[Dtravis]

Thank you for this information. I enjoyed reading it. I envy the obvious enjoyment you and others have in repairing, upgrading, and just taking care of your Newell. I’ve got a special appreciation for the earlier models as they have a special character all their own. The more I read and look at these older Newell the more attractive this is becoming. Thx again. Deryl

[CaptainGizmo]

I think you’ve received a ton of great info already. I didn’t get a chance to response until now, but will still offer my video I made about an Annual Maintenance (PM) at Newell.

It seemed to be well received and answered questions many people never thought about.

With the cost of fluids, and now labor at $185/hr. you can expect more than the $3500 in Labor charges on my 2024 PM.

Newell’s parts are insanely expensive…and that’s sugar-coating it. I’m not going to list all the examples, but just know that the seemingly simple things will blow you mind and send you running for alternative sources. Sometimes that works out, rarely are they the same, and never are they cheaper. They are usually gracious if you have your own supplied item. I did that with LED strips recently. However, some things are made custom by them, like the SS exhaust tips…those are $800 a side!

So, the high-end products are brutal to replace, and one of the biggest threats coming our way is the discontinuation of so many unique parts! From door actuators to HELLA lights to the SilverLeaf glass dash; when those are no longer available, we’re gonna be in a world of hurt.

Hope this helps. Here is my video for you; 3 years ago, but still relevant of you factor inflation of at least 150%.

[Dtravis]

Steve, thank you for your response. I’ve become hesitant to proceed with my plans to buy a ‘06 - ‘08 Newell or Prevost for the reasons you’ve mentioned as others have also reported similar experiences. I’m disappointed of course but appreciative of the input to learn the facts. Thank you again. Deryl

[CaptainGizmo]

Deryl,

It’s good that you’re doing the research ahead, rather than running into the fire blindly. But, if you’ve got the time and patience along with the pocketbook, it can sure be rewarding!

Sorry I didn’t include the link to my video I mentioned:

Newell Coach #1524 Annual Service at Newell Service Center, Miami OK
https://youtu.be/G_pOT01ZoY8

[lightcalling]

This thread is extremely handy, but it now has me nervous. I'm looking at a 2003 with over 300,000 miles on it. I am relatively handy, but I don't like to do the work myself. I know there's going to be air leaks. It's had the air suspension airbags replaced. It's had two of the slide seals replaced and three of the air conditioners replaced, plus a bunch of other little maintenance stuff. What am I getting myself into if I buy this thing? It used to be Darrell Waltrip's coach, and the current owner has had it for five years and probably put $30,000 into upgrades and repairs. It looks beautiful. I'm told that it's silent down the road, which is exactly what I'm looking for. My dilemma is this coach, which is about $40,000, then a two-year newer 2005 Travel Supreme Select, the Travel Supreme has 19,000 miles on it. I've already owned a Travel Supreme and I know they get squeaky and rattly down the road, and I've been told that these things drive like a dream, and that's all I want is peace of mind while I'm driving, as I'm going to be doing a lot of mileage per year. What do I do?!?

[whited44]

If you can provide a bit more context, then the forum can provide better answers. For example, you could be talking about a 2024 coach or a 1984 coach. Obviously the answers would be different. So what years are you researching?

We have very few members here with modern era coaches, so the benchmark 20k first year 10 per year afterwards is centered around 90s and 2000 ish era coaches.

Also, tell us more about you and your mechanical electrical comfort levels. The maintenance price over doubles if you are paying someone else to do the work.

Have you ever owned an airplane or high end boat? Those are good analogies.

We await your guidance narrowing down the subject.

As a person on the second year of ownership of a late 90's coach Richard you are spot on.  I put exactly 20k in it last year, and am already fixing stuff this year, and need to buy a couple tires.

[lightcalling]

Hello again, yeah I had mentioned that the Newell is a 2003 and the Travel supreme is a 2005. And I mean I've rebuilt cars from the ground up but I just don't really like to work on things much anymore my hands don't do what they used to. Although I can tinker. I did have a 2007 travel supreme 45DL 14 and I did definitely have to get my hands dirty. Never had an airplane or high-end boat

[Richard]

None of us can say what you should or should not do.

I will categorically say that if your expectation is the the Newell be less maintenance because it was higher end and more expensive at the beginning, then that is a false expectation.

Without a detailed review of what was done to the Newell and hands on inspection then any commentary is speculation.

Almost all of us work on cars. Working on a motorhome requires heavier tools and heavier parts.