New Aire 3543

[Dwebcbceo]

I’m looking for owner’s experience with the 3543 model of Newmar New Aire or any 36 ft model. I currently have a 2019 3343 New Aire and really love the coach but would like more power. Excellent fit and finish and overall good quality but living in the west we are always climbing mountains and I would like more torque and hp.
I’m wondering about quality of build during COVID and labor shortages and generally what your experience has been. Any info on Winnebago’s ownership of Newmar? And I know that the prices have gone crazy but hoping that my trade in value has gone up somewhat also.
Thanks for any info and opinions you can give me about the 36 ft New Aire. Your knowledge would be appreciated.
David Weber
Wenatchee, WA

 

[JRS]

If I recall correctly, the New Aires have 450hp Cummins. Not many 36ft coaches with 450hp. If looking elsewhere, divide your actual weight by 450 to get pounds/hp to give you an idea of what to expect (based on your personal experience). I have the same 450hp in a coach that weighs and tows just under 49.5K lbs so I'm at 110lbs/hp. My DS is no speed demon on hills. The next step up is the 605hp Cummins and that's as high as it goes. I've read and now believe you don't want to go below 100lbs/hp.

 

[Rich W.]

The 37’ DS are about 34k lbs with the same power plant so they are about the best power to weight ratio rigs available.

 

[Dwebcbceo]

If I recall correctly, the New Aires have 450hp Cummins. Not many 36ft coaches with 450hp. If looking elsewhere, divide your actual weight by 450 to get pounds/hp to give you an idea of what to expect (based on your personal experience). I have the same 450hp in a coach that weighs and tows just under 49.5K lbs so I'm at 110lbs/hp. My DS is no speed demon on hills. The next step up is the 605hp Cummins and that's as high as it goes. I've read and now believe you don't want to go below 100lbs/hp.

Thanks, Rich. Good information. You’re right in that the 36 ft New Aire has 450hp. Should be a rocket. My 34 ft New Aire is 38,600 GVW so 360 hp puts the lbs/hp ratio right at the lower limit of what, according to your information, is needed for adequate performance. Other than the steeper hills the performance is OK. I’m thinking that i need to learn to accept it rather than spending maybe $300K or more to trade up to a 36 ft model.

 

[Rich W.]

Thanks, Rich. Good information. You’re right in that the 36 ft New Aire has 450hp. Should be a rocket. My 34 ft New Aire is 38,600 GVW so 360 hp puts the lbs/hp ratio right at the lower limit of what, according to your information, is needed for adequate performance. Other than the steeper hills the performance is OK. I’m thinking that i need to learn to accept it rather than spending maybe $300K or more to trade up to a 36 ft model.

Thats where I ended up. My 35’ Ventana has the same power plant but the listed approx. unladen weight is 28k lbs. It is slow ro respond but gets the job done and I really don’t want more coach, so I‘ve learned to live with it and get the most out of it that it has to offer; it does OK.

At 34k lbs, both the 37’ DS and the 35 series NA powered by an ISL would be a little better but not enough so to justify the other compromises, one of which is my 87” couch, not available in the 37’ DS models.

Take a look at the published UVW for these rigs to make a more accurate comparison since you are probably never at the GVW anyway.

 

[JRS]

I agree with Rich on using the GVW value for the comparison. Fully loaded, I'm way under the GVW rating but I have a tag axle too. You should also weigh your loaded rig so you can set tire pressures to the correct level.

 

[Rich W.]

I started my DP journey concerned about power to weight ratio, and its important to a degree, but mostly for acceleration. Once your’e moving it is a lot less important. And these days MPG is looking pretty important too. On my next trip I’ll spend a lot of time in the economy mode moving a lot slower than usual and trying to get close to 9mpg out of the thing. Imagine feeding 15 liters these days….

 

[JRS]

I'm between 19 to 20K miles on my rig so engine has a long ways to go in getting "broken in" for better mpg. I'm always in economy mode, going no more than 65 mph and right now I'm only getting 7.25 mpg. I'd be tickled to get 8 mpg.
Although it's now torque that matters, IMHO weight/hp ratio will also help in going up slopes. I'm pretty sure my rig won't go up as fast as a New Aire. I've been passed by gassers before.

 

[Dwebcbceo]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I appreciate the thoughts and information. The most rational thing for me is to learn to live with going up hills slower and yes, like JRS, suffer the indignity of being passed by gassers. As I said before the coach otherwise is great. Excellent fit and finish and it serves us well in our travels.

 

[Neb Fan]

We have a 2021 3543 (Love the floor plan in ours) just returned from Boyne Falls Michigan area
Hats of to the KOA at Gaylord Michigan great place
Wind gust through Iowa we 35 and rig did really well ( just slowed down a bit) plenty of power with the 450 Hp
Great Rig Love it
Thanks