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RE: Trading up to '02 Dutch Star DSDP 3872
I am partial to Newmar, but it like any other used coach needs to be checked out good to make sure as best one can, that it has been maintained and taken care off. If so you will njmpot go wrong with a Newmar.
It's going to Scott's RV in Rockford IL to be inspected, I know the owner, he'll do a good job.
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EndeavorV10
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05/14/12 06:24pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Trading up to '02 Dutch Star DSDP 3872
Suggest you go directly to Newmar. If you have chasis number they can tell you all about coach.
Good luck.
Bob
Thats what I'm going to do today, we found the rig Saturday so couldn't contact them directly yet.
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EndeavorV10
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05/14/12 08:26am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Trading up to '02 Dutch Star DSDP 3872
I believe that coach rides on a spartan chassis so it will have 4 air bags.
It's actually on a Freightliner chassis but that doesn't tell me how many bags. I have been to their site and can't find any info on this year chassis. I may just be looking in the wrong place.
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EndeavorV10
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05/14/12 07:53am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Trading up to '02 Dutch Star DSDP 3872
We are in the middle of negotiating a deal to trade our 1999 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE 36WGS to a 2002 39ft Newmar Dutch Star DSDP 3872. A very nice DP that is in incredible condition but has the original tires.
I have never driven a DP before so it was a different experience for sure. You floor it and it just goes, there is no feel of strain so it's hard to describe. It just floats down the road, it drives 65mph like its nothing. Windy, semi's going by you barely notice!
I have a lengthy PDI if we move forward but I am having an issue finding out how many bags it rides on and I am clueless about DP's but one drive sold me, it was awesome!
I'd like recommendations from others on this rig, it has 26,000 miles and everything looks to work great.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xHMYsbXrztE/T68HuJtg8JI/AAAAAAAACl0/jISXNc0Y_x0/s1600/IMAG0554%25255B3%25255D.jpg height=640 width=480
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EndeavorV10
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05/13/12 08:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: It's always something...now it's the generator
Of course it's always somthing...it's a MH isn't it??:B
Since it's a MH, it's doing one of three things:
- It just broke.
- You just fixed it.
- It's getting ready to break again.
How did you know so much about my rig.... kinda scary... :B
I think mine has plans for breaking this weekend, I heard it whispering to itself last time I was in it....
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EndeavorV10
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05/03/12 10:53am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: BAd experience with Camping World I-26
Moral to the story use the available gadgets including a map to find your way when driving a large RV. Trust no one but your self. Don't expect accurate directions from a store clerk!
Relying on a store clerk to give you directions while driving a large RV is asking for trouble. Just my 2 cents of course.
If a business that caters to RVs can't give you accurate information to your store, nor let you know the parking problem, they are the problem and should be reported to others. Don't we all learn from each other?
Barb
We live in a time when bad customer service is the customers fault judging by how so many store clerks act. :S
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EndeavorV10
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05/02/12 03:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ride Quality
I've even read that some DPs have less power than gassers (probably older units only - new DPs seems to have lots of torque)
DP's of the past may have been down on HP but they always put out a boatload more torque than similar gassers.
A 275hp DP from the 90's is still putting out more torque than a brand new Ford V10 or Chevy gasser.
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EndeavorV10
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05/01/12 11:06am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ride Quality
We love our fiver, but looking down the road a while a Class A may better meet our needs. My problem is that when we were trying to decide on which type of RV to buy, we rented a Class C as well as a Class A diesel pusher.
The DW wasn't happy with the ride on either of those units. The C rode like a hay wagon. Extremely stiff, very harsh over bumps. The C is clearly not for us!
The A (Holiday Rambler DP) rode decently up front, but there was so much rattling of cabinets, dishes, etc that it irritated the Marital Unit and scared the $&@$ out of the dog.
There are several gasser floor plans that interest me, but I don't want to buy something the DW hates. Are some manufacturers better at making their coaches smooth on the road?
Strange how noisey that DP was. My Holiday Rambler gasser is pretty quiet going down the road. Even on bad roads the rattles aren't that bad and I HATE rattles.
It's possible there were suspension issues with that rig.
