09-22-2020, 08:56 AM
Backroadrunner, welcome! I will try to make some general comments regarding the questions you asked but I will first have to make the standard statement: All Newells are custom made for the client so no two are exactly alike. Therefore, any specific coach could be different than what I describe.
Drivetrain and suspension
In the 1995-1997 time period almost all will have a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine and an Allison speed World Transmission. This is generally an excellent drivetrain. The first several 1995 models had the Detroit Diesel 8V92 and the Allison HT 741 4 speed transmission. Then several of the Series 60's in 1995 still had the HT 741. The 1996's started out with the Ridewell solid front end near the end of the model run a few had the Dana Independent Front Suspension. 1997 had several with the Ridewell solid front end but transitioned into the Dana IFS by #443.
Slides
The first Newell with a slide was #436, a 1996. The second Newell with a slide was #440, a 1997. By #452 most Newells had a slide. #462 was likely the first Newell with 2 slides. #465 was the last 1997 Newell.
Baths
Most 1995-1997 Newells had a rear closet with a mid coach bath, typically open to the bedroom (vanity and shower) with the toilet in its own room. In 1996, two coaches were built with a rear bath and a separate mid 1/2 bath with a toilet and vanity. #423 was the first one and #436 was the second. Most of the 1997's had the rear closet and the mid bath but #457, 459 and perhaps one or two others had the bath and a half arrangement.
Propane, refrigerators, heating and generators
By 1990, Newells typically carried a HUGH 68 gallon propane tank, had either a Primus system (a propane competitor of the AquaHot) or had propane furnaces and 20 gallon marine electric water heaters. Most of these coaches had RV style Dometic or Norcold refrigerators. They had 240 volt electric cooktops as a rule and a 12.5 KW generator. By 1992, one or two Newells had 17.5 KW generators and residential side by side refrigerators. By 1994 most had the side by side residential refrigerators. #324 (1993) and #353 (1994) had the first AquaHot units. Some early 1995's had Primus heat. By mid 1995, it would be rare to find a Newell that did not have an Aquahot and a side by side residential refrigerator. By 1996 it would be rare to find a Newell with a propane tank (#408 had 2 LP furnances, a 68 gallon propane tank and a Residential side by side refrigerator. By late 1995, most generators were 20 KW units. All generators since 1980 are diesel.
Tires
Newell used 11R24.5 (H rated) tires for many years. These held up well, especially Firestone and Goodyear, and are readily available. The slide coaches overloaded the 11R24.5 on the front so Newell switched to 315/80R22.5 tires on the front only. Beginning with coach #443 (a 1997), except #450-458, you can upgrade the front end to carry 365/70R22.5 tires by changing the front wheels and tires.
Skin and Chassis
All of the Newells, including the 2021 models are aluminum studs, aluminum skin, aluminum roofs with composite front and rear caps. The chassis is custom made for each individual coach by Newell in their manufacturing facility in Miami, Oklahoma (pronounced my-am-uh).
Leveling
A very few Newells in the early 1990's had both air leveling and hydraulic leveling. Almost all Newells by 1995 had air leveling only.
Solar
Nope, not unless someone has added it as an aftermarket item.
Hope that helps.
Drivetrain and suspension
In the 1995-1997 time period almost all will have a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine and an Allison speed World Transmission. This is generally an excellent drivetrain. The first several 1995 models had the Detroit Diesel 8V92 and the Allison HT 741 4 speed transmission. Then several of the Series 60's in 1995 still had the HT 741. The 1996's started out with the Ridewell solid front end near the end of the model run a few had the Dana Independent Front Suspension. 1997 had several with the Ridewell solid front end but transitioned into the Dana IFS by #443.
Slides
The first Newell with a slide was #436, a 1996. The second Newell with a slide was #440, a 1997. By #452 most Newells had a slide. #462 was likely the first Newell with 2 slides. #465 was the last 1997 Newell.
Baths
Most 1995-1997 Newells had a rear closet with a mid coach bath, typically open to the bedroom (vanity and shower) with the toilet in its own room. In 1996, two coaches were built with a rear bath and a separate mid 1/2 bath with a toilet and vanity. #423 was the first one and #436 was the second. Most of the 1997's had the rear closet and the mid bath but #457, 459 and perhaps one or two others had the bath and a half arrangement.
Propane, refrigerators, heating and generators
By 1990, Newells typically carried a HUGH 68 gallon propane tank, had either a Primus system (a propane competitor of the AquaHot) or had propane furnaces and 20 gallon marine electric water heaters. Most of these coaches had RV style Dometic or Norcold refrigerators. They had 240 volt electric cooktops as a rule and a 12.5 KW generator. By 1992, one or two Newells had 17.5 KW generators and residential side by side refrigerators. By 1994 most had the side by side residential refrigerators. #324 (1993) and #353 (1994) had the first AquaHot units. Some early 1995's had Primus heat. By mid 1995, it would be rare to find a Newell that did not have an Aquahot and a side by side residential refrigerator. By 1996 it would be rare to find a Newell with a propane tank (#408 had 2 LP furnances, a 68 gallon propane tank and a Residential side by side refrigerator. By late 1995, most generators were 20 KW units. All generators since 1980 are diesel.
Tires
Newell used 11R24.5 (H rated) tires for many years. These held up well, especially Firestone and Goodyear, and are readily available. The slide coaches overloaded the 11R24.5 on the front so Newell switched to 315/80R22.5 tires on the front only. Beginning with coach #443 (a 1997), except #450-458, you can upgrade the front end to carry 365/70R22.5 tires by changing the front wheels and tires.
Skin and Chassis
All of the Newells, including the 2021 models are aluminum studs, aluminum skin, aluminum roofs with composite front and rear caps. The chassis is custom made for each individual coach by Newell in their manufacturing facility in Miami, Oklahoma (pronounced my-am-uh).
Leveling
A very few Newells in the early 1990's had both air leveling and hydraulic leveling. Almost all Newells by 1995 had air leveling only.
Solar
Nope, not unless someone has added it as an aftermarket item.
Hope that helps.