12-13-2012, 06:38 PM
From what I've seen, it looked like a Newell is probably out of my price range. Then I saw this: http://boise.craigslist.org/rvs/3441702580.html and started wondering. That got more questions coming to the surface, so I guess it is time to ask the experts.
My coach is similiar to this so I will attempt to answer your questions
1. The grill under the navigator's seat looks like it might be for a generator. True? There is a similar one under the driver's seat. Why?
The grill under the passenger seat is the intake for the dash air/heater. Not sure what is under the drivers seat.[size=large]
2. Or, might this coach have cruiseaire units? I didn't see any rooftop a/c units. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Mine has 3 Dometics. Parts are available, but pricy & had to find. About the same sound level as roof airs, but not as efficient. I have installed 2 ducted roof air as backups.
3. How does a Newell like this compare to a Wanderlodge of similar age and size? Looks like the Newell has somewhat larger tanks and has the same engine. Would weights be similar, too? I realize that there are only so many ways one can arrange the interior of a box. I'm not asking about that, but about the stuff that really matters: engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, construction, etc.
Newell construction is about as good as it gets. After 10 years with Mack trucks, they only wish they were build as well as a Newell. When you get to this level of coach, the running gear components are all class 8 truck stuff, which with normal maintaince should out last the coach. This year coach should weight about 1,000 lbs per foot.
4. The ad says that it has "Air Suspension and Leveling." Does that mean it is like the Foretravels, which don't have leveling jacks, but instead use the airbags to level the coach? Or does it mean that it is like the 'Birds, using leveling jacks, but that the jacks are air-operated?
Mine does not have jacks & is leveled with the air bags. Once you get all the leaks fixed, the aux compressor runs less than once a day
My coach is similiar to this so I will attempt to answer your questions
1. The grill under the navigator's seat looks like it might be for a generator. True? There is a similar one under the driver's seat. Why?
The grill under the passenger seat is the intake for the dash air/heater. Not sure what is under the drivers seat.[size=large]
2. Or, might this coach have cruiseaire units? I didn't see any rooftop a/c units. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Mine has 3 Dometics. Parts are available, but pricy & had to find. About the same sound level as roof airs, but not as efficient. I have installed 2 ducted roof air as backups.
3. How does a Newell like this compare to a Wanderlodge of similar age and size? Looks like the Newell has somewhat larger tanks and has the same engine. Would weights be similar, too? I realize that there are only so many ways one can arrange the interior of a box. I'm not asking about that, but about the stuff that really matters: engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, construction, etc.
Newell construction is about as good as it gets. After 10 years with Mack trucks, they only wish they were build as well as a Newell. When you get to this level of coach, the running gear components are all class 8 truck stuff, which with normal maintaince should out last the coach. This year coach should weight about 1,000 lbs per foot.
4. The ad says that it has "Air Suspension and Leveling." Does that mean it is like the Foretravels, which don't have leveling jacks, but instead use the airbags to level the coach? Or does it mean that it is like the 'Birds, using leveling jacks, but that the jacks are air-operated?
Mine does not have jacks & is leveled with the air bags. Once you get all the leaks fixed, the aux compressor runs less than once a day
Gordon
1991 41.5' #266
8V92 DDEC II