Kountry Star Diesel

With a goal of manufacturing luxury diesel motorhomes that provide a high standard of
living at a reasonably affordable price, Newmar Corporation of Nappanee, Indiana, has
recently debuted its 2004 Kountry Star diesel-pusher line. Known for its long history of
production innovation and industry firsts, the company’s revamped coaches are good
prospects for those who wish to step up to an entry-level diesel pusher without breaking
their budgets. Kountry Star diesels are offered in seven slideout floorplans, ranging from
33 to 38 feet, and are built on the Freightliner XC chassis. One of the more popular
floorplans is Model 3904, which sports a triple-slide design, a plethora of modern
amenities and conveniences and a base suggested retail price of $158,654. The layout on
this 38-foot 7-inch model begins with a well-thought-out cockpit with standard ultraleather
seats and a forward living-room/dining-room/galley area with two opposing slideouts. The
curbside slide houses a full-featured galley, while the streetside module boasts a
free-standing dinette and a 68-inch convertible sofa. Located midcoach is a walk-through
bathroom appointed with a corner shower and a private compartment with a toilet and
washbasin. At the rear of the coach is a slideout bedroom with a 60 x 80-inch queen-size
bed, a wardrobe closet and a second washbasin. Standard luxury décor treatments are
abundant in all Kountry Stars and include Corian counter surfaces, under-mounted acrylic
sinks, raised oak-hardwood cabinet doors, pleated day/night shades and a soft-touch vinyl
headliner that crowns the interior’s 6 feet 6 inches of headroom. Plush carpeting is used
in living room and bedroom areas, while durable and easily cleanable vinyl tile adorns
kitchen and bathroom floors. The Kountry Star 3904 is designed to sleep two adults
comfortably in its rear-slideout queen bedroom, but can also host additional sleepers on
the sofa bed up front. Besides this furnishing, the living room is also appointed with a
swivel recliner/rocker just forward of the galley for added comfort and relaxation.
Construction elements of the upper coachwork consist of welded aluminum framing, fiberglass
side walls and a Brite Tek synthetic-polymer roof cap. Fiberglass and polystyrene foam
insulation is used throughout, and stylish molded end caps complete the exterior. Coaches
may additionally be spruced up with an optional full-body paint job with Diamond Shield
nose veneer for extra flash and durability. Depending on length, Kountry Star chassis are
powered by a Cummins ISB 5.9-liter 300-hp or a Caterpillar 7.2-liter 330-hp turbodiesel
engine mated to an Allison 3000MH six-speed automatic transmission. Model 3904 comes
equipped with the Cat-based powertrain. Inclusion of generous holding tanks – 105 gallons
for fresh water, 65 gallons for gray water and 45 gallons for black water – further
enhances the residential usability of the Kountry Star. The unit also sports a 100-gallon
fuel tank, giving it a wide travel range. Model 3904 is built to support a serious amount
of cargo. With an approximate unladen vehicle weight of 24,129 pounds and a gross vehicle
weight rating of 29,500 pounds, the coach has a commendable cargo-carrying capacity of
5,371 pounds. Added to that, the unit has a gross combination weight rating of 39,000
pounds, which should allow it to tow a dinghy vehicle of sizable proportions. Slideout
roominess, classy interior décor treatments, a full complement of amenities and a
three-year/50,000-mile warranty are all good reasons to consider the 2004 Newmar Kountry
Star line. These coaches should appeal to first-time buyers and veterans alike. Newmar
Corporation, (574) 773-7791, newmarcorp.com