[kb0zke]

Hello from SW Missouri. I was pointed to this forum by someone on the Wanderlodge owners' forum, and thought I'd introduce myself.

We're a bit over two years from retirement, and between now and then we intend to purchase a DP to use as a full-time coach. We've done our homework (we think) and have settled on an older high quality coach. Newells have been mentioned several times, but they seem to be fairly rare, so we haven't considered them much. Current front-runners for us are 93-95 Foretravel U300's (like the mid-entry and slanted windshield) and a 95 Wanderlodge BMC (like the Cummins engine, the steel body, and Aqua-Hot).

If you know those coaches, you will recognize that they are all wide bodies with no slides and have decent headroom. Those are really the main physical points for us. We're figuring on spending about $30,000 or so for the coach plus about $10,000 for upgrades/repairs. Obviously, then, a coach with all new tires is worth more than one with old tires since we won't have to buy tires.

[Fulltiming]

Welcome David. In the price range you are looking, there are Newells available although they will not be as new as the Foretravels and Wanderlodge BMC you mentioned. If you review some of the posts, you will find that a large number of the folks that post regularly here have classic Newells (ie pre 1990 body style) which serve them well.

[encantotom]

David, we are glad you joined us.

enjoy the searching as it is really quite a fun experience.

any of us are more than glad to help you if we can

tom

[whatsnewell]

You're right, Newells are rare, but if you are patient you will find one in your price range. We bought our 1982 Newell in March of 2008 for $39,000. It is a wonderful coach.....never had a roof leak, and no rattles. All systems work, or were easy to fix, or upgrade. The quality of construction makes a 30 year old coach like ours work for us. Many people don't believe it's 30 years old.

[kb0zke]

Thanks for the welcome. As I mentioned in my original post, a wide body and reasonable headroom are absolute must-have items for us. When did Newell start the wide bodies?

[whatsnewell]

Thanks for the welcome. As I mentioned in my original post, a wide body and reasonable headroom are absolute must-have items for us. When did Newell start the wide bodies?

Hi David, think the wide bodies started around '85, or '86. Hopefully, Michael (Fulltiming) will chime in as he is the local Newell historian, literally.

[Fulltiming]

I show the Wide Body was introduced in 1986. 1986 was the first year for Newells with a tag axle (actually there was 1 coach built in 1978 with a tag axle). Since then, Newells 39' up have been built with tags although in the late 80's, coaches up to a 40' could be still ordered without the tag axle.

[Richard]

David,

Sorry, read your other post regarding location before this one.

30K is a challenge to get in a wide body Newell. Foretravel makes good stuff that holds up well.

Do your homework carefully on the BMC Wanderlodge. Carefully. The BMC Wanderlodge is a slightly different critter than a Wanderlodge. Wanderlodges are tanks and hold up well.

[Fulltiming]

It is easy to spot the wide body Newell classics. They added a 6" section of glass in the center of the windshield so it has 3 sections rather than the previous 2 piece windshield.

A quick search showed 86's priced from $41k to $70k.

[kb0zke]

Thanks. Michael, where did you find those coaches listed?

Richard, I've been looking at 'Birds for some time now, and the BMC is about the only 'Bird that comes close to our parameters. Yes, they are somewhat different than the others, but they have an excellent reputation. I suspect that, like a Newell, they may be somewhat out of our price. I think we actually prefer the U300 anyway, but who knows what we will find when we're actually ready to buy.

Is there a page with Newell history, such as 'Birds have at vintagebirds.com?