Fleetwood Palisade 45FS vs Newmar Dutch Star 4325
2026 Class A comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
Both 44-foot Class A diesels sleep 6 and run Cummins L9 450 HP engines, but they get there with totally different floorplans. The Fleetwood Palisade 45FS uses a bunkhouse layout (king bedroom plus bunks) on a Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge at 46,000 lb GVWR with six AGM batteries, 100W solar, and a 2,800-watt inverter for $706,848. The Newmar Dutch Star 4325 hits sleeps-6 via a bath-and-a-half layout - king bedroom and a guest half-bath - on a tag-axle 52,000 lb GVWR chassis with 800 amp-hour bank for $676,135.
Families with kids will gravitate to the Palisade 45FS for the actual bunkhouse - real bunks rather than a convertible sleeping area. Hosts entertaining adult guests will prefer the Dutch Star 4325's half-bath. The Newmar also tacks on 6,000 lb more GVWR (52,000 vs 46,000), 11,650 lb cargo capacity, four-season insulation, and the 105-gallon fresh tank (vs 100 on the Palisade).
Verdict: Palisade 45FS for the bunkhouse; Dutch Star 4325 for the half-bath, higher payload, and $30,713 savings.
Side-by-side specs
| Fleetwood Palisade 45FS | Newmar Dutch Star 4325 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $706,848 | $676,135 |
| Length | 44'8" | 43'9" |
| Dry weight | — | 40,350 lbs |
| GVWR | 46,000 lbs | 52,000 lbs |
| Sleeps | 6 | 6 |
| 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 | — | 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 Palisade 45FS wins
- Bunkhouse floorplan with dedicated bunks
- Six AGM batteries with 100W factory solar
- 2,800-watt factory inverter
- Generator prep included
- Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge with 102-inch width
Where Newmar Dutch Star 4325 wins
- Bath-and-a-half layout (guest half-bath)
- 52,000 lb GVWR vs 46,000 lb (+6,000 lb)
- 11,650 lb cargo, 800 Ah battery bank
- Four-season insulation package
- $30,713 lower MSRP at $676,135
Pick the Fleetwood Palisade 45FS if…
Pick the 2026 Fleetwood Palisade 45FS if you need a true bunkhouse layout in a 44-foot Class A diesel. The bunks make this the rare flagship coach designed for families with kids who need real sleeping berths rather than sofa conversions. The Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge, six AGM batteries, 100W solar, 2,800-watt inverter, and Fleetwood Apex Custom Furniture round out the spec. At $706,848 you pay $30,713 over the Dutch Star 4325 - the bunkhouse architecture is the reason to justify that gap.
Pick the Newmar Dutch Star 4325 if…
Pick the 2026 Newmar Dutch Star 4325 if you want bath-and-a-half privacy in a 44-foot Class A diesel - the half-bath up front means guests don't need to enter the master suite. The 52,000 lb GVWR tag-axle chassis carries 11,650 lb cargo, the 800 amp-hour bank powers extended boondocking, and four-season insulation handles winter. At $676,135 it saves $30,713 versus the Palisade 45FS while delivering Newmar build quality. Best for adult-focused travelers, entertainers, and four-season campers.
Frequently asked
Which layout serves families with kids better?
The Palisade 45FS has a dedicated bunkhouse with bunks - the better family layout. The Dutch Star 4325 uses the second sleeping spaces for the bath-and-a-half rather than bunks.
Which sleeps more?
Both coaches sleep 6 - but the Palisade 45FS uses bunks while the Dutch Star 4325 uses convertible furniture for the extra sleeping capacity.
What's the price difference?
The Palisade 45FS lists at $706,848; the Dutch Star 4325 lists at $676,135 - a $30,713 difference favoring the Newmar.