If you’re shopping for a Class A motorhome, chances are Newmar has come up in your research. But is Newmar really worth the money you’ll spend on one?

I’m Duane, a certified RV inspector, and this Newmar RV review is based on years of personally inspecting Newmar coaches on dealer lots and at RV shows.

So in this article, I’m going to walk you through Newmar’s history, address the elephant in the room (their sale to Winnebago), and give you my honest opinion on their build quality today.

If you want to watch my video on this subject just click on the image below.

Table of Contents

• A Quick Note on What Newmar Builds
• The History of Newmar Motorhomes
  • How It All Started
  • Newmar's History of Innovation
• Did Winnebago's Purchase Hurt Newmar's Quality?
  • The Real Culprit: The COVID Pandemic
• My Honest Newmar RV Review: Are They Still Building High-Quality Coaches?
  • Where Newmar Ranks Compared to Ultra-Luxury Builders
  • The Detail Work That Sets Newmar Apart
  • What You'll Find Inside a Newmar Coach
• Does That Mean Newmar Builds a Perfect RV?
  • Always Get a Pre-Purchase RV Inspection
• Is Newmar the Only Class A Manufacturer Worth Considering?
• Final Verdict: My Newmar RV Review Wrap-Up
• Frequently Asked Questions
  • Does Newmar build travel trailers or fifth wheels?
  • Who owns Newmar now?
  • Has Newmar's quality declined since Winnebago bought the company?
  • What are Newmar's most popular models?
  • What's the verdict of this Newmar RV review — is Newmar the best Class A motorhome brand?
  • Should I get an inspection before buying a Newmar?
  • What makes Newmar's build quality stand out?

A Quick Note on What Newmar Builds

Before we dive in, here’s something important to know. Newmar only builds motorhomes.

If you’re in the market for a towable, like a fifth wheel or a travel trailer, you won’t find it at Newmar.

Their lineup is focused entirely on Class A and Super C motorhomes.

The History of Newmar Motorhomes

To really understand whether Newmar is worth the money, you have to understand where they came from.

How It All Started

Mahlon Miller and Marvin Newmar founded Newmar more than 55 years ago, back in 1968.

And believe it or not, they didn’t start out building motorhomes at all.

For quite a while, Newmar’s only products were fifth wheels. It wasn’t until the 1980s that they began building Class A motorhomes.

Then, in 1990, Newmar rolled out two of their most iconic models, the Dutch Star and the Mountain Aire. Both are still in production today, and RVers still love them.

Newmar’s History of Innovation

Along the way, Newmar didn’t just build motorhomes. They pushed the industry forward.

For example, Newmar pioneered the first powered flush floor slide-out in a motorhome. Within a few years, other manufacturers were copying the design.

Newmar was also the first RV builder to put full body paint on every RV in their lineup. Today, that’s practically standard across the industry.

So there’s a clear pattern here. Newmar has a decades-long track record of forward-thinking innovation and attention to quality.

Did Winnebago’s Purchase Hurt Newmar’s Quality?

Winnebago, another well-known RV manufacturer, bought Newmar in 2019. Before that, Newmar was essentially a family-owned company.

Now, if you spend any time online, you’ll run into some naysayers claiming Newmar’s quality has gone downhill since Winnebago took over.

I want to be very clear about this: there is no evidence whatsoever that Winnebago has had a negative influence on Newmar since the acquisition.

The Real Culprit: The COVID Pandemic

Here’s something worth thinking about. Winnebago bought Newmar in 2019, and the very next year, the COVID pandemic hit the entire RV industry.

Every RV manufacturer was affected, and Newmar struggled right along with everybody else.

Crews were short-handed, and in many cases, the pandemic cut the industry’s workforce in half almost overnight.

For the next two years, manufacturers were scrambling to patch things together, all while demand for RVs was completely off the charts.

On top of that, supply chain issues made it incredibly difficult to get the parts needed to build coaches.

So it was a genuine struggle across the board, not just for Newmar. If you hear someone blame Winnebago’s ownership for a drop in Newmar’s quality, the real explanation is almost always the pandemic and its aftermath.

My Honest Newmar RV Review: Are They Still Building High-Quality Coaches?

This is the question I personally wanted answered. I’ve been a fan of Newmar for several years, so I went out and inspected several of their coaches over the last six months, both on dealer lots and at RV shows.