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EndeavorV10
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05/01/12 10:52am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV's
After reading a few of these responses, I had to come back and repost. I'm going to tell you a little story about a man I know. He was an old farmer that worked his whole life from before sun up to dusk. I came to meet him when he was about 45 or so. I saw him about every day or so, either driving his old rattletrap pickup or his John Deere tractor towing a piece of equipment from one field to another as he worked his land and some other he leased year to year. Finally got to know him when I bought horses as I would occasionally buy hay from him. Never saw the man in anything but a pair of thread bare overalls or a pair of jeans and work shirt. Always clean but looking like they were about wore out. Always thought what a nice guy that had worked so hard and long his entire life and just squeaked by a living, making just enough to buy a used pickup when one would die to replace it, barely enough to keep clothes on his back and his family fed as the song goes. No his name was not Jed ;-)
One day I was buying hay from him and he was telling me he was going to finally retire and turn the family farm over to his two sons who were in their 30's and had worked by their dad's side all the time I knew him. He was in his late 60's by this time but could pass for a much younger man and was still in great shape physically. I congratulated him and didn't think much of it until the next time I went to buy hay about 3 months later and in his driveway sat a tour bus that would have made Dolly Parton jealous. I asked his son if they had visitors and he said "No, thats Dad's new ride. Dad said he's seen all his land his whole life and while he was still able, he figured he'd go see if everyone else's was as nice as his was." with a smile.
It made me feel good that this man that had worked hard his whole life and I thought had struggled mightily had just lived well below his means and was now taking full advantage to enjoy the fruits of his labor. It also made me realize I should never assume what I think I know as correct because some people just look at and live life much differently than I.
In this day where success is often looked at suspiciously because so many live way past their means trying to keep up with the Jones, we could use a few more like the old farmer. Then we could elect them to government and have a chance in this country of passing on something to our children besides an interest payment.
Great story, thanks for sharing. :)
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EndeavorV10
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04/30/12 10:45am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: RV's
As for uppity rich people, these forums have a whole lot more posts about people questioning and implying that the large rig owners are snobs and elitists than posts from the big rig owners complaining about the little people. In my experience, the big rig owners are hard working people who have earned the right to buy what the heck ever they want. They are not trust fund babies and Hedge fund managers, they are educators, small business owners, doctors, accountants, lawyers, project managers, farmers and the like. The only thing they have in common is they are hard working, usually educated and have a love of some of the aspects of RVing, be it the ability to travel on a whim, the ability to sleep in their own bed every night (very important to many sales and management people who have spent many a night in hotels and motels traveling for business), or just the ability to leave the city and get out where there is nature and elbow room. It is a shame that success in this country has evolved into a trait that is not celebrated, but instead is derided. Everyone who makes more money than you do must have cheated. Envy, even when disguised as righteous indignation, is wrong.
So VERY well said! +1000!
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EndeavorV10
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04/30/12 10:40am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: RV's
My wife and I bought an 11 year old rig 2 years ago. We were the only ones in the used section looking at such "old rigs", everybody else was in the "if you have to ask you can't afford it" section.
We ended up buying/financing a rig that needed some cosmetic work but was in very good shape. After repainting the front (long story), the rear bumper and spending a few days detailing the heck out of the rig we felt the rig was presentable... errrrrr I felt it was presentable, the wife always thought it was.
One of our first trips while driving through a campground I heard a woman say as we drove by "now there goes a camper!" and I did a double take, she couldn't have been talking about ours?!?
When we got situated in our spot, she and her husband stopped by and told us how they dream of owning a rig like ours some day. It puts things in perspective for sure because up until that point we were wishing we could afford some of the newer rigs we saw in other campgrounds we had been in and wondering how the heck they could afford them.
Now, we are just glad we have the rig we have and don't care about the other newer rigs we see while camping though we appreciate them and hope to be able to afford one someday.
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EndeavorV10
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04/30/12 10:36am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Buyers Remorse??
Thank again for your replies, putting this into perspective for me.
I am fortunate, but not by accident. I'm in my mid 60's and I've wanted an RV as long as I can remember. My parents had a FAN travel trailer when I was a kid and I loved going on trips in it. I set my sights on an RV I could retire in and just travel where I wanted to.
Like many folks today, retirement is not in my future, but I've been able to put aside enough for a down payment, so I (and the bank) can get an RV. Trips will be short and few for awhile, but sometimes part of a dream is better than no dream at all.
As for dropping the "Grumpy", no can do. I've worked hard for that as well. :)
So, thanks again for all your input. I'm sure things will work out.
Congrats on the brand new rig, hold their feet to the fire and make sure everything is to your liking BEFORE you sign on the dotted line.
Good luck and post pictures when you get it!
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EndeavorV10
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04/30/12 09:20am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Total Rebuild of a 1979 Dodge Class C
I added the under cabinet lighting today too, That Microwave will go up under the cabinet just above it.
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/oldtrucker63/Picture131109.jpg width=600
I have to give you huge kudo's, you have done some amazing work!
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EndeavorV10
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04/30/12 07:39am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: RV Carpet Replacement
Folks- those of you with slides, the dealers say to remove the slide- for one reason- to add to their bottom line- period.
