FUN BOX
Camarillo, California
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Joined: 07/20/2006
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sb2bb wrote:fourfurz wrote:How much you wanna bet that coach never has been in Montana?
Who cares ??????
California Highway Patrol CARES
Did you know that the State of California loses millions of dollars a year in revenue from California residents who unlawfully register their vehicles in other states or countries?
2003 Monaco Knight 38 1/2' Triple Slide - Cummins 8.3 / Allison 6spd LIC= FUN BOX
2001 Lexus RX300 on a Master Tow dolly LIC= CHKYDEE
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chockwald
Ontario, CA
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Joined: 02/06/2005
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We recently moved up from an older 26' Class C (Ford E350 chassis). We wanted to get into a Class A diesel pusher, and had been looking at Monaco's, Country Coaches, Safaris, etc. that were about 10-12 yeas old. Our general impression was that these coaches, and others in that class and price range just were not wearing well, and had lots of rattling and creeking going on as you rolled down the highway. Then one day back in February of this year I stumbled across a 1982 Newell Classic 36' coach down in the Palm Springs area (listed on Craigslist). I had never heard of Newell before...probably because they were just way out of my price range. I was struck by the elegant look of the rig, and that it looked more like a tour bus than a Class A motorhome. It was much older than I was looking for, but still I was intrigued.
We were attending a wedding down in the Palm Springs area that weekend so we made arrangements to see the coach. The owner (the second) gave us a 2 hour tour through every system, and aspect of the coach. I was blown away at the attention to detail, quality of workmanship, and quality of parts. It had, at that time, 103,000 miles on the original motor (Detroit Diesel 6V92).....no oil leaks whatsoever, and quiet for a diesel! We took it for a test drive and were amazed at how quiet this 26 year old coach was/is. No rattles, no creeking...just floating down the highway. My wife fell in love with the coach (well, there go the slides....LOL!). Originally this coach sold new for $292,000. It was kept in a climate controlled garage for the first 22 years of it's life. The second owner bought it for $75,000 in 2004. We bought it for $39,500 in March. Every single system, except the cruise control, still worked the day we purchased it. We have since fixed the cruise control, and installed wood floors to replace the 26 year old carpeting. The ZipDee awnings look brand new. The upholstery is immaculate. You won't find a lot of the 36' Newells around. Most in this age bracket are 38 footers, but we love the 36' because we can still get into a lot of National Parks.
Anyway, my point is that you can own a Newell. It doesn't have to be a 2000. It doesn't have to have slides. There is a Newell in your price range out there, and you will never regret your decision to buy one. Every Newell owner (current, or past) talks of their coach with loving affection. They say they are ruined for ever owning another other brand of RV. I get occasional e-mails from the prior owner of ours wanting to know where we have gone, or are going and how the coach is running (he's 75 and was just not able to drive it comfortably anymore).....he talks of the many adventures he undertook in the 4 years he owned, and wishes he hadn't had to sell it. When he took delivery from the first owner back in 2004 he spent two days with him and took 73 pages of handwritten notes on every system, and its operation. He passed these notes on to me and they have been an amazing resource, and answered 95% of the questions I have had.
If you are intrigued by Newells, and thought you couldn't afford a newer one, take a look at the Newell Classics...there are some amazing deals to be had out there.
I am sitting in the coach as I write this reply on a 4th of July outing. We have put 5,000 miles on the coach since we took deliver on March 1st, and have several more trips planned this year still.
CLARKE AND ELAINE
1982 Newell 36' diesel pusher
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potentialrvers
Tyler, Tx.
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Joined: 03/25/2002
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This thread has been an interesting discussion of Newells. I've looked at their website numerous times over the past couple of months and have spoken with a sales rep a couple of times as well. We're interested in the previously owned Newells. Purchasing a used Newell from the dealership provides a 2-year 24,000 mile warranty, which I believe is a must with a motorhome.
During the July 4th weekend we were parked next to an '09 Newell Coach. I had an opportunity to talk with the owner and this was the 4th Newell that they have owned. He mentioned that Newell has the highest repeat customers in the class A motorhome market. I've heard that statistic from two different sources.
In December, 07 we traded in our 2003 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation for an '04 Foretravel U320 42 ft. Designer Series with 2 slides and a dishwasher. The coach has all the options you would want. If I could do it over again, I would have traded the CC for a Newell.
If anyone is looking for an '04 Foretravel, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Reese
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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chuckster11 wrote:For me the discussion is fun but seems to be a lot like taking myself on down to the Playboy Club--I can visualize myself with one, but I know I couldn't afford it and am darned sure I wouldn't know what to do with it if I got it!
Sort of like a dog chasing a car, EH what?
bumpy 
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dentmac
Southern Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 04/22/2008
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Newells are top drawer.
They run a drive axle of 28000 lbs which is illegal (but not enforced much)in all States and Provinces.
What happens if/when enforcement starts? Overweight permits would be expensive.
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SCHARLEY
Atlanta, GA
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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dentmac wrote:Newells are top drawer.
They run a drive axle of 28000 lbs which is illegal (but not enforced much)in all States and Provinces.
What happens if/when enforcement starts? Overweight permits would be expensive.
Running a 28K rated axle is not illegal. Untilizing it may be! 
SCHARLEY
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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dentmac wrote:Newells are top drawer.
They run a drive axle of 28000 lbs which is illegal (but not enforced much)in all States and Provinces.
What happens if/when enforcement starts? Overweight permits would be expensive.
I am curious, where are you getting the 28,000 pound drive axle spec?
Several manufacturers use 23,000 pound drive axles, but I have heard of none higher.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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dentmac
Southern Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 04/22/2008
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This is from http://www.newellcoach.com/flash.html
Exterior height
13 ft. 3 in. (top of air conditioners)
Gross vehicle-weight rating
63,600 lbs.
Gross axle-weight rating, front
18,700 lbs.
Gross axle-weight rating, drive
28,600 lbs.
Gross axle-weight rating, tag
16,000 lbs.
Fresh-water capacity
143 gallons
Holding-tank capacity
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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Dentmac,
Thanks. Appreciate the information.
And I agree, a 28,600 pound axle rating is close to unconscionable for an on-highway vehicle.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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wolfe10 wrote:Dentmac,
Thanks. Appreciate the information.
And I agree, a 28,600 pound axle rating is close to unconscionable for an on-highway vehicle.
OK, I give, what is the problem with that? does that not mean that the axle is built to carry that weight, not that it necessarily does?
bumpy
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