My husband and I are getting ready to retire and go full time. We have narrowed our choices to two models, an Itasca Ellipse or a Newmar Dutch Star.If we choose to order a Dutch Star, is there a dealer anyone would recommend? It does not have to be local. What would I expect to pay percentage wise MSRP for a Dutch Star ordered new? We would be paying cash, no financing. Any advice would be appreciated!

We received a lot of positive recommendations for Newmar when we were looking for ours nine years ago. It's a very stable company and one of few that hasn't had financial troubles. We have been extremely satisfied with our Dutch Star and would highly recommend it. Being full-timers we didn't care where we bought it so we sent out emails to approx. 25 dealers throughout the country on exactly the specs we wanted. (We had added about 100 changes to the original model. Newmar is good for this, by the way.) We planned to go with the dealer that gave us the best price and that's what we did. We got -28%. Any dealer can do warranty issues and repairs so that was of no concern. Chances are that being a full-timer you wouldn't be near your original dealer anyway if a warranty issue is needed. We are traveling full-timers and have even taken it to Alaska. It still looks and drives flawlessly. We both drive it and it handles very well. We especially enjoy the mountains and our 370HP handles them well although it's probably considered a 'baby' nowdays. :) We have Cummins/Spartan.Since you're in Texas, we have heard excellent reports of Lee's in Oklahoma City.Have fun planning for your new lifestyle. We've enjoyed it for 16+ years.

I have had a winnebago journey and now a newmar kountry star DP and I would do the newmar again. I shopped for a newmar for several years before i found Freedom RV in tucson AZ. Most impressive experience i found in traveling around the US. Owners name is Devin Murphy And the web site is freedomrvaz.com. Check them out. I have nothing to do witH this dealership other than being one of many happy customers

winnebago is reluctant to make any changes if that concerns you. they will do an original build, move it into a different area and rebuild it. when I ordered mine I just wanted the slide awnings left off and they would leave them off but I would pay for them.bumpy

I would also vote for Newmar. Either of those manufacturers make good coaches but I believe the Dutchstar (and all models above that) have side radiators vs. every DP made by Winnebago has rear radiators. Now some folks may not think that is much of an issue but it is when you have to service stuff like belts, alternators, water pumps, etc. The side radiators provide much better service access and that may cost you less in labor costs over the life of the coach. Also, side radiator coaches do not crud up the radiator/charge air cooler like rear radiator coaches do. Another potential advantage with Newmar is they use a 'hung-wall' style of wall construction vs. Winnebago's vacuum bonded walls. In the case of a water leak that goes undetected for some time, a vacuum bonded wall can delaminate where it is said that a hung wall cannot. Just things to consider. Not show stoppers either way but things to consider.

Need advice on a new DP | Good Sam Community

jeepin
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
Newmar would be my choice in Motor Homes, and Steinbring RV in Garfield MN would be my choice in Newmar Dealers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
X2, John and Lee are great people to deal with.
Westenthal
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
Newmar would be my choice in Motor Homes, and Steinbring RV in Garfield MN would be my choice in Newmar Dealers.
kjburns
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
We have a Winnebago, sister to the Itasca, but I'd take a good hard look at the Newmar now. Our coach has some design and build quality issues and the newer ones sound worse. It seems that Winnebago is struggling to keep up with demand. I love the floor plan of the 42QD, but there are some obvious flaws that I overlooked when I bought it.

Newmar might be running into the same problems where quality control slips to meet demand. It's something to keep an eye on and research before writing that check.

The 42QD floor plan was something special when it came out. Nobody had anything that I considered comparable. Now, almost everyone has a variation or copy of it. I have to give Winnebago credit for that. They created a mobile version of what we have at home. It's a very livable place to be.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 28, 2013
We got our '04 Dutch Star -28%.

The 42GD Ellipse floorplan is nice and it looks like the Dutch Star's 4374 is very similar.
cathy97
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
I do like the construction of the Newmars. The Eclipse has a floor plan that I love, the 42GD. Newmar has a video on their website that shows the construction. If I had more time (still working too many hours) I would try to tour the factory. Any suggestions on a price? I am not sure what percentage off MSRP is reasonable.
Thanks again for all the advice!!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 27, 2013
Thank for the info about Lee's He was getting up in years...hadn't heard a recent report.

OP: Here's a link to Newmar dealers:

Newmar Dealer Locator

Also, there's a very active 'newmarowners' group on Yahoo Group if you'd like to join and ask some questions there.

Good luck!
metlmn
Explorer
Aug 27, 2013
Lee's RV in Okla City sold out to Camping World. They sell Fleetwood now and service is not very good.
wnytaxman
Explorer
Aug 27, 2013
Have you looked at the Entegra Anthem or Aspire? They tend to be less $$ than the Newmar and they have a two year warranty. Almost everyone I have talked to who has one just loves them.
J-Rooster
Explorer
Aug 27, 2013
cathy97 wrote:
My husband and I are getting ready to retire and go full time. We have narrowed our choices to two models, an Itasca Ellipse or a Newmar Dutch Star.
If we choose to order a Dutch Star, is there a dealer anyone would recommend? It does not have to be local. What would I expect to pay percentage wise MSRP for a Dutch Star ordered new? We would be paying cash, no financing. Any advice would be appreciated!
When it's time for me to buy a new DP the Itasca Ellipse would be at the top of my list!
ncrowley
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2013
I would also go with Newmar. I love their customer service and mine is very well made.

Forum Discussion

Need advice on a new DP

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

towing advice

Need Advice

Buying Advice

Truck Advice

Buying advice