01-08-2023, 06:14 AM
Having owned 2 Newells, 93 and 98, and a 99 Foretravel I can say the Newells were built to a higher level. But that comes at a higher complexity especially the air systems. The Newells had the light formica interior which I preferred, and a taller interior height.
The Foretravel had walnut interior with in house built cabinets of solid walnut. But that makes it darker inside and less ceiling height. FT at 36' had more interior storage than my 93 39' Newell and as much as my 98 Newell. Either had about the same basement storage, FT had roof airs, Newells had basement airs. 98 Newell and 99 FT had aquahots. But my FT aquahot was in the middle of the basement so was difficult to work on, had to lie on my belly to work on it. Newell puts it in the side and it's easily accessible. Also Newell aquahot has a 110Vac and 220Vac electric element which works MUCH better than the single 110Vac on the FT.
If considering a FT the main thing is to understand how the frame is built on a FT and make sure there is no "bulkhead separation." That can be repaired for $5-10,000.
Wanderlodges I've only looked at but they are more complex than Newells, but that is because of more redundancy built into them.
www.foreforums and. http://wanderlodgegurus.com are helpful in researching these two.
Trainer here is THE aquahot guru, ask him any questions you have. He also full times in a FT so can give you more perspective on them than I can.
IMO for a first endeavor I'd look at a no-slide 90+ Newell or a 98-early 2000's FT no-slide. Newells less than 45' are rare except for the earlier ones. The 8V92 is a great engine. The only negative is the old mechanics are retiring and the new guys who only know the later engines may be scared of the 8V92. Search for 8V92 info on sportfishing forums such as https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/
Good luck in your search and once you decide on what to buy be ready to jump at one if it hits all your buttons.
One other thing, when you pull into a campground especially an RV resort in a FT you'll have a few admirers. But pull in in a Newell and you'll have to wipe the drool off of it.
The Foretravel had walnut interior with in house built cabinets of solid walnut. But that makes it darker inside and less ceiling height. FT at 36' had more interior storage than my 93 39' Newell and as much as my 98 Newell. Either had about the same basement storage, FT had roof airs, Newells had basement airs. 98 Newell and 99 FT had aquahots. But my FT aquahot was in the middle of the basement so was difficult to work on, had to lie on my belly to work on it. Newell puts it in the side and it's easily accessible. Also Newell aquahot has a 110Vac and 220Vac electric element which works MUCH better than the single 110Vac on the FT.
If considering a FT the main thing is to understand how the frame is built on a FT and make sure there is no "bulkhead separation." That can be repaired for $5-10,000.
Wanderlodges I've only looked at but they are more complex than Newells, but that is because of more redundancy built into them.
www.foreforums and. http://wanderlodgegurus.com are helpful in researching these two.
Trainer here is THE aquahot guru, ask him any questions you have. He also full times in a FT so can give you more perspective on them than I can.
IMO for a first endeavor I'd look at a no-slide 90+ Newell or a 98-early 2000's FT no-slide. Newells less than 45' are rare except for the earlier ones. The 8V92 is a great engine. The only negative is the old mechanics are retiring and the new guys who only know the later engines may be scared of the 8V92. Search for 8V92 info on sportfishing forums such as https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/
Good luck in your search and once you decide on what to buy be ready to jump at one if it hits all your buttons.
One other thing, when you pull into a campground especially an RV resort in a FT you'll have a few admirers. But pull in in a Newell and you'll have to wipe the drool off of it.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
PO 1999 Foretravel 36'
1998 Newell 45' #486
1993 Newell 39' #337