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Serious question - Kurt Horvath - 11-11-2008 17:11

Troy,

Kind of like comparing apples and oranges???

A BB FC compared to a pusher coach.

I just don't think that it's a fair comparison.

I like the late 80's Newell's very much they are nice.

Too bad they went to the 2000 series and FRP sides.

They lost the Classic coach look.

Kurt Horvath
95 PT42
10AC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky"
wrote:
>
> John,
> As a former Blue Bird owner, I'll share my experience. Driving
differences, the Newell drives like a corvette and rides like a
caddy, great acceleration, cornering and handling with a smooth quiet
ride. I've learned to watch the speed and monitor the gauges for
systems status. The Newell is much simpler and systems are not
nearly as compact, I can sit inside the engine compartment with the
access doors closed, the plumbing systems are all run in the storage
bays and easy to access. Both coaches had a split copper line that
was not winterized properly, the line in the Newell was in the
storage bay and fixed in 1 hour, the Wanderlodge line was behind the
kitchen cabinets and required removal of the center furnace and much
conditioning and time to fix. The Wanderlodge relies on heat tape to
prevent plumbing lines from freezing, the Newell has electric,
propane and hydronic heated bays that keep the lines from freezing.
>
> My experience with Truck and Bus shops is similar for both Newell
and Blue Bird, RV shops are clueless on either coach.
>
> As for maintenance the Newell has fewer 'gadgets' and therefore
less points of failure. Both require annual maintenance and my
Newell has fewer lube points and no hidden filters, in fact all
filters are in the engine bay. The Newell is much easier to access,
maintain and repair.
>
> With that said the Wanderlodge is good coach but it is more compact
and complex than the Newell. The Newell is simple and fun to drive.
>
> I would not be afraid of either brand.
>
> Troy Tikalsky
> 1986 Newell 40' Wide Body
> (1983 FC33SB)
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: brad barton
> To: wanderlodgeforum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 7:51 PM
> Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Serious question
>
>
> John,
> As a former Newell owner, I'll give you a little of my
experience. If you have trouble on the road, the easiest, most
universal coaches to be fixed on route are Marathon, MCI and Prevost
because they have so much in common with trucks and OTR buses. Blue
Bird is probably next with identifiable components you can often
replace on the road. Newell is more of a proprietary coach. If you
have a mechanic with experience with Newell coaches, you're fine at
home. On the road, I learned the hard way that most truck, bus and
RV shops are clueless. Just the air-leveling system on the Newell
had three different air tanks, automatic road, automatic park and
manual park leveling controls with I don't know how many valves. I
got the last Bendix air cruise control sending unit and the last air
bags for that model. Air operated doors, different suspension,
different water and climate control systems, they're all different
from jsut about everyone elses'. They're generally high-quality
components, but I think Blue Bird on average has the edge on interior
fit, finish, materials and quality. In my opinion, Newell's ease of
handling and drivability was superior to both Blue Birds I have
owned.
> If you can make a pilgrimage to Miami, Oklahoma once a year for
regular maintenance, you could solve a lot of problems before they
happen from filters, lubed hidden parts, etc. The guys who remember
making your Newell would probably be the ones working on it. They
have a nice overnight park. They'll even let you borrow a car to go
into town. Last I knew, they were still family-owned and operated,
great people, great service, but like Mac users, you have to be a
sold-out Newell Kool-aid drinker to get the most out of your
coach.
>
> Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
>
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> From: jehdds@...
> Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:48:27 +0000
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Serious question
>
>
>
> As some of you may know I am looking to move up from my 1973 FC
to
> something a little newer. I am actively looking at PT's SP's and
a
> very nice Newell coach. My concern is my relationship to the BB
> fraternity of owners if on the off chance I would buy a Newell
coach ?
> And I haven't seen the coach as yet so I can't say how serious I
am
> about the Newell but I would hate to be "tossed out"
or "unwelcome" in
> the BB community. I am serious. I hold this group and the friends
I
> have made in such regard that I would likely factor out the
Newell and
> not consider it at all if I was to be excommunicated from the BB
group
> functions. How's this handled and what should I expect? This is a
> little premature but I want to know so that I factor it into my
> decision making about what I would buy.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC at
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
> You live life beyond your PC. So now Windows goes beyond your PC.
See how
>

Serious question - brad barton - 11-12-2008 06:54

A couple other things, as a former 86 Newell owner. Yes, the underside service areas are easier to get to, but the other thing that makes shopping for one more difficult is that each Newell is a custom-designed coach from the ground up. Some have basement airs like mine did, others had retrofitted roof airs, some had vents where you didn't want them, and switches where you'd never expect them. Some had only electric and engine-assist water heaters, others had heat strips in roof airs or baseboard heaters. Mine also had leaky windows and water damage down the walls because of them. Exterior and interior colors can also be very custom to specific likes and the cabinets, drawers and plumbing fixtures can . We were fortunate that we had neutral colors.Except for the very uncomfortable Recarro drivers' seat, I'll agree with Kurt, it's the best driving and handling coach I've ever been in.

Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...




