Jump to content

Newmar 5er Quality?


rickeieio

Recommended Posts

This probably should be asked in the Fifth Wheel forum, but I trust you folks will know.........

 

We're looking to upgrade our toy-hauler. I think I'd rather buy a used higher end unit than a new more common rig. So, my research has led me to several Newmar toy haulers. They seem to all be 2008 models. They also seem to all have triple axles and Mor-Ryde suspension.

 

So, if y'all have anything good, or bad, to say, I'm all ears.

 

I'm open to other brands as well.

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have a newmar Kountry Aire, not a toy Hauler, but is the best 5th wheel we have ever own, as you can see in the signature it is a 2006 and is far better than the newer ones now on the market. The only problem is that it is too heavy for a pickup, we use a volve HDT. Pin weight is 4000#+, the wife likes her stuff, no argument from me, if mamma aint happy the world sucks. Lot of luck.....

the sailor & his Lady

1998 Volvo 610 "Big Red"

2006 Newmar Kountry Aire "Mother Goose"

2013 Smart Car "Lil' Red"

 

" If you aren't living on the edge, you are just taking up space "

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our Mountain Aire fiver is an '05. I think Newmar quit making 5th wheels around '08 - '09 so that may explain the preponderance of '08 models.

 

Newmar quality and customer support have always been at the top of the heap, so I expect that carried through on the toy haulers. Ours was virtually unused when we bought it in '07; we have towed about 80k miles since then and lived in it for 5 -6 months for the last 6 years and it has stood up very well. Only thing we have done aside from normal maintenance is new springs and shackles. The spring issues may have been from my hitting the ion a bit too hard with the HDT! There was a learning curve there.

 

Outside the decals are starting to show their age after 6 winters in the Arizona sun, but the interior still looks as good as new. As sailor said, they do run to the heavy side. Our GVWR is 20k and we weigh close to 19k packed to travel. There is aplenty of carrying capacity as dry weight is 15.5k.

 

I would not hesitate to buy another - if they were still making them.

Dennis & Nancy
Tucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.

1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.
2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS
2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud
(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06

and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)
Our Travel Blog

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interrupted before I finished last post.

 

You can find brochures and other info in the Newmar Archives.

Dennis & Nancy
Tucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.

1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.
2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS
2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud
(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06

and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)
Our Travel Blog

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dry weights and pin weights are right about where we are now. But they only appear to have 3-5200# axles and 16" load range D tires. If I can buy one right, an axle/tire upgrade would be in order.

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What everybody says about Newmar x 2 ! We went to the Tampa show last year (Newmar had a special group area) and asked the factory poo-bahs "what over there in the show would we be happy with if we wanted to buy a new fiver". NOBODY, not the crowd or the higher-ups said a word. The Mor-ryde is great, but if you want a top of the line toy hauler Newmar made (I think) the King Aire, dual tandems.

2000 Volvo 635 A/S, N-14 Cummins
"The Phoenix"
'03 KA 38KSWB

http://s918.photobucket.com/user/sibernut/library/?sort=6&page=1
Furkids- Sibe's CH. Sedona & Tseika
dolphins.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

More homework means more questions.......duh.

 

I found more X-Aires for sale, and some have 6k axles and load range "E" tires. Better, but still not great.

 

I've yet to find a King Aire or other unit with tandem duals.

 

Oddly enough, we are in a situation where we likely won't be using the RV much this year, if at all, until next winter. So, we have time to look. I'm even considering putting our trailer on the market so I have plenty of time to sell it while we look.

 

If length were not an issue, there's this:

http://www.racingjunk.com/Living-Quarter-Trailers/2692837/2000-2011-2-Car-Stacker-w-2006-INTERNATIONAL.html

 

Unfortunately, the top of the stacker is to low for the smart or the motorcycles, though I imagine that could be changed.

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I know 2 axle duals were only on Mountain Aire & Kountry Aire fivers. Mine are 9k axles.

Dennis & Nancy
Tucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.

1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.
2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS
2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud
(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06

and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)
Our Travel Blog

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dennis M , I think you are right, my Kountry Aire has 10K axles with mor/ryde, dualies. Last made in 2009, no market due to cost, most people who are buying 5th wheels now don;t know quality when they see it.

the sailor & his Lady

1998 Volvo 610 "Big Red"

2006 Newmar Kountry Aire "Mother Goose"

2013 Smart Car "Lil' Red"

 

" If you aren't living on the edge, you are just taking up space "

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you have a whole year and can spend a few weeks at Spacecraft you can have one built to your spec's and it will last a lifetime. Nothing against Newmar, they look real nice. Don't believe I could ever overload my dual tandems and the air brakes are so much better than what I had with the other toyhauler. Disc might be better but won't last as long as mine.

 

Rod

White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors,  JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift.

1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022

2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top.

2007 Honda GL 1800

2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler

The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with you Rod, but we will never be full timers, and will someday stop wishing to carry both a car and motorcycles. Plus, due to my heritage, I'm "fiscally sensitive", aka "cheap." Thus my wish to buy a used, but high quality, unit.

 

Fortunately, we not in a hurry. But if a used Spacecraft toy hauler would crop up, I'd be interested, but I've only ever seen one.

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

RVers Online University

mywaggle.com

campgroundviews.com

RV Destinations

Find out more or sign up for Escapees RV'ers Bootcamp.

Advertise your product or service here.

The Rvers- Now Streaming

RVTravel.com Logo



×
×
  • Create New...