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Gurus,

After recovering my dash, the only ugly thing that I can see from my drivers seat is the steering wheel.  

   

Time to fix that.  I sent a piece of the new material (ultra leather) to the folks at Leatherique.com.  I told them that I was doing a steering wheel and to send me what I need.  They sent me three bottles.  (Prepping agent, custom Dye, and a clear coat finish).

First step was to tape off the plastic.

   

Next, I used the prepping agent and a piece of 1200 grit wet-dry sandpaper to gently remove the old dye and dirt.  Even though I went slowly, it took off a good deal of the old dye.  I started wondering if I was getting in over my head.  I let this step dry over night.

Next, time to apply the dye.  The dye is a water based pigment that really wants to separate into solids and liquid.  I emptied entire bottle into a plastic pot, and then used a little distilled water to rinse out the bottle.  Then I mixed slowly for several minutes.  Finally, I took about 1/3 of the bottle and diluted it about 20% with distilled water.  More on that next.

With the dye a little watered down, I was able to start applying to the wheel.  I opted to use fairly nice acrylic brushes (3/8”) to apply the dye.  I really went slowly and did not apply very much dye at one time.  I probably put 4-5 coats of dye on altogether.  (Let each coat dry to the touch).

I put several extra coats on where I had a little suede leather developing.  (More about this in lessons learned).  Here is second coat while wet

   

After letting the dye dry overnight, I put on several coats of clear coat.  I let each coat dry for 2 hrs.  The clear coat is kinda shiny, but putting light coats on tends to minimize that.  I also used the fine sandpaper between coats to knock down any rough patches.  (Not sure that was legal, but I did it so I wanted to let you guys know).

Here is the result.

   

Lessons Learned:
1). Re-dye of leather in the coach is totally doable.  It is not a no-brain process, but if you are careful and take your time, the results are pretty impressive.
2).  For steering wheels it is not necessary to remove the wheel.  (I toyed with the idea of putting new leather on the wheel.  I am glad that I went in this direction.
3).  There are several Leatherique videos on the inter-webs.  They are your friend.
4).  Leatherique makes two products that I did not use, but wish I had.  One is called rejuvenator.  It is a slop on and wait product that brings life back to old stiff leather.  The other one is called filler and would have been better on the suede areas on my wheel.  You put that product into rough / cracked patches and then sand down prior to the dye process.
5).  I am not sure how this process would be on large areas of leather (like the middle of the dash), but it totally works for small repairs and steering wheels and the like.

Enjoy!
Bill

A week ago last Monday (Jan. 21) we left Brownsville headed for Rudy Leggett's place in Baycity so he could work on our AquaHot System. We had been without heat and hot water fortunately for only a few days.  Right around Woodsboro, TX the Tag Axle bearing failed causing the tire to blow.  We contacted a tire service and fairly quickly a guy with a tire showed up.  He had trouble loosening the bolts, but when he finally got it off (naturally the rim was ruined), but the most serious problem was that the Hub was about to fall off.  It was seriously cracked. We drove to Victoria and got a guy that was knowledgeable to come with better equipment than the tire guy had and after several hours finally he got it off using an air chisel. Got everything off, including the spindle, so right now there is nothing back there except the housing.

We finally got off the side of the road into a service station parking lot, ruining one of the drive tires in the process, and then eventually to an RV Park in Victoria last Friday. We've been looking for parts since then and the part numbers that we were able to identify were not getting us anywhere, called Newell a couple of times, and finally talked to Jim Ghering who was able to look up an old invoice that had part numbers and (old) prices from 2008 for what I need. These parts cross-referenced to Prevost parts.  

Still have not had any word from the Service Center (which fortunately is right across the highway from the RV Park).  Jim emailed those to us just yesterday and they haven't contacted us with anything positive yet.

We are posting the invoice that Jim emailed to us which include those parts for those that have the independent rear Tag Axle Suspension. Our coach is a 2002.

Hoping for some hits from a guru that has faced repairs to their Kenmore stackable washer/dryer.

My 1999 model has the shower/tub on one side of the rear bath, and a set of cabinets on the other one of which contains the stackable washer/dryer.

Here is the dilemma:

My dryer has stopped producing hot air.
I have ordered a new element, both thermostats and a new belt.

I have removed the pieces holding the dryer in place.
Now it looks like a dead end to me.
I have  a 24” wide isle between the tub and the face of the opposing wall where the washer/dryer is.

The washer/dryer is 27.5” deep according to the specs.  There is very little room between the top of the washer/dryer at the ceiling – 9”

I believe I need access to the back of the unit to do the repair.
I see no way to get there.  Even if I pull it out all the way against the tub, there is no way for it to be moved as 3.5” remain in the cabinet.

There is a vent fan above the unit and I suppose with a whole lot of work that could be removed.  I don’t know whether that would allow me to drop in behind the washer/dryer but that sounds like a terrible idea.

