[Richard and Rhonda]

Hi Gene,

Welcome to the forum.

I also agree with Tom. Newell's are well engineered and almost everything can be fixed.

Here is my list.

Floorplan. If it doesn't work for you, walk away. It's really expensive to change the floor plan.

Wife/Spouse/Significant Other. Do they like the layout and colors? Or do you plan on an interior rework right away?

Mechanicals. Have the engine and tranny checked by a Detroit Diesel shop or a mechanic you trust.

Water ingress. Not common, but nasty if you have to fix it.

AC and Heating systems need to perform properly. All are repairable, just takes time and money.

Drive. How does it drive to you?

Fridge. There is much debate on this one. We like the all electric because we like the big fridge and the fact it will cool down in hours. The downside is it will only run overnight off the battery bank, so extended boondocking means running the gennie. The gas fridges tend to be smaller, and take a day to cool down from ambient, but they will run forever on gas. So take your boondocking needs into consideration when you think all electric or propane options.

Size. Do you want a 45 for the space, or a 38 to get in tighter campgrounds.


None of us are saying your origninal list wasn't a good one. What we have learned through ownership and a lot of greasy knuckles is that just about anything on a Newell can be fixed by parts obtainable at any truck supply, Home Depot, or McMaster Carr catalog. (Tom likes Grainger, he gets a discount) If you buy a classic, they do require work. All coaches require work whether new or classic.

Good luck in your search. Do you have a vintage that you are interested in? Owners of those particular years can zero in on specific things to look for.