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Gang,

Please forgive me for the length of this post.  Skip to the bottom for the answer.

So you see what had happened waz......

I had a very strange thing happen to me today, and wanted to share in case someone else has the same situation.  I'm going to give you as much information as what I had, and then give you a chance to figure it out before I share with you what I *think* is going on.

My coach is 653 (2003).  It has disc brakes on drive axle.  As you know (or in case you don't) the emergency brakes work on the drive axle only.  They become active in the absence of air pressure....like when you pull the E-brake handle.  I had an issue with the e-brake valve and it was replaced at Newell last week.  I have new brakes all the way around and new wheel bearings all the way around.

Let's start at the beginning.  About three years ago I was in New Jersey with the coach.  I had parked at Cracker Barrel in a very non-flat parking lot.  I leveled the coach and spent the night, and in the morning after a hearty breakfast got on the road.  My coach goes into travel mode as soon as you release the air brake.  About 15 minutes later as I was driving on the interstate, I started smelling hot brake smell.  I pulled over and found that my passenger rotor was hot and that the brake was smoking.  I sat there for a while and applied and released the brake several times.  I decided that I would limp to the next exit.  Once I got there, the wheel was cooler and the brake was not smoking.  I promptly forgot all about this incident until today.

This morning I was parked at Cracker Barrel (note the coincidence).  Last night, I parked against a curb and put two slides out.  Since the coach was leaning a bit, I manually leveled to get the floor a little more level.  I spent the night and again ate a hearty breakfast.  I cranked the coach, put it in travel mode and waited for the coach to raise to normal travel height before I brought the slides in.  I took off and in about 15 minutes, I again smelled the brake smell.  I pulled over and again, the passenger drive brakes are super hot.  I called a fellow guru and we talked  through the issue.  After the brake cooled, I released the e-brake and put the coach in drive followed by reverse followed by drive followed by neutral.  At this point it was clear that the brake was not stuck.  So I got on road again.  A couple of more stops convinced me that I was ok to proceed.

I did notice that my gas mileage was a little low this morning, and I also thought I had a weird feel on the brake pedal before I smelled the brake smell.

Thirty minutes later I figured out what the problem was.  (I think).

Here is what it is not...
1)  I did not fail to release the emergency brake.  My disc brakes will NOT let me drive off while the brake is applied.
2)  It's not the bearings.  They are new and once the coach was happy, the wheels were cool even after running for hours.
3)  I had plenty of air pressure the entire time.  (Front, Rear and the other air gauge were in the normal range).

=====================Answer below======================

On my vintage coach, there is a known problem where the leveling system and the emergency brake don't get along.  So, as I am attempting to level my coach, I have to release the ebrake from time-to-time to allow enough slack in the suspension for the air-springs to do their thing.  I don't understand the exact cause, I suspect it is some geometry problem between the wheel, the brake, and the bags.

If I leave the coach in auto level the brakes will creak in the middle of the night as the coach attempts to re-level after air has leaked out of the system.

I think in both the trouble cases, I had leveled in somewhat abnormal conditions.  The coach had tried to auto level during the night both times.  So, when I cranked up and left, the brakes where in a bind in both cases.  Both times, I simply when into travel mode, released the brakes and drove forward.  I believe that the brakes never had a chance to fully release because of the binding issue.  Thus, even though the emergency brake handle was pushed in, it did not fully release the emergency brake.

The reason it has only happened a couple of times....

I have gotten to the point where I rarely leave the coach in auto level mode.  The brakes creaking in the middle of the night is worse that being slightly out of level.  I now normally just park the coach, turn off the key and live with the travel height.  Also, normally I need to back up and least once time before getting on the road.  I suspect applying the brakes in reverse releases the bind.  In both the cracker barrel times, I simply drove out of the spot and got on interstate.  

From now on, I will ensure that the e-brake is fully released by putting the coach in drive to get a little roll going, then neutral to remove forward propulsion.  If I stop, I know my brake did not release.  If I glide smoothly forward I know that my brakes are released and I can go on.  Alternatively, applying the brakes in reverse will probably accomplish the  same thing.