If you look under the slide from outside, you will see the rubber seal. You can pull this down to reveal the edge of your carpet. With a slender pry bar you can pry the carpet up and thus you have save a ton of your money and you did not have to mess with the slide. For installation, I use tack strip and install it close to the edge of the slide. I install the carpet and use some staples and attach the leading edge that goes under the slide. The leading edge of slide always gets finished last. Thereby you can lower your carpet to just barely touch the floor. This makes a smart looking job. Check out some photos in my link under my profile. Ernie
Thanks for the info, will check it out.
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EndeavorV10
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04/28/12 08:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 100,000 Mile club
Johnny T... congrats on the milestone!!! We are at 52,000 miles at 5 yrs. and might make 100K.... my eyes are wandering for a new one! :E
MM.
You can drop off that beauty in my driveway when yer done with her! ;)
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EndeavorV10
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04/27/12 06:46pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Buying a Used Class A
Hello Everyone!
I know you all probably get these types of questions all the time, but my family and i are looking to buy a used class A. We are looking a 1996 Fleetwood Bounder 34' Chevy 454 with 25,500 miles. The asking price is only 17500 or best offer however they say it has been sitting for a year or two. They claim to have gotten in winterized and changed fluids appropriately, just trying to see if we should ...
A)Take it to get an inspection, and how much those normally run
B)IF this is a awesome deal and i'm just being picky
c)With it sitting for a while what are some things we can do before taking it on the road.
I look forward to hearing some feedback,
Inspection is an excellent idea, the price is definately on the high side by a few thousand. Those are decent rigs if they were cared for.
Good luck!
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EndeavorV10
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04/27/12 05:33pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV Carpet Replacement
Sorry-- but the slide does NOT have to be removed to do a quality installation. I'v done a hundred of 'em.
Stop by Illinois, the RV dealers here only know the hard way to do everything and they claim you MUST in order to get to the area under the slide.
I'm just a consumer who doesn't know any better. How are they supposed to get the staples out from there and replace the carpet if they don't remove the slide??
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EndeavorV10
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04/27/12 02:31pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV Carpet Replacement
If the carpet is in good shape but just dirty or smelly or slightly stained have you thought about professional cleaning?
We have beige carpet and headliner in our 2000 Winnebago. Just had the local Servicemaster Franchise professionally steam cleam the headliner, carpet and upholstery. WOW, what a difference, looks brand new.
There was a dark area next to the bed where our old, old dog slept. He hardly moved from the spot except to eat or visit outside. Anyway I was ready to replace my carpet as I thought the "dog spot" would never come clean. Not only is it clean but the motorhome smells brand new.
I did not need any remedial work done but I know some carpet cleaning professionals can apply die to change the colour of the carpet or bring an old colour back to life by covering stains that will not wash out. Small holes or tears can be repaired so well you cannot see them afterward. Do you think hotels change the carpets after every spill or burn - no way they clean, die and repair.
The process was easy, I took my motorhome to thier secure lot in the morning, went to work for the day, picked it up that evening. They even ran two air movers and a commercial dehum in the unit after the work was done so it was dry when I picked it up, covered the bed and cabinets with drop cloths and gave the outside a quick wash for good measure. Less than 1/10th the price you have been quoted for replacement!
Something to think about, the carpet isn't in bad shape per se and it doesn't smell bad. It's just old and time for new so we thought. My brother has a new carpet machine, I'm going to borrow it and give it a shot and see how it turns out.
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EndeavorV10
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04/27/12 09:02am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Diesel or Gas, why is this a big thing for me?
For me, the very first trip up and down 7% grades and 40mph side winds made me wish we had found a way to buy a DP instead of a gasser.
Problem for us was budget so we stuck with gas, if you can afford starting out with a DP, I'd go for it. Better ride, bigger tank, handles wind and passing semi's better.. too many reasons to go DP it's not funny.
Biggest negative I can think of is higher maintenence costs and the cost of tires but then a lot of the new gassers are coming out with 22.5's as well.
Good luck with your choice! Have fun!
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EndeavorV10
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04/27/12 08:58am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Diesel or Gas, why is this a big thing for me?
The nice thing about diesel is you can fuel up at Toronto, and drive all the way to Charlotte, NC (about 760 miles) and not worry about finding a fuel stop. And by the time you get to Charlotte, you will have seen all kinds of fuel stops and not needed to stop. But we usually fuel up at the end of the day, before stopping for the night. That way we can have breakfast and go in the morning, without worrying about fuel. And there are lots of fuel stops out there, even in Canada.
Oh you DP owners.... I'm jealous, stop already! :B I for one cannot wait until the wife and I move up to a DP!
Until then we dream.
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EndeavorV10
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04/27/12 08:54am |
Class A Motorhomes
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