JBAM is my home.
She is a 2005 Newmar Dutch Star diesel pusher. Some call her a Class A, a motor home, an RV, a camper, even a land yacht. I just know she is my very comfortable home!
4023 is her model which means she is a forty footer and 23 denotes the floor plan.
The name JBAM was coined by my neighbors at Mid Valley Airpark – “Jon’s Big Ass Motorhome!” The name stuck! Terribly sorry that it is not a ‘family friendly’ name. 🙁
With four slide-outs, the interior space is almost unbelievable – lots and lots of space – certainly enough for one person and a cat. The temperature and noise insulation is also impressive.
Why did I upgrade from Shaneeda after spending so much time and effort on her? Good question! It basically came down to limited storage space, limited weight carrying capacity, and insulation. Shaneeda was not good with any of these three items and making her was just not reasonably possible.
Some of the modifications I have made to JBAM include:
- Two 325 watt solar panels – 650 watts total
- Morningstar MPPT-45 solar charge controller
- Morningstar Tri-Star TS-RM-2 remote panel for the solar charge controller
- Two Fan-Tastic Vent roof covers
- Replaced engine batteries
- Removed jackknife sofa and constructed a workstation/desk in it’s place
- Bogart Engineering Trimetric RV2030 battery monitor
- Replaced all interior and basement incandescent lights with LED/SMD light’s
- Installed extra 12 volt power sockets and 5V USB charging sockets in kitchen
- Garmin Dezi 760LMT GPS
- Replaced broken door handle on Splendide clothes washer/dryer
- Carpet cleaned (ChemDry)
- Disassembled and cleaned radio hoping to fix CD changer problems (failed)
- Installed new Pioneer FH-X520U stereo
- Installed new Kenwood KFC-1365S speakers in front overhead cabinet
- Installed new topper fabric on living room slide-out
- Installed pull handle on screen door.
- Added an ‘On The Go’ 8000 grain ‘standard’ model water softener
- Installed extra 12 volt power sockets and 5V USB charging sockets in bedroom
- Made windshield sun cover
- Made passenger side window sun cover
- Made driver side window sun cover
- Windshield Wiper conversion – 31″ to 28″
- Replaced broken windshield wiper tapered knurl
- Installed house battery bank watering system
- Made a steering wheel cover so cat won’t push air horn button when parked
- Installed water pressure accumulator tank
- Eliminate creaking noise from dash
- Replace broken muffler hanger (rubber portion)
- Replace headlights
- Updated Energy Audit/Budget
- Changed engine air filter
- Center dash speaker installation
- Installed ScanGaugeD from Linear-Logic
- Roof cleaning
- House battery replacement
Now that you’ve moved on to Missy, we’re curious to know what happened to JBAM? Am thinking this would be the motorhome to purchase … what with all the work and upgrades you have done … plus the care and attention you give to your MH.
We are looking for a similar well cared for unit. Thanks for all the info you are sharing … the knowledge we’ve gained is definitely aiding our search.
Also, what were your reasons for changing to Missy … of course, to me JBAM would be the ultimate MH (each to their own).
Good luck with your remodel.
Great question Jan! I sold JBAM (mentioned here) when I made the move onto a sailboat. That didn’t last very long – something in my brain went tilt… 🙁 On my return, I decided that a conversion of my own was the way to go (to keep me busy and out of trouble!!).
The new owners of JBAM are wonderful people!! I consider them to VERY good friends and we communicate often. They even visited me in New Mexico last winter! You’ll see them comment here as Pete and Nanette. They changed JBAM’s name to JFBAM (Jon’s FORMER Big A.. Motorhome). 🙂 I know Pete has replaced the Norcold refrigerator cooling unit (earlier this year) and is currently replacing the carpet. He also had some paint repaired where the clear coat was peeling. Overall, I think she has been operating well for them. They have certainly done some traveling with her!!
I certainly miss all the space and functionality that JBAM had. Those four slides are amazing!! I’m still not sure that doing my own conversion was a good idea – certainly a LOT of work!
Hello JD. I too own a DSDP 4023 and love it. We call ours Nijntje (Nen-Jie). If you look it up you can make the connection. Our towed Ford Flex is Miffy (another hint). I have enjoyed reading about your travels and thoughts. I posted my blog below. I am very interested in the mods you have made and wonder what the new owners have done. Please share my info with them as I’d like to hear from them, and you! Have a wonderful adventure. PS I too am a pilot SEL, Glider and a sailor. Great to meet another kindred soul.
Howdy Mark! Very cool – kindred indeed!! 🙂 I have forwarded your info to Pete.