[windtrader]

Another observation is it seems like more Newell owners migrate to Prevost than Prevost owners moving to Newell. That would be insightful to understand the rationale. Being a bus guy makes me pause on why not stay in a bus? Newells are top of class but not a genuine bus.

[smagown]

What is a bus? They start with two huge I beams running parallel and go from there . Prevost starts out as a bus chassis, an empty shell that then goes to the converter. Newell starts on the shop floor with the two rails and becomes a bus, motorcoach, motorhome, whatever you want to call it. The first owner gets to design either like he wants it. They both use the class 8 truck front ends, rear ends , and tags, same trans and engines. I've had both and love them both. The next buyer lives with the first owners choices until you want to make changes to suit yourself. Prevost has been around 100 years years and Newell over 50. Prevost still has seated coaches and millions of miles of data and driver feedback to tweak handling. If you drive either you will be impressed, these are the best money can buy, fit and finish are unsurpassed. Both are different in subtle ways. Newell has had the steerable tag since late 2003 and the turning circle diameter is unreal, 74 ft for a 45 ft coach, my 97 Newell was 90 ft , my 01 H3 is 84 ft. Newell got the Aquahot with the propietary 240v element, Prevost only had the 120v element. A Prevost isn't a motorhome until a converter gets it, the Newell is all done in the same building. Prevost has service centers all over the US and parts warehouses too. Frieght for parts is free after $150 per order. Their glass is so cheap from them that it appears to be subsidized. The service centers are mainly for the bus chassis side to keep all the seated coaches running 24/7 but work on all of them. Newell is in Miami, OK and their 24 hotline is awesome. I lived with my Newell 14 years and now my H3 for 4. If you haven't owned both you only know one side, if you have been blessed to have owned both, you will really appreciate the unsurpassed quality of both makes. Get in the pool !

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What is a bus? They start with two huge I beams running parallel and go from there . Prevost starts out as a bus chassis, an empty shell that then goes to the converter. Newell starts on the shop floor with the two rails and becomes a bus, motorcoach, motorhome, whatever you want to call it. The first owner gets to design either like he wants it. They both use the class 8 truck front ends, rear ends , and tags, same trans and engines. I've had both and love them both. The next buyer lives with the first owners choices until you want to make changes to suit yourself. Prevost has been around 100 years years and Newell over 50. Prevost still has seated coaches and millions of miles of data and driver feedback to tweak handling. If you drive either you will be impressed, these are the best money can buy, fit and finish are unsurpassed. Both are different in subtle ways. Newell has had the steerable tag since late 2003 and the turning circle diameter is unreal, 74 ft for a 45 ft coach, my 97 Newell was 90 ft , my 01 H3 is 84 ft. Newell got the Aquahot with the propietary 240v element, Prevost only had the 120v element. A Prevost isn't a motorhome until a converter gets it, the Newell is all done in the same building. Prevost has service centers all over the US and parts warehouses too. Frieght for parts is free after $150 per order. Their glass is so cheap from them that it appears to be subsidized. The service centers are mainly for the bus chassis side to keep all the seated coaches running 24/7 but work on all of them. Newell is in Miami, OK and their 24 hotline is awesome. I lived with my Newell 14 years and now my H3 for 4. If you haven't owned both you only know one side, if you have been blessed to have owned both, you will really appreciate the unsurpassed quality of both makes. Get in the pool !

Nicely put Steve, this kind of input is great to hear!

I think the Prevost glass probably has to do with volume, they can order in larger batches knowing that they have X number of coaches on the road that might need the glass and also with the over the road coaches a damaged windshield has to be replaced as its a DOT violation. This is also why US buses have 2 piece windshields in the US where in Europe most of their coaches are 1 piece windshields. They do not have as many open highways in Europe and less issues with damaged windshields.

[CooterBrown]

Another observation is it seems like more Newell owners migrate to Prevost than Prevost owners moving to Newell. That would be insightful to understand the rationale. Being a bus guy makes me pause on why not stay in a bus? Newells are top of class but not a genuine bus.

That is correct as not being a genuine bus and that to me is a positive for Newell - the chassis is purposely built to be a luxury motorhome. Plus the newer units have again to me an advantage with the Cummins from HP and Torque to the greater access to parts and service. Both units will hold up to the severe duty required to haul around an earthquake while moving down the road. Maneuverability being better with a Newell chassis as the tag turns both in forward and reverse. Both great motorhome's for sure it becomes a personnel perspective more room in the Coach vs more room in the bays etc...

[HoosierDaddy]

Windtrader. I'm not sure how to observe the number of owners who migrate from one brand to another. The rationale is probably best illustrated by the sheer numbers. Today a major online RV listing shows more than three times the number of Prevosts for sale compared to Newell. Another metric would include the number of new coaches entering the new market. I believe Newell typically builds 40 per year. The last number I heard regarding Prevost was in the hundreds of shells for the RV and entertainer market.

[windtrader]

Thanks for the insights and perspective. Agree that both these are two peas in the same pod and certainly the nicest one in the bin. Given the very large gap in prices on the resale market, the Newell seems the far better value. As mentioned, Newell is a purpose built motorhome vs Prevost's variations serve a much broader audience.

What still is a pretty major consideration is availability of parts and service and in general Prevost gets the win on this and one from a mfg still making them such as Marathon with better docs is a stronger choice. There is a single source for the Newell and lacking complete build docs including parts details drags this process out longer as the parts come from different vendors.

Still on topic, what is the typical owner experience getting parts in hand through Newell? Since you don't have the docs you need to call to verify the part being replaced? Then get directed to the OEM for that part? Does Newell stock chassis and running gear parts like steering gears, windows, vents, tie rod ends, air bags, shocks, belts, etc? Common service parts vs parts that typically don't get replaced on schedules?

[Richard]

I learned to my disappointment that Marathon does not release their documentation on electrical and control schematics. So if you go the Prevost route do a deep dive on the particular converter and their documentation policy. And I have also learned there are TONS of people disappointed with Prevost service centers. The parts are easier to find as I hoped they would be.

[RobSC]

If you choose a later model Newell with ZF suspension parts, Newell may be your only source for these parts.  ZF is very strict with who they allow to sell their parts.  Aftermarket suppliers are very limited within the US.  Others on here have had success using sources outside the US, but shipping costs will be high.

I recently priced a replacement air spring (bag) from Newell that was in stock.  Sit down for this one, $1,139.99.

[markkitch]

This is a great discussion and one I went back and forth on before we made our purchase. My only experience has been with Wanderlodges, which I was perfectly happy driving down the road at 75 mph. But I felt they drove more like a city bus and less like a highway bus. I have not put many miles on the Newell yet, but it definitely wants to move down the highway and feels good doing it.

Newell parts and their procurement, I am learning as I go.

[Richard]

Oh yeah. One more data point. Mike Figley started out in a Newell, moved to a Prevost, and is now back in a Newell.