Here’s the good news: in my opinion, Newmar is still the best Class A RV builder, until you climb into the ultra-high-end market.

Where Newmar Ranks Compared to Ultra-Luxury Builders

Brands like Foretravel, Newell, and Prevost operate in a class of their own, both in build and in price. Newmar isn’t competing in that tier.

But for the money you spend with Newmar, I believe you’re getting a genuinely quality product.

The Detail Work That Sets Newmar Apart

What continually impresses me about Newmar is their attention to detail, both inside and outside the coach. Let me give you one specific example.

Take a look at how Newmar seals the joints and seams on the exterior of the coach. I’m constantly amazed by the precision.

The sealant is applied cleanly, with no spillage onto the painted surface and no mess anywhere around it. It’s applied exactly the way it should be.

Plenty of other builders get the job done, but many don’t do it as cleanly or as consistently as Newmar does.

What You’ll Find Inside a Newmar Coach

Step inside a Newmar motorhome, and you’ll see the same level of care.

Cabinets, doors, floors, and every other component are fitted and finished to an outstanding standard.

Honestly, I often have a hard time finding any problems in new Newmar coaches.

That’s not to say I never find anything. I’ve come across a defect or two here and there.

But in many of the coaches I’ve inspected, I couldn’t find a single issue.

That level of consistency is exactly why Newmar remains high on my recommended list, and it tells me they’re recovering from the pandemic in a very good way.

Does That Mean Newmar Builds a Perfect RV?

No, absolutely not. There is no perfect RV manufacturer, and that includes Newmar.

RVs are still built largely by hand, and that means variation is always possible.

So whether you’re buying a Newmar or any other brand, new or used, here’s my recommendation.

Always Get a Pre-Purchase RV Inspection

Have a certified NRVIA inspector go through the RV before you buy it.

A thorough inspection will catch the small issues that need attention so you can get them fixed before you take delivery.

If you follow that step, you’re going to have a much better buying experience, and you’ll start your ownership on solid footing.

That’s true even with a brand as well-built as Newmar.

Is Newmar the Only Class A Manufacturer Worth Considering?

Not at all. There are other very good Class A manufacturers on the market worth your consideration.

If you want to see my complete list of recommended brands and models, you can download my guide book to find out which manufacturers I recommend for overall build quality.

Final Verdict: My Newmar RV Review Wrap-Up

So, is Newmar worth the money? Based on months of hands-on inspections, my answer is yes.

I’m confident that buying a Newmar, combined with a professional RV inspection, is a winning formula.

Newmar has a 55-plus year history of innovation, a genuine commitment to detail, and it’s recovering well from the pandemic years that challenged the entire industry.

Just remember to have any coach inspected before you buy, new or used, Newmar or otherwise. That one step puts the odds firmly in your favor.

That wraps up my Newmar RV review for now. Until next time, safe and happy travels, my friends.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Newmar build travel trailers or fifth wheels?

No. Newmar only builds motorhomes, specifically Class A and Super C models. If you’re looking for a towable RV, you’ll need to look at a different manufacturer.

Who owns Newmar now?

Winnebago acquired Newmar in 2019. Before that, Newmar operated as a family-owned company for decades.

Has Newmar’s quality declined since Winnebago bought the company?

There’s no clear evidence that Winnebago’s ownership has hurt Newmar’s build quality. Many of the quality struggles reported since 2019 line up with the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused industry-wide staffing shortages and supply chain issues for nearly every RV manufacturer, not just Newmar.

What are Newmar’s most popular models?

Two of Newmar’s most iconic and longest-running models are the Dutch Star and the Mountain Aire, both introduced in 1990 and still in production today.

What’s the verdict of this Newmar RV review — is Newmar the best Class A motorhome brand?

Based on personal inspections, Newmar ranks as one of the best Class A builders for the money, outside of the ultra-high-end market occupied by brands like Foretravel, Newell, and Prevost.

Should I get an inspection before buying a Newmar?

Yes. Even with a well-built brand like Newmar, it’s smart to have a certified NRVIA inspector examine the coach before purchase, whether it’s new or used. This helps catch small issues early so they can be resolved before you take delivery.

What makes Newmar’s build quality stand out?

Newmar is known for meticulous attention to detail, including clean, precise sealant work on exterior joints and seams, along with high-quality cabinetry, doors, and flooring inside the coach.