About to buy a Newmar. Looking for information.

[Deadwoodmgmt]

Hello All,
We are getting out of our super C and into a bus. 90% sure Newmar is the for us. Gonna buy a coach that is a few yrs old. Not sure the floor plan other than we want the 600 + hp and 40ft ish. My question is what issues have you all had other than the small traveling stuff. Keep in mind we are coming from a Thor Omni super C where we basically up graded every major issue they have. It has been in the shop more than on the road. Now that we have fixed it all we want to pass it along and get into a larger platform. We are worried about the COVID yr coaches so please tell me your good and bad please and any tips that will save us from being stuck on the side of the road. Been there done that. Thanks all for reading.

 

[Jim]

Been there, done that, sounds like you earned your stripes with that Thor. Jumping to Newmar is a good move, especially with a 600+ HP rig in the 40' range. Here’s the short version of what to expect:

The Good​

• Chassis & Engine: Spartan K3 and Cummins 600 are solid so is the Freightliner chassis. You’ll feel the difference right away.
• Build Quality: Better than Thor by a country mile. Cabinetry, wiring, and insulation are all a step up.
• Support: Newmar actually answers the phone. That alone’s worth a bunch.

The Bad

• COVID Builds (2020–2022): In my opinion, you’re smart to be cautious. QC slipped during those years. Some rigs were slapped together like a group project at 4 a.m.
• Slides & Electrical: Full-wall slides and multiplex systems can be trouble spots. Not terrible, but not bulletproof either.
• Aqua-Hot / Oasis: No experience with the Aqua-Hot but my coach has the Oasis. I like it a BUNCH, and so will you!

Pro Tips

• Get a third-party inspection, regardless of when (or who) built the coach.
• Plan to replace tires if they’re over 5 years old, no matter how good they look.
• Carry basics: filters, belts, tools, and a water pump.
• Join the Newmar Owners Group, (you've gone a long way by joining this forum), you'll learn more there than any manual will tell you.

You’re upgrading for the right reasons. Just buy smart, inspect everything, and don’t expect perfection.

 

[Deadwoodmgmt]

Been there, done that, sounds like you earned your stripes with that Thor. Jumping to Newmar is a good move, especially with a 600+ HP rig in the 40' range. Here’s the short version of what to expect:

The Good​

• Chassis & Engine: Spartan K3 and Cummins 600 are solid so is the Freightliner chassis. You’ll feel the difference right away.
• Build Quality: Better than Thor by a country mile. Cabinetry, wiring, and insulation are all a step up.
• Support: Newmar actually answers the phone. That alone’s worth a bunch.

The Bad

• COVID Builds (2020–2022): In my opinion, you’re smart to be cautious. QC slipped during those years. Some rigs were slapped together like a group project at 4 a.m.
• Slides & Electrical: Full-wall slides and multiplex systems can be trouble spots. Not terrible, but not bulletproof either.
• Aqua-Hot / Oasis: No experience with the Aqua-Hot but my coach has the Oasis. I like it a BUNCH, and so will you!

Pro Tips

• Get a third-party inspection, regardless of when (or who) built the coach.
• Plan to replace tires if they’re over 5 years old, no matter how good they look.
• Carry basics: filters, belts, tools, and a water pump.
• Join the Newmar Owners Group, (you've gone a long way by joining this forum), you'll learn more there than any manual will tell you.

You’re upgrading for the right reasons. Just buy smart, inspect everything, and don’t expect perfection.

Thank you. I appreciate the feedback back. I will for sure listen to your advise.

 

[DennisT]

Well, as far as “Covid year” coaches I can relate our experience with our 22 Newmar Superstar. Other than some parts being different between same year coaches due to availability I don’t think Newmar actually “slipped” during that time - just my thoughts though.

We have had minor issues only and have been full timing in the coach since purchased December of 22. All were corrected at the mothership and only stayed one night in a hotel when they did some of the paint corrections.

We hired an inspector even though it was new. Well worth the investment. Our inspector made the statement that looking at everything across the board as they do, Newmar was at the top of the list as far as fewer issues and quality overall.

Don’t think you can go wrong with the Newmar.

Are there some with issues, yep just like anything else. They have been minor overall though.

 

[Deadwoodmgmt]

Thank you. I appreciate your input. Drive safe out there and have a great day.

 

[redbaron]

I have been very vocal about the 2022 London Aire I purchased new. At delivery there was a ton of issues. It took me 14 months to get everything resolved but at the end, my 2022 was better than my 2019 dsdp.