To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: ttikalsky@...
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:15:52 -0600
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Serious question


Just curious what year and model Newell you owned Kurt?
I find more commonalities between Newell and Blue Bird so please elaborate why you believe they are so different?
A few of the commonalties and differences :
Common :
Detroit Motors (8V92 in mine)
Allison Transmission
Rockwell rear axle
Ridewell suspension
Firestone air bags?
Bendix Cruise
Alcoa wheels
Koni Shocks
Perkins/Kohler generator
Teleflex gauges
PMMI clocks and musical horn
Kool Matic
Dometic A/C
Appliances are common to RV industry (Norcold, Dometic.......)
I believe the cabinets are made by Newell and Blue Bird.
Differences :
Exterior Skin : alum on Newell
Substructure : alum on Newell
I won't deny the Newell forum has fewer posting/posters but I believe that may be because my 86 Newell coach has half the complexity as my 83 FC and is 100% easier to work on (systems not nearly as compacted into small areas).
As for support, many of the people on this forum have offered help whenever requested.
Troy Tikalsky
1986 Newell
Waconia, MN
----- Original Message -----
From: "madrone1@hughes.net"
To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Serious question




I am just a wannabee but I did read recently an announcement in a trade magazine that last year Newell produced more high end coaches than any other manufacturer and didn't Bluebird produce only one!
Steve
Wannabee

On Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 10:35 AM, Kurt Horvath <"kguns@hughes.net"> wrote:

John,

Newell is a fine coach, but it's like bringing a Mustang to a
Corvette rally. Not much in common.

If you think working on a bird is tough, don't buy a Newell. You
won't find support like you will here

Stay with us, with a little persistance you can get an awful lot of
Bluebird for the money today.

Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC


--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> As some of you may know I am looking to move up from my 1973 FC to
> something a little newer. I am actively looking at PT's SP's and
a
> very nice Newell coach. My concern is my relationship to the BB
> fraternity of owners if on the off chance I would buy a Newell
coach ?
> And I haven't seen the coach as yet so I can't say how serious I am
> about the Newell but I would hate to be "tossed out" or "unwelcome"
in
> the BB community. I am serious. I hold this group and the friends
I
> have made in such regard that I would likely factor out the Newell
and
> not consider it at all if I was to be excommunicated from the BB
group
> functions. How's this handled and what should I expect? This is a
> little premature but I want to know so that I factor it into my
> decision making about what I would buy.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC at
>



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Serious question - Pete Masterson - 11-12-2008 08:32

FWIW, my '95 has hydronic heating (AquaHot) in the basement (which is
also fairly well insulated for an RV). I only discovered one bit of
heat tape on a pipe running from the galley down a 'chase' in my side-
aisle "hall" -- discovered when I was replacing the carpet (and tile)
with bamboo flooring. I've stayed in freezing conditions several
times for several weeks at each time without any complications to the
plumbing or other systems.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Lockhart, TX



On Nov 11, 2008, at 10:50 PM, Troy Tikalsky wrote:

> <snip>The Wanderlodge relies on heat tape to prevent plumbing lines
> from freezing, the Newell has electric, propane and hydronic heated
> bays that keep the lines from freezing.
>

Serious question - Michael Day - 11-12-2008 08:48

> I like the late 80's Newell's very much they are nice.
> Too bad they went to the 2000 series and FRP sides.
>
> Kurt Horvath
> 95 PT42
> 10AC

I have seen this said before on this forum that the 2000 series
(1990-current) have FRP sides. This is not true. Newell to this day
continues to use aluminum roofs and side walls as they always have.
Only the front and rear caps are a composite material to accommodate
the compound curves. My 1992 has rivets. For the past several years,
Newell has used an adhesive to attach the aluminum panels to the
aluminum frame so there are no exposed rivets.

I looked at Prevost, Newell and Bluebirds when I purchased my coach
about 3 years ago. There are significant differences and significant
similarities between the three. They are all top quality coaches. I
learn a lot from lurking here, especially regarding engine and
transmission issues.

Michael Day
1992 Newell 2000 8V92

Serious question - Kurt Horvath - 11-12-2008 11:07

Michael

I stand corrected. I did not know they are all metal skins.

I was lamenting the change in body style after the '89 model, a true
classic.

Prevost also glues some of their panels to the frame on the newer
coaches.

It would have been nice to see the late 80's coaches in a 42' to 45'
with a series 60. It would have been a much harder choice for me
when I was choosing which coach I was going to live with for the next
XX years.

Thanks for the heads up. Learned something new today.

Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC




In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Day" <michaeldday@...>
wrote:
>
>
> > I like the late 80's Newell's very much they are nice.
> > Too bad they went to the 2000 series and FRP sides.
> >
> > Kurt Horvath
> > 95 PT42
> > 10AC
>
> I have seen this said before on this forum that the 2000 series
> (1990-current) have FRP sides. This is not true. Newell to this
day
> continues to use aluminum roofs and side walls as they always have.
> Only the front and rear caps are a composite material to accommodate
> the compound curves. My 1992 has rivets. For the past several
years,
> Newell has used an adhesive to attach the aluminum panels to the
> aluminum frame so there are no exposed rivets.
>
> I looked at Prevost, Newell and Bluebirds when I purchased my coach
> about 3 years ago. There are significant differences and
significant
> similarities between the three. They are all top quality coaches.
I
> learn a lot from lurking here, especially regarding engine and
> transmission issues.
>
> Michael Day
> 1992 Newell 2000 8V92
>