Ordered a new Newell - seeking design advice!

[Ehochuli85]

We just placed our order with Newell - coach # 1749. The build will start this Sept, and delivery will be March 8, 2022. Needless to say, we are very excited, but now we need to design it. Over the course of the next 4 months, we need to decide exactly what we want on the new coach, and that's the subject of my post. I'd love any advice on what to include or avoid in the design of the coach. I'm sure you all have particular things on your coaches that you love, some things you don't but wish you did, ideas you'd include in your next coach, etc. We are watching videos and creating a file of colors, designs, etc., we've got a conference call with the Newell design team coming up, and we're going back to the factory for 3 days in June to continue the design decisions. But we don't know what we don't know, so we would love any input.

Briefly about us and our use for our new coach, as it definitely affects the design: Cathie and I are retired and live in our coach and travel the country full-time. To us, that means 1-4 weeks in a given spot, and then move to the next spot for another 1-4 weeks. (Of course, we know where we're going and for how long, and we have reservations a year in advance).

So we'd love your suggestions, advice, wish list, options to include, etc. Thank you very much!!

[SKP Kirk]

Most of us on these forums can only dream of owning a new Newell, so probably not a lot of help.

[boomersooner]

Originally Posted by SKP Kirk

Most of us on these forums can only dream of owning a new Newell, so probably not a lot of help.

There is one across from me and I would love to strike up a conversation with the guy.

[CLIFFTALL]

Here’s a good excuse. Introduce them to this thread and irv2.

Originally Posted by boomersooner

There is one across from me and I would love to strike up a conversation with the guy.

[153stars]

I'd love to have the same hard time deciding as you. My personal opinion/taste since your asking in some very high end units I have only seen in pics ,is some ceiling designs are a bit much over the top or distracting. That may have been a fad or certain personal taste ordered as such. BUT It will be your baby so go nuts lol.

[GCSuper]

A Newell is not in our budget, but honestly, the ones I've looked at online we didn't like. Way to glitzy. If I was going to design one it would be toned down and more homey looking.
I also didn't like most of the floor plans in the living area.
Sounds like an exciting time for y'all. I bet you will change your minds a hundred times.
We ordered our Ventana and I continually second guessed some of our choices.
Good luck !!

[jcdata]

Love the Newell concept...but it's a hotel not a home

[hohenwald48]

Come on folks, the OP didn't ask if you want, can afford or care for a Newell. He asked for ideas that might be helpful for the design of his new motorhome. Things you like on your motorhome he would probably like on his. Likewise things you wish you could change he has the chance to change on his.

Why not try to be helpful regardless of what you or he happen to drive.

Personally, I'd want things to be designed around my wife's 5'2" height. She has to get out the step stool to reach just about anything but the toilet.

BoomerSooner, the best way I've found to strike up a conversation with another motorhome owner is to go over, say howdy and start talking. It works every time.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by GCSuper

A Newell is not in our budget, but honestly, the ones I've looked at online we didn't like. Way to glitzy.

This one might be within your budget. Or mine. Two grills, no waiting! But for some reason, the line from the propane tank actually leads into the coach basement compartment instead of to a grill. But it does have the two optional driver's side air conditioners.

Kind of sad, actually. I have no idea what year it is but I'll bet it was beautiful in its day.

Ray

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Ehochuli85

Briefly about us and our use for our new coach, as it definitely affects the design: Cathie and I are retired and live in our coach and travel the country full-time. To us, that means 1-4 weeks in a given spot, and then move to the next spot for another 1-4 weeks. (Of course, we know where we're going and for how long, and we have reservations a year in advance).

So we'd love your suggestions, advice, wish list, options to include, etc. Thank you very much!!

Congratulations! You two definitely are living the dream. I agree with hohenwald48, no matter what we currently have, the maximum length is about 45' and the maximum width closed up is less than 8.5' for all of us.

1. We love our opposing front slides because we have 6' of clear floor space.

2. We love our power, reclining, heated, massaging recliners that sit directly in front of the TV. No looking at the TV on an angle.

Wishes:

1. A 360-degree camera system like my Equinox has BUT that also has night vision and continuous recording capabilities for at least five days. We have the last two features on our home Nest cameras and it's surprising how much we go back to see what happened when something went bump in the night (or day) but did not trigger a "zone" alert.

2. An easy way to cut the campground water off when leaving the coach without walking over to the spigot. 'Cause sometimes I fergit... (I also shut the propane tank off when leaving, and when I remember, because we have dogs inside but you likely will not have a propane system.)

