[Dmatz]

Mark

The answer has a lot to do with your tolerance for a breakdown. There is no substitute for detailed records. If the records can not be produced then you have to plan that it has not been done. The chassis side is different than the house side on maintenance.

The chassis your fluids and air system service have been done regularly great if not you need to plan on doing all of it right away. Air dryer service as well as all the separators in the coach. Transmission fluid, antifreeze, steering fluid, hydraulic fluid, all have a service life and need to be changed. If they have not been done recently analysis would be in order. If you are aggressive on the plan, air bags, ride height valves, break chambers, hub seals, air solenoids.

Batteries chassis and house over 5 year old, tires check date codes.

Roof AC units I have found have service issues at the 10yr range. The audio equipment will continue to have a replacement life as technology continues to change. You appliance life is similar to your household items. I believe the replacements are performed through a window or front windshield removal.

I am sure there are better qualified folks for this. Just a quick list. I know on the Prevost Community site there is such a list you are looking for. It my be specific to Prevost but it certain ally applies to the Newell coaches as well. Hope this helps.

[MarkofSJC]

Doug,

I'd love to see the list! My wife has (next to zero) tolerance for breakdowns. Her previous RV experience (as a youngster) was is an old Winny Brave that would always choose the worst possible time to break down ~ usually in the worst weather/location/part of the trip. Those memories (all awful) are seared into her brain.

[Fulltiming]

Harry, if you have a problem and you can't fix it and you don't know anyone nearby, contact Newell. They have a fairly extensive list of companies that they can recommend based on your location. Otherwise, post here and see if someone has a recommendation for you. Many times a temporary repair can be made that will get to a location that will have someone that do a good permanent repair job for you. I have made it to Phoenix several times to take advantage of the wisdom of the bus shop that Tom uses. I blew an airbag a couple of months ago and had Newell ship a replacement airbag to the truck tire center where the airbag let go and they were able to replace it for me. You have to be somewhat flexible and recognize that sometimes the cost of getting the coach to the shop you would prefer do the work just isn't going to be cost effective. If the issue is transmission, look up the nearest authorized service center for the brand of transmission you have (typically Allison is more than 10 years old and either Allison or ZF is newer). Same for the engine. When I had a blower seal go on my Detroit Diesel, I used my computer to look up the location of the nearest authorized Detroit Diesel repair center and I was able to limp into El Paso and let Stewart & Stevenson take care of it. If I had an Aqua-Hot issue, I would contact Rudy.

When you have a breakdown how do you decide where to take your coach for service. I know that Newell is in Miami, OK and have a number of service centers around the country.

But if you're out west for example where there are no centers. Where do you take your coach, or have your coach towed for maintenance?

I know you guys and you don't have just anyone touch your coach so what's your system?

Harry

[dave-n-marjorie]

Mark, here is the list of what we have done. Marjorie also has ZERO tolerance for breakdowns. We did most all this before we left for full timing 3/13. 23,000 miles so far and ZERO issues, ZERO breakdowns. Went through every inch of the coach and if something was questionable, I replaced it. Would be happy to answer any questions.

CHASSIS
New Turbo.
New Charge Air Cooler.
Rebuilt both six packs.
New dash a/c compressor.
New Alternator
New engine belts and hoses.
Rebuilt entire Aqua-hot. New fuel pump, coil, thermostat, control box, flame sensor, bearings, elements, mix valve, ect…
New ride height control valves.
Basement a/c’s – 3 new residential compressors at Newell, 2 new control boards, along with complete a/c system refresh with both units pulled out and cleaned, and inspected.
All zipdee awning canvas replaced.
Triple Blue ox hitch installed for motorcycle or golf cart lift.
New Xantrax invertor.
New chassis and house batteries (8-8D) 6/13
New Tires (8) 5/14


INTERIOR REMODEL
Amana fridge - New compressor and evaporator fan.
New round composite granite sink.
New Kitchen water faucet.
Flooring – Professionally installed hand scraped black bamboo hardwood flooring in living-room and bedroom.
Wallpapered entire coach with raised textured bamboo.
New custom Roman Shades professionally installed on all windows, woven bamboo fabric with 100% blackout.
New residential modern dining room table and 2 new suede dining chairs.
2 new suede chairs for living room.
New modern electric fireplace/heater with TV media center console.
Installed designer glass tile on drivers side wall behind entertainment center. 36 sq ft.
New black leather bedroom headboard.
New custom comforter.

AUDIO/VIDEO
Dash - installed Kenwood flat screen GPS/XM/CD stereo integrated along with new color backup camera and speakers.
4 new TV’s - New 27" led TV in living room, new 32” smart led TV in living room, new 24" led in bedroom and new 32" led outside. New Blue ray dvd player, new HD DVR. All TVs work with all coach speakers inside and out.
New super low profile in-motion KVH A-7 satellite.
New Pile driver FM DVD sound bar in outside entertainment center hooked to outside TV.

Dave

[dave-n-marjorie]

But then again, our Newell is 18 years old Our oldies need a lot more maintenance than a 10 year old coach LOL

[Foodsman]

All great question MarkofSJC, I look forward to the answerers as well. It sure would be nice to have an idea of "how much" should you expect to put out in a year of maintenance. We know it will vary by coach but thats why they call it "an average" right!

OOPS, I posted this and didn't realize there was a page 10!

[Foodsman]

Hey Dave, what is the year of your coach? By its number it must be something like 1996/97...

[Fulltiming]

Harry, Dave and Marjorie's beautiful #423 is a 1996. #438 was the first 1997.

[folivier]

I remember when Dave n Marjorie bought their coach. It was kinda hidden, listed on an obscure website at a low price for the time. We weren't yet ready to move up but it interested me since it was a no-slide 1-1/2 bath. I called about it and spoke with the person handling the sale. It did sound in good shape. And it apparently was since Dave bought it. But he was very pro-active in doing all of the updates he did. And it has paid off for them since it has been so trouble free. When we bought our '98 I checked it out carefully and called Newell. Cresley looked at the maintenance records at Newell and read a bunch of them to me over the phone. There were also some recent records in the coach. So we bought it. Has it been as trouble free as Dave's? Not quite, but with the recent updates the previous owner did we haven't spent too much on it. So finding a coach that has been maintained properly is at least as important as finding the right floor plan.

[MarkofSJC]

Dave,

Thanks for the treasure trove of information ~ this is just the "blue print" of possible repairs i was looking for! Many of those things I was familiar with...but a great number I was not.

I was going to have both a complete drive train/chassis inspection done first, then (if "thumbs up") a full inspection of all the "house" systems. I'm curious how many issues are likely to be diagnosed this way.

Also, would doing an engine oil analysis be of any benefit, if there's no previous analysis to compare it to? I was curious how many of you find this to be a good diagnostic method for overall engine "well being."

A tremendous "THANKS" to the wealth of good information provided by each of you!