Community Forums

Benjaminw675 · 07-16-2019, 01:10 PM

We are looking at the Ventana LE and I am curious if anyone has any thoughts positive or negative...

What are the differences between the LE and the Ventana? Is it worth the additional price?

reubenray · 07-16-2019, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjaminw675

We are looking at the Ventana LE and I am curious if anyone has any thoughts positive or negative...

What are the differences between the LE and the Ventana? Is it worth the additional price?

IMHO it depends on how much bling you want. The Ventana has heavier flooring/fancier flooring, more fancier lightning, etc. than the Ventana LE has. This means it will need a bigger engine.

edgray · 07-16-2019, 02:29 PM

The answers to your question can vary by model year. For example, for at least a few years, the LE did not have the "Comfort Drive" system, worth thousands. To make the LE more affordable, they used vinyl flooring instead of tile- things like that.

lass · 07-16-2019, 04:39 PM

You don’t say which model year coach so I would recommend that you go to the Newmar website and download the specifications to compare the 2 units. When I looked at those 2 models, the Ventana had the 360 HP/800 torque Cummins whereas the LE has 340 HP. The biggest difference is the Allison tranny that has an impact on towing. LE had the 2000 series vs the Ventana 3000 series. Ventana has a larger Onan generator, aluminum wheels rather than inserts etc.

As stated previously the LE didn’t receive the Comfort Drive until the 2014 model year

Happy research.

KiteSquid · 07-16-2019, 04:55 PM

Towing capacity.

reubenray · 07-16-2019, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lass

You don’t say which model year coach so I would recommend that you go to the Newmar website and download the specifications to compare the 2 units. When I looked at those 2 models, the Ventana had the 360 HP/800 torque Cummins whereas the LE has 340 HP. The biggest difference is the Allison tranny that has an impact on towing. LE had the 2000 series vs the Ventana 3000 series. Ventana has a larger Onan generator, aluminum wheels rather than inserts etc.

As stated previously the LE didn’t receive the Comfort Drive until the 2014 model year

Happy research.

If the LE model is a 40' model it has the 360 engine and the 3000 Allison. I think the 3709 LE model has this engine in 2019.

vettenuts · 07-16-2019, 09:05 PM

LE has wrapped wood cabinets.

Dutch Star Don · 07-17-2019, 12:27 PM

Look at the specs and the options and make a comparison chart. Then decide what you're willing to live without and what fits your budget.

GCSuper · 07-17-2019, 04:36 PM

I believe the LE only has a 5K towing limit. Smaller motor, smaller trans, smaller tires, the list goes on. It's cheaper for a reason but for some it might be the perfect RV.

RandDescape · 07-17-2019, 04:50 PM

A few folks have already mentioned the towing capacity, but depending upon model and your needs it could be more problematic.

I had a friend looking at ‘19 LE models in the 34’ class. If I remember correctly the GCVWR didn’t allow you to max out the CCC and still tow that 5k toad.

New or used make sure you check out the difference in the GCVWR and the GVWR if that number isn’t bigger than the weight of your toad you have to give up some of the capacity in your coach to stay under the GCVWR.

If the that weight isn’t going to limit you then as Don said comb through the other specs and features to see how much you value those items. The brochures for prior years are out there in the archives.

Benjaminw675 · 07-18-2019, 04:47 AM

Thank you for the info! We are planning a 10 week trip towing a wrangler so I am concerned our weight might exceed the limits on the LE. Hopefully we can make the budget work with the Ventana.

Does anyone has a real sense of what margins the dealers have on these coaches? What % off MSRP for a new coach would be a good deal?

reubenray · 07-18-2019, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjaminw675

Thank you for the info! We are planning a 10 week trip towing a wrangler so I am concerned our weight might exceed the limits on the LE. Hopefully we can make the budget work with the Ventana.

Does anyone has a real sense of what margins the dealers have on these coaches? What % off MSRP for a new coach would be a good deal?

The better dealers will give you around 27% off. What part of the country are you in?

You will get more answers from Newmar owners if you ask your questions in the Newmar thread posted below.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/

driftboater1 · 07-18-2019, 08:41 AM

We bought a 2017 LE 4002 last summer. It has the Cummins 360 and can FLAT tow 10,000lb. However it is only rated for 5000lb trailer tow due to the 500lb tongue weight limit (10% of load). The LE fit our price range and for us the vinyl flooring avoided some of the higher end bling features that don't appeal to us as they do to others. Individual choice. We put about 7,000 miles on ours this winter and have been very pleased with our choice. Hauls our Jeep Grand Cherokee without issue. Good luck on your decision!

Solo_RV_Guy · 07-18-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjaminw675

Thank you for the info! We are planning a 10 week trip towing a wrangler so I am concerned our weight might exceed the limits on the LE. Hopefully we can make the budget work with the Ventana.

Does anyone has a real sense of what margins the dealers have on these coaches? What % off MSRP for a new coach would be a good deal?

Do some reading on Jeep Death Wobble. Doesn't affect every model and only happens with certain model year Jeeps. If yours is not one of them, you're all good, if it IS, there are fixes.

A video was posted a couple days ago showing a Jeep "wagging" a tag axle Class A DP. Scary stuff.