Greetings from Newell Coach!

As we head into fall, I hope you’re getting a chance to take to the road for some autumn adventures in your Newell. Whether it’s a journey to a favorite destination or a visit to see friends and family, I hope your travels are fun, safe, and rewarding.

This issue of Newell’s News presents information of interest as well as necessity. It provides tips that can help keep your coach generator in shape so it will be ready and able to take you wherever you want to go, any time of year. It also takes a nostalgic look back at the Streamline Travel Home—the luxury coach of its day and Newell’s direct predecessor. But first, I want to tell you about some important changes we’ve recently implemented at Newell.

Process improvements
Over the past year, we’ve been analyzing and improving our processes to achieve higher quality results in our finished product. In order to attain this goal, it isn’t enough to simply inspect the end product. Rather, it’s by ensuring that the correct approaches are used throughout the production process that we can best achieve the outcomes we want.

First focus: exterior paint
Our exterior paint processes were one of the first areas we focused on. Newell V.P. of Manufacturing Chuck Evans and Paint Department Supervisor Jerry Allen managed this project. Working closely with our painting team and a key supplier, they analyzed every aspect of our paint process. Based on what they found, we’ve made several major modifications to our paint materials and procedures that are producing some great results.

Changes for the better
One improvement was the addition of an anti-static pre-wash before painting begins. This keeps surfaces cleaner while they’re being painted and reduces the risk of getting dirt and debris in the finished product. We’re also using new paint guns to apply the primer, paint, and clear coat. Pumps that deliver paint to the guns at a consistent pressure and in a more consistent spray pattern produce a much smoother and more refined finish.

Another change is that we’re transitioning to primers, base coats, and clear coats manufactured by Sikkens—the paint products preferred by Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW. When I asked one of my most knowledgeable contacts why the “Big Three” German luxury car manufacturers all used Sikkens, his answer was short and to the point: “Sikkens is the best.” Our experience thus far confirms this conclusion.

One positive outome of revising our paint materials and processes has been a great improvement in efficiency. For instance, the wait time between some of the painting steps has been nearly eliminated. And because the new materials lay down flatter, rework is reduced.

Thanks to all of these changes, our painting staff is less rushed, our production schedule is more manageable, and your next Newell will have a smoother, glassier exterior than we were able to offer before.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Karl Blade
Newell Coach Corp. President and CEO

The post View from the Corner Office:
Changes Add Sparkle to Newell Exteriors appeared first on Newell Coach.

The Newell Rally in Northern Michigan this past August was a great success! The weather was perfect, and the setting was lovely. But best of all was seeing old friends and meeting new ones. We came, we saw, we ate, we shopped! Good times!

Mark your calendars
It’s not too early to start planning for the Newell Lowcountry Luxury Rally in Hilton Head, South Carolina, May 12-16, 2014.

The post Newell Gallery:
Beautiful Northern Michigan Rally appeared first on Newell Coach.

Welcome to the fall edition of Newell’s News! You can download a pdf of this issue here.

This issue includes practical tips for managing your coach’s electrical loads; a customer profile of renowned restaurateurs and long-time Newell owners, Jim and Barbara Neely; and a photo “album” of our August rally in lovely Northern Michigan.

But I want to open with a few personal observations about how motorcoaching has changed over the last four decades.

In August, my wife Alice and I decided to “enjoy the journey as much as the destination,” and we took our time driving to and from the Newell rally in Michigan. We allowed four days for the 1,100-mile journey there and five days for the trip home. Our relaxed pace brought back fond memories of the 1970′s, when things were simpler, coaches were smaller, and our schedules weren’t so tight.

Motoring in the Pacific Northwest
In the 70′s, we lived in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. The Cascade Mountains, San Juan Islands, and open spaces of Eastern Washington were all within a day’s drive of our home and easy destinations for our frequent weekend outings.

We took those trips in our first motorhome—a 1973 Chinook 2200 on a 454 Chevrolet chassis. All of 22-feet long, the Chinook was primitive by today’s standards. The bathroom, for instance, was an adventure in and of itself. It was not quite as wide as the average human at the hips, so using the commode required leaving the door open to gain some necessary extra space.

The Chinook was the first in a series of motorhomes that went on to include a Beaver Class C, Executive 32, several Blue Bird Wanderlodges, and, finally, our first Newell in 1980.

Lessons Learned
We learned valuable lessons from our early travels, especially in the Chinook. Some highlights:

• Even a powerful 454-cu. in. Chevy V-8 creeps like a slug if several sparkplug wires burn through because they’re routed across red-hot exhaust manifolds. We kept replacing the ignition wires but never thought to reroute them. Go figure!
• Never turn off a mountain highway in a state park onto a narrow dirt road with less than a quarter tank of fuel showing if you don’t know how long the road is or whether there’s a turnaround up ahead.
• Be prepared to tell your pregnant wife at least two or three times that it’s not a good idea for her to exit the motorhome to get her picture taken with a cute, cuddly looking bear at the side of the road.

Change is good!
Nostalgia is sweet. But change has its benefits. The bathroom in our current Newell seems nearly as big as the entire Chinook. Our diesel engine has no spark plug wires. We NEVER turn down a narrow dirt road in a state park—or anywhere else, for that matter. And although Alice still wants her photo ops with wildlife, I’ve given up trying to talk her out of it. After 40+ years of marriage, I’ve learned my limitations.

