Fleetwood Palisade 45FS vs Newmar Dutch Star 4370
2026 Class A comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
Both 44-foot Class A diesels run Cummins L9 450 HP power but solve sleeping arrangements differently. The Fleetwood Palisade 45FS uses a bunkhouse layout (king bedroom plus bunks) on the Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge at 46,000 lb GVWR with six AGM batteries, 100W solar, and a 2,800-watt inverter for $706,848 - sleeps 6. The Newmar Dutch Star 4370 hits sleeps-5 with a bath-and-a-half layout on a tag-axle 52,000 lb GVWR chassis, 800 amp-hour bank, four-season insulation, and an 11,500 lb cargo rating for $674,105.
The Palisade 45FS is the only bunkhouse here - if you need real bunks for kids in a 44-foot Class A diesel, it's the answer. The Dutch Star 4370 swaps that for guest-bath privacy via the half-bath up front, plus 6,000 lb more GVWR (52,000 vs 46,000), four-season insulation, and a 105-gallon fresh tank (5 more than the Palisade). The Newmar is also $32,743 cheaper.
Verdict: Palisade 45FS for family bunkhouse use; Dutch Star 4370 for adult/guest-friendly bath-and-a-half plus higher capacity at a lower price.
Side-by-side specs
| Fleetwood Palisade 45FS | Newmar Dutch Star 4370 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $706,848 | $674,105 |
| Length | 44'8" | 43'9" |
| Dry weight | — | 40,500 lbs |
| GVWR | 46,000 lbs | 52,000 lbs |
| Sleeps | 6 | 5 |
| 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
- Sleeps 6 vs 5 on Dutch Star
Where Newmar Dutch Star 4370 wins
- Bath-and-a-half layout (guest half-bath)
- 52,000 lb GVWR vs 46,000 lb (+6,000 lb)
- 11,500 lb published cargo capacity
- Four-season insulation, 800 Ah bank
- $32,743 lower MSRP at $674,105
Pick the Fleetwood Palisade 45FS if…
Pick the 2026 Fleetwood Palisade 45FS if you need a real bunkhouse in a 44-foot Class A diesel - it's the only one in this matchup with kid-dedicated bunks. The Freightliner XCM Freedom Bridge, six AGM batteries, 100W factory solar, 2,800-watt inverter, and Fleetwood Apex Custom Furniture deliver the full Fleetwood luxury package at $706,848. Best for multi-generational families who need bunks plus the king bedroom, plus the larger 2,800-watt inverter for off-grid family loads.
Pick the Newmar Dutch Star 4370 if…
Pick the 2026 Newmar Dutch Star 4370 if you want bath-and-a-half privacy with a tag-axle 52,000 lb GVWR chassis carrying 11,500 lb of cargo. The half-bath up front means guests don't enter the master suite, and the 800 amp-hour battery bank plus four-season insulation extend usable months. At $674,105 it saves $32,743 versus the Palisade 45FS. Best for adult-focused couples or hosts who want guest-bath privacy and full-time-travel capacity over the bunkhouse layout.
Frequently asked
Which layout works for families with kids?
The Palisade 45FS bunkhouse has dedicated bunks - the only family layout here. The Dutch Star 4370 uses the bath-and-a-half for the second sleeping area arrangement.
What's the chassis tonnage difference?
The Dutch Star 4370 has 52,000 lb GVWR; the Palisade 45FS has 46,000 lb - 6,000 lb more capacity on the Newmar.
Which is four-season?
The Dutch Star 4370 is four-season insulated. The Palisade 45FS is not - meaningful for cold-weather travelers.