in '07 I owned an Essex that had a ton of issues and Newmar and I made a deal to put me in the '08 version of the London Aire, which is a lot different that today's LA. I traveled full time for several years and then made the decision to come off the road and be nearer my daughter and new grandson in a stick and brick.... Fast forward to a year or so ago and much like you, I decided to get back into rv'ing with my better half. As she had never RV'ed before, I chose to not have a ton of money invested in a coach and went Super C. We traveled to North Trail and kicked a lot of tires and landed on a Verona LE.
I will agree that it's not going to be a mountain climber that either the Essex or London Aire would be, but I made a decision that the "mountains out west" would be a small percentage of our travels. I've been back and forth from Virginia Beach to Florida several times and I've run anywhere from 65-70 on the Interstates.... What I have found is that the more you stay at 70, the faster the fuel goes out of the tank.... Ideal speed I think is somewhere around 65-68 mph. The "old me" was a younger "faster" me and I loved the Spartan K3 with the 600 hp. While I'm not that old, (60) I have changed the way I travel and I'm just not in that much of a hurry anymore.

My Verona LE will never be a speedster, but it does get you down the highway and when you stop, you've got a rather nice appointed rig. The cabinetry and woodwork in this coach is beautiful and while it doesn't have all the bells and whistles like Silverleaf and Comfort Drive that the Newmar has, you have to remember that you spent 250k or less.
If you're addicted to the four slide, three a/c, bells and whistle version that you sold recently, you'll never be happy in either Super C.
To get anywhere near those bells and whistles in a Super C, you'll need to consider an Ikon for about 500k or better.

If you're looking to spend 250k or less and can accept that in the highest mountain grades you'll be in the mid 50 mph range and you'd be happy with a rather nicely appointed rig, then I'd tell you to consider the Renegade.
My Verona LE has the 450D Aqua Hot which heats the rig nicely and provides constant hot water. I don't think the Verona model has the Aqua Hot.

Sorry it's long winded, but I wanted to voice my thoughts... Happy Hunting!!

Very well said.

Frank Tamez · 03-06-2018, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadej

I was ready to buy these two years ago but they would not put on the freightliner 112 platform with the larger motor. I know people say there is enough power but I just think it is borderline close to not enough power for the weight. You can see what I went with and I can tell you my D-13 Volvo has enough power. The 12 speed Volvo transmission is WAY better and smoother than the 6 speed allison.

As to the 112 Chassis.... You can get that in the Explorer. In fact. IWS has one.

https://iwsmotorcoaches.com/FW_Inven...ate.php?p=1496

JCAT · 03-06-2018, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Tamez

As to the 112 Chassis.... You can get that in the Explorer. In fact. IWS has one.

https://iwsmotorcoaches.com/FW_Inven...ate.php?p=1496

Frank - that's a beautiful piece of equipment. I did come across this one during weeks of research. I would have jumped on it if the price were in our budget. Everything I would have liked. However, I am learning to live on a "fixed" income - much more difficult after years of financial indiscretion.

So, we ordered the Renegade LE RB for an August delivery.

rebelsbeach · 03-06-2018, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCAT

When you are in the vicinity of SW FL let us know sometime - we are here FT now at least until we start traveling again in the Fall.

John, we are presently in Fort Myers at Cypress Woods RV Resort off Luckett Road until at least the first week of April, so if you're anywhere nearby we'd love to catch up and we'd even be happy to show you our coach... I'm not sure if you're aware that we took out the sleeper couch and had North Trail install the theater seating, a win-win in our mind.

Bob