Enjoy your autumn travels!

Karl Blade
Newell Coach Corp. President and CEO

The post View from the Corner Office:
Appreciating Lessons Learned appeared first on Newell Coach.

If you’re ever driving through Memphis, and you get a hankering for some genuine Southern barbecue, there’s no place that will fulfill that longing better than Jim and Barbara Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Q restaurant. Only a short drive from the freeway, Interstate has been in business for over 20 years, serving up some of the very best barbecue the country has to offer.

The Neely’s, who have also been driving Newell coaches for over 20 years, are vivid examples of the bold, entrepreneurial spirit that is characteristic of so many Newell owners.

There and back again
Born in Memphis, Jim moved to California in 1958. Propelled by a strong, extroverted personality, he pursued a career in life-insurance sales. This eventually took him back to Memphis in 1972, where he developed a chain of successful insurance agencies across the Southeast

Then, in the late 70′s, his life took a new direction.

Another opportunity
In 1979 Jim and Barbara’s son was discharged from the military with a medical disability. To help ease his transition to civilian life, Jim and Barbara purchased a small grocery store for him to run. Jim also sensed another opportunity. The delicious barbecue he remembered from his youth in Memphis had become nearly impossible to find. So in 1980, he added a barbecue pit and seating area to the grocery store.

‘They were wrong’
The store faced considerable challenges. It was located in a tough part of town where violence, drugs, and alcohol abuse were rampant. “Everyone told me I wouldn’t be able to make it,” Jim recalls. “But they were wrong.” Armed with a .38 caliber pistol and a billy club that told the rougher element he meant business, Jim took control of the neighborhood. He bought the lease on the bar next door and closed it. He soon closed the grocery as well and expanded the restaurant from 42 seats to its current capacity of 275. And as the restaurant’s success grew, the neighborhood was transformed. “Now, people come here after church on Sundays,” Jim says with pride.

The restaurant’s success benefitted the Neely family as well, eventually allowing Jim to retire from the insurance business.

‘The best barbecue in the land’
Over the years, Interstate Bar-B-Q has been heaped with accolades and awards. American Way magazine dubbed it “the best barbecue in the land.” People magazine rated it the second-best barbecue in the nation. And in 1995 the Memphis Business Journal named Interstate the Small Business of the Year. The presentation ceremony was bittersweet for Jim. It was held at the Peabody, a Memphis hotel that, when he was a boy in the segregated South, he would not have been allowed to enter.

23 years strong
Jim and Barbara joined the Newell family while attending the Family Motor Coaching Association Convention in Minot, North Dakota, in June 1990. The moment Jim and Barbara walked into the Newell display area, a show coach caught Jim’s eye, and the transaction for the Neely’s new coach was completed on the spot. The relationship that began there has spanned 23 years and several coaches. It continues strong to this day.

The post Customer Profile:
How the Neely’s Brought Bar-B-Q Back to Memphis appeared first on Newell Coach.

Has your Newell ever lost electric power and needed the shore power breakers reset, but you didn’t know why? In this article, I’ll provide some information and tips to help you understand your coach’s electrical system so you can manage its load more effectively.

The two ‘legs’ of your system
When your coach is connected to 50-amp/240-volt shore power, its electrical system has two circuits (“legs”) of 50-amps/120-volts that each feed about half of the coach’s electrical circuits. The two legs provide a total of 100 amps at 120 volts to share among the many loads, including those energy-hungry appliances that make life easier, more fun and more comfortable.

On Newell coaches the largest potential energy consumers are split between the two legs. Typically, the first and third roof air conditioners are on leg #1, and the second and fourth are on leg #2. There’s also an automatic override of the second and fourth air conditioners when the dryer or electric AquaHot mode is being used. So if you can’t get one of the roof air conditioners to start, check your dryer override switch or your electric AquaHot mode switch.

Different power requirements
Unlike resistance-type appliances such as coffeemakers and stove-top burners that use a relatively constant flow of electricity, air conditioners and refrigerator compressors are run by electric motors that require significantly more power when they first start. If several motors sharing the same 50-amp leg attempt to start simultaneously, it can mean “lights-out” and a quick trip to the shore power pedestal outside to reset your breakers.

Power-protection features
Late-model Newell coaches include a Silverleaf galley display that shows your coach’s power loads. They also have a control system that automatically phases-in the starting of your roof-top air conditioners. The system doesn’t detect which appliances you’re using, so it can be overloaded if it tries to start an air conditioner while you’re brewing coffee and frying eggs. But in these situations, electrical breakers within the coach and at the outside power connection provide additional protection for your system.

Monitoring power quality
Newell coaches 388 and later come with a surge-protection system that monitors incoming power quality. If your exterior shore power voltage is too high, too low, or has other undesirable anomalies, the surge protector automatically disconnects your shore power to protect your coach’s electronics. If fluctuating campground voltage is causing ongoing power interruptions, we recommend that you use your generator until the local power supply stabilizes.

Also, if you temporarily need more power, we recommend that you use your generator instead of shore power. Most late-model Newells have a 20,000-watt generator (20KW). The 50-amp shore power pedestal is only 12,000 watts.

