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I'm still doing my research on which Newell to buy. Most of the issues are around carpet, curtains, mattresses and paint. However, I'm still not sure what to decide when it comes to the minor point of which engine, axle and transmission is the best choice.

If I were considering a new coach that decision would be easier but I'm in the classic mode, '84 to '89, and there are options.

On offer are 6V92, 8V92, 8V60, single axle, tag axle, 4 speed and 6 speed. So many choices. What's a guy to do. I feel like the only guy at a girl's school social.

Does a 2 stroke 6V suck more fuel than an 8V four stroke? If the same couch had one or the other would the fuel consumption matter when going down the highway with cruise control in charge. Is fuel consumption the most important issue? If the 2 stroke 6 has turbo will it run as strongly as a 4 stroke 8 or is that the issue I should be concerned about? Should I be definitely more interested in one or the other?  

Is a tag axle necessary? And why or when? Is it worth the additional weight, maintenance and tires?

Why would I want 6 speed rather than 4 speed transmission and vise versa? Are the top gear ratios the same so the difference is just a smoother transition between gears or are some transmission geared lower for different needs?

The options are open at this stage. Next week I'm heading out on a road trip to check out several coaches around the country and hoping to return in a week or two with a prize. I've got six to eight nice coaches on my list but don't know for sure about these questions. Price and operating costs are a concern for me.  If I could clear up this confusion it will be a prize not a puzzle.

After I make my choice, with your help, I will be having a professional inspection done and would appreciate any recommendations you might have on that issue also.

Looking forward to your opinions on this.
Mike

Selling my 1987 no 129 37' Newell. Ad is on RV Trader. Price is firm. She's beautiful and ready to roll.

We experienced a potentially very dangerous situation driving our 2004 Newell. The bolt holding the passenger side of the shade support bracket worked loose allowing the shade to partially disengage from the driver (shade motor) side of the shade leaving the wires supporting the roller portion of the shade. This allowed the shade to suddenly drop completely blocking all forward vision. Fortunately we were driving on a straight stretch of 4 lane highway. I was able to look out the side window and see the yellow center lines and safely get the coach stopped in the middle of the road. Other cars behind us managed to avoid a collision in spite of my sudden stop. My wife was able to get unbuckled and lift the shade to get the coach and tow car safely to the shoulder. The shade was held by a single small bolt without a locking nut. My fix was to install 2 bolts with locking nuts. I check them regularly. I would recommend everyone with this type of shade install locking nuts.


J&J

Hello everyone,

My name is Dale Kemper.

Some of you have met me and seen me at various rallies around the country, heard my seminars, and talked with me on the phone.

I am the Service Director, and an engineer at SilverLeaf Electronics. I also handle the lion's share of the aftermarket custom stuff.

If you have questions about your current systems, or about projects you are entertaining please feel free to contact me.

I can also be reached at the office at 541-967-8111 if you would like to talk to me directly. Email is [email protected].


I am also a very avid RV'er, although I do not own a Newell (In my future someday??)

I personally own a 1996 Beaver Patriot (of which I was one of the original builders when I worked at the factory).

I of course have retrofitted it with all SilverLeaf instrumentation and it's also a test-bed for in-development products.

I use all of our products in real-world which, in an R&D capacity like I am, ensures that all works well for everybody else.

I have been in the RV industry for 22 years and before that US Navy fighter and attack jet avionics.....so I have a little bit of experience. 


Thanks for letting me take a moment to say hi.

Dale

   
   

At the rally, Richard Entrekin gave a very informative lecture explaining our air systems.  I attempted to video the lecture, but the wind noise ruined the video.  Richard provided handouts to support his lecture, and I have added some notes based on what I can recall from the lecture.  We hope these handouts will shed some light on our air systems.
                           

I purchased my first coach a few years back, and was fortunate enough to buy a Newell! It has been an amazing experience- much of the information I gleaned prior and during ownership was from LCL but that forum seems to be, for the most part, dead. I've created a page where much of the information I have on the coach is in one spot for two reasons- I'd like to be able to give back a bit to the community, and the coach is for sale.

I followed a lot of the Alaska group rally threads- it is my understanding that very few actually made it to Alaska. As a born and raised Alaskan, I've driven the highway at least a half dozen times, so feel free to hit me up with any questions you may have. I've come to the conclusion that many caravans never happen because people let life get in the way- the "Alaska Caravan" I have seen on these pages and others is the fabled unicorn, the white whale. While people might be happy with that, it is a great trip and I am happy I did it. We budgeted $1/mile for travel expenses including food, park fees, etc.- when diesel prices were twice what they are now, and came in under budget. I'm hesitant to post my contact info here, but PM me and I will do my best to check back occasionally.

The link to Coach #194s page- www.narrowrd.info

-Micah

Is there a place to SEE the black water tank?  Our level meter/sensor is gunked up and we cannot tell if the tank is really empty (or full).  How do you clean the sensors?  I have filled/flushed the tanks several times.  The grey/black water valve is open (tanks tied together) as it is not working correctly currently...

We ordered a ZipDee awning to cover the living room slide several weeks ago.  It came in quickly and then I had the problem of how to install the thing.  It is not super-heavy but it is 14-foot long and bulky so doing it myself (or having my wife help) was not going to work.  I finally broke down and let the local RV shop (Madison RV in Madison, AL) do the work.  They were expensive but the awning looks and works great (while it was in the shop) - we are on a short trip this weekend but will try it out when we get home this afternoon and will post pictures.  We purchased the version that extends out over the windows to serve as an awning also.  There are no locks on the main aluminum cover so you do not have to worry about forgetting to unlock them and ripping the awning off (ask the previous owner about this!)...  So now I have a white small awning on the passenger side rear bedroom window, a large multi-colored (burgundy/white) main passenger-side awning and now a light tan slide awning... Being a person that likes things to match this drives me crazy but at least we usually don't use them all at the same time... We will be ordering the bedroom slide awning soon and installing it.  
The next change will be to the ugly, cheap awning the PO put on the coach and replace it with a nice Girard awning (without arms)... Maybe I should mount it to the top of the roof like the new coaches use... 
The RV dealer also fixed our Maxxair fans and cleaned the roof for me - about $750 for a full day's work was not bad at all - their shop rate is about $125 so they are very conservative with their time... I would recommend their work to anyone.

Gang,

I noticed a thread that talked about replacing a macerator pump....got me to thinking...

Please educate the uninformed.  I am wondering what the benefit of these macerator pumps is.  I looked on the FMCA forum and there was a lively debate.  Some had them and loved them.  Others did not have them and did not see the need.  Finally others had them but had removed / stopped using them.

I know what they do, but cannot see the benefit. I know I am missing something, but cannot figure out what that is.

Pros: Can pump a great distance / up hill.

Cons: Cost, complexity, something to break.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
bill

Anyone have/use one of these?  I was thinking it might be great in the bays...