In the world of luxury motorhomes, Newmar falls near the top of the list. Its reputation for high-end quality coaches starts with its durable chassis. Newmar builds their RVs meticulously, extending to the full-body paint on the exterior.
Owning a Newmar motorhome can symbolize the belief that “a motor coach is more than just a vehicle, it’s a passport to countless hours of fun and lifelong memories taken from quality time spent with family and friends.” The company lives up to this mission statement by producing exceptional gas, diesel, and Super C motorhomes.
Let’s look at how Newmar RVs have become a standout in the recreational vehicle industry.
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Newmar RVs Are Popular for a Reason
The founders of the Newmar Company based it on Mennonite principles of community, responsibility, and care, and they claim Biblical principles shape their business culture. These principles include working as if for God. As a result, the quality of their motor coaches reflects this standard. Their popularity has risen as RVers discover the quality of their materials and construction.
Each coach is on a Ford, Spartan Motors, or Freightliner custom chassis. The manufacturers equip it with a Comfort Drive steering system to eliminate friction and make driving more effortless.
Additionally, Newmar motorhomes come with custom wood cabinetry, flush floor slide-outs, and a Total Comfort air system that you can’t find on other RVs. The company has exemplary customer care, placing owners at the center of their design, build, and delivery process.
About Newmar RV
Started in 1968 by Marvin Miller and Marvin Newcomer in Nappanee, Indiana, Newmar RV produced its first recreational vehicle in 1971. It was a Kountry Aire fifth wheel. During this time, they employed many workers from surrounding Amish and Mennonite communities, and the business multiplied.
Marvin Miller retired in 1984, selling his 51% of Newmar to Mahlon Miller, who proposed an idea for manufacturing Class motorhomes. Soon Newmar became a premier luxury RV producer, but it wasn’t until 2012 that the company sidelined its fifth-wheel production, focusing exclusively on motorcoaches.
Mahlon’s son, Matt, took over the company’s reins in 2006, overseeing nearly 800 long-time employees at their assembly plant and chassis manufacturing facility on the campus in Nappanee. Today, Newmar RV has added Super C recreational vehicle builds to their lineup of offerings.
Who Owns Newmar RV?
In 2019, Winnebago Industries purchased Newmar Motor Coaches for $344 million. They are now the parent company. Therefore, Newmar joins a host of RV brands that fall under the Winnebago umbrella.
Where are Newmar Motorhomes Made?
The company builds all Newmar RV motorcoaches in Nappanee, Indiana. The facilities are in a 116,000 square foot assembly plant. Additionally, they have a 150,000 square foot chassis manufacturing warehouse.
Types of Newmar Motorhomes
Newmar specializes in handcrafted luxury motorhomes. They have four primary offerings in the recreational vehicle market, and listed below is an overview of these rigs and their specific features, weights, horsepower, length, and cost.
Gas
Firstly, Newmar offers a handcrafted Class A gas engine motorhome. The Bay Star was Newmar’s introduction to the Class A gas engine market. With eleven floorplans from which to choose, the Bay Star is the most affordable Newmar RV.
It comes with hardwood cabinetry, residential kitchen appliances, leather furniture, and flush-floor slideouts. Moreover, there is plenty of power with a 7.3-liter engine and 350 horsepower. The motorhome is 36 feet long, and the starting cost is $241,443.
One newer owner of a Bay Star said, “I have taken two trips now with my brand new Bay Star 2901. Wow—what a great MH. I have now done about 1500 miles and I have pushed every button and turned every switch and everything works like a charm. Not one issue with anything and I am extremely happy with how it drives.”
Pro Tip: We compared diesel pushers versus gas motorhomes to help you decide Which Class A RV Type Is Better?
Diesel
Secondly, Newmar RV offers a diesel lineup that includes four models, each with a dozen or more floorplans. The Dutch Star is the star of the show, as the most popular Newmar model sold.
It has Corian countertops, heated floors, hardwood cabinetry, flush-floor slideouts, electric window shades, and many bells and whistles not found in the other models’ floorplans. The Dutch Star also has more horsepower at 450, and you can order it with either a Freightliner or a Spartan chassis.
