Just registered newbie & first question

[folivier]

I plan to retire next year and buy a used motorhome, Newell is on my short list. What lengths did they make under 40' and what years?
We're thinking of something under 40' in order to get into the more remote state parks campgrounds.
Thanks,
Forest

[chockwald]

Mine is an 1982 and it is 36', however, most of the early to late 80's models seem to be 38', or 40' that I have seen for sale. I'm sure there are others out there that are 36's, just not sure how many there are for sale.

[fulltiming]

From what I have been able to piece together, here is a thumb nail history of the length's of Newells.

Newell was founded in 1967. They began making front-engined gasoline powered coaches 25'-30' long. In 1970, Newell developed the first rear-engined motorhome. In 1972 they offered a rear-engined diesel motorhome. In that year, a few front-engined gasoline coaches were still made but most were rear-engined diesels. The diesel pushers were 35' and longer. By 1976, Newell was producing exclusively diesel pushers. By 1980 36' was the shortest Newell made. The Series 2000 body style began with the 1990 model, the first delivered in April of 1989. These were a minimum of 38' but most were 40+ feet long.

With the Series 2000, the last three digits of the VIN number for the first time matches the Newell internal numbering system that was begun in 1983. If you know the VIN number for a Series 2000 Newell, you can determine the length from the 4th, 5th and 6th digits of the VIN. All Series 2000's begin with 1N9 which identifies it as a Newell. The next three digits indicate the actual overall length in feet and inches.

Prior to the Series 2000, the VIN's were more cryptic and it is more difficult to determine the characteristics of the coach from the VIN.

[encantotom]

howdy and welcome. i have what michael thinks is one of the few 38' series 2000 coaches. i love it. michael has driven mine and says it is much easier to turn and maneuver than his beautiful 43.5' coach. you do sacrifice the larger bathroom, but other than that, it is basically the same coach inside. pictures of mine are on the gallery and is the 4th 1990 coach listed. it is a burgendy color.

feel free to contact me for more info if you want.

[HoosierDaddy]

Welcome Forest! I have a 1978 35' (for sale) and a 1993 45'. The 35' is MUCH easier to maneuver. As Fulltimer pointed out a lot of newer ones are longer.