Thanks for any thoughts.  I have not called Newell as I consider that a last resort.   Russ

https://www.cunninghamauctions.com/

this is really interesting.  a short term auction for rooms full of new bus parts.  for mci, prevost, vanhool, volvo.  a napa supplier went out of business and they are selling entire rooms full of new parts with shelving.  i just looked to the two rooms of parts in vegas online.  there is a pdf that lists all the parts by part number and name.  i just looked at a few, but there was a detroit diesel air compressor that i saw the same one on ebay for 2600 bucks.  rotors, pads, everykind of big bus parts.  

probably not a ton for ours, and i am sure big bidders will come in at the last minute but the two rooms in vegas were at 260 bucks just now.  19 hours left.  

if i was home and able, it would be an interesting buy at the right price to sort through and keep applicable things to newells and sell the rest.  there are similar sites in california i didnt look at

tom

This might be of interest since most of you guys have Microphor toilets.  Read this on the Foretravel forum:

I have several Issues with my LF-220, and just got off the Phone with Mullaney & Associates, LLC, and they are soon disconnecting their Toll Free Number, but was able to contact them on their Normal Number, of - (856)-956-1299, listed on their website!  After explaining my several Issues, Anna-Marie, not only went through and help me troubleshoot, but fully explained each part's purpose, and why I need to troubleshoot them!  Probably a 10 for 10 in service, that I can say!  That, as we all know is lacking in the RV Industry!!! Here is their website, BTW  [url=https://mullaney-associates.com/about-us/][/url]

So, I ordered 3 Parts from them, but was informed that since Microphor has been bought out by WABTEC, and they are not very Customer Friendly, nor wish to support older model Products!  So, I asked her to Include any and all things she recommended having, Kits and Bits, and ED @ WABTEC will be contacted for the rest!  It seems they are letting their Retail Suppliers down, and hanging them out to dry!  While that is unfortunate, her counterpart, Ed, can assist on parts, for as long as they decide to source them, as a Company! He is a Bit overwhelmed right now, so patience is required to contact him, currently! His Direct Company Number is 707-598-6216.

Bunk Bed model https://www.newellcoach.com/default.asp?...dInventory

    1984 35 foot Classic Newell for sale - $25,000

185,300 miles

6V92 Detroit Diesel
Allison 6-speed automatic transmission
Jacobs Engine Brake
7500 Watt Kohler diesel generator
2 roof a/c units plus dash air
New refrigerator
Ice maker
Refrigerator/freezer in bay
Propane stove plus microwave/convection oven
2 small T.V.s
Leather sola/bed, driver and passenger chairs
U shape dinette
Twin beds
Lots of storage - two hanging closets plus cabinet over beds
Awnings all around

Also available - 1945 WWII collector jeep

Photos and further info available, [email protected]

Quad slide, just listed by Newell https://www.newellcoach.com/default.asp?...dInventory

Floorplan does not appear to match photos. No bunk beds in photos and desk rather than second couch.

You gotta love the members of this gang. This forum operates like no other that I subscribe too. The respect the members demonstrate, and the way they handle differences of opinion is stellar. I make mistakes. Recently I posted some info that simply was incorrect. I got confuseded in identifying some terminal numbers. I was very gently asked to look at the situation. I liked that. First, we don't want wrong info out there, and second it was done in a nonconfontational way.  On other forums, unfortunately, there seems to be a great deal of sniping and one upmanship when it comes to technical accuracy. You can see the egos and chest beating. We don't have that here, and it makes it easy to participate in the forum. It wasn't the first time I have been corrected here, and it won't be the last. 

I just think it's important from time to time to recognize what is good in the world. It's easy to visit this forum and conclude that Newells are nothing but problems. We really don't spend much time discussing things that don't go wrong. 

Looks we are going to get some new folks at Bella Terra this year. I can't wait to meet them, and I can't wait to see the other gurus too.

Greetings to the Newell Gurus community.  My membership to this group is less than a week old and I have loved reading the many interesting threads.  The reason I joined is that my brother and myself are soon to become the new owners of coach 674 (2003 quad slide).  It was my dad's coach, but he passed away suddenly in mid-December and our families have been contemplating whether to sell the coach or keep it.  My brother is not really interested in keeping it as his preferred recreation are boats vs. RV's.  As you can imagine, many factors will influence the final decision but I wanted to ask a few questions to current owners to address some of my concerns related to such a big rig.  I currently have a 1999 40' Fleetwood American Tradition for about 10 years now and my family loves the many trips we enjoy in it (me, the wife, three sons ages 16, 14, & 8).  We use it at least 8-10 times per year when they are out of school!

Questions/concerns:  

• While only 5' longer, the 45' Newell is considerably larger and I'm concerned it's too big for many rv parks, etc.  Has any one found this to be an issue? 
  

• Systems and maintenance: I am used to being able to trouble shoot and fix the majority of issues on the Fleetwood and I'm concerned the Newell will be more complex and numerous...am I going to be overwhelmed with maintaining them or be forced to use outside repair providers?
  
• Speaking of outside maintenance, what is the closest place to get a Newell worked on in East TN (near Knoxville)?
  
• The floor plan is extremely room with the slides extended, but the rear bath / crawling over the bed while traveling may be an issue for my passengers on long trips.
  
• My final comment is that Newell's seem a bit undervalued in the market place.  In my opinion, the price we would be paid does not justify the quality of the coach. 
  

Anyway, I look forward to any feedback and I am learning more and more about the Newell coaches and the community every time I visit this site.