 

[Underboss]

A rumor that keeps on going no matter that it has not been factual. Beware of those who never owned a 20 to 22 coach making false claims about COVID coaches. Its always, they read, they heard, no actual experience.
My 21 Ventana 4369 had a minor dash issue that was fixed in 20 minutes. Otherwise I traveled the whole USA for over a year with zero issues.
Do not limit yourself on model years. Find the floor plan with the options that you want. Remember older coaches end up needing more repairs, just like cars do as they age.
Find what you like, have a professional inspection and make a deal. I am on my third Newmar and would not buy another brand

 

[Deadwoodmgmt]

I have been very vocal about the 2022 London Aire I purchased new. At delivery there was a ton of issues. It took me 14 months to get everything resolved but at the end, my 2022 was better than my 2019 dsdp.

Thank you.

 

[Deadwoodmgmt]

A rumor that keeps on going no matter that it has not been factual. Beware of those who never owned a 20 to 22 coach making false claims about COVID coaches. Its always, they read, they heard, no actual experience.
My 21 Ventana 4369 had a minor dash issue that was fixed in 20 minutes. Otherwise I traveled the whole USA for over a year with zero issues.
Do not limit yourself on model years. Find the floor plan with the options that you want. Remember older coaches end up needing more repairs, just like cars do as they age.
Find what you like, have a professional inspection and make a deal. I am on my third Newmar and would not buy another brand

That’s what I feel as well. The actual experience. I however did experience this with a Thor product and will never do that again. Hence the Newmar brand.

 

[Jim]

A rumor that keeps on going no matter that it has not been factual. Beware of those who never owned a 20 to 22 coach making false claims about COVID coaches. Its always, they read, they heard, no actual experience.

It's true that many of us have never owned a 2020-2022 RV. But there’s a strong consensus, especially across RV forums and industry reports, that RVs built during the COVID‑era often suffered from lower build quality than those made pre or post‑COVID.

• Mass hiring of inexperienced labor
• Severe supply chain disruptions
• Rushed production schedules
• Reduced quality control and dealer-side inspections

It’s not that all COVID-era RVs are lemons, but the odds of encountering one were notably higher.

 

[Underboss]

It's true that many of us have never owned a 2020-2022 RV. But there’s a strong consensus, especially across RV forums and industry reports, that RVs built during the COVID‑era often suffered from lower build quality than those made pre or post‑COVID.

• Mass hiring of inexperienced labor
• Severe supply chain disruptions
• Rushed production schedules
• Reduced quality control and dealer-side inspections

It’s not that all COVID-era RVs are lemons, but the odds of encountering one were notably higher.

The post here was about purchasing a Newmar, not other brands so the discussion should apply to Newmar. As for rushed production schedules it is more believable for the late 22 , early 23 model years model years.Consensus of who? The problem is, again, folks that believe. Please expand on Newmar's mass hiring of inexperienced labor or how any of this applies to Newmar.
The sad thing is this covid coach hoax has been spread about Newmar without ever reading one post by an actual owner of a "newmar covid coach" that had any issues other then normal model year issues. Every time I see these posts it is by owners of older coaches or folks who bought their first coach after covid and had no idea rvs have always had issues. While I do not currently have a dog in this fight, its not fair to the owners that people without direct experience keep spreading this stuff.
As for dealer side inspections, its always been an issue that continues today so it is not a covid issue its a forever issue.
I know as I have owned nine rvs over the years. I know how good dealers can be and how bad they can be and this goes back 25 years.

 

[Joe Hogan]

If a Newmar is properly maintained, annual inspection and service, they should be a sound purchase. If teh unit shows Signs of excess wear, probably should be avoided.

 

[Jim]

The post here was about purchasing a Newmar, not other brands so the discussion should apply to Newmar.

The man said he was “90% sure Newmar is the for us.” So that other 10% just got address as well.

We are getting out of our super C and into a bus. 90% sure Newmar is the for us. Gonna buy a coach that is a few yrs old.

@Deadwoodmgmt, you buy what works for you. And regardless who built the rig or when it was built, get a 3rd party inspection. When I buy my next Class A, it will be either a Newmar, Foretravel or a Prevost. And regardless of the year it was built, I will have it inspected.

At the end of the day, and all other issues considered, knowing the condition of the coach TODAY is probably more important then when it was built.