When a storm threatens
Another important tip: As soon as you hear thunder or see lightning in the distance, start your generator. Your coach is equipped with the ultimate lighting-strike surge suppressor—an extra-heavy-duty onboard power source. When you start the generator, the coach transfer box automatically disconnects from shore power. This isolates and protects your coach electronics and appliances from any high-voltage spikes the local power grid might experience during a storm.

Happy trails!

John Clark
Newell V.P. of Customer Service

The post Your Electrical System:
Preventing Overload appeared first on Newell Coach.

ALLSTAYS Truck Stops and Travel Plazas
This handy app checks your location and displays the closest truck stops, rest areas, and Wal-Marts and other key locations. You can filter locations by specific type, based on what you want to see on your map (such as truck stops with DEF, Wal-Marts that permit RV parking, low-clearance bridges). You can zoom-in using the hybrid map option and see a satellite view of your intended parking area. Their offline manual comes in handy when you don’t have Wi-Fi or cell service. Cost: $9.99

ALLSTAYS Camp & RV
This app gives you a comprehensive filter that can help you find just the right campground. It helps you find parks that will accommodate your coach, indicates whether they have Wi-Fi, provides campground reviews from previous guests, and much more. Cost: $9.99

Find Near Me
This navigation app helps you find nearby amenities, necessities and conveniences including ATMs, bars, banks, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, movies, taxis, theaters, restaurants, and Wi-Fi spots. You can customize it to find just what you’re looking for in a new city, whether it’s a Mexican restaurant or the nearest hospital with an emergency room. Cost: FREE

My Radar
This app gives you a quick look at the weather that’s approaching your region. Once you start the app, it locates your position and uses animated graphics to illustrate the weather that’s heading your way. It also allows you to search additional locations within the lower 48 states. It includes standard pinch-to-zoom functionality and offers both portrait and landscape orientations. If you’re in a region that’s experiencing serious weather conditions, you can opt for push notifications. Cost: FREE

The Best Road Trip Ever
This fun travel app features almost 10,000 cool and offbeat attractions. You can use it to pinpoint your exact location on the road and check out what’s nearby. With thousands of photos and tons of stories, it’s perfect for anyone who loves to get in the coach and explore! It won’t offer the “typical” spots found on most travel apps such as run-of-the-mill fast-food joints—unless they have something worth seeing—a UFO or giant creature on the roof, for instance. Cost: $0.99

How to Cook Everything: Cooking Basics
How to Cook Everything: Cooking Basics, by New York Times columnist Mark Bittman includes 185 recipes, 1,000 photos, lots of kitchen tips, and audio and video clips. Its simple, straightforward recipes are gorgeously photographed and include intuitive, learn-as-you-go layouts that allow you to pull up “how-to” demos of techniques used in recipes. Cost: $9.99

The post Apps We Love:
Newell’s Recommended Travel Apps appeared first on Newell Coach.

We welcome you to join us in “Low Country” this spring for Newell friends, great food, and lots of fun. The beautiful Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort will be our home base. The resort sits on 50 acres of wooded, manicured grounds and offers full hook-ups, free cable and Wifi, and even bicycle rentals. We’ve planned a week of events that reflect the unique attributes that this area has to offer.

We hope you join us for a fun-filled four days!

This agenda is tentative. Times and activities may vary slightly.

Deadline to register is April 11, 2014

Pricing:
Coach and 2 people: $2,100
Coach and 1 Person: $1,175
Each additional guest: $925

For questions or to register, call Becky at (888) 363-9355 extension 209 or email BeckyD@NewellCoach.com.

The post Register Now for the Hilton Head Rally, May 12-16, 2014 appeared first on Newell Coach.

Warmest greetings from Newell! We hope that as the winter recedes and the days lengthen, you and yours are happy, healthy, and content.

I’d like to open this issue by sharing my observations about some changes unfolding at Newell, and what they mean—to me, to the company, and to you.

The structure of change

Over the past few years, we’ve been establishing a structure that will support Newell as Alice and I reduce our activities and eventually retire. We both still enjoy our roles at Newell immensely. But reality dictates that we plan for the transition that is inevitable, whether it takes months or years to complete.

Sales management

Several years ago, our son-in-law, Pat Dwyer, became Newell’s general sales manager. Pat brings to the role considerable knowledge about Newell, as well as keen instincts when it comes to selling our product and working with customers. His assumption of the sales department allowed me to start dialing back a bit. Pat is a very much appreciated member of both our family and the team.

General management

While I’ve continued overseeing Newell’s operations and administrative functions, I’ve also been searching for the right person to succeed me in this role. It requires someone who can provide oversight of the entire operation and maintain the company’s strategic direction consistently across departments.

A great opportunity arose when Grant Kernan, the president of a large, local manufacturing company, was asked by his employer to relocate to Kansas. Grant has just the experience, skills, and strategic vision I’ve been looking for. So when we learned that he and his wife Amber, an experienced interior designer, didn’t want to uproot their family and leave the area, we immediately invited him to become Newell’s general manager. He accepted and joined Newell in August of 2012. Since then, Grant has become an increasingly valuable general manager, working alongside me to learn all the nuances of Newell’s operations. Grant’s wife Amber has joined our interior design department, working with Pat’s wife and our daughter Becky Dwyer, and Kathy Prince. Amber’s new approaches and fresh ideas are already generating excitement with our customers.

