hello ,
I 'm looking at a 01 today and wanted to know besides appearance what should I be looking at , thank you in advance for your insight .
A few thoughts.
Ask about the slide seals. If they are leaking or look "worn", they could represent some major $$$ to replace.
If you have a ladder look on top for puncture holes where the locking pins "missed". Others know more about this than I (my coach does not have locking pins).
Look for rust in the electric reel bay, and the small bay in behind passenger tag wheel. If water is coming in, it may be a little difficult to find / repair. (Don't ask me why I know this).
Check operation of each slide....they should extend and retract smoothly with only a slight mid-way bump.
thank you Bill, I did our first walk through this morning , and so far we like everything we see . Owners are knowledgeable, and have cared for her for sure . We have a 2 nd look set for Thurs and I will be sure to check out the 2 areas you mentioned .
1. I was wondering about the suspension on the 2001 , is this a 3 axle coach , or is the front end independent suspension ?
2. was the 2001 coach heavy in the front and in need of the upgraded 365 s ?
I'm sure I will have more questions , so thank you in advance for your help .
All 2001 Newells have independent front suspension, a drive axle and a tag axle. There was only one Newell built in the 2001 model year that was less than 45' (#595 was 42'). Newell recommends a maximum cruising speed for 65 mph if you stay with the 315 front tires and 75 mph if you change to 365's on the front for all their coaches with slides. I believe as of 2000 and 2001, Newell had a GAWR of 18,000 lbs on the front, 25,000 lbs on the drive and 12,000 lbs on the tag with a GVWR of 55,000 lbs. Typically, Newells front axle GAWR's were limited by the tires and wheels so upgrading the the wider wheels and 365 tires resulting in an increase to the front GAWR. There should not be any wheel hub or fender modification necessary on a 2001 model to accommodate the 365/70R22.5 tires.
The most expensive item is the engine. I suggest you have it taken to a Detroit dealer and have them check it with their computer. If you run the slides in and out, but sure to do it with the air bags in drive mode, not level mode. If the coach has been well maintained, then there should be a repair and service log that you can review. Mine is a 2001 and I am very pleased with it. When I purchased mine, I structured the sales agreement to insure that everything was in working order. Good luck and keep us posted.
Cubeman,
Like the bike, catch up with us sometime and we can ride!! Newell or no Newell.
More back to your question. It was very, very broad. What to look for?
Tell us a little about yourself, specifically any previous motorhome ownership and your mechanical / electrical comfort level. Knowing that background will help us help you.
Richard,
My wife and I have been full timing for the past 4 years in a BB . We have had 3 BB , 1 Prevost in the past 10 years . Prior to that we raised our children in trailers, and class C RVs. I am a sales man by trade, and now run a company of 34 , and have little time to do any of the work myself on our coach . I do use the knowledge of exports like yourself to guide those I choose, to do repairs, and upgrades as needed to keep my coach on the road safely .
What brings me to the Newell as our next coach would be the upgrades we would receive, at the price point we can afford. The Newell provides a greater living area over the BB , at the same price point . We like many spend more time living in the coach, over driving it, so we find no reason to go to a Prevost for the superior ride they offer over both the Newell and BB. I do not intend to start a who builds a better coach discussion and only speak from personal experience and ownership .
As to my question about suspension on the Newell, I have spent much on my BB in the past 2 years on the suspension, and do not wish to repeat this exercise again . In the end I found the BB suspension to be a no more than that of a School bus chassis and want more out of the ride , and hope that the Newell will be that for us . Thank you for the offer on the bike ride , I plan to do the STP in July in 1 day and will need many rides from then to make it
thank you again in advance for all your help in my search for our next adventure in ownership .Al
Thank you, that was great info to help anyone answer your questions.
I think you know the Newell uses an inflatable seal for the slides. A really nice modification is both seals have a vacuum pump to deflate the seal before moving the slide. It GREATLY reduces the risk of rolling a seal when moving the slide. The coaches in your price range will have HWH slides. Look in the basement ceiling, and over the drive tires for any hydraulic leaks. Not all that hard to replace hoses, but you asked what to look for.
Look around windows, especially the driver and passenger front for bubbled wall paper which may indicate water ingress at the window.
Ask when the air bags were changed. If original, you are due with this era coach.
Look at floor in battery bays. It may be rusted out, and same with water bay floor.
Flooring and furniture coverings are easily replaceable as others have stated.
If the coach has been sitting, check for frozen calipers.
STP in one day is audacious.
audacious for sure Richard, a few years back I felt the same about the 100 mile ride . If nothing else this gives me a reason to exercise more, and cut down on the brew, and food
as to the Newell suspension, would the 2001 be the same as the 1997 , or is there a change within those years ? I know that with the Prevost, from 1997 up they change to independent front suspension . I guess what I'm asking is there a model year Newell make a major change in quality of ride , over a earlier year ?
Newell changed from a Ridewell solid front axle to the Independent Front Suspension in the 1996/1997 model years. Coach 443, a 1997, on had the IFS, however, Newell also installed the IFS on #423 and 434, both 1996 models. You will find it not uncommon for Newell to make a change on one or two coaches then test them out before making a change to all future units.
The next major suspension change was the change to the ZF suspension with the steerable tag axle. This change occurred in the 2004 model year. Beginning with coach #697 all Newells have the ZF suspension. However, 3 Newells prior to #697 also had the ZF suspension. Those were #671, a 2003 model and #'s 681 and 685, both 2004 models.
During the 2012 model year, Newell added StabilRide active-suspension. I am not sure of the coach number but the build date would be January 2012 or later and I believe it was an option rather than standard equipment originally. It appears to have been added as standard equipment with the 2013 models.