Fleetwood Palisade 45DS vs Newmar Dutch Star 4311
2027 Class A comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
The 2027 Fleetwood Palisade 45DS and 2026 Newmar Dutch Star 4311 are both 44-foot Class A diesels with Cummins L9 450 HP power, king beds, three slides, and 50-amp service - but they serve very different buyers. The Palisade 45DS rides on the Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge at 46,000 lb GVWR, brings the 2027-updated 10 kW Onan diesel generator, 450D Aqua-Hot, and a 2,800-watt inverter for $706,848. The Dutch Star 4311 uses 52,000 lb GVWR on Spartan K2 or Freightliner XCR, integrates a factory BraunAbility wheelchair lift, runs an 800 amp-hour battery bank, and prices at $676,280.
The Newmar wins on raw capacity - 6,000 lb more GVWR, 14,150 lb cargo, four-season insulation, and 105-gallon fresh water (vs 100 on the Palisade). It's also the only one of the two with factory mobility access. The Palisade 45DS leans into newer model year, Fleetwood Apex Custom Furniture, six AGM batteries, and the 100W solar panel that ships standard.
Decision: Dutch Star 4311 for accessibility and payload; Palisade 45DS for 2027 freshness and Fleetwood's interior package.
Side-by-side specs
| Fleetwood Palisade 45DS | 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 45DS wins
- 2027 model year build with refreshed interior
- 2,800-watt inverter (Dutch Star inverter unlisted)
- Six AGM batteries with 100W factory solar
- 10 kW Onan diesel generator with generator prep
- Fleetwood Apex Custom Furniture and hand-laid tile
Where Newmar Dutch Star 4311 wins
- Factory BraunAbility wheelchair lift
- 52,000 lb GVWR vs 46,000 lb (+6,000 lb)
- 14,150 lb published cargo capacity
- Four-season insulation package
- $30,568 lower MSRP at $676,280
Pick the Fleetwood Palisade 45DS if…
Pick the 2027 Fleetwood Palisade 45DS if you want the newest year of Fleetwood's flagship Class A diesel, with the 2027 updates including 450D Aqua-Hot, 10 kW Onan diesel generator, and refreshed interior. The 102-inch-wide Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge chassis, 2,800-watt inverter, six AGM batteries, and Apex Custom Furniture deliver Fleetwood's full-luxury package. At $706,848 you're paying a $30,568 premium over the 2026 Dutch Star, justified if newer model year and Fleetwood finish sway you.
Pick the Newmar Dutch Star 4311 if…
Pick the 2026 Newmar Dutch Star 4311 if you need wheelchair access from the factory or want the heavier 52,000 lb GVWR tag-axle chassis. The integrated BraunAbility lift, 14,150 lb cargo capacity, 800 amp-hour battery bank, and four-season insulation handle missions the Palisade 45DS can't match. At $676,280 it saves $30,568 versus the 2027 Palisade while delivering Newmar build quality on Spartan K2 or Freightliner XCR. Best for accessibility-focused or payload-heavy Class A diesel buyers.
Frequently asked
How much heavier can the Dutch Star 4311 be loaded versus the Palisade 45DS?
The Dutch Star 4311 has 52,000 lb GVWR with 14,150 lb cargo capacity. The Palisade 45DS has 46,000 lb GVWR (6,000 lb less) and doesn't publish cargo capacity.
Which one is the latest model year?
The Palisade 45DS is a 2027 model; the Dutch Star 4311 is a 2026 model - one model year newer for the Fleetwood.
Does either have factory solar?
The Palisade 45DS ships with 100W solar panel standard. The Dutch Star 4311 has solar prep only - no factory panel included.