Production and engineering management

We have also undergone some changes in our production and engineering operations. Chuck Evans became our V.P. of Manufacturing when Scott Lawson left to pursue another opportunity last year. And James Neatherry became V.P. of Engineering when Boyd Vanover retired after 40+ years at Newell. Chuck and James are both great additions to the Newell leadership team.

Positive results

These changes are already having a positive impact. We’ve intensified our focus on customer satisfaction in all areas of the business. And a review and revision of our manufacturing practices has improved our effectiveness and efficiency. The process is still underway.

Looking forward

It is my deepest sense that, with this team of talented new managers in place, Newell is perfectly positioned for the future. I’m confident that your experiences with Newell will be enhanced and enriched by the fresh vision and new approaches that are emerging as this transition continues to unfold.

Karl Blade
Newell Coach Corp. President and CEO

The post View from the Corner Office:
Change Happens… And It’s Good! appeared first on Newell Coach.

Below are a couple of great recipes we’ve enjoyed while traveling. We thought you might enjoy them, too. They’re delicious, easy, and very “coach friendly.” Bon appetit!

Easiest White Bean Chicken Chili

We love a good recipe that uses only one pot and satisfies the appetites of hungry travelers. This delicious chili fills the bill and is a cinch to make. Plus, cleanup is super easy.

Ingredients

• One 32-oz. box chicken stock
• Three 14.5-oz. cans white beans (undrained)
• 5 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or broiled)
• One 16-oz. jar of your favorite salsa
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small can chopped jalepeño peppers (optional, for heat)
• Black or white pepper to taste
• ½ cup finely crushed corn chips (optional, for thicker chili)
• Garnishes: Sour cream, cilantro, extra grated cheese, avocado, additional crushed corn chips

Directions
Place all ingredients except corn chips and garnishes into a pot and cook over medium heat until cheese is well incorporated and beans have softened. Then add finely crushed corn chips and let simmer for 10 minutes to thicken. Spoon into bowls, garnish and serve—or let guests select their own garnishes. Note: This recipe does well in a crock pot.

Never-fail Grilled Hot Wings

This is our “go to” recipe when we get a craving for hot wings on the road. They’re so easy—and always a hit with guests.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. chicken wing drummettes (the meaty portion of the wing)
• One 16-oz. bottle of Wishbone Italian salad dressing
• One 12-oz. bottle of Frank’s Red Hot sauce
• 1 small bottle of a habanero hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
• Fresh jalepeños, sliced in half, lengthwise
• Dipping sauce: Ranch or blue cheese dressing

Directions
Place all ingredients except dipping sauce into an extra-large zip-lock bag. Seal and mix well. Let drummettes marinate for several days—three is perfect. When ready to grill, drain marinade and place drummettes and peppers on a tray and grill until cooked through. Serve with dipping sauce.

Send us your road trip recipes!

Do you have a few favorite “road-tested recipes” you’d like to share? If so, please email them to beckyd@newellcoach.com.

The post Recipes for the Road:
Easy Dishes for Hungry Travelers appeared first on Newell Coach.

I can’t help but wince when Newell owners tell me they’ve had their coach serviced at their local equivalent of Dirty Dan’s Quick Lube and Truck Wash.

We can’t emphasize enough the importance of having your Newell coach serviced regularly at the Newell plant or a Newell-preferred service center.

There are good reasons for this.

Why “Newell-preferred” matters

It takes special knowledge and experience to perform the routine inspections and maintenance your Newell coach requires. For instance, I seriously doubt Dirty Dan would know that late-model Newells have 22-plus filters that require regular inspection, cleaning, and replacement. Nor would I expect him to know all the grease points on a ZF suspension system or how to lubricate a ZF release fork. I don’t point this out to put Dan down. These just aren’t the things he needs to know in a shop that deals primarily with simple engine lubrication issues.

At the Newell Service Department, hardly any of the issues we encounter are simple. We deal regularly with specialized problems, such as air conditioners and heaters that aren’t working, water pressure that’s too low, domestic hot water that’s insufficient, and inverters that have failed.

In fact, where inverters are concerned, some might think that performing annual preventative maintenance on them is excessive. But this is what the Outback inverters on most late model Newells require. A failure that results from not servicing your inverters’ dust-clogged filters could cost you around $6,000 in parts and labor. The real costs are even higher when you factor in the spoiled meat in the freezer and the disappointment on your better-half’s face.

When maintenance becomes an emergency

Failing to perform routine maintenance can eventually require emergency maintenance. And you can bet this will happen when you least expect or want it to—while you’re crossing the desert, or you’re on the first day of a long-overdue vacation. Not only can this throw a monkey wrench into your plans, but it can be expensive. An old Fram oil filter commercial used to end with the slogan “Pay me now, or pay me later!” But it would be more accurate to say “Pay me now, or pay me much more later!”

The moral of the story…

The bottom line: Have your coach serviced regularly at the Newell plant or at a Newell-preferred facility where they know what they’re doing!

