Newmar All Star - Mid Engine - Any Thoughts / Recommendations?

[pixturethis]

Thanks, will it also be pre-def and all the other emissions stuff that can be expensive to repair. I’m not finding much on which engine it has in it?

 

[happyrvdude]

Thanks, will it also be pre-def and all the other emissions stuff that can be expensive to repair. I’m not finding much on which engine it has in it?

It has the Cummins ISL9 /350hp or 400 hp (dependent on Specific Floorplan) motor. A very capable, well built, 1200lbs of torque engine. Still made today on new RVs, although with 450hp

 

[Alex444]

It has the Cummins ISL9 /350hp or 400 hp (dependent on Specific Floorplan) motor. A very capable, well built, 1200lbs of torque engine. Still made today on new RVs, although with 450hp

Yup. I have the 350. I’ve not towed with it but fully loaded inside it was fantastic. Easy up and down mountains (especially if you get the engine brake which I think was an option, not standard).

I’m going to be with mine most of the day today if you have any other questions. Replacing all the 13 year old exterior lights where the seals have aged.

 

[pixturethis]

Great, thanks I’ll look at more information on the engine and RV.

 

[redbaron]

The asme was sold with either the ISC 350/360HP or the ISL400.

The floorplan 4154 was the only ISC engine in 2009, where as only the isc 350 was sold in 2007.

2008-2009 had a lot of overlap, as this was a very strange year for the industry.

I am familiar with the 2007 isc, and it drive very well. The weight distribution was noticeable in the corners, and it felt very peppy. The engine is slightly louder than a rear engine, and the area tends to get warmer like we see in the rear engines.

Major downside with all star design was the very poor bay area storage. This was made up for by the unique floor plans, such as garage, motorcycle slide, etc.

I would like to see the mid engine return.

 

[pixturethis]

I’d like to see it come back too, I would think it would be a good compromise between front and back engine design.

 

[happyrvdude]

The asme was sold with either the ISC 350/360HP or the ISL400.

The floorplan 4154 was the only ISC engine in 2009, where as only the isc 350 was sold in 2007.

2008-2009 had a lot of overlap, as this was a very strange year for the industry.

I am familiar with the 2007 isc, and it drive very well. The weight distribution was noticeable in the corners, and it felt very peppy. The engine is slightly louder than a rear engine, and the area tends to get warmer like we see in the rear engines.

Major downside with all star design was the very poor bay area storage. This was made up for by the unique floor plans, such as garage, motorcycle slide, etc.

I would like to see the mid engine return.

It's true about storage.. I don't think any of the floorplans had "pass-thru" storage like a DP..but I have the 4257 with a huge Garage..so I can load tons of things in there and don't miss under-cab storage at all..but I suppose owners with the other floor plans may feel it lacking. Still - I can't get over how cool it is to have such a good Cummins engine, amazing Allison transmission and incredible Spartan chassis...with such a cool, unique floorplan like this. IMHO - I don't car what they do with the 2021 Canyon Star...it can't hold a candle to these All Stars!

 

[pixturethis]

That really great to here, the 4257 is the floor plan I’m looking at. I’ve never owned or worked on a diesel, but I have my fair share of motorcycle.

 

[happyrvdude]

That really great to here, the 4257 is the floor plan I’m looking at. I’ve never owned or worked on a diesel, but I have my fair share of motorcycle.

They only made I believe 8 in 2008 and 9 in 2009.. (or vice versa).. the 2007 had about 10 made..so about 27 total were sold! It's tough to find.. but someone is selling a 2007 right now on RV Trader..my friend took a look at the one in Pennsylvania and said it look a bit worn and rough..but still good. The 2007s had a 2-piece windshield, PowerTech 7500 Generator, different nose/headlights and tail lights...and the Cummins was the 350hp version-also no Comfort Drive Steering system. Interior was pretty much identical. Mine is a 2008.. I really felt lucky to find one in July...I've use my RVs for business 80%, pleasure 20%.. the 2008 Toy Hauler was literally my dream vehicle...been renovating for my industry (Photo and Film Production Industry...Hair & Make Up Trailer) for last 3 1/2 months.. almost done!

 

[pixturethis]

WOW, that isn’t very many units sold. Well I’m still a few years away from buying my next RV. Maybe I’ll get lucky in that time. You keep enjoying yours, sounds like It really works for you .

 

[Alex444]

It's true about storage.. I don't think any of the floorplans had "pass-thru" storage like a DP..but I have the 4257 with a huge Garage..so I can load tons of things in there and don't miss under-cab storage at all..but I suppose owners with the other floor plans may feel it lacking. Still - I can't get over how cool it is to have such a good Cummins engine, amazing Allison transmission and incredible Spartan chassis...with such a cool, unique floorplan like this. IMHO - I don't car what they do with the 2021 Canyon Star...it can't hold a candle to these All Stars!