TL;DR  On 2002-2003 coaches the brakes and the leveling can interfere with each other.  This can result in the emergency brake being partially applied resulting in frayed nerves and brake smoke.

I have my lower monitor not working, I switched it with the upper one and it didn't work there either, does anyone know where I can have it fixed. there was a company in Houston that rebuilt them but there no longer in business

   

Hello fellow Newell owners.  Andy and I bought a 1983 Newell in November 2015.  We have completed an interior upgrade replacing 43 year old blue shag carpet with cork floor tiles, recovered pull down shades, reupholstered couch and swivel rocker chairs (big project but love results), added solar to roof, fixed roof leaks and sorted out electrical.   Remaining projects are replacing air bags and making new drapes.   Our plan is to do a short shake down trip, then head South.

Attached are pics of the interior before and after, the exterior.  

If anyone has any suggestions about replacing our air bags such, part number, supplier, or other suggestions, we would appreciate it.

Also, if anyone is willing to share a list of replacement part numbers/suppliers for the 83 that would be great.  We did not get much documentation with the coach.

Can't wait to see Newells on the road and hope to meet some of you soon.  I love this forum.  Everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful.

Quad slide, Bath and a half, has been recently relisted with a major price reduction to $530,000.

http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2008-New...-119777264

I have Newell coach 262 for sale. Its a 45 ft coach with a 500 HP. 8v92 detroit diesel powered unit with a 4 SPD. Allison automatic. I has had the interior updated and redone recently including floors,all furniture covering, ceiling recovered, all new solid marble counter tops, table and bathroom sink tops, new flexsteel captains chair and passeger seats, new matress, new flat 42 inch flat screen Sony TV in living area and new 20 inch flat screen in bedroom area with a new in-motion automatic satellite installed. Plus much more. It has approximately 162,000 miles on it, it doesn't need any major repairs just a lot of little things. I'm asking $35,000 for it but that's negotable. I may be contacted at [email protected] or at 740-516-7461, thank you

OK classic owners, I don't find much information in my files that shows the height of the classics. I suspect that the clearance height changed between the coaches with roof airs and the ones with basement airs but there are vents and dishes on the roof of classics that add to the clearance height.

Anyone out there that has measured theirs?

I show one 1988 that listed the height as 11'2" and a 1976 with roof airs that listed height as 11'10". I know that from the mid 2000's through at least 2015, the roof height was 12'8"-12'10" with clearance height (top of air conditioners) of  13'3". The 2017 Newells are listed as 13'1" to the top of the air conditioners.

Any additional information would be appreciated.

• 1997 Newell Coach Model 2000 This coach was custom designed for NASCAR driver Mark Martin which is stunning inside and out. This premier luxury coach brands in the world, Newell Coach designs are considered to be timeless, elegant and machanically sophisticated. Mid-entry raised roof designs features marble floors, sculpted carpeting, leather- finished ceiling, laminate cabinetry and leather appointed walls. The foward living are includes a foldout leather couch, two leather recliners, Villa air-over-electric drivers seat, new Sony flat-screen tv, Sony digital stereo sound system, ads surround sound, DVD player and new Dish network Wally with the King tailgater portable automatic satellite tv which is mounted. The cockpit and co-pilot area have electric blinds and privacy curtains, independent driver/ passenger stereo controls, intercom, CB radio, back-up camera, Pioneer voice/touch screen GPS/digital media player, Tri-band radar detector, Sony AM/FM/CD 12v stereo, reliable analog gauges and cockpit systems control center. Galley features a full-size refrigerator/freezer, washer/dryer combo, convection oven/microwave, Insta-hot and New Aquahot water system, garbage disposal and banquette dining area. Bathroom area features a double sink, marble and carpet flooring and full-size circular glass enclosed shower. The private lavatory features a porcelain air operated toilet, electric heating, ventilation fan, intercom, marble floor. The Master bedroom is seperate D from the kitchen by an air-operated pocket door that is covered in full-length mirror on both sides. There is a Sony sound ADS speakers, flat screen tv, electric-operated under bed storage, ceiling fan, large window, two accent Windows , full walk- in closet with built-in drawer. The outside basement storage and amenities, feature outdoor entertainment flat screen tv, Jenn-Air electric outdoor grill, compressed air and electric outlets and outdoor hot and cold running water. This coach has 500hp Detroit Diesel 60 series turbocharged engine, stalwart Allison 6-speed automatic transmission, driver controlled tag axel, duel drive wheels with locking differential , airbag suspension, HWH pneumatic leveling system, air operated disc brakes with ABS and independent front suspension. This couch is also equipped with a heavy- duty tow package that can pull a full size vehicle or trailer with ease. This spacious 45ft non-slide model is about 400 sqft of living space with 80 sqft of basement storage area.Plz call 605-770-five 24 one

