Fleetwood Palisade 45CS vs Newmar Dutch Star 4311
2026 Class A comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
Two flagship Class A diesel coaches near $700K, both running Cummins L9 450 HP, but with sharply different chassis and accessibility. The 2026 Fleetwood Palisade 45CS is a 44.7-ft three-slide on the Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge with 46,000-lb GVWR, 100-gal fresh, six 6V AGM batteries, 10 kW Onan, 2,800W inverter, theater seating, asking $706,848. The 2026 Newmar Dutch Star 4311 is 43.8 ft on Spartan K2 or Freightliner XCR with the same Cummins L9 450 HP, 52,000-lb GVWR, 14,150-lb cargo cap, 800Ah lithium, BraunAbility wheelchair lift, four-season construction, and lists at $676,280.
The Dutch Star 4311 wins on the unusual feature - integrated wheelchair accessibility with BraunAbility lift - plus 6,000 lbs more chassis (52,000 vs 46,000-lb GVWR), an extraordinary 14,150-lb documented cargo capacity, 800Ah lithium standard, four-season insulation, no LP, and $30,568 in savings. The Palisade 45CS counters with theater seating standard, integrated 2,800W inverter, generator prep, hand-laid tile showers, Apex Custom Furniture, full-body paint, and the 6V AGM bank with 10 kW Onan.
Mobility-need or maximum-chassis buyers pick the Dutch Star 4311. Buyers wanting Fleetwood's flagship finish without accessibility needs pick the Palisade 45CS.
Side-by-side specs
| Fleetwood Palisade 45CS | Newmar Dutch Star 4311 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $706,848 | $676,280 |
| Length | 44'8" | 43'9" |
| Dry weight | — | 37,850 lbs |
| GVWR | 46,000 lbs | 52,000 lbs |
| Sleeps | 4 | 4 |
| Slides | 3 | 3 |
| Fresh tank | 100 gal | 105 gal |
| Grey tank | 75 gal | 75 gal |
| Black tank | 50 gal | 55 gal |
| LP | — | 0 gal |
| Solar | 100W | — |
| Inverter | 2800W | — |
| Generator | 10000W | 10000W |
| Bath | — | full |
| 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 Palisade 45CS wins
- Theater seating standard
- Integrated 2,800W inverter
- Generator prep with 10 kW Onan
- Hand-laid tile showers and Apex Custom Furniture
- Full-body paint package
- 100-gal fresh and six 6V AGM batteries
Where Newmar Dutch Star 4311 wins
- 52,000-lb GVWR vs 46,000 - 6,000 lbs more chassis
- 14,150-lb documented cargo capacity - extraordinary headroom
- Wheelchair-accessible BraunAbility integrated lift
- 800Ah lithium house bank standard
- Four-season construction
- Zero LP system
- $30,568 lower MSRP ($676,280 vs $706,848)
Pick the Fleetwood Palisade 45CS if…
Pick the 2026 Fleetwood Palisade 45CS if Fleetwood's hand-laid tile, Apex Custom Furniture, and full-body paint matter and you don't need wheelchair accessibility. The 46,000-lb GVWR carries a fully-loaded coach plus tow car, integrated 2,800W inverter with 10 kW Onan and generator prep handles hotel loads, and theater seating plus residential fridge plus fireplace deliver complete content. At $706,848 you pay for Fleetwood's signature flagship finish.
Pick the Newmar Dutch Star 4311 if…
Pick the 2026 Newmar Dutch Star 4311 if you need wheelchair accessibility, want maximum chassis, or both. The integrated BraunAbility lift is a fully factory-engineered wheelchair entry system - extraordinarily rare in this class. Beyond accessibility, the 52,000-lb GVWR with 14,150-lb cargo cap is 6,000 lbs more chassis and headroom that's hard to match anywhere. 800Ah lithium with zero LP simplifies maintenance, four-season insulation extends shoulder seasons. At $676,280 you save $30,568 versus the Palisade 45CS - significant money.
Frequently asked
Which is wheelchair-accessible?
The Newmar Dutch Star 4311 has a BraunAbility integrated lift for wheelchair access. The Fleetwood Palisade 45CS does not.
Which has higher GVWR?
The Dutch Star 4311 at 52,000-lb GVWR carries 6,000 lbs more chassis than the Palisade 45CS at 46,000 lbs. Cargo cap is documented at 14,150 lbs on the Newmar.
Do they share the same engine?
Yes - both run the Cummins L9 450 HP. The chassis, electrical system, and bath count are the major differences.