We ordered our new coach in late January and gave the dealer our trade, our 2007 3680 Kountry Star (gas) coach, so we have been coachless and waiting like kids for Christmas. The new coach was delivered June 19. After a couple of weeks of moving in all the stuff that had been stacked in the garage for 5 months and trying to find new spots for everything, we headed out the other day for our shakedown trip to a park about 100 miles from home. We had been running the gen for a couple of hours at a time while we were loading and organizing everything with no problems. The night before departure, we started the residential refrigerator so it could cool down. Unfortunately, where we store it there is no power. Bright and early, we started loading the food and other final things. Very soon, the AC cut off. Since the dealer hadnโt given us a manual for the AC units, we called them to ask about the error code. Tried again but same result. Fortunately the dealer is in the same direction we planned to head, so we finished loading and using just the dash AC, made to 35 minute drive to the dealer. We figured that, worst case, we could spend the first night in the new coach on their lot!
After about an hour of both their electrician and main troubleshooter going around trying to figure out what was running, this is what they found: first, apparently during the walk-through, the water heater had been left on electric. Second, we found out that we had an engine block heater and it had been left on. So when we started the gen that morning, it was trying to run the water heater, engine block heater, refrigerator, and charge up the batteries; the 2 AC units were too much and kept popping the circuit breaker. By noon we were on our way and still had time to weigh the coach and get to our destination at a reasonable hour.
We have been trying everything to make sure it works and so far have found only a few minor issues. We knew Newmar built quality coaches and have not been disappointed. Another thing we liked about them was that they allowed us to order (extra charge, of course) interior fabrics from the higher cost Ventana. We didnโt like either of the color palates available for the Ventana LE and are very happy with the interior color scheme we got. We like the Maytag refrigerator and are glad to know it can run off the inverter at least overnight without problems. We have never done much boondocking and living in FL we usually run the gen and AC while driving, so keeping the fridg running most likely wonโt be an issue for us. It cools down a lot faster than the old Norcold, plus we donโt have to worry about it catching fire! Having a king-sized bed is great. The original mattress was pretty awful, so we got a Memory foam mattress from Ikea. Getting it in the door was fun and for just a moment it looked like it wasnโt going to fit on the bed platform, but when we got it rotated the right way, it was a perfect fit.
We also are finding the DP much easier to drive than the gas coach. Newmar now has their Comfort Drive feature on the Ventana LE, their entry-level DP, and it makes a huge difference in driver fatigue. I was terrified to drive the old coach faster than 55 MPH but had this one over 60 my first time on the Interstate. Hubby had it up to 70 without even realizing it. So we are hoping that this will allow us to drive more miles in a day. All in all, we are really happy with the new coach! The only thing left on our wish list is a dishwasher. For some reason, Newmar thinks only owners of Dutch Stars and above want dishwashers. Our dealer has checked the specs and there is no reason why we canโt have one installed. I realize people have varying opinions about whether or not anyone really needs one, but we have decided we do. Fortunately, there is plenty of storage so losing 2 drawers under the stovetop wonโt be a problem for us.
2015 Newmar Ventana LE 3849, 4 slides
2010 Ford Escape hybrid, Blue Ox Partiot brake
Larry & Trudy, 1 dog, 2 bikes, 2 kayaks
