05-22-2018, 11:25 AM
Steve has provided great input on the slide issue. The transition from HWH to Valid slides was during the 2003 model year with #645, then 650 on having the Valid electric slides. During the time period you list (2001-2005) there are some general statements that can be made.
1) All were originally fitted with 315/80R22.5 front tires. These tires on the heavier multi-slide coaches are marginal in their load carrying on the front. Newell recommends a maximum cruising speed of 65 mph for coaches using the 315 front tires and only recommends Michelin front tires. A front tire upgrade to 365/70R22.5 is recommended for the front and Newell recommends a max cruising speed of 75 mph for coaches with the 365 upgrade. For almost all coaches in the 2001-2004 range (except #671,681,685 and 697 on) the upgrade is relatively inexpensive as it only entails changing out the wheels and tires on the front. The exceptions are the coaches with the ZF suspensions (which included the highly desirable active steer tag axle). These also require wheel hubs and fender modifications to accommodate the larger tires so the price of the upgrade goes up significantly ($16,000 several years ago) so if the upgrade has not been done, you might want to consider the cost of that upgrade in your determination.
2) The ZF suspension change, as mentioned above occurred during the 2004 model year. All 2005 and newer Newells have the ZF suspension with the active steerable tag axle which is amazing.
3) Through 2004, virtually all of these coaches will have the venerable Detroit Diesel Series 60 and the Allison 6 speed Transmission. In 2005, Detroit was leaving the over the road diesel market and Newell was transitioning to Cats, first the C-13's then the C-15's. The C-15's were frequently mated with the ZF 10 or 12 speed transmissions.
4) The earlier the year model the more coaches were built with 2 or 3 slides. By 2005, most were 3 or 4 slides.
1) All were originally fitted with 315/80R22.5 front tires. These tires on the heavier multi-slide coaches are marginal in their load carrying on the front. Newell recommends a maximum cruising speed of 65 mph for coaches using the 315 front tires and only recommends Michelin front tires. A front tire upgrade to 365/70R22.5 is recommended for the front and Newell recommends a max cruising speed of 75 mph for coaches with the 365 upgrade. For almost all coaches in the 2001-2004 range (except #671,681,685 and 697 on) the upgrade is relatively inexpensive as it only entails changing out the wheels and tires on the front. The exceptions are the coaches with the ZF suspensions (which included the highly desirable active steer tag axle). These also require wheel hubs and fender modifications to accommodate the larger tires so the price of the upgrade goes up significantly ($16,000 several years ago) so if the upgrade has not been done, you might want to consider the cost of that upgrade in your determination.
2) The ZF suspension change, as mentioned above occurred during the 2004 model year. All 2005 and newer Newells have the ZF suspension with the active steerable tag axle which is amazing.
3) Through 2004, virtually all of these coaches will have the venerable Detroit Diesel Series 60 and the Allison 6 speed Transmission. In 2005, Detroit was leaving the over the road diesel market and Newell was transitioning to Cats, first the C-13's then the C-15's. The C-15's were frequently mated with the ZF 10 or 12 speed transmissions.
4) The earlier the year model the more coaches were built with 2 or 3 slides. By 2005, most were 3 or 4 slides.