Newmar Bay Star 3629 vs Winnebago Forza 34T
2026 Class A comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
These two 2026 Class A motorhomes split on fuel type, which drives nearly every other tradeoff. The Newmar Bay Star 3629 is 36.92 ft on the gas Ford F-53 chassis with the 7.3L V8 (335 HP), 26,000 lb GVWR, 22,700 lb dry, 3,300 lb cargo, triple slide, bath-and-a-half, king bed, residential fridge, theater seating, 5,500W generator, 600Ah house bank, 50-amp service. MSRP $284,620.
The Winnebago Forza 34T is 35.5 ft long, but it's a Freightliner XCS diesel pusher with the 340-hp Cummins ISB 6.7L. Same 26,000 lb GVWR. Dual slides, full bath, king bed, 8,000W generator (45% larger than Newmar), 84-gal fresh (vs 75 gal Newmar), 2,000W inverter, solar prep, generator prep, theater seating, residential fridge, washer/dryer prep. MSRP $361,072, $76,452 over the Bay Star.
Gas vs diesel pusher is the core question. The Bay Star 3629 wins on price, triple slide, bath-and-a-half, and 600Ah house bank. The Forza 34T wins on Cummins durability, 45% bigger generator, washer/dryer prep, and the rear-engine pusher driving experience.
Side-by-side specs
| Newmar Bay Star 3629 | Winnebago Forza 34T | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $284,620 | $361,072 |
| Length | 36'11" | 35'6" |
| Dry weight | 22,700 lbs | — |
| GVWR | 26,000 lbs | 26,000 lbs |
| Sleeps | 6 | 5 |
| Slides | 3 | 2 |
| Fresh tank | 75 gal | 84 gal |
| Grey tank | 60 gal | 54 gal |
| Black tank | 40 gal | 48 gal |
| LP | 25 gal | 23 gal |
| Solar | — | — |
| Inverter | — | 2000W |
| Generator | 5500W | 8000W |
| Bath | one_and_half | full |
| Bed | king | king |
| 4-season | No | No |
| Off-road | No | No |
| Outdoor kitchen | No | No |
| Washer/dryer | prep | prep |
| Residential fridge | Yes | Yes |
Where Newmar Bay Star 3629 wins
- Triple slide layout vs Forza's dual slide
- Bath-and-a-half layout standard
- 600Ah house battery bank documented
- $76,452 cheaper at $284,620 MSRP
- Gas Ford F-53 with lower service costs
Where Winnebago Forza 34T wins
- Cummins ISB 6.7L diesel pusher
- 8,000W generator (45% over Newmar)
- 84 gal fresh tank vs Bay Star's 75 gal
- 2,000W inverter and washer/dryer prep
- Freightliner XCS chassis for highway stability
Pick the Newmar Bay Star 3629 if…
Pick the Newmar Bay Star 3629 if you want a Newmar-build Class A floorplan with triple slides and bath-and-a-half on the gas Ford F-53 platform at the substantially lower price. The 600Ah house bank, residential fridge, theater seating, and king bed deliver real luxury features, and the gas chassis means lower service costs. Best fit: a couple full-timing or doing extended snowbird trips who values the triple slide, bath-and-a-half layout, and lower price plus simpler maintenance of a gas chassis over diesel pusher driving dynamics.
Pick the Winnebago Forza 34T if…
Pick the Winnebago Forza 34T if you want a Freightliner diesel pusher with the Cummins ISB 6.7L, 8,000W generator, and washer/dryer prep. The rear-engine pusher dynamics, Freightliner XCS chassis, and 84-gal fresh tank deliver real long-distance touring credentials. Best fit: a couple planning serious cross-country travel who values the diesel pusher driving experience, higher torque for mountain passes, larger generator, and the longer-life chassis platform, willing to pay $76,452 more.
Frequently asked
Gas or diesel?
The Bay Star 3629 is gas (Ford 7.3L V8 on F-53). The Forza 34T is diesel pusher (340-hp Cummins ISB 6.7L on Freightliner XCS). That's the fundamental architectural difference.
What's the slide count difference?
The Bay Star 3629 has 3 slides (triple); the Forza 34T has 2 slides. The Bay Star is also 1.42 ft longer (36.92 vs 35.5 ft).
Which has the bigger generator?
The Forza 34T has 8,000W; the Bay Star 3629 has 5,500W. The 2,500W gap matters for residential loads while running ACs.