Does 2025/2026 Dutch Star App allow remote (away from coach) control

[Tnedator]

Hi, I had read that newer versions were supposed to allow you to connect the KIB system to Wifi and control the coach remotely. Was this ever done? I'm on the verge of ordering a 2026 Dutch Star (although wife has fallen in love with American Coach American Dream 42Q), and was curious if remote operations were going to be possible on the Dutch Star.

I'm thinking at minimum, with them now going to Victron, I should be able to get the communicator for that, and have remote access to the inverter, AGS and such (assuming that doesn't mess up KIB access), but would also be nice to have remote control AC units to pre-cool coach, like I do with my Easy Touch thermostat.

 

[Neal]

Not an answer to your question but congrats and look forward to your journey with what's coming ahead.

 

[Neal]

@Joe Dutchstar you have a recent model DSDP and can probably assist....

 

[Tnedator]

Not an answer to your question but congrats and look forward to your journey with what's coming ahead.

Really thought I would be into an Air by now, but this inflation has been insane. I have enough equity in Ventana that I'm going to make the plunge. Wife loves the look of the American Dream, and I low the basement storage, especially the height, but I do think I'll stick with Newmar.

Among other things, between here and IRV2, there is a massive library of information readily searched, for nearly every problem/question you have, or if you post, you get quick response. There is virtually nothing in forums on the American Coach models, and not that much current on Fleetwoods. So, with Newmar being a known commodity, and all of you guys that are current/former owners having so much knowledge, that'a big gap I see in American Coach ownership.

 

[Neal]

There are a ton of pre-owned amazing deals on amazing coaches. I'm sure you've looked but if not, that's the direction I plan to take when it's time for something different. I personally can't stomach or support the prices of new these days. Seems there needs to be a correction and I hate to enable this gouging. If I was pursuing new I'd be looking for 40% or better off MSRP. It's a buyer's market. Play it smart.

 

[Tnedator]

There are a ton of pre-owned amazing deals on amazing coaches. I'm sure you've looked but if not, that's the direction I plan to take when it's time for something different. I personally can't stomach or support the prices of new these days. Seems there needs to be a correction and I hate to enable this gouging. If I was pursuing new I'd be looking for 40% or better off MSRP. It's a buyer's market. Play it smart.

If you are willing to take one off the lot that's at the end of a model year, like 2025's now, I've seen some that are close to 40% off for American Coach (rarely see Newmar's listed sale price). 2026 ordered looking more like 28-30 off, I'm thinking. Will be interesting to see if we ever see a real correction.

Haven't seen the 100k pickup trucks become 50k pickup trucks again, as an example. A few have had small price drops, like Jeep, but not much. More likely just to see what we have consolidation, and then decreased production so production equals demand.

That said, when I bought my Ventana I think a King Air was a bit over a million, now it's two million. Crazy.

Then again, I went to five guys the other day for the first time in about six years, and almost choked when I saw a burger was over $10. Not a combo, a burger. Burger, Fries and 16oz Coke Zero was over $20. Then there was the tip if you didn't want them spitting in your food, and it was something like $26 or $28 with tip and tax. When you look at burger inflation, you might say Newmars are a bargain.

The other thing Is After five years, the the value (private sale) of my coach appears to be only about 18% below what I bought it for 7 years ago, and even the first trade offer I got was only 26% below what I paid for it. So, that's the flip side, I've got more equity in my coach than if we hadn't seen this inflation.

That said, part two, I FULLY hear what you are saying about why many would be better off looking for a second hand coach. I just don't want a used coach, or one that's had 1,000 people walk through and try out the furniture, shower, etc. But, I'm paying a STEEP price for my eccentricity.