A tag axle chassis is available on the 40 foot and 43-foot models for both chassis. Lengths in the diesel lineup start at 36 feet and go up to 43 feet, depending on floorplans. Prices start at $400,000 and range up to $650,000.
A satisfied customer wrote, “Newmar is a top-of-the-line manufacturer of motorhomes and it is apparent in the attention to detail found in the Dutch Star–Corian countertops, tile, solid wood, and leather furniture. With the slides in, you have between 2 and 2 1/2 feet of walking space. You can easily use the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom area. The windows and doors are so well insulated that we withstood the freeze last December in Texas.”
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Luxury
From Mountain Aires to New Aires and beyond, the luxury line at Newmar has several models for RVers desiring the ultimate in luxury and comfort. Most Newmar RV models in the luxury category are 40 to 45 feet in length with diesel or gas engine options. In order to house all of these extras, the coaches have 605 horsepower with 1,950 lb-ft of torque. Starting prices range from $500,000.
A customer with a 40-foot Mountain Aire had this to say, “We could not be happier with our Newmar. We have traveled about 50,000 miles towing a PT Cruiser, cross country twice and into Canada, and all up and down the East coast. It is as comfortable as any automobile we have owned, handles easily.”
Super C
Lastly, Newmar also offers Super C motorhomes. Newmar entered the Super C class with its Super Star and Supreme Aire models. These models are luxurious takes on the semi-truck motorhome. They are on a Freightliner chassis with a 12.8L diesel engine, providing 505 horsepower.
The interior boasts Newmar’s signature hardwood cabinetry, flush-floor slides, leather furniture, and attention to detail. While this may be enough, one look at the exterior showcases the superior paint job and integration of the cab and coach. Prices for these Super C RVs start at $400,000.
Top-of-the-Line Newmar Motorhome
Hands down, the top of the Newmar RV luxury line is King Aire, which exudes comfort and elegance. It has virtually every amenity, from wind-censored slide awnings to outdoor entertainment systems, complete with a fridge and freezer.
Additionally, there are baggage slide trays, a patio hammock, solar panels with two lithium batteries, and two inverters. There is also a 12.5 K generator, so power will never be a problem.
The interior includes Italian leather-wrapped furniture, quartz countertops with marble backsplashes, and handmade cabinetry. Moreover, high-end residential suppliers like Wolf and Viking supply the appliances for a luxurious touch.
The coach has a living room half bath, along with a full tiled bath in the main suite. Electronic gadgetry controls everything from the lighting, televisions with Bose soundbars to the electric shades, tank levels, air conditioning, and more. The price starts at $1.4 million.
Pro Tip: If you’re thinking about buying a used luxury motorhome, be on the lookout for the Top 10 Easily Missed Things When Buying an RV.
Mobility Options Offered By Newmar
Several Newmar luxury coaches are accessible to travelers with disabilities. For instance, many Dutch Star floorplans include a roll-in shower for people with a wheelchair. They also have exterior lifts on the side of the vehicle for a more accessible entrance and exit from the RV. It’s a thoughtful design element to ensure that everyone can enjoy their camping trip!
Is a Newmar RV a Good Investment?
If a hand-built coach the manufacturers build with care and attention interests you more than one that comes off an assembly line, Newmar should be a top consideration. Their choice of materials, construction techniques, and design speaks to their dedication. While it won’t be cheap, it likely will outlast and outperform other RVs while indulging you with many creature comforts.
Have you ever traveled in a Newmar RV? Tell us your experience in the comments!
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Yolanda Pryne
Sunday 31st of July 2022
Well we bought a brand new 2022 Newmar in March and now it is July 2022 and have yet to use it. It has been in out if the dealer for repairs, such as fuel leak, water leak, and transmission fuel leak. Had a vacation planned but had to cancel due to all these and more issues that rendered it inoperable. Newmar has denied my request to buy back this obviously defective coach twice. I have been told it is now fixed but I am very reluctant to drive it.
Mortons on the Move
Sunday 7th of August 2022
Yikes, chassis issues are no fun. So sorry to hear about your experience.
Linda
Saturday 30th of April 2022
We now own a Newmar and are looking for a towable car. We are looking for something that is lightweight, can be used as a second around town car, and not expensive.