3. Interior security cameras that will automatically turn on when our phones go out of range. We have that with our home Nest cameras. While we have Blink XT2 cameras in the motorhome, a lot of times we play the "Did you arm the cameras?" game or forget completely. (These cameras are to keep an eye on the dogs and the interior temps.)

4. Magne Shades or clear UV film on the windows, especially the windshield, to keep the interior temps cooler.

5. While we have a Bluetooth app for many coach functions such as extending and retracting the awnings and seeing the tank levels when outside, I do not know if that is standard on a Newell. It sure is handy when outside, though.

6. I imagine a Newell already has a built-in EMS for electrical protection, but does it have a built-in Autoformer or equivalent? I added one to ours.

7. Some other way to vent the clothes dryer than the usual vent door on the side. Lint gets all over the outside.

HTH,

Ray

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by NXR

This one might be within your budget. Or mine. Two grills, no waiting! But for some reason, the line from the propane tank actually leads into the coach basement compartment instead of to a grill. But it does have the two optional driver's side air conditioners.

Kind of sad, actually. I have no idea what year it is but I'll bet it was beautiful in its day.

Ray

That looks like a Newell l saw in a park in Indiana that was rumored to once be owned by Cybill Shepard.

[hypoxia]

We toured the factory last summer. I like most everything about them, how can you not? My only puzzlement is the lack of a screen door or similar. Dale Earnhardt Jr gets a door with good reason but is an exception. It is something we use as an open invitation; entry door open come on over. I could adapt!

The HVAC system Newell uses is fantastic, it is not what DW is used to as she wants to have windows open. Their environmental system is closed. I don't mind that but get over-ridden.

They are so good at design I am not sure any of us can be of much help. That is what I realized during the tour, their experience is such that they want to do a great job for you and have "people" to insure that you get your questions resolved and end up with your perfect home on wheels.

It is a wonderful motor coach, you will absolutely enjoy it. When my current ride goes South I will consider Newell.

[Sandy12]

Pet peeve with newer rigs are windows that do not open 50% or even some that do not open at all. Do not like a window over the head of the bed...cold in winter. Windows on either side instead.

An escape door 4-5’ high from floor level in the rear bath with a grab bar above to help get out.

A radar cruise system like we have on our 06 Monaco...Eaton Vorad with side blind spot sensors.

Ceiling fan over the bed and in the LR.

More slope to the awnings and slide toppers to shed water better. The top of the slides limit the amount of slope on our 2 Girrard patio awnings.

A skylight over the shower that opens... power of course with rain sensor.

Central vacuum.

A maid/cook.

[saddlesore]

[ Disclaimer... We full time in a Foretravel. ]

As You are "Planning" to "Stay Put" for possibly weeks on end..My Thoughts....
The largest fresh water and combination black/gray tanks you can go for.
Aqua-Hot or similar diesel heat & hot water
At least 3 if not 4 roof A/C units
As large as You can get Generator to fully power everything in the coach at the same time...AVOID needing "selective power use" management systems... royal pain in the paatoot.
Solar..300 to 500 watts just to keep the batteries up. but do not depend solely on them for power..As many many RV'rs found out here in TX this last winter storm.... Solar ain't worth spit when they are covered in 4"+ snow or no sunshine..


Order the coach with a full house water filtration system including a large capacity Water softener system.. and "Hard wired" Progressive Industries EMS..


You are NOT "Camping/Glamping" You are Living in Your "Home on Wheels"

Get a Chef's "Full Meal Deal" sized and equipped galley and counter space, And More than normal storage for those pots/pans/cookware.
Go "Stewpud sized" on the amount of pantry storage..
(the same goes for the size of your residential fridge and it's freezer capacities..
(speaking of fridge..IMHO and this is just me not liking messes from the water/ice in the fridge door.. Avoid the "Blingy" ice/water dispensers in the door... more trouble that they are worth.....just stick with the tray/bin to hold the ice supply
Make sure that you get the basement chest deep freeze...That way you can stock up on frozen foodstuffs when on sale..
(To go along with the freezer loading... get a vacuum sealer, You can then buy "family sized" packs of meat/chicken/fish and break them down to single meal for 2 portions and freeze.

Laundry... Go for the Stacked or side by side Washer/outside vented Dryer [with an adjoining dirty clothes hamper and a sizable linen closet]





When looking at floor plans.. keep in mind that as we age.. One may need a walker to get around (think hip / knee replacements) You will need easy access to bath/bedroom even when just traveling from point to point when the slides must stay retracted...We have only a single living room slide for just this reason..


Good luck and happy trails