10-02-2016, 03:24 PM
We owned an Airstream trailer before we upgraded to a Newell. Compared to the interior of the Newell, the Airstream looked cheap. Compared to the Airstream, the new American Eagle coach we toured at the RV show looked cheap.
So, the quality of construction by Newell is VERY IMPRESSIVE.
A friend had worked on some Newells & was very impressed with the way they engineered everything. We saw one in person & took a tour on Friday night. The following night, Saturday, my wife found one for sale 1100 miles away. On Sunday, I called & talked to the seller. On Friday, a friend & I flew out to purchase it & drove her home. Only hic-up was the air dryer purge valve self destructed & we drove the last 110 miles using the 110V air compressor.
My costs of ownership of a 29 year old coach with 150k miles -
New purge valve kit off ebay - $20
The house batteries were 6v deep cycle & the chassis batteries were 4Ds - Since I like to use the MERGE feature to connect all the batteries together for charging, I replaced all of them with 8Ds like what was originally installed.
4 ea 8Ds - $800 ( local auto parts store )
Replaced the converter charger with a PowerMax 75 amp multi stage charger.
Charger - $145 ( ebay )
Took it to a very good shop to have it looked over - new upper radiator hoses, oil change, grease, adjust brakes, & rebuild fan hub. $1100
Last trip out, the starter after we got home. At least I was able to get it parked before it totally died.
New starter - $ 250 ( ebay )
I also noticed on the last trip that a random vibration was getting worse - ended up being a bad front wheel bearing that had spun on the spindle.
New steering knuckle - $850 ( from Find it Parts )
New king pin kit - $85 ( ebay )
New bearings - $150 ( ebay )
I do as much as I can, otherwise I use a reputable shop.
I LOVE the freedom the Newell provides. We don't hesitate to make a 1400 mile weekend trip - no reservations needed as we use allowable parking lots for overnighting.
It may not be cheap, but it is most definitely worth it to us.
So, the quality of construction by Newell is VERY IMPRESSIVE.
A friend had worked on some Newells & was very impressed with the way they engineered everything. We saw one in person & took a tour on Friday night. The following night, Saturday, my wife found one for sale 1100 miles away. On Sunday, I called & talked to the seller. On Friday, a friend & I flew out to purchase it & drove her home. Only hic-up was the air dryer purge valve self destructed & we drove the last 110 miles using the 110V air compressor.
My costs of ownership of a 29 year old coach with 150k miles -
New purge valve kit off ebay - $20
The house batteries were 6v deep cycle & the chassis batteries were 4Ds - Since I like to use the MERGE feature to connect all the batteries together for charging, I replaced all of them with 8Ds like what was originally installed.
4 ea 8Ds - $800 ( local auto parts store )
Replaced the converter charger with a PowerMax 75 amp multi stage charger.
Charger - $145 ( ebay )
Took it to a very good shop to have it looked over - new upper radiator hoses, oil change, grease, adjust brakes, & rebuild fan hub. $1100
Last trip out, the starter after we got home. At least I was able to get it parked before it totally died.
New starter - $ 250 ( ebay )
I also noticed on the last trip that a random vibration was getting worse - ended up being a bad front wheel bearing that had spun on the spindle.
New steering knuckle - $850 ( from Find it Parts )
New king pin kit - $85 ( ebay )
New bearings - $150 ( ebay )
I do as much as I can, otherwise I use a reputable shop.
I LOVE the freedom the Newell provides. We don't hesitate to make a 1400 mile weekend trip - no reservations needed as we use allowable parking lots for overnighting.
It may not be cheap, but it is most definitely worth it to us.
1987 classic #159
8V92 MUI , Allison 740