Serious question

[bubblerboy64]

Leroy, Don't get me wrong good points have been made as to the pros
and cons PT to SP. The problem really centers around the ZF
transmission which some have reported as inferior others as never
having heard of one needing rebuilt. The 3208 is said to be weak and
a "throw away" by the PT crowd. The owners report few problems and
criticize the detroits for slobbering oil and poor fuel economy. No
one has dates, times, or places to support any of this to the best of
my knowledge so I must assume it is anecdotal, but hearsay might be a
better word, Very similar to the diesel truck forms. It was
concluded that the best truck hands down was the Ford truck with a
Dodge (cummins) motor with the Chevy (allison) transmission. Sorta
how I feel personally at this point about the buses. I am going to
find the one I like best. I will consider everything which as been
said but I will in the end decide. As stated having seen the SP I am
impressed it's so much more then my ole FC. I two weeks I'll be able
to see touch and experience several PT's so perhaps my position will
change. At this point I am not worried. I feel pretty certain I
could be happy with either.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> I don't understand the anecdotal evidence issue. Hearsay or
expansion of a tale perhaps.
>
> Differences between a PT and SP are significant in several
respects. SP's have a 3208 CAT I believe although I do not own one. A
PT generally has an 8v92. SP's have two axle's and PT's three. Most
PT's have front entry although there are two or three with side
entry. SP's have side entry as far as I know . I like side entry,
that is one reason I like a Newell.
> One needs to decide what weight and power they desire, how one
intends to use it and floor plan. Maintenance cost also enter into
the equation. Heat, gas or hydronic. Floor plans cannot be
significantly different in 300 sq. ft. although Mike B has a vanity
and sink in his center hall isle. Nice bus he has.
> Take your time, drive them and decide from there. A full record
accounting is quite good.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> --- On Tue, 10/28/08, bubblerboy64 wrote:
> From: bubblerboy64
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Serious question
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:02 PM
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> Brad, Thanks so much for that heads up which makes a
lot of sense. I
>
> will factor that into the equation which is getting very long and
>
> complex :-) The debate continues about the PT vs SP but neither
camp
>
> has much in the way of more then anecdotal information. I am going
>
> to drive several of each and pick the one I like the best. I will
>
> look at the Newell but its more money then the others anyways so
its
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> a dark horse in the race. Not say that it's totally a dead horse
but
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> it's fading at the back nine.
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> John Heckman
>
> central Pa
>
> 1973 FC
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> >
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> > 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
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> to be fixed on route are Marathon, MCI and Prevost because they
have
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> 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
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> 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
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> tanks, automatic road, automatic park and manual park leveling
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> controls with I don't know how many valves. I got the last Bendix
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> air cruise control sending unit and the last air bags for that
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> model. Air operated doors, different suspension, different water
and
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> climate control systems, they're all different from jsut about
>
> everyone elses'. They're generally high-quality components, but I
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> think Blue Bird on average has the edge on interior fit, finish,
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> materials and quality. In my opinion, Newell's ease of handling
and
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> drivability was superior to both Blue Birds I have owned.
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> > If you can make a pilgrimage to Miami, Oklahoma once a year for
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> regular maintenance, you could solve a lot of problems before they
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> happen from filters, lubed hidden parts, etc. The guys who
remember
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> making your Newell would probably be the ones working on it. They
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> have a nice overnight park. They'll even let you borrow a car to
go
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> into town. Last I knew, they were still family-owned and operated,
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> 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
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> coach. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@ .
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> > To: WanderlodgeForum@ ...: jehdds@: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:48:27
>
> +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Serious question
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> > As some of you may know I am looking to move up from my 1973 FC
to
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> something a little newer. I am actively looking at PT's SP's and a
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> very nice Newell coach. My concern is my relationship to the BB
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> 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
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> 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
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> 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
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> so that I factor it into my decision making about what I would buy.
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> John Heckmancentral Pa 1973 FC at
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> > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
>
> > You live life beyond your PC. So now Windows goes beyond your PC.
>
> > http://clk.atdmt. com/MRT/go/ 115298556/ direct/01/
>
> >
>