• For a list of Newell-preferred service centers, go to:
  http://www.newellcoach.com/preferred-service-centers/.
  IMPORTANT: If you’re obtaining services covered under your Newell warranty, have the service facility contact us before they start the repairs.
• For EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE from a Newell service technician day or night, call the Newell 24/7 Service Hotline: 1-888-3Newell (1-888-363-9355).
• If you have any questions about where, when, or how to have your Newell serviced, call the Newell Service Department at 1-888-363-9355.

Wishing you safe and happy travels!

John Clark
Newell V.P. of Customer Service

The post Protecting Your Investment:
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance appeared first on Newell Coach.

Our featured coaches this month are perfect examples of how Newell continues to raise the bar on luxury and quality.

Like all Newells, both coaches are powered and controlled by the 600-hp Cummins engine, ZF active suspension, Newell’s StabilRide™ ride control, and EasiSteer™ power steering. So not only are these coaches packed with power, but they offer the highest levels of performance, handling, and maneuverability in the industry.

Coach 1502: Sleek sophistication

Coach 1502 is equipped with top-of-the-line AV components, including an extra flat-screen TV in the bay for outdoor entertaining. The full home-automation package is controlled by Newell’s customized Crestron iPad application.

The interior features a graceful “arch design” ceiling and suede, glazed linen, and metallic leather details. The wood-grain tile floor inlaid with marble extends throught eh salon and galley. The half bath gleams with slate-and-glass mosaic tile and metal accents. And the full bath includes stylish, polished-stone mosaic tile on all three shower walls.

Coach 1504: High drama

Coach 1504 is a statement in boldness, from its high-contrast exterior to its dramatic, customized interior. Its staggered-limestone flooring runs from the salon through the master bedroom. The galley features shattered-glass mosaic tile with stainless trim and an under-lit countertop. The under-lit, semi-recessed glass sink in the master vanity gives the area a warm glow.

The post Featured Coaches 1502 & 1504:
Raising the Bar on Luxury and Quality appeared first on Newell Coach.

In response to a robust increase in sales since the start of 2014, Newell Coach is increasing production levels of new coaches for the first time since 2008.

Miami, OK (PRWEB) April 1, 2014

Newell Coach Corporation, the market leader in ultra-luxury motorcoaches, announced that in response to an increase in customer demand, it is boosting production levels of new coaches for the first time since 2008.

Newell has maintained a production of 24 coaches annually for the past five years. Over the past six months, however, sales have gradually increased, with sales in January and February nearly doubling the monthly average in recent years. The positive trend has continued into March. As a result, beginning April 1, 2014, Newell will increase production to 26 coaches per year. If this trend continues, production will increase incrementally to an annual rate of 30 new units in 2015—a 25 percent increase.

“January, February, and March this year have been very exciting for Newell, both in terms of new coach orders and in the sales of new and pre-owned coaches,” said Newell Coach President and CEO, Karl Blade. “Our backlog has continued to strengthen. Expanding our production capacity on a carefully planned, incremental basis will support the strong trend in new coach sales and ensure that we can satisfy the increase in demand.”

Although most of Newell’s production is dedicated to custom-ordered coaches, the company also produces a limited number of show coaches annually, both for display and to provide immediate delivery for customers not requiring a custom-built coach. “For the first time in many years, we’re selling many of our show coaches before they get through production,” said Blade.” That’s a great sign and indicates that we need to increase our production of these coaches.”

“We’re finally seeing significant recovery from the Great Recession that has impacted our market since 2008,” Blade continued. “One of the positive outcomes of these otherwise disruptive events has been that Newell has more than tripled our market share among ultra-luxury motorhomes and is now the sales leader among this exclusive group. The current trends are positive, and we feel optimistic about the future. Our plans and actions reflect these improving economic conditions.”

ABOUT NEWELL COACH
Newell Coach Corporation is the leading designer and manufacturer of custom luxury motor coaches. Newell coaches feature state-of-the-art design and top-quality materials, custom furnishings and appliances, and full-time customer service and support. Based in Miami, Oklahoma, Newell has been manufacturing custom coaches since 1967.

For more information, email sales@newellcoach.com, or call us toll-free at: 1-888-363-9355.

The post Upsurge in Newell Coach Sales Fuels Production Increase appeared first on Newell Coach.

We’re constantly adding and improving features to optimize the enjoyment and ease of owning and driving a Newell. Below is a summary of some of our newest features and improvements.

 Fuel-door Camera Makes Fueling Easier

Have you ever pulled into a fuel station and struggled to line up your fuel bay with the pump? This simple, smart feature includes a small camera located just above the fuel fill door. With just the push of a button, you can view your alignment on your in-cab monitor. Standard beginning with coach 1509.

Connectivity from Your Coach’s Wireless Network

You can now check your email and browse the Internet directly from any of your coach’s iPads. The latest version of our innovative iPad coach-management system gives you integrated Internet connectivity directly from your coach’s built-in wireless network. Requires a third-party air card and service activation.

More Legroom for the Driver

The pilot area has been re-engineered to give the driver an additional three inches of leg room. Three extra inches might not seem like much, but it’s a great benefit for taller drivers and on longer drives. Standard beginning with coach 1509.

Fuel up from Either Side of Your Coach

You can now gas up from either side of your coach—thanks to our reconfigured fuel tank and battery bank. Standard beginning with coach 1523.

