Fleetwood Frontier 38RT vs Newmar Northern Star 3418
2026 Class A comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
The 2026 Fleetwood Frontier 38RT and 2026 Newmar Northern Star 3418 share the Cummins B6.7 360 HP, 50-amp service, and a sub-$5,000 price gap - they split on slide count and four-season build. The Frontier 38RT is 38.33 feet on Freightliner XCR Freedom Sport Bridge with three slides, king bed, 33,600 lb GVWR, 2,000-watt inverter, 95-gallon fresh, and an 8,000-watt generator for $414,458. The Northern Star 3418 packs four slides into 34.83 feet at 36,500 lb GVWR with the queen bed, sleeps 6, runs 400 amp-hour batteries, and adds four-season insulation for $410,806.
The extra slide on the Northern Star delivers more interior volume in a 3.5-foot shorter coach - useful for tight campsites and easier maneuvering. The Newmar adds 2,900 lb more GVWR, 7,700 lb cargo capacity, four-season prep, and a 10-gallon larger fresh tank (105 vs 95). The Frontier 38RT keeps the king bed, factory 100W solar, 2,000-watt inverter, generator prep, and Fleetwood's mid-tier Class A diesel package.
Verdict: Northern Star 3418 for the quad-slide layout, cold-weather rating, and shorter overall length; Frontier 38RT for the king bed and the longer 38.33-foot footprint.
Side-by-side specs
| Fleetwood Frontier 38RT | Newmar Northern Star 3418 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $414,458 | $410,806 |
| Length | 38'4" | 34'10" |
| Dry weight | — | 28,800 lbs |
| GVWR | 33,600 lbs | 36,500 lbs |
| Sleeps | 4 | 6 |
| Slides | 3 | 4 |
| Fresh tank | 95 gal | 105 gal |
| Grey tank | 65 gal | 65 gal |
| Black tank | 45 gal | 45 gal |
| LP | — | 32 gal |
| Solar | 100W | — |
| Inverter | 2000W | — |
| Generator | 8000W | 8000W |
| Bath | — | full |
| Bed | king | queen |
| 4-season | No | Yes |
| Off-road | No | No |
| Outdoor kitchen | No | No |
| Washer/dryer | yes | included |
| Residential fridge | Yes | Yes |
Where Fleetwood Frontier 38RT wins
- King bed (Northern Star has queen)
- 2,000-watt inverter with generator prep
- 100W factory solar standard
- Six 6V deep cycle batteries published
- $3,652 lower MSRP at $414,458
Where Newmar Northern Star 3418 wins
- Four slides vs three (one more)
- 36,500 lb GVWR vs 33,600 lb (+2,900 lb)
- 7,700 lb published cargo capacity
- Four-season insulation, sleeps 6 vs 4
- 3.5 feet shorter at 34.83 ft for easier handling
Pick the Fleetwood Frontier 38RT if…
Pick the 2026 Fleetwood Frontier 38RT if you want the longer 38.33-foot Class A diesel layout with the king bed, on Freightliner's XCR Freedom Sport Bridge chassis. The Cummins B6.7 360 HP, three slides, factory 100W solar, 2,000-watt inverter, 8,000-watt generator, and Fleetwood Aqua-Hot heating come in at $414,458. Best for couples who prioritize sleeping comfort and the larger 38-foot footprint - and who don't need four-season construction or quad-slide interior expansion.
Pick the Newmar Northern Star 3418 if…
Pick the 2026 Newmar Northern Star 3418 if you want the four-slide compact layout - 34.83 feet outside, but four slides extending the interior beyond what the longer Frontier 38RT achieves with three. The 36,500 lb GVWR carries 7,700 lb cargo, four-season insulation handles winter, and the 105-gallon fresh tank beats the Fleetwood's 95. At $410,806 it saves $3,652. Best for buyers who prioritize quad-slide roominess, shorter overall length for site flexibility, and four-season camping over king bed and the larger 38-foot footprint.
Frequently asked
Which has the king bed?
The Frontier 38RT has a king bed. The Northern Star 3418 has a queen bed - king-bed advantage to the Fleetwood.
Which is shorter overall?
The Northern Star 3418 is 34.83 feet long; the Frontier 38RT is 38.33 feet - the Newmar is 3.5 feet shorter despite having more slides.
Which sleeps more?
The Northern Star 3418 sleeps 6. The Frontier 38RT sleeps 4 - two more spots in the Newmar via convertibles.