Serious question

[Kurt Horvath]

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
>