2015 Newmar Dutch Star

Newmar Dutch Star at campground Old Mill Stream Lancaster Pennsylvania

2015 Newmar Dutch Star 4002

Overview

We love this motorhome. The Dutch Star is based on the Freightliner XC-R tag axle chassis, which has independent front suspension, a Cummins ISL engine, air suspension and dual mode exhaust brakes. Newmar adds their proprietary Comfort Drive™, which does indeed reduce fatigue when driving, especially in cross winds. This video is a bit long, but it does a good job of explaining the system.

Things we like

  • The Dutch star comes with an Oasis hydronic heating system, which provides on-demand hot water via your diesel tank for both domestic water use and heat. I especially appreciate that it includes two 1500W electric elements in addition to the diesel burner. This means that when hooked to 50 amp service I can avoid using diesel fuel for heat down to down about 32 degrees outside temperature. Below that you need the extra BTUs of the diesel burner to keep the inside warm.  Karla’s disclaimer: We had problems with our Oasis hydronic heater that required several trips to the repair shop. When it doesn’t work we have to pay for campgrounds with full hook-ups in order to use electric space heaters. We also did not have use of the on-demand hot water heater, which meant not using the dishwasher, not having hot water to wash dishes by hand and lukewarm showers.
  • Our coach is an all electric unit (which simply means there is no propane), which I highly recommend. An induction cooktop replaces the traditional propane version (cast iron and stainless steel cookware work with induction, glass, aluminum and copper do not). The option also trades out the traditional 3-way RV fridge for a residential fridge. Luckily you also get 8 batteries and a 2800 watt inverter to run everything.
  • Another feature we love are the heated floors. We can stay comfy all night in temps down to the low 40s with nothing but the heated floors on. Below that we switch on electric heat (Oasis with just the 2 electric elements active) which takes us down to 32. Below that we flip on the Oasis diesel burner switch. In fact, heated floors  obviate the need for heat pumps.
  • Speaking of batteries and watts and fridges, I highly recommend you read this post by the Wynns that measures exactly how much power a residential fridge consumes and what that means for dry camping. The 8 batteries that come with a Dutch Star give us 800 Ah, which is significant…but we want more! A reasonable replacement for when the existing lead-acid batteries die would be larger AGM batteries. These AGM batteries from Lifeline would fit perfectly in place of the existing ones, and would increase our total Ah to 1200. As 8 of these batteries with shipping cost $5600, I’ll wait.
  • We love that the 40′ Newmar floorplan includes a bath and a half. Having the second toilet is nice. There is a lot of storage in the bathroom cabinets.
  • The washing machine is always accessible, as it is not hidden by a slide, as it was in the Phaeton.
  • Our unit includes the booth dinette, which we prefer.  We did give up the “office” space and storage cabinets that were accessible under the table.
  • Our Phaeton had a screen over the window next to the passenger. This made the view out of that window less than appealing and made it impossible to take pictures out the side.  No such screen is in the Newmar.  On the flip side, in the Phaeton, the window opened while you were at a campground and you had a screen.

Things we don’t like

  • That it doesn’t come with AGM batteries stock. If you custom order a Dutch Star from the Newmar factory (the current wait time is, I believe, 4-6 months) you can upgrade to AGMs, otherwise you’re stuck with lead-acid.
  • Lack of storage, or more accurately, oddly shaped storage: while there is storage in many of the same places, such as over the head of the bed, over the couch and over the loveseat, most of these cabinets are not as deep or as tall. The Phaeton larger top front cabinets easily held a box of cereal standing up with room even above that. With the Newmar, the best we can do is lay a box on it’s side. There was also storage in cabinetry around the center of the unit above and below a television, which held a lot.  There is more storage in the bathroom cabinets in the Newmar- but who wants to store food in a bathroom.
  • By getting the full bath in the back of the coach, we’ve given up the large back wall closet of the Phaeton. The two clothes hanging areas in the bedroom together do not equal the old closet. They are both half length closets.  There is a closet in the back bathroom, but with the decreased storage in some other spaces, I keep a bunch of stuff in here that keeps us from using the whole thing as a closet.
  • I miss the storage space I had behind the couch in the Phaeton.  I kept a broom, a folding tray table and a shoe mud tray behind here while we were moving. This space does not exist.

Upgrades we’ve made

  • Solar panels
  • Battery Watering System – Makes monthly filling of those lead acid batteries much quicker and hassle free. It literally takes 30 seconds. The Flow-Rite system is very easy to install.
  • Tire Pressure Management System – Why is this standard on a $12,000 new car but not an expensive motorhome that weighs ~40,000 pounds? In any case, I installed a TireMinder system with 8 total transmitters.

