My name is Mike Ginn and my wife is Jeannie. We are in the process of purchasing coach #555. Ironically, the coach was bought out from under us 3 years ago at MOT. I waited over a year and tracked down the owner. We met but decided it was not time to sell or buy but stayed in touch. In fact, we became friends this past summer. They had promised to give us first shot if they decided to sell.
One has to be careful when in for service at Newell... Last week the owner was in for service, and walking the lot saw a coach which was there the last time he was in for service. Newell wanted to make a deal, and he called me to ask if we were ready to buy. I told him I had to talk with Jeannie and would call him tomorrow. When I called him the next day, he was signing papers, and said if I wanted it I had to act fast as they had another buyer. So last Sat-Sun, I drove from FL to OK, inspected the coach Monday, and plan to take possession the week of October 10th.
I have been reading this forum for several years and I want to compliment and thank you all for this wonderful forum. It was fun to read even when we did not have a coach. hopefully I have learned enough to get me on the road, but I want to thank everyone in advance for any future help :-)
I am currently, searching for insurance, tow package for my avalanche, and a million other startup things.
Mike & Jeannie Ginn
Destin, FL
Mike & Jeannie Ginn
2000 Newell #555 - sold July 2020
2019 Leisure Travel Van FX model
Wow, 6 weeks has passed, and with the help from this group and others here is the list of things and fixes done to the coach.
1. Cleaned, buffed, and waxed the roof
2. Buffed and waxed the entire coach
3. Polished my Alcoa wheels with White Diamond, amazing results
4. Hot water mixer valve guts cleaned and replaced
5. Shower cartridge replaced
6. Shower water leak behind the Grohe faucet where the lines connect fixed
7. Purchased Delta cartridges for rear bath faucet (not replaced yet)
8. Carpet professionally shampooed
9. Toad setup for Avalanche with Air Force One breaking system
10. Backup camera lense removed, cleaned, and replaced
11. Slide topper Zip Dee end cap replaced
12. Cleaned battery compartment (first pass)
13. Finding and fixing interior squeaks and noises that occur when driving (on-going)
14. Some new soft goods inside
15. Lubricated Microphor flap that stuck open and drained my fresh water tank while driving
16. New alternator
17. Total interior clean with vinyl and leather treatment
18. Learn systems, learn systems, learn systems...
Outings:
1. Weekend in Grove Ok
2. Weekend in Bernice Ok
3. Three day trip back to Florida included boondocking at a Walmart, and a stay over at the Little Rock Yacht Club owned by Harry Hastings (designer of Hastings Hump)
4. Thanksgiving weekend in Freeport FL at Live Oaks Landing RV park, highly recommend
What a ride and Thanks again for everyone's help!
Mike & Jeannie Ginn
Mike & Jeannie Ginn
2000 Newell #555 - sold July 2020
2019 Leisure Travel Van FX model
Today begins a new adventure/journey in our lives, and the Newell 555 will be a big part of it. As of today, we are full time live-a-board in the Newell. We sold our condo in Destin. Closing tomorrow morning.
It is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate in only a 1700 sq ft condo over 10 years. We gave away and stored way too much stuff. Not to mention the amount that came on the coach. I need to get weighed, and probably will have to do the 365 tire upgrade just due to weight. Once I get weighed what do I do with that info?
At this point, I will still be working remotely over the Internet most via AT&T and Verizon 4G networks, but also WiFi when it is fast enough.
We are hanging around Destin for August, then off to OK to visit family and Newell (Sept 18) for Sept-Oct, then somewhere warm for the winter.
Hope to see some of you in our travels and make the Rallies next year.
Mike & Jeannie
Mike & Jeannie Ginn
2000 Newell #555 - sold July 2020
2019 Leisure Travel Van FX model
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