Time to say hello

[busmeup]

Hello POG

I have been lurking on your site for several months and I must say, you have the most active, informative & fun RV forum on the net.

We have been looking at (plastics) for a year. I stumbled on your site after seeing a Prevost entertainer at a Ski Lodge and doing a google search to check out this magnificent beast.

We were hooked immediately but are having a difficult time finding what we want and within budget. The number one item on our list has been a bath and half. As far as I know only the Vantare H3 has regularly offered this floor plan. We have seen a couple but they seem to be 2005 or newer.

This has brought us to Newell as they have the bath and half back to 2000. This puts it within budget. I have noticed that you do have some Newell owner members. I do not intend to start a Prevost vs Newell thread but just need some honest insight. On paper they seem to have very similar specs.

I know, I am (fresh meat), so have fun. I can take it but I will warn you that I can also dish it.

Thanks Much...... Randy & Lois

[rickdesilva]

Randy and Lois,
Welcome...........put your Kevlar jacket on. POG abuse is a sign of endearment.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Randy and Lois......

You are clearly going to be a fine fit with this group of misfits by starting out asking for a debate about the merits of a Newell over a Prevost.

That's kind of like asking the Mercedes folks what they thought of Chryslers.

Nothing anyone here or on the Newell site says is going to be valid unless they have considerable experience with both. Those are the folks that are qualified. Anything else we can say is opinion. For our opinions to even have a grain of accuracy you need to tell us what years you are looking at or what your budget is. You need to talk about stuff that is important to you beyond a bath and a half, such as slides.

I have always had the most success weeding out the best product for my needs by asking the owners of the two brands I had been considering the following question:

To Newell owners: If you are going to replace your coach, would you consider replacing it with a Prevost?

To Prevost owners: If you are going to replace your coach would you consider replacing it with a Newell.

Obviously you need a pretty large sampling, but if one is considered superior to the other it will show up in the answer to your questions.

If your bath and a half is an absolute must and is your primary consideration, focus on the Newell. I don't think there are enough Prevost conversions with the feature to give you choices. Also, there are so many things to consider with a Prevost conversion that are really important I think you are boxing yourself in.

[MangoMike]

Busmeup.

A great name that I won't find the need to change.

Welcome.

Jon says it all with his two questions. (No offense Tuga)

Mango Mike

[bonhall41]

Randy & Lois,
Welcome to the wonderful world of buses. We also considered a Newell when looking to move up the RV ladder because I wanted a bath and a half. We found that there really was no comparison and bought a 2005 Featherlite that was on consignment at their place in Sanford. I'm not sure when they first built that floorplan but I really like it. We're not even close to full-timers so I don't mind giving up the closet space. We're going on a "road trip" with my son, daughter-in-law and 3 1/2 year-old granddaughter in a couple weeks and I'm sure the extra half bath will come in handy. We originally planned to buy the used bus and then after a year or so have one built to our specifications but I like this one so much that I don't feel that's necessary. I'm sure anyone at Featherlite in Sanford would be glad to help you. If we can help you with any questions, just let us know. Good luck on your search and we hope to see you on the road in the near future.

Bonnie

[busmeup]

Jon,

We will be using our coach mostly full time. Lois is a RN and would like to spend the next few years, prior to retirement, working as a travel nurse. The bath and half is a must.

I hope this does not hurt any future bargaining but the high end of our budget is 400k. Slides are second on our list.

If anyone would like to answer Jon's well formed ownership questions, then do so. Tuga, can you join in?

I realize that the best answers would probably come while sitting out under an awning with a beverage in hand. I was hoping for chassis comparisons as I believe that I can judge fit and finish.

Again, Thanks for the welcomes. You can be assured that whether it is a Prevost or Newell we will seek your company.

Randy & Lois

[jelmore]

We met Tuga and the Newell not long ago. Every time I've looked in on a Newell, I've been surprised. With Tuga's, I was ready to jump ship. Newell does such innovative things. I think you can get a lot of Newell for $400k. And surely they're good machines.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Busmeup,

I'll vote. (My opinion isn't worth a damn because I have never owned a Newell and I have only been in Tuga's and one other.) Personally I would not consider a Newell, but not because I don't believe it is a lesser product, but because it does not offer things I consider important.

Specifically I will not own a coach that does not have over the road air. I have heard all the debates, I have considered the alternatives, and both my wife and I agree we need over the road air.

We are not going to own a coach with slides. We do not live in the coach, but we do travel. So we have a larger percentage of days on the road (with slides in) than folks who use their coach full time or nearly so. We do not like the trade off of having the slides in while underway, just to gain a few square feet of extra room when parked. We prefer to not have to deal with the added weight and complexity of slides.

From my perspective I like the comfort of knowing my chassis has been tested over countless millions of miles in commercial service. If the shell has any weaknesses I haven't seen them, a testament to the development of the chassis in hard service, something a motorhome will never be subjected to.

As to your budget, your secret is safe with us. That sum in today's market will buy you an excellent Prevost or Newell. For a lot less you can get an outstanding coach and with the leftover Benjamins (which will make an impressive pile) you will be able to redo you new coach to include a refreshed interior in your colors or to add features it may not have.

[Jerry Winchester]

Beameup,

Not to dig, but why a bath and a half unless one of you has a chronic turtle head problem?

I am hauling three chicks around and our Marathon has a bath and a vanity / sink in the bedroom that allows for both hair drying and taco processing at the same time in separate areas.

As for the Prevost - Newell thought, I think the Newell coaches are the best of the SOBs, but I go back to Jon's point; I have not seen any of the Prevost owners Jonesing for a Newell.

Welcome to the forum.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

When you say bath and a half you are also saying "rear master bath". It is our favorite floor plan. I have seen a few that go all the way from side to side. The additional water closet forward is more of a bi-product of the private master, than the other way around. IMO

I am surprised they don't build more or are not in greater demand.