New Platinum Audio System Makes Your Sound Golden

The new Platinum audio system upgrades our in-dash audio to a 400-watt amp with seven speakers and a 10” subwoofer. The system mates with our Bluetooth-compatible Rosen in-dash AM/FM/satellite receiver to connect with your iPhone, iPad, or MP3 device; also includes GPS navigation.

Climate Control from the Driver’s Seat

Our handy instrument-panel HVAC control feature allows you to control your coach’s heating and air-conditioning system from the pilot’s seat. This feature is standard on new coaches beginning with 1511, but can be retrofitted on many earlier models. Call us at 1-888-363-9355 for details.

For more information about these features, call us at: 1-888-363-9355.

The post New Newell Features: Perfection Is In The Details appeared first on Newell Coach.

Newell’s current summer specials make this the perfect time to give your coach a fresh, new look and add updates that improve its handling and performance.

Get 30% OFF Labor on Qualified* Renovations Through Sept. 30

Save when you update from carpet to wood floors, replace worn upholstery, or remodel your coach cabinets. All work is done here at Newell, so you’re guaranteed the same high quality you’ve come to expect from us.

*30% discount applies to the following:

• Cost of labor for new flooring, upholstery replacement, and cabinet modification.
• Work scheduled to begin no later than September 30, 2014.

NOTE: Work is by appointment and subject to service department scheduling. Discounts apply only to renovations as described above, and do not apply to mechanical, electrical, scheduled preventative maintenance, paint, or any other services.

Call today to schedule your update: 1-888-3NEWELL (1-888-363-9355).

Front-tire Upgrade Improves Comfort and Performance

When you replace your steer-axle 315/80R22.5 tires with the 365/R70R22.5, the new tires will operate at lower inflation pressures and deliver improved ride, reliability, and durability. At freeway speeds on hot summer days, the 365 runs 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the 315. (The 365 tires on the steer-axle are standard on most Newell coaches 1230 and later.)

Package price ranges from $4,900 to $10,400, depending on your coach’s suspension and body configuration. For an exact price quote, contact the Newell Service Center at: 1-888-3NEWELL (1-888-363-9355).

SAVE $400 on Road King Shocks Ordered by Sept. 30

Retrofitting new, larger Road King shock absorbers improves the comfort and control of Newell coaches equipped with the ZF suspension that was manufactured before the current ZF active suspension was introduced. This update pertains to coaches 671, 681-685, and 697-1457.

• Reduced price if ordered by September 30, 2014: $4,995, parts and labor (tax not included).
• Regular package price: $5,400, parts and labor (tax not included).

Easier Driving with EasiSteer™

Newell’s computer-controlled EasiSteer™ electronic steering adjusts continuously to road conditions, reduces steering effort, and improves precision and straight-line stability. This makes driving easier—even in challenging conditions.

• Package price on selected coaches: From $6,200, parts and labor (tax not included). Contact your Newell service advisor to determine whether this update applies to your coach.

For more information, or to schedule your update, call: 1-888-3NEWELL (1-888-363-9355).

The post Newell Summer Specials: Update Your Coach…And Save! appeared first on Newell Coach.

Newell Coach has hired former Mercedes-Benz dealership service director, Todd Dills, as its new V.P. of Customer Service. He is filling the position created by the retirement of John Clark, who led Newell’s Customer Service team for 11 years.

Newell Coach Corporation is pleased to announce the hiring of Todd Dills as its new V.P. of Customer Service. Todd joins Newell after 22 years leading the high-volume service center at Mercedes-Benz of Plano, Texas, where he oversaw a service staff of 95 and managed a service center with 55 service bays.

A native of Durant, Oklahoma, Todd started his career at Fred Jones Lincoln Mercury in Oklahoma City before moving to Plano to assume his role at Mercedes-Benz. Todd and his wife, Sundy, will be re-locating to the Miami, Oklahoma, area with their six children.

“Todd brings to Newell a wealth of experience leading a luxury automotive service center,” said Newell Coach General Manager, Grant Kernan. “We’re excited to see how he will take our service center to new levels of success and customer satisfaction. We’re confident that customers will enjoy getting to know Todd when they visit our facility.”

Todd is filling the position created by the retirement of John Clark, who led Newell’s customer service team for the last 11 years. “John was instrumental in developing the sterling reputation of our service and support over the last decade,” said Newell President and CEO, Karl Blade. “John and his wife, Vicky, have been and will continue to be an important part of the extended Newell family. We wish them all the best.”

ABOUT NEWELL COACH
Newell Coach Corporation is the leading designer and manufacturer of custom luxury motor coaches. Newell coaches feature state-of-the-art design and top-quality materials, custom furnishings and appliances, and full-time customer service and support. Based in Miami, Oklahoma, Newell has been manufacturing custom coaches since 1967.

For more information, visit http://www.newellcoach.com, or call us at 1-888-3NEWELL (1-888-363-9355).

The post Newell Coach Hires Todd Dills as V.P. of Customer Service; John Clark Retires After 11 Years at Newell appeared first on Newell Coach.

Below are a couple of great recipes we’ve enjoyed while traveling. We thought you might enjoy them, too. They’re delicious, easy, and very “coach friendly.” Bon appetit!

Easiest White Bean Chicken Chili

We love a good recipe that uses only one pot and satisfies the appetites of hungry travelers. This delicious chili fills the bill and is a cinch to make. Plus, cleanup is super easy.

