Newell Owners.. How are they and please report issues..? Anything you'd have done different ? We are starting to look at the "next" one. I don't see too much on this site about them.
* This post was
edited 08/10/09 08:34pm by PF&PM *
2005 Newmar 34' Kountry Star, 8.1L W22, Blue Ox 10K, Honda Pilot, Bijon Shitzu (Sassy) dash dog, Two teenage boys..we get around ! Nine Provinces, Two Territories, 47 States, Northern Mexico... so far..
We don't own one but have some older friends that do and they are on their third one. The first was a 1988 40', then a 1996 42'6" and now have a 2003 45' and just made an offer on a 2004 45' with steerable tag. They have nothing but good to say about them. I have been in and around theirs many of times and they are definately a quality built coach. My only dislike is the lack of wood cabinetry but that is more of a personal opinion. Their son bought their 1988 40' about ten years ago and other than the paint looking a little aged it is still running strong. I think it has around 150K on the odometer. As far as horsepower/torque I don't think they shine as much as people think due to the fact they are so heavy (2003 45' sitting right at 54K pounds). The power to weight ratio is not much different than our Dynasty but they are a quality unit not doubt. I wouldn't mind upgrading to one when we hit the retirement age. Mike.
Mike & Chrystal (F315002)
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
As Jim said, come on over to NewellClassic. Newell builds a quality coach. I think you will be pleased with what you see. We have had ours for three and a half years and average about 10,000 pleasurable miles per year. One of our newer members just purchased a 1971 Newell that, with a little TLC as it has been sitting for a couple of years, will be a fine coach. The factory sponsors a couple of rallies each year and the members of NewellClassic have just finished their second, non-factory sponsored rally. The first was in Austin, TX and the one last week was in Creede, CO.
Michael Day
Newell Coach
PT Cruiser Turbo
Patrick the Irish Wolfhound
Native Texans
Newell makes a solidly engineered and built coach. Are they trouble free. NO. Is any coach? NO.
I source any repair parts I need from Home Depot, the local truck parts place, or the McMaster Carr catalog. Newell uses industrial stuff to assemble their coaches. Nothing fancy or proprietary, but well built and easy to access.
Their business model is unique. I obviously don't own a million dollar coach as you can see in my sig. Everytime I have ever called the factory, they treat as if I were a king. All of the other Newell guys say the same thing.
The Newells and Prevosts held their value longer than most in this latest economic downturn, but they were not immune. There are some incredible deals out there right now.
One final word, don't drive one, unless you are prepared to buy.
Richard, Rhonda, Ty, and Alex
1995 Newell with 470HP Detroit Diesel
Subaru Outback toad
My blog allwaysontheedge.wordpress.com
I have spent the better part of two years researching the perfect coach for my wife and I to full time in. After looking in depth into literally every coach available today Newell is our choice...hands down. We want to duplicate the comfort of our fixed home as closely as possible. That means a bath and a half, all electric, Aqua Hot, full kitchen including dishwasher, king bed etc. etc. I like the range that 235 gallons or so of fuel gives me and having one 190 gal single black and gray waste water tank.
In short, Newell suits our needs. I've written a couple of published novels that I want to promote as we tour this beautiful country. Simply stated we're not campers, we're tourists mixing in a little work along the way and want to be as comfortable as possible when we do it. Newell probably wouldn't work for people who like to dry camp a lot and folks who like to visit and use federal and state parks a lot. That's why it's so important to really do your homework before settling on a coach. It sure isn't a one size fits all type of purchase.
My wife and I visited the plant in Miami and found the attention to detail and the loyality shown by their employee's to be outstanding. Having been in construction for over 40 years I can see quality and Newell uses the best quality components available. Case in point are the Grohe plumbing fixtures they use. The Grohtemp pressure balanced and temperature controled shower valve is the best shower valve available on the planet. It runs about $500.00 and you can't even see it as it's enclosed in the wall. My wife likes the tasteful interiors that are so much more refined than some of the Vegas casino interiors found in so many bus conversions. Again, just our preferance.
Newell felt the bad economic times like everyone else and had to furlough some of it's employees. However, it has been announced that an increase in orders and sales have resulted in calling back the furloughed employees. Just great news in this troubled industry.
The bottom line is that for our use I would rather have a 9 year old Newell with 100,000 miles than a 2 year old factory coach with 10,000 miles. I was told by Newell that they have four people with pagers and cell phones on call 24/7 to resolve your coach problems no matter whether you have a 2009 coach or a 1979 coach. That's important. It's a quality orginization and a quality product.
Larry
Decision made...the perfect (for us) DP to full time.
I'll be watching this thread closely. I know I'm putting the cart WAY before the horse but I'm already thinking of the next coach. I'm thinking maybe in 4-5 yrs so our coach will be 7 yrs old.
I'm considering the Newell and the Marathon conversion. Interesting that the Newell MSPR is almost half the price of what a Marathon Prevost is listed as. Is the Marathon (Prevost) better? I don't know.
I just wonder if a regular chassis place (Spartan, Freighliner, Cummins, etc.) can service the Newell chassis while on the road. Surely, you don't have to go to the Newell factory for things like that.
The Newells are certainly sharp looking coaches. If I'm not mistaken, Prevost coaches only have a 500 max hp engine whereas the Newells have a 650 hp Cummins.
MM.
Mr.Mark
2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42ft., 4 slides, 425 hp clean-air Cummins diesel
2007 Honda CR-V EXL, AWD, w/Nav and the M&G braking system
One note I forgot to mention in my post was, when we were tourint the Newell factory, I was a bit startled when I noticed a coach in a factory bay filled with smoke.
I asked Dave Prince our tour guide what was going on, and was informed they were performing a leak test by pressurizing the coach with non toxic smoke checking for leaks around the windows, entry door and glide out seals. Most impressive.
2000 Monaco Windsor 40' 330HP
1988 Suzuki Toad
20' Enclosed "American" Trailer
250, 300 & 400 Honda Quads, Custom Golfcart
2007 GMC 2500 HD Sierra Duramax LMM
Proud Father of A United States Marine!
Quote: I just wonder if a regular chassis place (Spartan, Freighliner, Cummins, etc.) can service the Newell chassis while on the road. Surely, you don't have to go to the Newell factory for things like that.
The running gear under a Newell is standard, commercially available truck and bus gear. So, any decent truck or bus shop will know it well. In earlier years it was mostly Rockwell, but now ZF suspension.
The engines were Detroit for a long time, then Cat, and now Cummins. The change driven by the fact that DD and Cat stopped selling to the coach industry. Obviously depending on which engine you have, you go that shop. The trannies are Allison and a few ZF's.
You don't have to go to the factory to have it worked on. Newell has an unofficial list of shops around the country that they will fix you up with if you need help.
On the other hand a lot of people enjoy their service trips to Newell cause they get to hang out at the factory and are treated well.
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