Ordering a 2009 Essex

[TheJazzMan]

I am a few days away from placing an order for a new Essex and I'm curious which options are "must haves" and which should be avoided. Here's what I am thinking:

4516 Full length slide, bath and a half
or
4508 4 slide bath and a half

- Semi custom exterior paint based on 2008 Bordeaux (mostly black w/gold and burg graphics)
- Wife wants Bamboo Maple cabinets - I prefer Ginger Glazed Cherry
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Extra monitor for navigation system on passenger side
<LI>100 lb. Norcold freezer on pullout tray in baggage compartment
<LI>Speedcook Advantium microwave
<LI>All electric operation w/Frigidaire refer and (4) extra batteries
<LI>CB radio w/antenna
<LI>Central vacuum w/deluxe tool kit
<LI><STRIKE>Compact one piece washer/dryer </STRIKE>
<LI><STRIKE>Dishwasher in a drawer below stove </STRIKE>
<LI>Exterior entertainment center w/26 in. Sony LCD TV and AM/FM/CD stereo
<LI><STRIKE>King Dome in motion satellite dish w/o receiver</STRIKE>
<LI>KVH R-6 in motion satellite dish w/o receiver
<LI>Remote control rearview color camera
<LI>Secondary multiple touch screen control
<LI>Security system
<LI>Whirlpool two-piece stack washer and 220V dryer
<LI>(8) AGM house batteries (available when an all electric option is ordered)
<LI>Roof mounted spot light
<LI>Large storage tray
<LI>Large storage tray w/access from either side
<LI><STRIKE>Power sliding storage tray</STRIKE>
<LI>Polished porcelain floor tile extended throughout living area
<LI>Power duo day/night window shades
<LI><STRIKE>Power silhouette window shades</STRIKE>
<LI><STRIKE>Assist handle in tub/shower</STRIKE>
<LI>Solid surface shower pan w/corian shower walls w/ceramic inserts[/list]

[TheJazzMan]

I am a few days away from placing an order for a new Essex and I'm curious which options are "must haves" and which should be avoided. Here's what I am thinking:

4516 Full length slide, bath and a half
or
4508 4 slide bath and a half

- Semi custom exterior paint based on 2008 Bordeaux (mostly black w/gold and burg graphics)
- Wife wants Bamboo Maple cabinets - I prefer Ginger Glazed Cherry
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Extra monitor for navigation system on passenger side
<LI>100 lb. Norcold freezer on pullout tray in baggage compartment
<LI>Speedcook Advantium microwave
<LI>All electric operation w/Frigidaire refer and (4) extra batteries
<LI>CB radio w/antenna
<LI>Central vacuum w/deluxe tool kit
<LI><STRIKE>Compact one piece washer/dryer </STRIKE>
<LI><STRIKE>Dishwasher in a drawer below stove </STRIKE>
<LI>Exterior entertainment center w/26 in. Sony LCD TV and AM/FM/CD stereo
<LI><STRIKE>King Dome in motion satellite dish w/o receiver</STRIKE>
<LI>KVH R-6 in motion satellite dish w/o receiver
<LI>Remote control rearview color camera
<LI>Secondary multiple touch screen control
<LI>Security system
<LI>Whirlpool two-piece stack washer and 220V dryer
<LI>(8) AGM house batteries (available when an all electric option is ordered)
<LI>Roof mounted spot light
<LI>Large storage tray
<LI>Large storage tray w/access from either side
<LI><STRIKE>Power sliding storage tray</STRIKE>
<LI>Polished porcelain floor tile extended throughout living area
<LI>Power duo day/night window shades
<LI><STRIKE>Power silhouette window shades</STRIKE>
<LI><STRIKE>Assist handle in tub/shower</STRIKE>
<LI>Solid surface shower pan w/corian shower walls w/ceramic inserts[/list]

[TW]

Looks like a GOOD list.... now are you FULLTIMING?
We want to FULLtime asasp DW is retired, so - our wish list included:

Dishwasher (did this enough as a kid and young man!!!)
2 pc washer/dryer

We found a very GOOD KS

Maybe some of the ess-owners will say something
more to the list

Good Luck
TW

[FlyingDiver]

I would think twice about getting the in-motion dome. Unless you're really planning on watching in-motion, I would get the Motosat HD-SL5 (for DirecTV or HD-DP for Dish) instead. It's not on the options list, but Newmar will do it as a special.

joe

[Spikester]

I concur with FlyingDiver, Motosat HD antenna is the only way to go IMO, especially if you subscribe to Dish Network. If you are a creature of the internet, also have Motosat internet antenna installed you will not be disappointed. I have heard they install even though they are not on an option list.

Wife automatically wins on cabinet selection!

Everyone swears by the all electric coaches, not being a high line creature it looks to me as if you all bases covered, sounds like a keeper to me. The wait begins.

I ordered our Ventana utilizing a dealer Factory Rep, it is the only way to go. Factory Reps are a great help, Newmar will do just about anything for you as long as Engineering buys into it. Factory Reps appear pretty adept at twisting the arms of the Engineers.

Spike

[TheJazzMan]

We are not full timing and probably never will (never say never,right?). We'll be doing winters down south and will do trips that last a week or two during the summer.

Thanks for the Motosat tip! I've never even heard of a Motosat and I thought I was a tech junky. That's exactly why I asked you guys.

While I'm askin', what about the small GPS,camera monitor? Can I add a larger one? I'll need my reading glasses to read the darn thing.

Finally, I'm still not 100% sold on the all electric - I'll miss a gas flame. OTOH, I won't miss running out of gas in the middle of cooking dinner.

[FlyingDiver]

I prefer cooking with gas as well. We got the all electric option, but retained the gas cooktop and the propane tank. You loose some storage space by keeping the tank, but you get the residential fridge, etc.

joe

[DonnaB]

Also consider how much weight capacity the coach has and what you will need to load you and your stuff and have leftover capacity. Models differ in that and so do floorplans. Think a lot about how you live, things you like to do and so on and work around that.

I too prefer cooking with gas. I wouldn't give that up. A tank of propane lasts us a year. Never have run out in mid dinner.....

[TheJazzMan]

Based on comments about loss of storage when getting the LP gas tank, I'm guessing that this is not just a 20 lb tank. Pardon my ignorance - my sailboat had 2 of these smaller tanks.

What about the new full length slide? Extra weight? Other issues with slide-arms?

[FlyingDiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TheJazzMan:
Bases on comments about loss of storage when getting the LP gas tank, I'm guessing that this is not just a 20 lb tank. Pardon my ignorance - my sailboat had 2 of these smaller tanks.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it's a 32 gallon tank (not sure what that comes out to in pounds).

http://www.newmarcorp.com/models/luxury/Essex/96

joe

[TheJazzMan]

Joe, I left you a PM.

[Lug_Nut]

One option you did not show is three zone electric heated floors. I've got them as do many others. It works well.

Peter

[TheJazzMan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">One option you did not show is three zone electric heated floors. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was told by a salesguy not to get this option because of how expensive it was and because it could not be repaired without ripping up the entire tile floor. We have heated tile floors in the bathroom at home and I have to agree that a warm floor under foot is great on a cold morning.

[FlyingDiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TheJazzMan:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">One option you did not show is three zone electric heated floors. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was told by a salesguy not to get this option because of how expensive it was and because it could not be repaired without ripping up the entire tile floor. We have heated tile floors in the bathroom at home and I have to agree that a warm floor under foot is great on a cold morning. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We got them anyway. Yeah, it's pricey. Oh well. As for fixing it, if anything manages to break the resistance wires, the tiles will probably be damaged as well. And it's not your primary source of heat anyway. You have heat pumps on the roof (if you have shore power) and the diesel burner forced hot air (if you don't).

joe