Newmar Class A

mabnewmar369 wrote:
While I appreciate all the positive comments regarding Newmar Motorhomes it might be wise to treat all reviews with some health skepticism so as to make a moree informed buying decision. I looked at all the Newmar reviews and they would appear to be written by Newmar itself. Nothing remotely negative and when it comes to today's motorhomes that just can't happen. They are too complex for such a perfect track record. In my experience, whether with cars or RV's, the owners are somewhat reluctant to admit their buying decision may have been emotional as much as financial. I know mine did. My 2003 Newmar Mountain-Aire was the single biggest financial mistake of my life. I expected "issues" just like one does with a new car. I did not expect to encounter every conceivable issue possible with a new motorhome. So, I suggest every newbie out there question everything the dealer and/or manufacturer says. Just keep in mind they are not your buddies and never will be. Get everything in writing and don't believe all the hype about the vaunted Newmar work ethic and quality control. I took my issues all the way to the President of Newmar and got nowhere. Newmar makes their motorhomes just like everybody else and they are not made by little religious elves whose only concern is you the customer. If I sound bitter I'm not, just very disappointed in Newmar.

"My 2003 Newmar Mountain-Aire was the single biggest financial mistake of my life." Well, I believe ANY motorhome would classify in that category.
You'll have problems with these rigs regardless of who makes them. We are the 2nd owner of our coach and after reviewing the litany of service work orders that we have from the original owner I guess I can only be happy that he had to deal with them. Some being trivial items and some, well, I guess had some merit. All I can say now after 6 years of ownership is I couldn't be more pleased. The fit and finish of the coach is top notch. Sorry you have had such a bad time and I guess I could ask, why did you keep the coach if you were dissatisfied to the point you seem to be???

I always had the same impression of Newmar's "above the standard" quality. Recently while at a local dealer to pick some things up I walked through a few. Everything from Bay star, to Canyon star to 2 Ventanas. Searching for the holy grail of quality I was left a bit disappointed. They do appear to made just like all the others. Flimsy components, protruding cabinet and wall seams, heck one even had a wall seam completely peeling off and the faux stainless, plastic kitchen faucet was so wiggly it would almost fall off looking at it. The new bath doors that pivot in the middle felt so thin and flimsy, that I wondered how long before it was freed of it's pins and it rattled. Can't imagine how quiet that is going down the road. I expected Amish cabinetry but it appears to be the same as any other MH. Same cheap ball glides too. Coming from an entry level Thor, I know what to look for and I expected a lot more in the Newmar. Frankly I didn't see it and I left scratching my head about what you get for the much higher prices. I have been in countless Winnies, Tiffins, FR, etc etc. They are all the same. For some reason I thought all Newmars had fiberglass roofs. They don't. TPO. The slide mechanisms did seem to be much more robust. That was the only thing that stood out. I actually left feeling much better about my ACE.

Bumpyroad wrote:

DSDP Don wrote:
Okay.....Your very first post is about your disappointment in an 11 year old Newmar, with no other information. Sure sounds like a TROLL!

sounds to me like he bought it new and has had 11 years of bad experiences with it.
bumpy

He had a 3 year warranty on his Newmar. So, instead of getting rid of it 8 to 10 years ago, he has kept this "lemon" for 11 years and then he joins a RV forum and just bashes it???? As a Former Newmar Dealer/service center (dropped 2009), Newmar does have issues with their product, just like ALL motorized products. But, very few, and IF the concerns are valid, Newmar has bought back units or has been successfully run thru a Lemon Law and repurchased. But, very rare. Doug

DSDP Don wrote:
Okay.....Your very first post is about your disappointment in an 11 year old Newmar, with no other information. Sure sounds like a TROLL!

sounds to me like he bought it new and has had 11 years of bad experiences with it.
bumpy

Okay.....Your very first post is about your disappointment in an 11 year old Newmar, with no other information. Sure sounds like a TROLL!

curious as to issues, also , i do own a older newmar london aire 1995 with lots of miles and mistakes , the Radiator is down as we speak and i dearly love it. She has held up for the years and miles and hopefully for many years to come. Cant speak for Newmar service as i really havent needed them. What issues have you had that was so major you had to get with the owners?

So what problems or issues did or do you have. You have just ranted with no real discussion to measure your discontent. Our 02 DSDP has no significant problems compared to the other 5 rigs we have owned.

We have owned our 2000 Mountain Aire since fall of 2009, it had been in dry storage for the prior 9 years, a sad story of sudden illness of the original buyer. We went thru the wake up period of rotted tires & hoses, frozen/broken, water systems.
We have poisoned the coach with bad fuel, electrocuted it by hooking it up to an out of phase electrical hook up, and made almost every mistake a nubi can make on a Class A, but never once have I had to cope with poor quality parts or poor quality workmanship by Newmar, or a company out of business.
Every time I had questions or needed parts they were always there with what I needed, even if it was simply a how to do some thing.
I feel sorry for you if you have had problems with Newmar, and hope that it not a sign of the times, or indications of things to come.

What convinced you to buy it to begin with? Was it the floor plan or ???

Just curious. I feel sorry for some folks that see an RV and "fall in love" with it.

I have been disappointed also. Have Holiday Rambler that some jerk put a staple into the drain pipe for the bath, when they were stapling it together. Of course the leak didn't show till several years later and after a lot of baths. And of course after warranty was long gone. Their answer to us was "sorry, not our problem"

Have friend that used to work at Safari Motorhomes in Oregon. His stories were eye opening. MY favorite was his stories with special order units. "Ya, like were going to stop the line because we are out of something for plumbing. Go to Home Depot and buy some garden hose, it will hold till warranty is over"

That's why I have info I have in my signature line

A negative post by a new member is treated with some skepticism, just like an overly positive post.

Newmar is one of the few companies that has managed to stay in business during these tough times when most RV manufacturers closed up. That must count for something. I don't have a Newmar and don't know anyone personally that owns one, so I don't have any first or second hand experience.