Ingredients

• One 32-oz. box chicken stock
• Three 14.5-oz. cans white beans (undrained)
• 5 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or broiled)
• One 16-oz. jar of your favorite salsa
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small can chopped jalepeño peppers (optional, for heat)
• Black or white pepper to taste
• ½ cup finely crushed corn chips (optional, for thicker chili)
• Garnishes: Sour cream, cilantro, extra grated cheese, avocado, additional crushed corn chips

Directions
Place all ingredients except corn chips and garnishes into a pot and cook over medium heat until cheese is well incorporated and beans have softened. Then add finely crushed corn chips and let simmer for 10 minutes to thicken. Spoon into bowls, garnish and serve—or let guests select their own garnishes. Note: This recipe does well in a crock pot.

Never-fail Grilled Hot Wings

This is our “go to” recipe when we get a craving for hot wings on the road. They’re so easy—and always a hit with guests.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. chicken wing drummettes (the meaty portion of the wing)
• One 16-oz. bottle of Wishbone Italian salad dressing
• One 12-oz. bottle of Frank’s Red Hot sauce
• 1 small bottle of a habanero hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
• Fresh jalepeños, sliced in half, lengthwise
• Dipping sauce: Ranch or blue cheese dressing

Directions
Place all ingredients except dipping sauce into an extra-large zip-lock bag. Seal and mix well. Let drummettes marinate for several days—three is perfect. When ready to grill, drain marinade and place drummettes and peppers on a tray and grill until cooked through. Serve with dipping sauce.

Send us your road trip recipes!

Do you have a few favorite “road-tested recipes” you’d like to share? If so, please email them to beckyd@newellcoach.com.

The post Recipes for the Road:
Easy Dishes for Hungry Travelers appeared first on Newell Coach.

I can’t help but wince when Newell owners tell me they’ve had their coach serviced at their local equivalent of Dirty Dan’s Quick Lube and Truck Wash.

We can’t emphasize enough the importance of having your Newell coach serviced regularly at the Newell plant or a Newell-preferred service center.

There are good reasons for this.

Why “Newell-preferred” matters

It takes special knowledge and experience to perform the routine inspections and maintenance your Newell coach requires. For instance, I seriously doubt Dirty Dan would know that late-model Newells have 22-plus filters that require regular inspection, cleaning, and replacement. Nor would I expect him to know all the grease points on a ZF suspension system or how to lubricate a ZF release fork. I don’t point this out to put Dan down. These just aren’t the things he needs to know in a shop that deals primarily with simple engine lubrication issues.

At the Newell Service Department, hardly any of the issues we encounter are simple. We deal regularly with specialized problems, such as air conditioners and heaters that aren’t working, water pressure that’s too low, domestic hot water that’s insufficient, and inverters that have failed.

In fact, where inverters are concerned, some might think that performing annual preventative maintenance on them is excessive. But this is what the Outback inverters on most late model Newells require. A failure that results from not servicing your inverters’ dust-clogged filters could cost you around $6,000 in parts and labor. The real costs are even higher when you factor in the spoiled meat in the freezer and the disappointment on your better-half’s face.

When maintenance becomes an emergency

Failing to perform routine maintenance can eventually require emergency maintenance. And you can bet this will happen when you least expect or want it to—while you’re crossing the desert, or you’re on the first day of a long-overdue vacation. Not only can this throw a monkey wrench into your plans, but it can be expensive. An old Fram oil filter commercial used to end with the slogan “Pay me now, or pay me later!” But it would be more accurate to say “Pay me now, or pay me much more later!”

The moral of the story…

The bottom line: Have your coach serviced regularly at the Newell plant or at a Newell-preferred facility where they know what they’re doing!

• For a list of Newell-preferred service centers, go to:
  http://www.newellcoach.com/preferred-service-centers/.
  IMPORTANT: If you’re obtaining services covered under your Newell warranty, have the service facility contact us before they start the repairs.
• For EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE from a Newell service technician day or night, call the Newell 24/7 Service Hotline: 1-888-3Newell (1-888-363-9355).
• If you have any questions about where, when, or how to have your Newell serviced, call the Newell Service Department at 1-888-363-9355.

Wishing you safe and happy travels!

John Clark
Newell V.P. of Customer Service

The post Protecting Your Investment:
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance appeared first on Newell Coach.

Our featured coaches this month are perfect examples of how Newell continues to raise the bar on luxury and quality.

Like all Newells, both coaches are powered and controlled by the 600-hp Cummins engine, ZF active suspension, Newell’s StabilRide™ ride control, and EasiSteer™ power steering. So not only are these coaches packed with power, but they offer the highest levels of performance, handling, and maneuverability in the industry.

Coach 1502: Sleek sophistication

Coach 1502 is equipped with top-of-the-line AV components, including an extra flat-screen TV in the bay for outdoor entertaining. The full home-automation package is controlled by Newell’s customized Crestron iPad application.

The interior features a graceful “arch design” ceiling and suede, glazed linen, and metallic leather details. The wood-grain tile floor inlaid with marble extends throught eh salon and galley. The half bath gleams with slate-and-glass mosaic tile and metal accents. And the full bath includes stylish, polished-stone mosaic tile on all three shower walls.

