2018 Newmar Dutch Star Problems

When preparing to leave, my coach received a check engine light, and 3 error codes from the Cumins ECU. SPN 3364, 1761 and 3031. All FMI code 9. My engine is Likely now debated to 5% power and I was just able to return it to the driveway at the house. Thankfully I hadn’t gotten onto the busy interstate when it happened. After contacting Spartan Chassis, they informed me that I needed a new DEF Head unit. This has been a major issue across the industry. The part is manufactured by SHAW and parts are not available. I was told by Spartan “August or September” for parts. I am unable to move the coach for fear that it is in fact debated to 5% so will need to have a mobile mechanic dispatched to replace. I understand the need for emission controls, but to derate the engine because we might have a little bit dirtier tailpipe until its fixed…. Major safety issue as there is NO workaround.

Since purchasing this RV new, I have had the DEF Head fail twice. 1st time was Sep 2019 with a mileage of 14066 and the 2nd time was April 2021 with a mileage of 16018. Both times DEF Header Assemblies were replaced. When these fail the motor can de-rate at any time. Very dangerous when traveling down the highway. Both times the low DEF warning and check engine lights came on.

I used the Hydralift to carry my wife’s motorcycle, a 2018 Indian Chieftain. When you mount a Hydra lift on the back of an RV you no longer have access to the receiver hitch that came with the RV. Because of that Hydralift adds a receiver hitch to the lift so that you can flat tow a vehicle behind the RV. There is a plate on the receiver hitch that states it is rated to tow 8000 lbs. I was towing a 2018 Ram 1500 pickup. In the bed I had an Amerideck lift and on the lift was my motorcycle, a 2020 Indian Challenger. The total weight of the pickup, lift and motorcycle was approximately 6500 lbs., well within the tow rating the manufacturer claimed for the hitch. While on a cross country trip I had traveled approximately 2500 miles without incident. I then encountered a severe dip in the road on interstate 76 just S/W of Denver, Colorado. This dip caused the motorcycle on the Hydralift to shake loose even though it was in a wheel chock and was held in place by 3 ratchet straps. The motorcycle was suspended from the Hydralift onto the Blue Ox towing system I was using to flat tow the pickup. Since the straps were still attached, most of the motorcycles weight was born by the straps and a much smaller amount of weight was on the Blue Ox system. Along with 2 DOT Road Rangers and a passerby we managed to get the bike back into position. A visual inspection by myself and the 2 DOT employees showed no visible damage to the Blue Ox system or the receiver hitch. 2 days later we were traveling along Interstate 70 W/B. I pulled off the highway in Parachute, Colorado. When I turned right at the top of the exit the receiver hitch snapped and the pickup/ motorcycle took off on its own. It crossed a lane of traffic and went down an embankment. It travelled approx. 100 yds across a field and came to a stop against an embankment. I had the safety cables and emergency braking lanyard attached but they didn’t work because of where the manufacturer placed the attachment points.

The driver's side window is a dual pane window. The glass has lost its seal letting moisture in between the panes causing a drivers visibility issue. Driver is unable to see in the rear mirror or to the left side of the vehicle. Vehicle manufacturer claims vehicle is out of warranty and denied any remedy.

The driver's side window is a dual pane window. The glass has lost its seal letting moisture in between the panes causing a drivers visibility issue. Driver is unable to see in the rear mirror or to the left side of the vehicle. Vehicle manufacturer claims vehicle is out of warranty and denied any remedy.

THE DRIVER'S WINDSHEILD WIPER DOES NOT CONTACT THE GLASS EXCEPT AT THE VERY TOP FOR THE LAST 30% OF THE STROKE LEAVEING THE PORTION DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER WITHOUT THE NEEDED VIEW. NEWMAR REPLACED THE WIPER BLADE, BUT STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM.

When preparing to leave, my coach received a check engine light, and 3 error codes from the Cumins ECU. SPN 3364, 1761 and 3031. All FMI code 9. My engine is Likely now debated to 5% power and I was just able to return it to the driveway at the house. Thankfully I hadn’t gotten onto the busy interstate when it happened. After contacting Spartan Chassis, they informed me that I needed a new DEF Head unit. This has been a major issue across the industry. The part is manufactured by SHAW and parts are not available. I was told by Spartan “August or September” for parts. I am unable to move the coach for fear that it is in fact debated to 5% so will need to have a mobile mechanic dispatched to replace. I understand the need for emission controls, but to derate the engine because we might have a little bit dirtier tailpipe until its fixed…. Major safety issue as there is NO workaround.

Blowout and tire separation, Drivers front, traveling N on I-25 mile marker 7, south of Trinidad Co. Using Tire Patrol sensors on all motorhome tires and tow vehicle. After replacing tire and rim and on our way back home I noticed a low tire pressure on the right front tire. On inspecting the sensor I noticed a partial separation of the sensor which presumably allowed the tire to partially deflate. I re-inflated the tire and replaced the sensor with one from the rear tag tire so we could monitor the pressure and complete the trip. The morning after returning home I found the right front tire completely flat and the sensor had separated and was found beside the wheel on the concrete. After thinking about all of this I have come to the conclusion that the original blowout was likely due to a failure of the sensor on that tire allowing the tire to deflate and ultimately blowout and separate. I would not have thought about this had it not been for the other two sensors doing something similar. Luckily no-one was injured in this episode but there was moderate damage to our motorhome and the result could have been substantially different. I have contacted the manufacturer and they are aware of my concerns. I have a complete description of my actions and timeline. I have multiple photos of the damages as well as the two sensors that failed. The original sensor and valve stem extender on the drivers front tire that blewout were not found.