The pre-delivery inspection (PDI) and systems check completed by our dealer, we took delivery of our 2019 Dutch Star 3717 on Tuesday, November 27.
Everything looked pretty good. The new coach is well appointed with polished porcelain tile floors that extend into each slideout, full hardwood (wicker glazed maple) window treatments, carved feature ceiling, Bose Solo 5 Soundbar sound system, retractable 49-inch Sony TV, two recliners with reading lights, computer desk dinette combo with free standing hidden-leaf table, KIB backlit switch plates for interior lighting, Whirlpool two-piece stacking washer and drier, king bed, driver side power window, under-step shoe storage, and keyless entry.
Distinctive kitchen features include Whirlpool 19.7 residential-style refrigerator, Whirlpool stainless steel convection microwave with three-burner recessed gas cooktop, gas oven, pull-out pantry shelves, and galley extension with large double stainless steel sink, additional work space, and storage.
Our keyless entry system allows for entry into the coach without the use of a key. It requires the use of a remote control or correct code to unlock the door. Our coach also has power-locking baggage doors.
Last spring we put in a custom order for a new motor coach with our trusty dealer, Midtown RV in Penticton, British Columbia. This is our fifth Newmar motorhome and the third purchased from Midtown.
The same length and a somewhat similar floor plan to our current 2012 model. This is the longest we’ve owned an RV since we started our snowbird lifestyle 22 years ago. We figured that if we were going to get a new diesel pusher now was the time due to our age and the fact that our extended warranty had elapsed and we required an outlay of $10,000-$15,000 for new tires and batteries and several upgrades I wanted including WiFi Ranger. Expected delivery was early October. Several factory delays and we finally took possession of our new coach.
An option we included in our custom order, the WiFi Ranger is a wireless router that creates our own private Wi-Fi network in the coach while simultaneously connecting to and boosting Wi-Fi hotspots.
There are also multiple outlets for keeping electronics powered up and even wireless charging pads next to both the driver and passenger seats.
A Dometic cooler is located on a pull-out tray in a basement bin. Electronically controlled, it can be used for both heating and cooling. It can be a freezer, or it can be a beer fridge. It can be whatever you want it to be.
A second door leads to open space for storage, while a third contains an even bigger storage space; this one includes a sliding drawer, offering easy access to items that would otherwise have to be pushed far out of arm’s reach. A fourth door opens to shelves and a pegboard; an actual replacement for a typical tool shed.
Built on a Freightliner XCR chassis and 450 HP Cummins diesel engine with 1,250 ft. lb. of torque, a test drive determined that the coach is a pleasure to drive. Features like Newmar’s Comfort Drive Steering allows for easy maneuverability with just a light grip on the wheel. You simply steer the coach like you would any other vehicle, and adjust the dial on the dash to suit your preference for steering effort. I prefer a higher setting which takes much of the movement out of the wheel especially on windy days.
In addition, our Dutch Star is supported by Newmar’s ultra-durable STAR Foundation for a quieter ride.
A half-day-plus customer walk-through helped familiarize us with the coach and component parts.
Our coach is equipped with the Oasis hydronic heating system. This system uses a “boiler” and a pump to heat and recirculate hot fluid through a series of convectors placed throughout the unit. The Oasis system uses two different sources for heat, the diesel burner and the electric heating element. The diesel burner is the primary and most efficient heat source with an output of 50,000 BTUs. The Oasis system provides the coach with hot water on demand and furnace heat.
Our coach is also equipped with radiant floor heat that uses a heat mat placed between the tile and the floor structure. A controller regulates the temperature and the timed heat cycles depending on the control setting—low, medium, and high. We find the low setting more than adequate for our comfort level. The floor heat operates on 120 volt AC power.
Our coach is also equipped with a fresh water tank auto fill which is enabled at the monitor panel touchscreen inside the coach. The touchscreen further indicates the fresh, gray, and black water and LP gas level in 5 percent increments along with the chassis and house batteries charge.
Our coach is as beautiful on the outside as it is comfortable inside. We really like the colors of the Cobblestone exterior with the varied shades of silver gray and charcoal. Between 12 and 16 gallons of paint are used on each model. Several types of primer are applied, followed by a base coat, color for graphics, and a final clear coat. Finally, a Diamond Shield Paint Protector is utilized in areas of the coach most susceptible to bugs and rock chips. Stainless steel trim on baggage doors and kick panel at entrance door complete the look.
Other features include transfer switch with energy management system, surge protection, 50-foot 50-amp power cord with rewind wheel, and power water hose reel.
Living in an RV—whether it’s part-time or full-time—isn’t about the places you can go. It’s about the journey, not the destination. Nothing beats the experience of driving down the road in a motor coach! You’re elevated, and you get to take it all in—a panoramic view.
The Dutch Star itself is available in 12 different floor plans, with four cabinetry finish options, three exterior paint choices, and three interior color schemes, which encompass the furniture, fabric, flooring, and countertop choices. There is also a handicap model available, which is accessible with a lift and ramp.
A manufacturer of Class A motorhomes, Newmar has chosen to lead rather than follow and deliver a high level of craftsmanship, innovation, and customer support. Newmar was founded in 1968 for one simple reason: to build a better RV.
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Worth Pondering…
We chose an RV and RV lifestyle that’s right for us.