Camp Newmar

[Neal]

Ask any questions in this thread regarding visiting Newmar for tours, factory pickup, etc.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Heading to Newmar for service starting Monday, 11/25. Pray’n the weather holds up; it’s our first time for winter travel.

 

[J&JD]

Left Iowa the middle of October headed to Portland Oregon thinking no problem as it’s early fall. Got stuck in Cheyenne along with a bazillion truckers because of bad weather closing interstate 80. You never know so just be careful out there this time of year.

 

[yblaw]

We left Camp Newmar the end of October after spending a week there getting some warranty work done at the end of our first year's ownership. Drove to St. Louis, spending seven hours on the road driving through rain for the first time since we're SoCal kids, where it seldom rains. Just as we pulled into our spot for the night, our entry step started acting up, extending/retracting repeatedly all by its lonesome. When the weather dried up, step started working. Now, every time it rains, the steps won't move from the extended position......Now, as we're meandering our way home to San Diego, we learned to adjust our RV park stays--no driving in the stinking rain until we get our step controller replaced when we get home....It's raining here in Alamogordo, New Mexico while I'm writing this....we'll be spending an extra night here to wait out the storm....

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Just as we pulled into our spot for the night, our entry step started acting up, extending/retracting repeatedly all by its lonesome. When the weather dried up, step started working.

Oh terrific! I was JUST talking about that happened to me! But, I arrested it to me being a bit too aggressive with the pressure washer. I thought it was too much water in the door switch, perhaps. The controller, you say? Ugh. Better put that on the list.


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[RKins]

Could be your connector connection to the motor. I bought conductive grease and coated the plug (male) with that.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Could be your connector connection to the the motor. I bought conductive grease and coated the plug (male) with that.

Certainly a possibility!! I’m definitely gonna have them check it out next week. Thanks.


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[yblaw]

X2 Thanks!

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Important:

My email packet, from Newmar, did NOT contain any instructions or directions for THE NEW FACILITY AND CAMPGROUND!! (Yes, we nearly stayed in the gravel lot wasteland CG and would have probably missed our checkin tomorrow (Monday) morning!)

Luckily, since things didn’t look right, I did a little sleuthing and found the new place, which wasn’t easy since T-Mobile is NON-existent there (would have been nice to know as well).

So...the new CG is on the East side of town; take Miriam to Stahly and you can’t miss the new facility!

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[TJ&LadyDi]

Apparently, Newmar hasn't improved its communication with service customers since we were there in June. We received absolutely no information regarding Camp Newmar's location or address, directions to it, or anything.

We looked up the service center address in the Internet and went there. That would work OK now, but back in June, the new CG wasn't open yet and we needed to find the old Camp Newmar. After driving around the area for a while with no success, some local folks asked if we needed help and directed us to the old CN...a couple of miles away.

As a retired communications professional (PR, media relations, marketing and advertising), this kind of oversight by a major corporation really drives me up the wall! It is so simple to resolve, but if you don't have a knowledgeable communicator on the staff monitoring things like this, it never gets fixed. There is a reason do-it-yourself brain surgery isn't very successful!

TJ

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Couldn’t agree more, TJ. So simple with today’s technology. After all, you can go into a restaurant and they’ll text you when your table is ready!

Newmar could knock it out of the park with a simple QR code badge for access, rather than relying on long codes with VIN and whatever else for gate access. I wonder if that didn’t work for someone since one of their brand new gates has been complete torn off!

At the minimum, a fresh set of instructions, map, and even a WIFI code would have been nice. I will be kindly giving them these suggestions and know it would help if others did the same.


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[Stuart S]

Glad you made it safe Steve, now the real fun begins

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I hope your suggestions are more effective than mine apparently were, Steve.

TJ

 

[RKins]

Couldn’t agree more, TJ. So simple with today’s technology. After all, you can go into a restaurant and they’ll text you when your table is ready!

Newmar could knock it out of the park with a simple QR code badge for access, rather than relying on long codes with VIN and whatever else for gate access. I wonder if that didn’t work for someone since one of their brand new gates has been complete torn off!

At the minimum, a fresh set of instructions, map, and even a WIFI code would have been nice. I will be kindly giving them these suggestions and know it would help if others did the same.


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I think I read on the other forum that the gate closed on a coach as it was pulling through which tore up the coach and the gate and Newmar had to fix the paint on the new coach. It was something about a sensor failed on the gate or something.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

I think I read on the other forum that the gate closed on a coach as it was pulling through which tore up the coach and the gate and Newmar had to fix the paint on the new coach. It was something about a sensor failed on the gate or something.

I’m sure that’s what happened. Something about the controller being programmed by an Amish electronics technician.

(Sorry, couldn’t resist!)


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[TJ&LadyDi]

Actually, the Amish techs I encountered at Newmar were pretty good with electronics.

TJ

 

[yblaw]

Couldn’t agree more, TJ. So simple with today’s technology. After all, you can go into a restaurant and they’ll text you when your table is ready!

Newmar could knock it out of the park with a simple QR code badge for access, rather than relying on long codes with VIN and whatever else for gate access. I wonder if that didn’t work for someone since one of their brand new gates has been complete torn off!

At the minimum, a fresh set of instructions, map, and even a WIFI code would have been nice. I will be kindly giving them these suggestions and know it would help if others did the same.


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Yup, that was me who took out the gate to the new campground; fortunately, it wasn't the other way around. Arrived there a month ago. No instructions on the gate; no sign; no warning. We unhooked our toad on the side of the road before entering. Since the code reader is on the passenger side, my wife got out of the Jeep, entered our vin#, got back in the Jeep as the gate arm opened vertically; she drove thru, followed by me immediately, after making sure the gate arm didn't drop. As I was entering, saw the arm drop in my peripheral vision; didn't know if the arm was metal or otherwise that might puncture the coach sidewall if I stopped, so kept going, bent the heck out of the plastic arm, which scratched the entire side of the motorhome. After I parked, our neighbor advised that the same thing happened to him a few days earlier (hit his toad cuz he didn't unhitch outside the park); he reported it to the folks at Newmar. He told me that they had guys out there trying to fix it a few times after his incident, but before mine. Nobody from Newmar posted a warning or removed the arm. Turns out it was set on a timer, and without an electrical eye.....so you had 40 seconds from the time the arm went up to get through the gate, but of course there was not any sign or instructions or information so indicating. They did buff out the scratches the first day in the shop......I was told by Newmar service that they've had numerous problems with that system since it was installed by a vendor. Maybe when I return next year, they will have it fixed.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I absolutely detest those gate arms...anywhere! Over the years, we've seen many of them fail. Fortunately, we've never suffered any serious damage, but have had a number of close calls.

TJ

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Well, we took the Factory Tour today, and were overwhelmed beyond beyond!!!

It’s like a swarm of happy, synchronized bees working towards a common goal.

The fact they are moving over 100 coaches through production is simply mind-blowing.

I have a whole new respect for Newmar as a company, and the people who make it special.

Bottom line: If you can ever visit Nappanee, please give yourself a real treat and take the tour!

And, if you’re lucky, you’ll get Chris. She started in March and is just as amazing with her knowledge of every aspect of the tour as she walked and talked us through each section!


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[CaptainGizmo]

The new Service department is BREATH-TAKING in every way. From the building to the immense shop, to the gorgeous lounges (for pets too!), and especially Sue, their receptionist who is the sweetest hostess and will make you feel like home.

The service team is amazingly efficient; getting your coach a 0600, and returning back to your site at 1400 just as you left it.

The new campground is so fresh and clean with lots of spaces.

Very impressed!


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