1996 Newmar Class A
Anyone have experience with a 1996 Newmar Dutch Star 3658? This is a gas MH with 59,000 miles on it. Is this too old to consider buying? It does have dual axles.
Forum Discussion
Yes. My first motorhome was this model on a Ford F-53 Chassis.
Too old to consider? That depends on the condition of the motorhome and if you're willing to do repairs as they are needed.
If the one you're looking at has the Ford chassis, it will have a 460 engine that is very durable, but has a tendency to crack exhaust manifolds. If you hear a clicking sound from the engine, suspect a cracked exhaust manifold. Mine had this problem when I bought it, and still had the same problem (no worse) when I sold it a year later. Expect 6 to 6.5 miles per gallon on trips.
Newmar has a good reputation, and builds good motorhomes. The "dual axle" will be a standard rear axle with an air bag type tag axle (with on-board air compressor)-(added by Newmar to support additional weight). The tag axle has it's own braking system, slaved to the hydraulic brakes of the ford braking system. I had the tag axle brake controller fail on mine, and the manufacturer was no longer in business. Newmar promptly supplied the repair shop with info, engineering sheets, etc to allow a different brake controller to be fitted to the coach. Support from Newmar was very good.
The Ford F-53 brake system requires annual lubrication of the caliper slides, and changing of the brake fluid every 24 months. Early on, there were problems with the pistons in the brake calipers swelling and sticking, causing dragging brakes. By now, I'd bet all those calipers have been replaced on the one you're considering.
I looked at and drove a lot of motorhomes before buying the Newmar, and it drove better than any of the other gas models that I looked at. Having said that, you will still feel some "push" when an 18 wheeler passes you. Adding a rear and front track bar will eliminate that "push".
I've probably gone into way more detail than you were looking for. Sorry bout that. Be sure to have it checked mechanically, and all of the RV systems checked. That model will have a rubber roof that is probably beyond it's expected service life, so have the roof checked carefully also.
It will also have 16 inch tires, which are adequate for the weight of that model. Check the date codes to be sure they're not more than 7 years old.
If you have other questions,just post them here.
Fred
Too old to consider? That depends on the condition of the motorhome and if you're willing to do repairs as they are needed.
If the one you're looking at has the Ford chassis, it will have a 460 engine that is very durable, but has a tendency to crack exhaust manifolds. If you hear a clicking sound from the engine, suspect a cracked exhaust manifold. Mine had this problem when I bought it, and still had the same problem (no worse) when I sold it a year later. Expect 6 to 6.5 miles per gallon on trips.
Newmar has a good reputation, and builds good motorhomes. The "dual axle" will be a standard rear axle with an air bag type tag axle (with on-board air compressor)-(added by Newmar to support additional weight). The tag axle has it's own braking system, slaved to the hydraulic brakes of the ford braking system. I had the tag axle brake controller fail on mine, and the manufacturer was no longer in business. Newmar promptly supplied the repair shop with info, engineering sheets, etc to allow a different brake controller to be fitted to the coach. Support from Newmar was very good.
The Ford F-53 brake system requires annual lubrication of the caliper slides, and changing of the brake fluid every 24 months. Early on, there were problems with the pistons in the brake calipers swelling and sticking, causing dragging brakes. By now, I'd bet all those calipers have been replaced on the one you're considering.
I looked at and drove a lot of motorhomes before buying the Newmar, and it drove better than any of the other gas models that I looked at. Having said that, you will still feel some "push" when an 18 wheeler passes you. Adding a rear and front track bar will eliminate that "push".
I've probably gone into way more detail than you were looking for. Sorry bout that. Be sure to have it checked mechanically, and all of the RV systems checked. That model will have a rubber roof that is probably beyond it's expected service life, so have the roof checked carefully also.
It will also have 16 inch tires, which are adequate for the weight of that model. Check the date codes to be sure they're not more than 7 years old.
If you have other questions,just post them here.
Fred
