When we first heard that Newmar Corporation was developing a class A toyhauler, as you can imagine, we were very excited. Then we found out that it would be a mid engine diesel pusher with two slides, full body paint, a side loading garage, three flat screen TV’s and they would call it the AllStar. To say the least, our curiosity was peaked. There is a lot to cover on this coach so we will break it down into sections for you.
Since motor homes are quite a bit different than trailers we will start with the chassis. This unit is built on a Spartan® Mountain Master ME chassis. It has a Cummins® ISL 350 horsepower diesel engine that is mounted in the middle of the chassis rather than front or rear, this is how they create the room for the garage.
The smooth lines of the coach make the ramp virtually transparent. The ramp itself is a two-stage set-up. The electric motor lets the ramp down about 80% of the way to the ground, then the second stage slides out to complete the ramp. This allows a shallower ramp angle for loading. The garage is 8.5 X 10’ with Mor/ryde aluminum cabinets and high-grade, black linoleum flooring. The pump station has a 24-gallon capacity and there is a separate sprayer for washing off the toys. It also has an entrance to the coach through the bedroom and an exit door to the outside on the driver’s side of the rig.
Around the outside you have full body paint that looks great and is definitely a couple of notches up from just graphics. In addition, it has basement storage all the way around with one bay designated for the entertainment system which contains a 26in LCD TV, AM/FM stereo with CD player. Electric leveling jacks are an option, but they will take care of getting this rig level and stable. A set of giant chrome mirrors and a set of monster air horns will surely let everyone know you’re coming. You will also have A&E awnings over the slides, the main door, and of course on the passenger side of the rig.
Going inside, this coach has the nicest interior we have seen in a toyhauler. It has three leather captain chairs in the front that were so comfortable you wanted to take them home. The driver’s compartment has all the bells and whistles for a first rate travel experience. All the gauges and switches are at your fingertips—a tilt and telescope steering wheel, automatic visors and a backup camera that is standard (while side view cameras are available as an option).
As you go back to the living area the niceties continue, one in particular is the round hardwood table with four chairs rather than the usual booth style set-up. This is an option but not only did it look great, it was much easier to move in and out of. The living area has a leather sofa that converts to a bed and a giant slide out.
The kitchen is just as impressive—with a 30” convection microwave oven, a Norcold 10 cubic foot refrigerator with molded doors and solid surface counter tops. There is also a three-burner stove and a 10-gallon hot water heater. All of the fixtures were modern looking and tied everything together nicely.
On to the bedroom: you have a queen size bed and a slide out, plenty of cabinet space and a roof mounted flat panel TV. As we said earlier there is also a door to access the garage from inside the coach.
The only way to describe the audio/video package is... EXTENSIVE! This unit has three TV’s, two stereos with CD players, a satellite system, Sirius satellite radio, surround sound home theater system, DVD players and a CB. Now some of these items are standard and some are options, but you can see they really have you covered in the entertainment department.
All of these great options are going to take some power to operate and Newmar did not cut any corners there either. How about a 8KW diesel generator by Power Tech, four 6 volt batteries mounted on a pull-out tray, a 5 watt solar panel and a 2000 watt inverter are all standard on the new AllStar.
Well, what can we say? We knew it was only a matter of time before rigs like these would be produced and here they are. The one true advantage to these drivable toyhaulers is you can still pull a trailer. The hitch on this All Star has a 6000lb rating so if you want to bring your boat and your bikes you can. If you have a sand car (or even a classic that you tote around, now you really can take it with you when you go).
If you would like more information on the hot new All Star by Newmar Corporation you can contact them at 800-860-0086 or you can visit them online at www.newmarcorp.com
- THM