Coach 1504: High drama

Coach 1504 is a statement in boldness, from its high-contrast exterior to its dramatic, customized interior. Its staggered-limestone flooring runs from the salon through the master bedroom. The galley features shattered-glass mosaic tile with stainless trim and an under-lit countertop. The under-lit, semi-recessed glass sink in the master vanity gives the area a warm glow.

The post Featured Coaches 1502 & 1504:
Raising the Bar on Luxury and Quality appeared first on Newell Coach.

In response to a robust increase in sales since the start of 2014, Newell Coach is increasing production levels of new coaches for the first time since 2008.

Newell has maintained a production of 24 coaches annually for the past five years. Over the past six months, however, sales have gradually increased, with sales in January and February nearly doubling the monthly average in recent years. The positive trend has continued into March. As a result, beginning April 1, 2014, Newell will increase production to 26 coaches per year. If this trend continues, production will increase incrementally to an annual rate of 30 new units in 2015—a 25 percent increase.

“January, February, and March this year have been very exciting for Newell, both in terms of new coach orders and in the sales of new and pre-owned coaches,” said Newell Coach President and CEO, Karl Blade. “Our backlog has continued to strengthen. Expanding our production capacity on a carefully planned, incremental basis will support the strong trend in new coach sales and ensure that we can satisfy the increase in demand.”

Although most of Newell’s production is dedicated to custom-ordered coaches, the company also produces a limited number of show coaches annually, both for display and to provide immediate delivery for customers not requiring a custom-built coach. “For the first time in many years, we’re selling many of our show coaches before they get through production,” said Blade.” That’s a great sign and indicates that we need to increase our production of these coaches.”

“We’re finally seeing significant recovery from the Great Recession that has impacted our market since 2008,” Blade continued. “One of the positive outcomes of these otherwise disruptive events has been that Newell has more than tripled our market share among ultra-luxury motorhomes and is now the sales leader among this exclusive group. The current trends are positive, and we feel optimistic about the future. Our plans and actions reflect these improving economic conditions.”

ABOUT NEWELL COACH
Newell Coach Corporation is the leading designer and manufacturer of custom luxury motor coaches. Newell coaches feature state-of-the-art design and top-quality materials, custom furnishings and appliances, and full-time customer service and support. Based in Miami, Oklahoma, Newell has been manufacturing custom coaches since 1967.

For more information, email sales@newellcoach.com, or call us toll-free at: 1-888-363-9355.

The post Upsurge in Newell Coach Sales Fuels Production Increase appeared first on Newell Coach.

Greetings from Newell!

This issue of Newell’s News includes information about some great new features and service specials, a profile of longtime Newell customer Don Freymiller, and a preview of our upcoming autumn rally in Boothbay, Maine.

You can download a pdf of the newsletter here.

But first I’d like to share some thoughts on the role innovation has played both in my own life and at Newell Coach.

Up close and personal

Innovation is certainly central to much of what we do here atNewell. So it perhaps comes as no surprise that an interest in automotive innovation is part of my own DNA.

I’ve had a passion for all things automotive for as long as I can remember. My dad was a small-town Chevrolet dealer, so my relationship with cars was daily, up close, and personal.

During the ‘50s and ‘60s—my coming-of-age years—exciting automotive innovations were emerging year after year. I vividly recall being on the front lines every October, faithfully making the rounds of all the car showrooms in town as the new models arrived.

Remember the 1955 Chevrolet? With its sharp angles and sleek lines, it was revolutionary compared to what had come before. There was the beautifully styled 1956 Lincoln and the 1957 Chrysler with its amazing tailfins. The classically handsome 1963 Buick Riviera. And the futuristic 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. With its peaked fenders, long nose, and short, bobbed “split-window” tail, it was the perfect car for cruising the New Frontier.

I loved all of these cars. I also understood that it was the daring leap to something new that made each one a standout.

L.K. Newell’s industry firsts

Newell Coach founder, Louis K. Newell, was certainly no stranger to daring leaps; he was an innovator to the nth degree.

Within three years of acquiring Newell in 1967, L.K. produced his own rear-engine chassis—an industry first. The next year, he was first to replace the gas engine with a diesel. He went on to add air-ride, air brakes, and 40-foot exterior lengths to his motorhomes. In the early 1970s, Newell was the only manufacturer to do so.

New ideas, bold solutions

When Alice and I came to Newell in 1979, we embraced its innovative culture. In the years since, we’ve continued to seek out and encourage new ideas and bold solutions, and have managed to foster a few daring leaps of our own. Innovations we’ve witnessed at Newell include:

• An increase in power from 225 bhp (the Cummins 555) in 1979 to the 600 bhp (the Cummins ISX15) of today.
• The first slide-out rooms in the ultra-luxury coach industry. The Valid electric-powered, flat-floor slide we use today is leading-edge technology.
• The addition of EasiSteer™ electronic assist, ZF active suspension, and our steering tag axle—all customer favorites that you won’t find in any competitor’s product.

Our innovations in coach design, engineering, and technology are some of the things customers say they enjoy most about owning a Newell. And of course we’re very proud of this legacy. But even more than that, we’re intrigued to see what will be next.

Enjoy your summer!

President and CEO
Newell Coach Corp.

The post View from the Corner Office: Innovation at Newell appeared first on Newell Coach.