March 8-17, 2023
We used to have a 2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4369. We thought it was our "forever home" and we loved it dearly. But then we lost it in an unpredicted windstorm when it toppled over. We cleaned out our stuff and stayed with friends while we figured our life out. We settled in, planning on shopping for a long while to find our next "forever home." This is the third part in a three-part series about that stage in our lives.
We knew we wanted a Newmar because it fit us so well, and because of how well it survived the incident. Most of the inside of the coach was too destroyed to use, but the outer walls and chassis were in very good shape. It seemed like it would protect us well if anything happened again. Newmar makes beautiful and tough motorhomes.
We thought about going with a Super C instead of a Class A coach so we could tow more, but in the end we came back to the same model, a Dutch Star 4369. We would also look at the Mountain Aire 4551 if there were any.
We were staying just south of Tucson, and there was a Newmar dealer in south Tucson. We took an afternoon to go up to Freedom RV and see what they had. We figured we would make a new relationship with a salesperson who could help us find our new coach. We walked in and started working with Marlena, who was friendly and very knowledgeable about Newmars.
She took us out to look at their limited stock, and she said we might want to consider the Dutch Star 4325. It was a new model for the 2023 year, and it was the same size as the 4369 with a different floorplan. The kitchen was bigger, with additional counter and storage space. The guest bathroom was a little bigger, with more storage space. The bedroom was exactly the same. The master bathroom gave up some space to make it all work.
We didn't want to spend the money it would take to get a new Newmar, but we wanted to see it just because we were there. It had upgraded paint they use on their Essex model (fancy!), and anyone who knows Margot knows how much she loves the color blue. It was blue, white, and black, and all gorgeous.
We loved it, of course. But there was no way, right? Marlena told us to make an offer, and we gave them what we thought was a ridiculously low amount of money. After a tiny bit of bargaining, our offer was accepted. What?! It was listed on their website so we grabbed the sales photos. Take a look!
It's beautiful, and better than our previous coach (though we will miss that massive master bathroom from time to time). We traded the big sofa bed with an air mattress for theater seating (benefits and drawbacks to both). The other couch folds out to a queen bed, so we can still have visitors. The kitchen will let us have a toaster oven (we missed having one!), and all of the storage is a game changer.
One thing we really liked was the flooring. Instead of the glassy, shiny stone floor that showed every drop of water and every bit of dust, we would have a white and gray floor with texturing in the stone that would show marks a lot less. You are all now welcome to wear shoes in the house.
The wait was torture
Freedom RV washed it before we went to pick it up, and some of the paint flecked off on a piece of trim. Thankfully, it wasn't on one of the huge sides of the coach, just a piece about three inches in diameter. It was surprising for a new Newmar coach. But it had to go to the body shop for four days. We spent the weekend before it left just moving almost everything in, and then it left to get work done.
We picked it up and finally started living in it just two days before a four-week mark since losing the last coach. Four weeks! We moved so much, and we were exhausted -- but very happy. We were off on our next adventure, and in a few short weeks we'd be caught up to the schedule we had planned for 2023 before all of this happened.
We think her name will be Darcy. Darcy the Dutch Star. What do you think?
We were safe, happy, and Lacey (our Mini Australian Labradoodle) was doing well with all of the change. It looked like our future was going to be bright!
Use the buttons below to read the entire story from the beginning. We welcome your comments -- follow us here to see where we take our new coach as we live in it full time. Thanks for visiting!
Miguel Dennyoso
25 Mar 2023Awesome sauce‼️
Monica
26 Mar 2023We’ve stayed in it for two days, now, and we’re loving it!
Karen (Ren) Erickson
27 Mar 2023So glad you guys are getting settled back in. I like the name! ??
Toni
28 Mar 2023So glad everything worked out and happy to be part of your lives. S&T
Emily Cardin
29 Mar 2023Whew!! What a journey! The new home is absolutely stunning!! Congratulations! Now off to make new memories! Let the new beginnings commence!
Monica
29 Mar 2023Thanks! It has been a journey but we survived. We love the new place.
Cecelia Osysko
29 Mar 2023I admire your tenacity and perseverance in surviving those difficult days and weeks—may no more storms be in your future (that you can’t handle). From Ceil, your mom’s neighbor from Las Vegas
Monica
29 Mar 2023Hey there! We are rising above all of it, and things are going well!
SANDRA PEARSON
8 Apr 2023Wow..just wow! What a story!
Being full-time in a motor coach also, I can’t even begin to imagine. I’m good in emergencies and always have a plan B…but this was just so random….not sure I would have been able to move to my plan B as smoothly as y’all did, in this totally unexpected disaster. Safe Travels in that new beauty…
Monica
8 Apr 2023We still can’t believe we are back on the road already!
Paula
8 Apr 2023Just read part 3, so glad you are getting on with your plans & life. You sound happy, so glad for that. Enjoy, be safe. We recently toured some new Newmars, very jealous!
Monica
8 Apr 2023We love the 2023!
Laurent N Perron
9 Apr 2023The unthinkable happened but you guys and Lacey got through it. So happy for you. Looks like you’re happier with your brand new coach. She’s beautiful!
Like Marty Robbins sang, Wild as the West Texas wind….
Monica
9 Apr 2023Life is good!
Jerry Davis
10 Apr 2023Maybe you might consider naming her “Wendy”?
Jerry, Judy & Dusty the 10 year old Miniature Australian Labradoodle
Monica
10 Apr 2023AWWWW!
Mike
11 Apr 2023Wow! What a story! Glad you all were able to tell the story with a happy ending! Congrats on the new coach.
Monica
13 Apr 2023Thanks!
Cheryl pas
11 Apr 2023Tussie is happy that Lacey is ok! What a well written story and I’m excited to hear about more adventures!!!
Monica
13 Apr 2023We’re slowly getting back into our groove. It was weird to go to another national park. More to come!
MWilson
13 Apr 2023Oh my! So happy you found Darcy – she’s a beauty! Would you mind sharing… Who was your Insurance company for the RV? That issued a check quickly? Who did you sign up with to get Contents Coverage going forward?
Monica
13 Apr 2023We went through State Farm, before and after. They really treated us fairly.
Wally Mac
15 Apr 2023RVing is the best lifestyle there is! We had a wrecker drop our MH and had to have the front cap rebuilt!!! Life is good
Monica
15 Apr 2023Yikes!
Peter Peno
18 Apr 2023Thank you, this is quite an adventure!
Monica
18 Apr 2023Yes, it really has been!
Doug
10 Apr 2024We were in Great Bend windstorm last march with 70 mph winds. We were advised to fill all three water tanks and turn trailer and truck into wind with truck towards wind. Good advice as we saw two other trailers moved, one flipped and dragged by wind. Ugly.
Monica
10 Apr 2024Good advice, trailers are light, and the extra water weight would definitely help. Glad you made it through it!