Looking to downsize a little - and we went and done it!
Well, after toying with the idea for over a year, looking at several models, tons of research and pondering.....We have finally done it. We put down a deposit on what will soon be our new Motorhome - A 2021 Newmar Baystar 3014. Specifically, THIS one at Summit RV in Ashland, KY will be ours here in a few weeks.
Spent all day last Saturday checking the rig out. We took it for a good long test drive - Love the new Ford 7.3L V8, and the handling improvements Ford has done. Tested all the various appliances, crawled under it, up on the roof, looked inside all the cabinets checking out the construction, etc. Spent quite a bit of time just sitting in it, imagining us camping in it to make sure everything about it just fits with us. And, it most certainly does!
Our 2012 Georgetown bunkhouse model has been awesome, and we've made many, many great memories with it over the last 9 years we've had it.
I've learned a ton over the years, too, from this forum as well as just the 'school of hard knocks'. We know now much better what we want and don't want in a coach.
As to the specific reasons why we ultimately decided to trade, and why we chose the Newmar, it comes down to this:
1) Kids just don't camp with us anymore. Between school, jobs, girlfriends, social lives....They just don't have time for camping anymore. That, and they've just about out-grown the bunks - My 20 year old son barely fits in the lower bunk, and its not very comfortable for him. 16 year old daughter can hardly fit in top one. Soo, we no longer need the bunks, and for some time, have wanted something more designed for us, a 'couples' coach, since its going to be just us going forward..
2) Long, crazy story short, but: In the last 3 years, my life has been turned upside down, sideways...you name it. I've divorced once, re-married twice since (married a total of 3 times), widowed once.. Moved 4 times during all of that, too. Both of my first two wives have passed away, too, totally unexpected (and I'm only 52, haha). Now after alllll that, I am finally settled and very, very happily married to my childhood sweetheart, the one I should've married the first time, haha. With all Cheryl (wife) and I have been through in all the years until we found each other again, we really needed a 're-start' as far as camping goes, a coach that we picked out together, that we can start making new memories with and move on from our pasts. Sooo, that is what we are doing.
3) Over the years, I've learned by first hand experience just what so many have talked about on here regarding overall quality of various units, brands. I've spent way too much time and $$ over the years fixing stuff with the Georgetown, and finding cheap, shoddy, thrown-together construction with it in the process. I am done with that, and decided for the next rig, we are going to spend the $$ and find us a quality rig. Hence, the reason we decided to go with a Newmar this time.
4) Original plan was to wait until things change with RV industry, as it is overall, not a good time right now to buy. However, RV dealer made us a very favorable deal in spite of current situation with RV industry. Also, given how scarce these things are becoming due to various supplier issues and ever increasing prices on materials....We were starting to believe that if we didn't move soon, we may not be able to afford (or find) a unit like this in the future. That, and having lost soooo many people close to me over the years (see #2 above), I've learned that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and we got to enjoy every day, moment we are given. Soo, we are. :)
Anyway, we have one last trip planned for the Georgetown, to the mountains later this month. Shortly after that trip, we will trade it in for the Newmar. Already have one trip planned for the Newmar, a 'maiden voyage' to begin shaking out all the new RV quirks that always come up. More on that later.
I'll post updates to this thread after we get the new unit, and how things go. Will try to post pictures if I can find a place to host them that will allow linking to them here. In the meantime, would love to hear from Newmar owners, their insight, experiences?
As always, all comments, suggestions, discussion, etc. around this are welcome :)
Spent all day last Saturday checking the rig out. We took it for a good long test drive - Love the new Ford 7.3L V8, and the handling improvements Ford has done. Tested all the various appliances, crawled under it, up on the roof, looked inside all the cabinets checking out the construction, etc. Spent quite a bit of time just sitting in it, imagining us camping in it to make sure everything about it just fits with us. And, it most certainly does!
Our 2012 Georgetown bunkhouse model has been awesome, and we've made many, many great memories with it over the last 9 years we've had it.
I've learned a ton over the years, too, from this forum as well as just the 'school of hard knocks'. We know now much better what we want and don't want in a coach.
As to the specific reasons why we ultimately decided to trade, and why we chose the Newmar, it comes down to this:
1) Kids just don't camp with us anymore. Between school, jobs, girlfriends, social lives....They just don't have time for camping anymore. That, and they've just about out-grown the bunks - My 20 year old son barely fits in the lower bunk, and its not very comfortable for him. 16 year old daughter can hardly fit in top one. Soo, we no longer need the bunks, and for some time, have wanted something more designed for us, a 'couples' coach, since its going to be just us going forward..
2) Long, crazy story short, but: In the last 3 years, my life has been turned upside down, sideways...you name it. I've divorced once, re-married twice since (married a total of 3 times), widowed once.. Moved 4 times during all of that, too. Both of my first two wives have passed away, too, totally unexpected (and I'm only 52, haha). Now after alllll that, I am finally settled and very, very happily married to my childhood sweetheart, the one I should've married the first time, haha. With all Cheryl (wife) and I have been through in all the years until we found each other again, we really needed a 're-start' as far as camping goes, a coach that we picked out together, that we can start making new memories with and move on from our pasts. Sooo, that is what we are doing.
3) Over the years, I've learned by first hand experience just what so many have talked about on here regarding overall quality of various units, brands. I've spent way too much time and $$ over the years fixing stuff with the Georgetown, and finding cheap, shoddy, thrown-together construction with it in the process. I am done with that, and decided for the next rig, we are going to spend the $$ and find us a quality rig. Hence, the reason we decided to go with a Newmar this time.
4) Original plan was to wait until things change with RV industry, as it is overall, not a good time right now to buy. However, RV dealer made us a very favorable deal in spite of current situation with RV industry. Also, given how scarce these things are becoming due to various supplier issues and ever increasing prices on materials....We were starting to believe that if we didn't move soon, we may not be able to afford (or find) a unit like this in the future. That, and having lost soooo many people close to me over the years (see #2 above), I've learned that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and we got to enjoy every day, moment we are given. Soo, we are. :)
Anyway, we have one last trip planned for the Georgetown, to the mountains later this month. Shortly after that trip, we will trade it in for the Newmar. Already have one trip planned for the Newmar, a 'maiden voyage' to begin shaking out all the new RV quirks that always come up. More on that later.
I'll post updates to this thread after we get the new unit, and how things go. Will try to post pictures if I can find a place to host them that will allow linking to them here. In the meantime, would love to hear from Newmar owners, their insight, experiences?
As always, all comments, suggestions, discussion, etc. around this are welcome :)
