wordfolk
Gainesville, FL USA
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Joined: 07/24/2002
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Is my observation askew? I have been looking at Newmar's website and it seems they do not extend the storage compartments with their sliders (at least with the big living room slider) like most of the current Class A manufacturers do. Having had both I definitly prefer not having to crawl under the slider to get into a compartment. Is there some valid reason I'm missing for not extending the compartments??
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 12/07/2000
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Newmar (and it's customers) like the full passthrough storage that a movable bay can't have. Our rig is also a triple slide and, while planning can help cut down on the need to crawl under the slideout it won't do it all. I still need to crawl under the slide. Inconvenient, but gotta keep the wife happy and she demanded the triple slide
*This Message was edited on 30-Apr-03 11:51 PM by Deen*
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Jerry B
Ozark Highlands
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Joined: 06/11/2001
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Probably the added weight of the loaded compartments is a factor. My Dolphin deep slide has the fixed compartments and they are hard to get access to.Lots of head bashing! But, a little organization and strategizing has helped a lot.
Jerry
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Jeff Regan
Foster City, CA USA
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Joined: 03/05/2001
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Newmar invented the slideout and flat floor slideout, installing their first slideout on a
motorhome in 1991 and have opted not to put the
extra weight of items placed in slide storage bays
on the slide mechanism.
All of Newmar's diesel models are built on raised
rail chassis and Newmar also doesn't want to lose
the value of a full width flat floor. Most of the
coaches that have storage bays that come out with the slides are on straight rail chassis.
Winnebago, known for storage bays that come out
with the slides on their coaches does not do that
on their Ultimate series models, nor do any other
manufacturers who use semi-monocoque construction,
such as Monaco's higher end models and Country Coach.
Jeff Regan
Alpine Recreation
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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I too was concerned about this when we ordered our Dutch Star (gas) a few years ago. Not to worry. Those 3 compartments under the slide held, 1) our wood blocking. You need that before the slide comes out, 2) The spare tire. Won't be changing that with the slide out, and 3) the propane tank. Again, it's only filled when the slide is in. Turned out to be a non-issue.
On the new Kountry Star DP the full pass through is so easy to get at its a non-issue so far. As was mentioned, just organize your stuff so the rarely needed items are on the slide side.
Newmar offers too much good to get caught up in the marketing of the others.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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Richert
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 04/11/2001
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As previously stated if you plan what is in the compartments you will only need in there when first arriving before putting slide out and then again only after the slide is back in. I to have the propane under there and have learned what I need to set up camp, wood blocks, satellite dish, water hoses, we had a saying in the Corps, Proper prior planning prevents poor performance. I have had no problems with this arrangement.
Blake
2000 Kountry Star 3565
98 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Wife in passenger seat.
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wordfolk
Gainesville, FL USA
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Thanks to each of you. I'm considering making a change from my '01-36' Allegro Bay which has the compartments come out with the slider. I love the Bay, but have been impressed with the consistently high Newmar approval. I do know I would like the level floor better. My dilema now is whether to go with the Workhorse or make the big jump to a DP. How does the gas powered Newmar handle vs. the DP models?? I think the Workhorse power would be adequate so the question is the added dollars vs. improved handling trade-off. Any thoughts?
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jabba9
Woodland Park, CO, USA
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Joined: 03/27/2002
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you'll find through the archives that the diesel vs gas issue has numerous posts...
my opinion (i purchased a kountry star dp last dec) is to purchase the most coach that you can afford...in other words, if you can afford a the additional money for the diesel, then that is the coach for you
for us, the advantages of the diesel:
1. The reduced noise level in the cockpit...eerily quiet, able to carry on almost whisper conversations with your co-pilot
2. Effortless driving...being able to motor thru small grades without even noticing a downshift...what i remember from my times in a gas rv, was the heat and noise during hill-climbs (large and small)...being able to drive as many miles per day as you felt like, without that fatigue factor
My advice is to rent each one for a week or weekend, put some serious miles on it, and decide for yourself. Personally, allowing for the ability to pay the extra for a DP, I will never go back.
Gas mileage is better the diesel. We average about 9.0 (70-75 mph).
The caveat to this is how you use your mh. We use it to cover large distances (500-700 miles per day) and then stay at campgrounds for 3 days or so. Obviously, driving comfort tops the list for us.
As for the archives, you can start with one that's titled "Gas/Diesel" from 7/4/02.
We purchased our KSDP for 128k (171k list).
*This Message was edited on 29-Apr-03 03:48 PM by jabba9*
Mike & Jenene
Cosette (14), Michael (12), Daniel (7)
2003 Kountry Star DP 39'
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Patch
Northern Illinois
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Joined: 07/25/2002
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Our first DP as a Journey with the compartments that moved with the slides. Good idea, but storage is very limited.
Our new Dutch Star is a triple slide, which means that you can't get at EITHER side with the slide out. No big deal really ... just requires some planning as mentioned. We are not full timers and don't really need all the room, but it is nice to see all the space underneath.
We are going to put in a double 'joey bed' set up before we go out again. This will help a bunch.
Everything in life is a trade off it seems ... I prefer the full basement in trade for ease of access.
John and Terry
Northern IL
2007 Country Coach Magna
Yukon / Blue Ox towbar
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timz59
Vancouver, Wa
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Joined: 10/10/2002
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After more than a year of research, looking, and talking to owners of different RVs, we had pretty well decided on a La Palma 36WDD. We happened on a 2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 3778 Class A on a W22 chassis while looking at a used 38ft Safari. We were impressed with the overall quality and workmanship. Further research verified the early results and we were then faced with the gas vs diesel choice. We will be spending 4-6 months per year in the coach and will rarely drive it more than 5-7K miles per year. The additional cost for the diesel Mountain Aire was about $45K the Dutch Star about $27-28K and the Kountry Star with equivalent options about an additional $17-18K. The noise level in this rig is significantly lower than in our '94 Adventurer with much better drivability. Brakes and steering are good to excellent, even without additional suspension modifications and little affected by crosswinds. The storage cabinets under the slides are used for items that come out first and if necessary, it takes very little time to run the slide in. If you need to carry lots of stuff on the road, or you plan to drive 15k or more miles a year, a diesel would be a better choice if you can afford it. We usually travel at about 65 on freeways as that is the max towing speed for our Honda CRV. That speed is easily maintained with very little downshifting when running up and down the I-5. I have a significant hearing loss and even at 65 MPH, (2200 RPM) my wife and I can hold a normal conversation. The interior is quieter than her '99 Honda Accord. We will probably keep the coach for about 10 years and the dollar difference for a diesel when the additional maintenance costs were factored in just didn't pencil out for us. If you always have to be the first guy to the top of the hill, have the need to haul your whole life or want the prestige of the DP, go for it. I put the extra money in my pocket and travel a little slower up the hills (but not much)
Grandpa Timbo
2003 3778 Mountain Aire on Workhorse W22 (Traded 8/11/04)
2005 Itasca Meridian 34H (Traded 6/28/05)
2005 Dutch Star 3810 Silver Plum Traded 9/13/07 
2007 Phoenix Cruiser on Ford 350 Chassis - V-10 Power
'02 CRV EX Toad
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