I would think that many of you who have purchased a Dutch Star considered a Kountry Star, and vice-versa. What made you pick one over the other? Is the DS worth $50K (or more) more than the KS, assuming, say a 40 footer?

JD

I could have bought a KSDP, but there were no floorplans that I could live with.

It came down to floorplan, looks, features, cost/perceived value, and I bought the DSDP, which is what I really wanted.

However, if the KSDP suits you, then go for it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the KSDP.

It used to be that the primary differentiator between Kountry Star and Dutch Star was the chassis/drivetrain. This has changed in the
last few years, at least with the 39' Kountry
Stars, which are built on the Spartan MM chassis
with IFS, side radiator, and available ISL 400.

The main differentiators now below the
house are higher GVWR, longer wheelbase, larger tires and ISL 425 for Dutch Star.

If you option a Kountry Star with many of the
same features/equipment of the Dutch Star, the price difference becomes much less. So it comes
down to what equipment you specify as to how much the price difference really is. At that
point only you can decide if the dollar difference is worthwhile. Best of luck, either
coach should make you happy!

Jeff Regan
2000 Dutch Star

I came really close to getting a 39' Kountry Star, but ended up with a 40' Dutch Star because:

1. My wife hated the look of the heating vents in the floor of the Kountry Star.

2. The Dutch Star could be had with Hydro-Hot and the Kountry Star could not. (This got rid of the floor vents, plus gave us a good heating system for dry camping in the mountains.)

Of course that was for the 2007 model year. Not sure about 2008. There were other reasons, but those were the 2 that made the final decision. The Kountry Star is a good choice. So is the Dutch Star. I don't think you will be sorry with either choice.

(I was also really lobbying to get a MADP, but my wife put a stop to that.)

You didn't relate which years you were thinking about. In my opinion they have raised the design of the newer KS units to what a DS used to be and raised a DS to what the MA used to be. So if you look at say a 2006 KSDP it may well be very similar to the design and amenities of the 2003 or 04 DSDP. If you compare their base unit offering in the SAME model year - you will find a lot of DSDP chassis/engine/interior standards that are not standard or even offered as an option on the KSDP.

We were looking for a Spartan Chassis, real wood cabinets, 350 Cummins and full paint as a couple of necessary options for us. I don't think they made many KSDPs in the 2003 area with these options - but they have in later year KSDPs.

Look up the Spartan chassis forum and Frightliner form there has been a Recall for 05-06 chassis that had blowups during OCT05 to April06 period.

RECALL