Newmar owner, Prevost admirer

[Bamafan]

Hi, new member checking in and looking for advice (isn't everyone ). So here's my deal, we own a 2011 Newmar Mountain Aire Diesel Pusher. It is a very nice coach and I know I should be content however I can not seem to shake that giddy feeling I get everytime I see a Prevost bus pull in the campground or going down the road. It's like seeing that girl in high school that you knew was above your pay grade but you really wanted to ask her out. I have been stalking Prevost-Stuff for months. If I were to do something I would have to stick with something somewhat close in value to what I have now. That means that I would have to go with 2000-2004 model Prevost. I LOVE the XLII's but have read that there are issues with delamination of the stainless on some and I can certainly see the storage benefits of the H3-45 but dang that stainless is beautiful. I'd be going from 4 slides to 1 or maybe 2. I really like the Marathon and Liberty conversions. So if you had to guess, which way is going to have the highest cost of ownership? I can speculate somewhat as to what the depreciation on my coach will be over the next 5 years. I don't know about the Prevost. Looking at a 2000-2004 they have already depreciated significantly. Then trying to consider maintenance on one vs the other??? Just looking for some guidance. Probably should be happy with what I have and leave it alone but can't quit looking

[NashXL]

Bamafan,

First I'll let your handle go with just a GoGators! cry. I too admired the Prevost from afar and this spring made the jump. Went from a 2011 Itasca Meridian 3 slides, fireplace, to a older Prevost XL. You would normally get a lot of quick feedback and suggestions on this but almost everyone on here is in transit or already getting settled at Nashville for the POG rallly Monday-Friday. I'm leaving early Monday morn (in Cinci so only 4 hours). If you do not get alot of feedback I'd re post in a week or so. The delamination is a legitimate concern. A total coach repair can run in the $35k range (not to mention the down time). The singular reason I went with a riveted coach. Beautiful more industrial look but no panel pop!

Sincerely,
Doug
NashXL

[Bamafan]

Roll Tide! Hey Doug, sorry about that. So if you don't mind my picking your brain a bit, do you have any slides in your XL? My first 2 coaches only had one slide and my current has 4. Most of the XL's you see are no slide coaches. I still think though that some of the layouts are nice enough that a person could get by with that. Makes the price a lot more attractive too. One of my biggest concerns is the difference in storage to go from what I have now to an XL. I have a ton of basement storage and the XL's and XLII's don't seem to have much. How has the transition been for you? How much time have you spent in the XL? I actually like the rivets and I'm sure from a quality standpoint there is no comparison.

[NashXL]

Hi Again. No slides in mine. We got this with the intention of more traveling; less long time stationary stays. Slides are great when open, but make the over the road travel tight when opposing slides are closed. A non slide is very nicely set-up to have equipment layout and furnishings that increase alot more daily space. If you do not have over the road Prevost A/C (losing one whole bay), and update the exterior entertainment (TV on a side ways swiveling pull out mount and opens up a full side bay) you have more basement space than we use. You also have other areas; behind the front bumper that has a lot of storage. The non slide ride and absolute quiet from the structural integrity is unbelievable. And just at 99000 miles barely broken in.

Sincerely,
Doug - NashXL

[garyde]

Welcome Bamafan. Ive owned a 2003 Liberty 2 slide XLII for about 7 years now. No delamination issues . The Dbl slide is very nice and gives us a lot of room for the kids and the dogs. Storage is plentiful for me, heck its a 45 foot coach. Plenty of places to store your stuff. The ride is so nice and so quiet. Over the road A/C gives me a cool Coach where ever I travel regardless of the temp outside. Currently, Prevost is adding stainless steel strips at the Stainless Panels when they show signs of delamination. A much less expensive alternative and Prevost may pick up some of the cost. I really enjoy the Liberty. They place the Generator on the Drivers 3rd side bay which leaves the first curb side bay on passenger side, available for your storage. Nothing wrong with a Riveted Coach either, just not too many with slides.

[Gil_J]

I was in your shoes not so long ago. I had quad slide 42-foot Beaver Contessa. My wife has always missed the slides. For her, the slides made for more room for the dog and our grandkids had plenty of room for staying over. I do agree that our non slide coach is a coach that sleeps 2, not 6 like the last coach.

I can't say I've lost any staorage space over the last coach. We spent 8+ months on the road last year travelling between FL and AK with no want for more space. We don't have Prevost's OTR air, so we have 2 smaller bays that those with OTR Air don't have.

Our coach is a pre EGR engine and would recommend these pre emmission control engines. FWIW, our 08 CAT powered coach was a 20007+ EPA compliant engine and CAT had problems. Although I think they were eventually resolved, I wasn't driving to AK with that power plant.

Our ideal coach would have one slide. Those are available on older coaches. These slides will not be Prevost slides, but I think most claim them to be reliable.

[Bamafan]

Thanks for the responses. I'm putting ours up for sale this week and we'll just have to see what happens. I can't wait until I'm in a situation to pull the trigger when I find the right one. When that time comes I'll post on here to see if any of you are familiar with the one I'd be looking at.
Dean

[jbchevy3]

Bama,

I have seen no slide buses that are fairly open and roomy, all depends on the layout. I would rather have one of those than any plastic coach made. There is no comparison as far as ride, quietness, and quality of components.
2 slides is more than plenty, plus allows for enough room when traveling to walk through. Most times, if we are stopping in a Wal-mart, or quick overnight, we leave the front slide in and just put out the bedroom slide.

We went from an 06 Country Coach Intrigue quad slide with 19,000 miles, to our '01 double slide with 140,000 miles (with no squeaks or rattles) and have been very satisfied ever since.

Come on in, the water is fine......

[Bamafan]

Jerry,
I really don't think I would miss the slides assuming I find the right layout. I actually look forward to having the openness while traveling down the road. I'm a quality fanatic. To the point of being anal. Can't wait till I can "jump on in" and experience no squeaks or rattles while running down the road.

[Bamafan]

Officially listed our current coach for sale today. If I can get her sold I will begin a diligent search for our first Prevost. Maybe next year we will be able to join you for your rally.