Agree! We have the 3950 (bunks above and master below) and while there really is only one big basement storage and one small, there’s an insane amount of large cabinet space, room under the bed, room under the banquet, etc. For a family of 4 + 2 dogs I’ve not had a storage problem. If I ever do, my backup plan is a hitch mount rack w/ bins.

 

[marc2912]

Hey @Alex444 So it's been about a year and change in. You should be coming to the end of your second season. How's the 3950 life. After spending countless hours looking at floorplans this one is looking to the a great layout for my family (3 soon to be 4). Have you found more issues? I've been spending more and more time reading about them and it's at the point where I think I'm just itching to get one. BTW did you do an inspection pre purchase and how did you find someone to do it?

 

[Alex444]

Hey Marc!

Well, our 2020 took a bit of a different turn as well and we ended up pregnant with our third child delivering in April of this year! So, while we did use the motorhome a few times this season, it wasn’t as intense as last summer and fall.

With that in mind, we’re actually testing the waters on selling it. We don’t need to, and actually sometimes don’t want to, but we’re thinking now about getting something even bigger.

We do love it, it’s a super great motor home and it’s perfect for a family of 4. The only thing to report is more of what I mentioned in this thread - I think that there was a lot of “deferred maintenance” on my unit combined with a lack of usage. So for as much as we use ours, a bunch of things went out that might have been preventable (slide motor, fuel pump, jacks, etc).

The most major of those was our generator. Unfortunately we think the stater died. It’s a $4,000 part so - with a 14 year old unit it just makes sense to replace. You can get a 5-6 year old Onan (the original is CAT/ PowerTech) for like $5k or $6k, so worth it to just upgrade. We actually never really needed ours much… the dash A/C blows cold so we were comfortable without rooftop A/C and the house batteries carry the fridge and other general power needs for +/- 36 hours. So we just would go from shore power to shore power and we’re fine.

We did not have an opportunity to get a pre inspection. I had a mechanic on speed dial when we looked at it and he walked me through the major chassis things, which have been strong throughout our ownership except for the fuel pump.

So to answer your question - get one that hasn’t been sitting or has had a lot of this stuff done for something 14 years old!

It’s on Facebook marketplace if you’re interested. Listed at $76k (would probably list it for $82k if the generator was working) but also flexible to come down some too! If it doesn’t sell we’re likely to just double down on it and do some fun upgrades like new finishes, solar power, etc. and stick with it another 5 or so years. We really do love it!

Feel free to text or call if you’d like more info. 678-644-0757.

 

[marc2912]

Hey Marc!

Well, our 2020 took a bit of a different turn as well and we ended up pregnant with our third child delivering in April of this year! So, while we did use the motorhome a few times this season, it wasn’t as intense as last summer and fall.

With that in mind, we’re actually testing the waters on selling it. We don’t need to, and actually sometimes don’t want to, but we’re thinking now about getting something even bigger.

We do love it, it’s a super great motor home and it’s perfect for a family of 4. The only thing to report is more of what I mentioned in this thread - I think that there was a lot of “deferred maintenance” on my unit combined with a lack of usage. So for as much as we use ours, a bunch of things went out that might have been preventable (slide motor, fuel pump, jacks, etc).

The most major of those was our generator. Unfortunately we think the stater died. It’s a $4,000 part so - with a 14 year old unit it just makes sense to replace. You can get a 5-6 year old Onan (the original is CAT/ PowerTech) for like $5k or $6k, so worth it to just upgrade. We actually never really needed ours much… the dash A/C blows cold so we were comfortable without rooftop A/C and the house batteries carry the fridge and other general power needs for +/- 36 hours. So we just would go from shore power to shore power and we’re fine.

We did not have an opportunity to get a pre inspection. I had a mechanic on speed dial when we looked at it and he walked me through the major chassis things, which have been strong throughout our ownership except for the fuel pump.

So to answer your question - get one that hasn’t been sitting or has had a lot of this stuff done for something 14 years old!

It’s on Facebook marketplace if you’re interested. Listed at $76k (would probably list it for $82k if the generator was working) but also flexible to come down some too! If it doesn’t sell we’re likely to just double down on it and do some fun upgrades like new finishes, solar power, etc. and stick with it another 5 or so years. We really do love it!

Feel free to text or call if you’d like more info. 678-644-0757.

Thanks for the incredibly fast reply. Congrats on the new addition and I can understand where going from 4-5 would mean more space needed. I had been looking at this one 2007 NEWMAR ALL STAR 3950 For Sale in Atlanta, Georgia . For some reason I can't seem to find the link to yours on FB, could you share or drop in a DM?

Thanks

 

[Alex444]

Yes, that’s mine! Forgot we cross listed there too!

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