Newell Q&A - Chassis

[redbaron]

I’m starting this thread as a deep dive on my education for Newell. I am a long term Newmar owner. I usually buy a new RV every 4-6 years and am fast approaching the time to purchase another unit.

As I sit here looking at options , Newmar is no longer on the top of my list. Of the manufacturers that are left, it’s Foretravel, Newell, or a Prevost conversion.

So to start my journey I have questions regarding the ownership experience.

To start off, I want to know about the chassis. I know the chassis is a Newell product, and is customized by Newell. The drive train is Cummins and Allison, but the remaining components are going to be sourced by Newell.

How does one go about getting service? I am not really concerned about warranty, but after warranty parts identification and sourcing. How much documentation is provided to include specs for air ride settings, torque values, and other maintenance information.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Ronnie,
I can answer all your questions.

First, yes, Newell builds all their coaches from the ground up starting with sheets of steel to build the chassis. While they all are generally 45’, this allows them to make slight adjustments for customized dimensions for slides, etc.

Products are high-grade, residential and marine grade appliances such as Sub-Zero, Headhunter, etc.

As for service, there are several ways/tiers depending on what it is that needs to be done. Of course, the “mothership” is in Miami, OK and is where every type of service can be performed. They are truly masters of their craft, and no one knows their coaches better.

Small servicing is done every year at MCC in Indio, CA where they’ll tackle smaller sets of servicing with a small cadre of techs sent from Newell. That lasts from January through March.

Of course, other mechanical things such a Cummins, Allison, tires, etc. can certainly be handled by local shops. I’ve utilized independent shops, Cummins service, Pete’s Tires, as well as a highly skilled mechanic to perform all of my services.

The best place for major/annual services as well as paint or cabinetry is at Newell.

As for documentation and “torque specs” like you suggest, minimal is provided WITH the coaches. HOWEVER, the true power and gift of owning a Newell is the access you’re given to their 24/7/365 service techs for help. Being your “own” mechanic of your “own” Newell is a learning process and will take time to gather documentation needed to service the vast array of equipment on each coach.

While “most” of the major mechanical and electrical systems are standard/consistent between coaches, there are many items that may be custom or specific to any one coach.

Hope this gets you started.