Options price & ordering info

For anyone considering purchasing a Dutch Star, I thought it would be handy if you knew what each option cost and if I thought it’s worth it. So the following list is every option we have on our Dutch Star, what it cost and if we like it. You can find the list of standard features and all available options for a Dutch Star here. Note that any option missing from this list simply means we don’t have it.

Air conditioning & Heating

  • Option 1: Two heat pump ACs . $469. I see no reason if you opt for the heated floors.
  • Option 2: Electric heat installed below tile. $6300. Crazy expensive. Is it worth it? Depends on much you camp in cool temps and have 50 amp service. I’ll tell you this, walking on a warm floor that heats the unit with zero noise (unlike heat pumps) is very nice.

Appliances

  • Option 1: Dishwasher. $1669. Nice to have, not necessary.
  • Option 2: All electric unit with Whirlpool fridge, 4 extra batteries and 2800 watt inverter. $3965. Completely worth it.
  • Option 3: Whirlpool two piece washer and dryer. $1613. Questionable. The dryer, being only 120V, 15A, runs forever, and it’s loud. We often end up doing laundry at a campground.
  • Option 4: Central vacuum. $599. No brainer. Also includes a kick plate for sweeping directly into the vacuum without getting any hoses out. The kick plate is key with cat litter. About once a day Karla does a quick sweep through the coach.

Audio, Video and Accessories

  • Option 1: Sirius radio capability. $228. Note this not include any monthly subscriptions. Personal choice, we think it’s worth it.
  • Option 2: Navigation system. $1023. Not worth it. It’s expensive and not very good. Pick up a Garmin Dezl 570LMT for $300 instead.
  • Option 3: Sony 40″ LED TV in front overhead. $1072. This is the only TV we watch, so worth it for us. We both enjoy laying or sitting with our feet up on the couches while watching. The TV that comes standard, a 48″ LED, is not placed ideally for how we watch TV. Both people would need to sit on the driver side couch facing the passenger side. It is on a “televator” that lifts up and down from behind the other couch. When it is up, you can’t use the windows on that side of the coach.  As a side note, Foxy also likes to lay on top of the televator.
  • Option 4: Winegard automatic open face dish for DirecTV. $2365. If you want HD satellite TV, get this.
  • Option 5: Winegard digital power lift antenna. $482. This is for over the air TV. Not much need if you have sat TV.

Cabinets & Furniture

  • Option 1: Heated driver and passenger seats. $630.  Given how long you need to idle diesel engines on cold mornings before driving, this is not necessary.
  • Options: All these other options are determined by floor plan.

Electrical Features

  • Option 1: Solar prep. $144. Worth it if you get solar installed. Note that the wire gauge used is reportedly 6 gauge for 2016.
  • Option 2: Recessed docking lights. $210. Why are these extra on such an expensive motorhome? You want them, they are handy when pulling into spaces after dark.
  • Option 3: Energy Management System. $710. You want this. I’ll explain what this does in a later post.
  • Option 4: Power rewind reel with 50′ cable. $682. You want this. Manually reeling up thick, 50 AMP cord on a cold morning is not fun.

Exterior Features

  • Option 1: Chrome power baggage door locks, keyless entrance door with touch pad bell. $2065. Worth it for the safety of ensuring all baggage doors are locked with the single push of a button. Also nice to avoid repeated unlocking and relocking cargo doors when you hook and unhook at campgrounds.
  • Option 2: Large storage tray with access from one side ($556) or either side ($855). We have the either side option and like it. Note that the sliding mechanism takes up valuable height.

Interior Features

  • Option 1: Safe located in bedroom wardrobe. $218. Worth it for storing valuables. Note it is not very deep.

Plumbing & Bath Features

  • Option 1: Fold down shower seat. $400. It’s teak. Karla likes it for shaving legs.
  • Option 2: 110-volt heating pads for holding tanks. $329. No brainer if you spend time in cold weather.
  • Option 3: Power water hose reel. $479. Totally worth it.
  • Option 4: Assist handle in shower. $158. Personal choice.

Windows, Awning & Vents

  • Option 1: Dometic 9000 window awning. $350. This is just an awning over the entrance door. We never use it.
  • Option 2: Additional Girard® G2000 Side Awning on Door Side. $3765. The standard Girard® G2000 Side Awning covers about half the length of the unit, this option covers the other half. Not worth it for us.
  • Option 3: Kitchen window. $518. Of course you want this, why is it extra?

Resources to find more info

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