Just curious how much people use their Newells. Miles is one way, hours another. We use nights/days used. For 2015 looks like we will close out at 69 days/nights since April. (We don't use our coach much from Jan-March due to weather in KC area.)
I only log time on trips not time spent washing, fixing, noodling, etc. I will admit lots of my enjoyment comes from the latter things though!
So, how many days/nights per year do you use your coach?
Although I'm probably not typical I'll chime in. I've spent the last four years mostly working on my Newell. I've done a fairly extensive "restification" that has included gutting and rebuilding most of the interior walls etc. and is close to complete. I do indeed gain satisfaction from just working on the coach. Actual traveling/camping has probably averaged 2-4 weeks a year , some weekend trips to events (car shows, antique sales etc.). The last, and longest was a 2200 mile two week trip to Maine in October. Usage will increase as I get more of the work completed and our work schedules allow. Since I completed my Newell barn last year I use the coach as a break room coffee bar when I'm working outside or in the shop.
We were in our coach 9 of the last 12 months. Wintered in Florida, West Coast foray, and now doing the Holiday inlaw/outlaw circle in the Newell. About 12,000 miles this year.
We typically are in our coach 4 months a year...getting away from cold weather
When we got ours 5 years ago, our goal was to go somewhere, anywhere, even just to a local casino/concert at least once a month. We have pretty much hit that with the exception of maybe 4 months scattered throughout the 5 years. Average miles around 12K per year. Time in coach varies as sometimes we are in it 3-4 weeks straight for work, sometimes just a night or two for short trips. One of our favorites has become the almost annual pilgrimage to Miami for up-grading and maintenance. Hopefully with the proper combination of numbers (Powerball or Megamillions) we will be able to wear a set of tires out long before they "time" out. Although my work is pretty much like living on all expenses paid vacation, I think it would be nice to be able to go where ever and not have to do ANY work to cover fuel costs!
We bought our 94 in 99 and it had 50k on it when we took delivery at Newell. Now, 16years later, we show 302,000 miles on our Series 60 and she's still running strong. Unfortunately, we have slowed way down on our Coach travels and will be putting her up for sale in the Spring. This Newell has been pretty smooth sailing and will give someone else the same pleasure for many years to come. We will truly miss her. There's nothing like a Newell!! Happy Holidays to all!
Since I garage my coach in Mexico, we primarily use it in the summer when it is too hot and humid here. Summer before last, we were in to for four months, traveled about 7,000 miles, and this last summer we enjoyed it for five months and 10,000 miles. When I returned in October, I had about 15 projects on my list. Most are now completed except for the task of removing the generator to replace a busted hydraulic hose.
I try to use our coach at lease once a month. We belong to the local Good Sam group, which goes somewhere within a 100 miles from Nacogdoches 10 months of the year. This gives us a good reason to use it once a month. We also try to go on a longer trip once or twice a year. We love CO. and NM. in the summer time and gives us a chance to use our Jeep. We put on about 6,000 miles a year.
I spend a lot of time in the building where we keep the coach, washing, waxing, fiddling with things, fixing little known problems, changing light bulbs, etc. It's kind of a retreat for both of us. We will just go over and have a snack and a glass of wine and pretend to be somebody...just "play house" for a little bit.
Last year, we were at our lot at River Bend in Brownsville, TX for January, February and March. We left June 1, and made our way, via Colorado to see family to the Guru Rally in South Lake Tahoe, and then visited friends on the way home so we were gone almost a month. In July we had a family camping trip at Stockton Lake and were gone about a week. Then in October we went to HWH in Moscow, IA and had the slides worked on and took advantage of this time to check out the Amana Colonies and were gone about a week. Our last outing was to go to the Christmas Lighting on the Plaza in Kansas City Thanksgiving Day where we had friends and lots of family show up for food and drink.
We will leave this next week and make our way back to Brownsville for our 3-month stay.
At our age we seem to have everything we need (and want), so this Christmas we decided we'd give each other new 365 tires and wheels, plus each one of us could get 2 drive air bags (total of 4). We are sooooo romantic.
Wow this is very interesting to learn how different people use their Newell.
Ed your Xmas gift of tires is hilarious!
After reading some of your posts, I think my favorite times are the random short trips... Sports ames, back to Miami/Newell, casino trip, amusement park, looking at Xmas lights, etc.