drzcharlie Posted October 31, 2016 Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 We are new to Escapees and new to Class A Motorhomes and wanted to introduce ourselves. I'm Charlie and my beautiful wife is Martha. I've been retired since 2005 so I am getting good at it. My wife is a massage therapist/and I doubt she will ever retire fully. I was raised in a camping family and have been camping in tents, popups, vans and Class C's for most of my life. My wife started camping with me about 25 years ago. I also ride a motorcycle (which will eventually end up on a cruiser lift sometime in the near future). Anyway, we made an offer on a 2005 Newmar Northern Star last Friday. We've yet to hear whether the offer was accepted as the unit is under consignment and the owner has yet to be reached by the dealer. This is taking all the limited patience I have left while waiting to hear back from the dealer. If the answer is no, well I guess it just wasn't meant to be this time around. And we will start a new search. Anyway, wish us luck. Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted October 31, 2016 Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 Good luck for certain! Hope you get it. It looks long, you may be able to keep your wife in back massage practice after you wash and wax it! :-) First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 31, 2016 Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 Welcome to the Escapee forums and also to the RV club! We are truly happy that you have chosen to join us. Feel free to join in or to start new threads at any time and on any of our forum subject areas. I have long been a believer in the Newmar RV lines even though I've not owned one, as we have known several very happy customers. In case the deal does go through on your proposed purchase, I did find a brochure for the 2005 Northern Star on the internet that you might like to have. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzcharlie Posted October 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 Thanks Stan and Kirk. Kirk, I have already downloaded the brochure. Thanks for that. Stan, the unit is 39' with brand new Michelin's on it. It also has two year old batteries and seems well taken care of. I guess/hope I am about to find out. Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted October 31, 2016 Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 It sounds wonderful! I hope your offer is accepted. Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmac9 Posted October 31, 2016 Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 Welcome aboard!! You will find a wealth of knowledge on this board that will save you time and money with many things concerning RV'ing...or at least it did for me!! Good luck on the RV, it is very nice and like Kirk said Newmar is a very good line of Class A rv's!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted October 31, 2016 Report Share Posted October 31, 2016 You made an excellent choice for your motorhome. Hope you get it. We were extremely happy for 8 of our full-timer years in our 2004 Newmar. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_Fan44 Posted November 1, 2016 Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzcharlie Posted November 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2016 Thanks everyone. We are still waiting on the loan decision. It sucks to be on a fixed income. But, whatever happens we'll know it was meant to be that way and then we'll move on to step two. Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzcharlie Posted November 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 It's official! We are Class A owners. We take possession of our "new to us" 2005 Newmar Northern Star this coming Monday! Yay us! We are going to be taking her home via one night of camping somewhere between Alvarado, Tx. and Fayetteville, Ar. on Monday evening. I hope I can make sense of all of the operating systems as this is the first diesel and first Class A I have owned. We have had several Class C's but this is a new critter. We'll be looking for you on the road full time after June 1, 2017. Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 It sounds like you must have purchased from Motorhome Specialists? They have a very good reputation. Enjoy your trip! Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky242 Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Congrats Let the adventure begin! 2000 Volvo VNL 610 2011 Cedar Creek 36RE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFDR3116 Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Maybe you should consider camping your first night around the dealer, that way if you find a problem you aren't half way home already. Then after 1 night trying all the systems, using the appliances, leveling etc and all works right, then head for home stopping for another night in between. Pat DeJong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzcharlie Posted November 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 We are very excited to say the least. Where will I find information on what problems we should be looking for once we take possession? Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzcharlie Posted November 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Maybe you should consider camping your first night around the dealer, that way if you find a problem you aren't half way home already. Then after 1 night trying all the systems, using the appliances, leveling etc and all works right, then head for home stopping for another night in between. Excellent idea. I read that Motor Home Specialists has a campsites available. We might just do that. Excellent idea. Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Yea! Congratulations! Get a tour from the dealer, find water inlet and ALL tank dumps and valves. Power cord, breakers and if an inverter the controls. Fuel, water, oil for the engine. How to work the slides, awnings and any other bits that move and aren't obvious. Video it all, you'll appreciate that when your mind refuses to recall something that was pointed at in passing and you need badly right now! We found it was best to open the door or at least a window before moving the slides, you can create enough suction on a bad day to scrape your floors otherwise. Folks have posted checklists here, search might find a couple for you to use as a starting point. We found ours an essential tool, saved a lot of aggravation and expense. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzcharlie Posted November 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Thanks Stan. Sounds like great advice all. Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Where will I find information on what problems we should be looking for once we take possession? While knowledge is a good thing, don't over anticipate problems as that can make one spend too much time worrying and not enough enjoying. Excellent idea. I read that Motor Home Specialists has a campsites available. We might just do that. Excellent idea. I don't recall that they have specific campsites but I know that they have allowed people time to move between motorhomes after a trade and I believe I remember a friend spending a night checking things out on their parking area. If you want to see what the place looks like, take a tour via Google Maps as you will see that it is a pretty large place. Over the years the company has really grown and the area where they used to provide RV storage is now more sales space. At the very least you should be able to dry camp for a night. I'd also take notes and perhaps some digital pictures when they give you the "walk through" which is typically done at the time of delivery. Make sure that you know where everything is and if in doubt, have them let you operate the item. Leveling jacks is probably one that you have not previously had so put that on your list of new things to learn, and be sure you know how to check the fluid level. Another is what to do if a slide don't come in. Make sure that the chassis has had a complete service including oil change and ask about transmission & coolant changes. Usually most of the time is spent on the RV side of things but the chassis is probably going to be the larger change for you. With your past experience you will already know how to use the furnace and such as long as you know where the controls are located. You probably do have an inverter so get a demo on that and be sure that coach batteries have been serviced. Be sure that you know what is supplied by the inverter as well. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmac9 Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Congrats!! It is a beautiful RV!! I might also suggest you find a "Newmar Owners" forum. I'm pretty sure there will be one as popular as those RV's are. We found one for our particular make of RV and it has been a wealth of information from folks that have owned them for years and made changes or repairs to them. Good luck, safe travels and hope we meet on the road one day!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 Yay! So happy for you! Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted November 2, 2016 Report Share Posted November 2, 2016 There is a very active Newmar forum on irv2.com It would definitely be the place to go to ask specific questions although don't leave us out on this forum, too! Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzcharlie Posted November 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 No worries there. I will here all the time seeking advice and commiserating. Cheers Our Blogs - Wandering Toes | Vietnam 46 years Later | Charlies Moto Chronicles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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