Fleetwood Frontier 38RT vs Newmar Northern Star 3709
2026 Class A comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
These 2026 Class A diesels both swing the Cummins B6.7 at 360 HP and 38 ft of length, but the comparison line goes through GVWR. The Fleetwood Frontier 38RT is 38.33 ft on the Freightliner XCR Freedom Sport Bridge, 33,600 lb GVWR, 3 slides, 95/65/45 gal tanks, 8 kW generator, 2,000 W inverter, 100 W solar, fireplace and residential fridge, sleeping 4. The Newmar Northern Star 3709 is 37.83 ft on Freightliner, 38,000 lb GVWR, 7,800 lb cargo, 3 slides, 105/65/45 gal tanks, 32 gal LP, 400 Ah battery, bath-and-a-half, sleeping 6.
The Newmar Northern Star 3709 brings 4,400 lb more GVWR, documented 7,800 lb cargo, 10 gal more fresh tank, 32 gal LP, and the second toilet that the Frontier doesn't have. The Fleetwood Frontier 38RT has the documented 2,000 W inverter and 100 W roof solar. Sticker is $414,458 vs $412,510, a $1,948 spread.
Directional verdict: the Northern Star 3709 is the heavier-duty, family-of-6 pick; the Frontier 38RT is the lighter, simpler couples coach with the inverter baseline.
Side-by-side specs
| Fleetwood Frontier 38RT | Newmar Northern Star 3709 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $414,458 | $412,510 |
| Length | 38'4" | 37'10" |
| Dry weight | — | 30,200 lbs |
| GVWR | 33,600 lbs | 38,000 lbs |
| Sleeps | 4 | 6 |
| Slides | 3 | 3 |
| 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 | — | one_and_half |
| Bed | king | king |
| 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
- 2,000 W inverter standard from the factory
- 100 W solar pre-installed
- King bed, fireplace, residential fridge
- Aqua-Hot heating with 50-amp service
Where Newmar Northern Star 3709 wins
- 38,000 lb GVWR vs 33,600 lb
- 7,800 lb documented cargo capacity
- 105 gal fresh tank vs 95 gal
- 32 gal LP for cold-weather furnace runtime
- Bath-and-a-half, four-season, sleeps 6
Pick the Fleetwood Frontier 38RT if…
Pick the Fleetwood Frontier 38RT if you want a value-oriented diesel pusher with king bed, fireplace, and residential fridge, plus the 2,000 W inverter and 100 W solar that the Northern Star doesn't list. The Aqua-Hot heating system carries you into cold-weather trips even without the four-season rating, and the 33,600 lb GVWR keeps the chassis lighter on fuel for 2-4 person travel. At $414,458 MSRP it's the off-grid-baseline diesel pusher.
Pick the Newmar Northern Star 3709 if…
Pick the Newmar Northern Star 3709 if your travel party averages 4-6 people and you want bath-and-a-half plumbing, the 105 gal fresh tank, 32 gal LP, and 400 Ah battery bank for shoulder-season boondocking. The 38,000 lb GVWR with 7,800 lb documented cargo carries family gear and a toad without weight stress, the four-season insulation handles cold destinations, and the $412,510 MSRP undercuts the Frontier 38RT by $1,948 while bringing the second toilet.
Frequently asked
Which has the bigger fresh tank?
The Northern Star 3709 carries 105 gal fresh vs 95 gal on the Frontier 38RT, a 10 gal advantage.
Does the Frontier 38RT have a half bath?
The Frontier 38RT spec sheet does not list a bath-and-a-half. The Northern Star 3709 explicitly lists bath-and-a-half plumbing.
How do horsepower ratings compare?
Both run the Cummins B6.7 rated at 360 HP. The drivetrain is essentially the same; chassis (Freightliner XCR vs Freightliner) and GVWR differ.