Hello,
My wife and I have owned a 08 Winnebago Journey for one year. We’re ready to step up to a good used Newell.
We will have numerous questions and hope to find the answers on your forum.
I have no doubt that we will be able to transition to this class of coach with the help of the experienced however we’ve realized our first shortcoming.
We rent a covered storage stall for our Winnebago and a Newell will also fit BUT... at this time we don’t have access to a indoor storage facility that would have power and heat.
We live in Arkansas and it can get below freezing for long periods of time. Does anyone store their coach in the elements and if so what procedures do you use to winterize it and maintain the batteries?
I’m not satisfied that not being able to have it powered up and indoors is a deal breaker but I certainly don’t want to jeopardize a investment like this.
All advice will be appreciated.
JK
Welcome Kristi & Jeff. Hope you will find the coach you are looking for.
Winterization of a Newell water system is similar to that of a Winnehago. A potential down side of storing the coach without power is going to be maintaining pressure in the air bladders for the slides and maintaining a charge on the batteries if you are not able to start and run the generator on a routine basis. I am sure that others with more experience storing a Newell without power will chime in. I keep mine outdoors but it is always plugged in so I don't have to worry about it since I can run the heaters and keep the batteries charged.
Kristi & Jeff welcome to the forum. Answering questions is what we do here...............................and sometimes the answers are even right.
If it were me I would disconnect my batteries, reconnect them, run the genset to charge the batteries and then disconnect them again. I would try doing this every two weeks, checking my voltage prior to charging. Then you may be able to lengthen that time, but you would have peace of mind doing so. Charged batteries won't freeze, but discharged ones will. Here are Newell's instructions for winterizing.
http://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?ti...interizing
If covered storage is not indoor storage, then I would do two things. If the Newell has slides I would blue tape the seams as the bladders will deflate over time. The second thing I would do is continue searching for indoor storage with at least 30 amp power. Storage facilities are going up all over and would be worth driving a ways to get your coach indoors.
Good luck in your search.................................
(11-01-2018, 05:32 AM)rheavn Wrote: [ -> ]Kristi & Jeff welcome to the forum. Answering questions is what we do here...............................and sometimes the answers are even right.
If it were me I would disconnect my batteries, reconnect them, run the genset to charge the batteries and then disconnect them again. I would try doing this every two weeks, checking my voltage prior to charging. Then you may be able to lengthen that time, but you would have peace of mind doing so. Charged batteries won't freeze, but discharged ones will. Here are Newell's instructions for winterizing.
http://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?ti...interizing
If covered storage is not indoor storage, then I would do two things. If the Newell has slides I would blue tape the seams as the bladders will deflate over time. The second thing I would do is continue searching for indoor storage with at least 30 amp power. Storage facilities are going up all over and would be worth driving a ways to get your coach indoors.
Good luck in your search.................................
Thank you SO much for the info. I’m getting ready to call a facility. I’ll review the Newell info.
I was very concerned last night but after some research I’m feeling bettter about things.
Welcome and I know you will find your answers with this group (or call Newell) - we have had numerous coach brands and our Newell is our favorite so far. We have lived in our coach and had to store it outside plugged in - leave the inverter turned on in case the power goes out and you won’t have a problem as long as the batteries are good to go. You will need to make sure all the batteries are in good shape or replace them. As with all big coaches plan to save back about $10k for tires/batteries/etc. that need to be switched out. Try to get a coach with all the documentation and call the factory about it (although they seem to burn all the documentation at the end of the assembly line! Lol) ... Hope to see you out there soon!
I have stored my Newell in unoccupied industrial buildings. They are required to maintain sprinkler systems and keep temps above freezing. The owner may welcome a little income to cover heat costs.
Check out the beautiful 2018 Newell just listed today. Would consider trading your coach.
Dave
(11-02-2018, 09:12 AM)Thislldo Wrote: [ -> ]Check out the beautiful 2018 Newell just listed today. Would consider trading your coach.
Dave
We’re looking at less expensive units. Thanks.
Check small private airports. Sometimes the will rent RV spots in their hangars. In my case, in Oklahoma, I found a spot outside a hangar but with power. We use this spot when visiting the area, and not staying in the coach.
I rented a indoor unit with a door but no heat however electricity is available BUT I’d need to install the plug. No big deal.