• HWH RAP1940 6 Pack Air So...
  Forum: Air Operated Systems and Leaks
  Last Post: encantotom
  9 hours ago
  » Replies: 215
  » Views: 328,633
• SCS 2702 basement air reb...
  Forum: Air Conditioning
  Last Post: whited44
  9 hours ago
  » Replies: 11
  » Views: 335
• Water bay display board
  Forum: Plumbing and fixtures
  Last Post: dmsinnott
  Yesterday, 08:48 AM
  » Replies: 0
  » Views: 42
• Lets talk windshields
  Forum: Exterior
  Last Post: rvguy
  Yesterday, 08:23 AM
  » Replies: 9
  » Views: 239
• Compressor
  Forum: Help, I need help ASAP
  Last Post: [email protected]
  Yesterday, 07:03 AM
  » Replies: 6
  » Views: 629
• SCS A/C and air compresso...
  Forum: Parts Swap/Giveaway/Sell
  Last Post: Jonestead
  08-08-2026, 10:59 AM
  » Replies: 2
  » Views: 885
• Buying a 1994 8v92 Newell...
  Forum: Please introduce yourself
  Last Post: Drea5000
  08-08-2026, 08:26 AM
  » Replies: 8
  » Views: 465
• Vintage newell coach
  Forum: Coaches for Sale (Please read the info in the Category description)
  Last Post: Kimmy
  08-07-2026, 03:19 AM
  » Replies: 3
  » Views: 200
• HWH Touch Panel Problems
  Forum: Suggestions
  Last Post: Gpgm71
  08-06-2026, 08:28 PM
  » Replies: 3
  » Views: 9,259
• allison ht741 wont go int...
  Forum: Drivetrain
  Last Post: [email protected]
  08-06-2026, 06:00 PM
  » Replies: 5
  » Views: 199

• Forum posts:70,386
• Forum threads:8,396
• Members:4,397
• Latest member:[email protected]

I am posting about my recent hack on the Girard awning to provide a solution to a catastrophic problem. 

The cause is this. Girard apparently used a plastic gearbox on the motor end of the awning, and has since converted to a metal gearbox. If and when the gearbox fails, it releases the motor from the awning tube, and the awning completely unfurls. The unfurled awning interferes with your fuel mileage and obscures the lane to your right. 

Luckily when this happened to me, I was very close to my house. 

The challenge is how to get the awning in, and keep it in so that you can continue your travels. Keep in mind the manual retraction mechanism IS the gearbox that just exploded. 

Inside the gearbox is a worm and a helical gear. To get the awning in, I drilled small holes and put screws in to hold the gear. That allowed me to press the switch and retract the awning. However, this fix only lasted about a 1/4 mile, but that was good enough to get me home. The problem is the awning motor has LOST where it is in the in and out positions, and driving activates the wind sensor. So if you have to patch it on the side of the road, either kill the power to awning (mine was on the inverter breaker box) or deactivate the wind sensor ( I used tape).

For a more robust temporary fix, I removed the end plate from the gear box, and removed the gear from the motor. The gear will self center on a boss on the front plate. With the gear in place I filled the front plate with quick epoxy. After the epoxy sets the gear cannot rotate, so the motor will turn the awning tube again. 

This will get the awning in, and keep it in. Remember though to kill the power, or disable the wind sensor to keep the motor from continually activating and potentially undoing the fix. 

It took five minutes to type this and three days to learn it. I may have left out all the failed fixes that I attempted. 

I hope you never have your Girard unfurl on the side of the road, but if you do, hopefully this will help.

I wonder what this switch does.  It's located on the passenger side of the middle of the dash above the speaker and right of the 110 outlets.  When you throw it, a red light comes on.  As far as I can tell, that's all that happens.  There are old style mobile phone and (believe it or not) a satellite phone, neither of which work.  Think that might be it?

I've got a 98 Newell.  There are three battery locations.  Two batteries are in the engine compartment, and logically they're the engine start batteries.  Four batteries are in a passenger side bay.  They are set up in two banks of two, with disconnect switches.  These must be coach batteries.  Then there are two more batteries in a smaller passenger side bay, squeezed in between the rear wheel well and the engine compartment.  They're the ones I'm confused about.  Are they generator start batteries, add-on batteries for the engine?  Decorative?

1998 model, incorrectly listed as 469 but based on check digit, it must be 489. $129,999. Bath and a half, 2 HWH slides. Series 60 500 HP, Allison 6 speed. Has 2000 front cap. 129,351 miles. Repainted. The most photos I have ever seen posted on a coach.

 http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/Karolina...1#brochure

The Newell Gurus 2017 Rally will be at the Ruidoso Motor Coach Ranch in Ruidoso, NM   June 5 to June 9th, 2017

http://www.ruidosomotorcoachranch.com/

We held the well attended rally there last year as well and it is a fantastic place with incredible owners.  

we have the potential to have all but a few spots of the entire place.  

please call and make reservations anytime and say you are with our rally.  You will get a 15% discount.  

Tom

I have already got a few inquiries about the 2017 no rally rally at Bella Terra resort in Foley, AL.

Any & all are welcome to join us.  Suzy & I will be there from May 8th thru June 3rd.  Join us for any time within that period or the entire time.  Bella Terra is a top rated resort with all expected amenities.  Suzy & I will be in site #349.  They have 3 levels of sites which range from no improvements to full outdoor kitchens.  Make your own reservation for the site you desire.  All Newells are welcome in this park!

The resort is located just a block north of Gulf Shores, AL and is just a 15 minute drive to a beautiful white sand beach.  Lots of good restaurants & shopping to meet any one's taste.  During this period the area has a balloon fest, Art in the Park and a music festival on the beach.  It is only a 1/2 hour drive to Florida.  

https://www.bellaterrarvresort.com/

Email me with any questions..........................Steve

just listed it on the local Craigslist.

2004 Jeep Wrangler Custom Toad - 50800 miles, automatic, 4.0L six cylinder, tons of extra stuff comes with it, see the pictures.

Perfect toad, setup for BlueOX baseplate hook-up, works with adapters for other towbar brands. Has the 6 pin front electrical attachment to connect to the coach and get working lights in the rear of the Jeep.

Custom lift, lights, snorkel, new AGM battery, tires have about 7000 miles on them

$18,500

http://southbend.craigslist.org/cto/5912397320.html


   

Another place to check for leaks is at the push, pull generator door valve.  I sprayed mine and had bubbles all over the housing. Tried to tighten the screws, but did not help.  The air hose connections were not leaking.  On my coach the valve is a Norgren part # X3066522 and is $75.00.  It also looks like one can also buy a repair kit.

I've read a lot about tools to compress the gas tubes on doors.  Anyone found an easy way to remove the retaining clips?  I had similar lift tubes on a different machine and getting the clips off to change the tube was almost as much hassle as compressing the tubes.  Or am I overthinking this and should just use a crowbar?

Has anyone changed their own thermostat on an 8V92 ? mine has a 160 that I believe was installed  a long time ago when the rad was plugged up and the coach was living in AZ. With the new rad and being in Canada it's time for a 180 which I think is the proper temp? Don