Ray Wiggins, Coach 743 '05 owned since August '14.  My fourth and best RV by far.  Over the two years I have enjoyed 743, getting the many service issues taken care of and the visit to the factory in January was money well spent.  I began, as many others have, getting a coach that had been service neglected and somewhat original in electronics.  I first took care to put the engine, transmission, genset, aquahot, chassis items (shocks, hubs, brakes) secured and safe.  Since I paid wholesale for the coach I knew I needed to sink some money there and not be sitting on the side of the road.  Second year was spent upgrading electronics, replacing clouded windows, new batteries, and a fresh set of tires.  Again no sticker shock items.  Beginning this year I started at the factory in January.  A complete check out by the Pros was best money I ever spent.  I was fortunate to find a local shop that can handle the heavier coaches (Prevost, Newell and others) near my Augusta, Ga home so most everything that I have needed has been addressed.  Our biggest challenge so far has been the air leaks.  We have replaced all seals on all four slides and will start soon searching for more leaks.  These bladders only last so long.  The majority of my repairs have been items that over time just need attention.  I will probably keep 743 for a while until I feel the maintenance costs will be getting out of hand.  With 93k miles it is just getting broken in.  I look forward to reading others in this forum and from time to time I hope to contribute based on my happy 2+ years in my Newell.

Ray

1988 NEWELL COACH 40ft 3 axle wide body, 88 Newell - 40 ', three axle, 102 " wide body $47,000. 475HP Detroit 8V92, Allison 4 speed automatic transmission, 160,000 miles, Air suspension and leveling, Split battery system, the standard 800 watt for the electronics and a 2200watt for the microwave,  New hot water heater converted over to 12gal residential..Exterior ** In motion sat, Zip-Dee window, Heated mirrors ** Storage compartments ** 200gal fuel,100 gal aux fuel tank.. 125gal water, 125gal waste, One pass through compartment, Three compartments with shelves, One compartment with two large pullout drawers, Two stage filter for all incoming water, Second two stage filter for water going drinking water tap at the kitchen sink ** Drivers / passengers area ** Recaro drivers seat, leather, 6way electric base plus power back tilt, inflatable lumbar support, heat, speakers in the headrest, swivels for additional living room seating, Buddy seat, leather, 6way power base plus swivel, Tilt / telescope steering wheel, cruise control, built in CB, intercom system, pull down sun shades for all 4 windows ** Living room **  Flexsteel sleeper sofa . 2, 20 " flat screen TV ** Kitchen ** NEW Norcold 12vDC / 120vAC refrigerator, Gaggenau cook top with 3 gas , Corrian counter top with two bowl sink,  Filtered water at sink, microwave / convection oven,  ** Bathroom ** Private bath, Tub shower, Sea Land china toilet, ** Bedroom ** Queen bed, Make-up counter with mirror and lights, Additional hanging storage behind bed ..fuel and oil filters, lights. Beautiful coach with new tires, new batteries, house and starting...More pics if needed contact 713-410-1700

Formerly Forest and Cindy's coach. 2 slide 1998 at Motorhomes of Texas. $129,500. Series 60, Allison 6 speed. Traded in on a 2006.

http://motorhomesoftexas.com/coachrv/new...45--C1832A