WE tried to make an impromptu tour of the Newmar Factory. We know there two tours per day, but we could not find parking for visiting motorhome towing a 4 down jeep. The parking for the tours is very small. we didn't fit, (with out unhooking the jeep)It requires about an hours of secondary roads to get from I-80 down to Napanee, just to find no place to park.

That is strange. I thought Newmar would welcome RVers and have sufficient parking for motorhomes. I'm sure they have their reasons. A large parking lot for RV's is probably a big expense.Maybe they only want potential Newmar buyers and not people looking for entertainment?

So why didn't you disconnect the Jeep? I tow a jeep all the time, and takes me about 1 minute to disconnect it. Seems silly to drive an hour to see something and then pass on the visit because you couldn't spare a minute to park!!! Oh, wait, I almost forgot, you have to reconnect it which takes another 1 minute!

larry cad wrote:So why didn't you disconnect the Jeep? I tow a jeep all the time, and takes me about 1 minute to disconnect it. Seems silly to drive an hour to see something and then pass on the visit because you couldn't spare a minute to park!!! Oh, wait, I almost forgot, you have to reconnect it which takes another 1 minute!Or just have asked about the parking. I do business with a firm just down the road, and have been past Newmar's plant twice. Sure seems like they have a lot of vacant paved lot around the entire facility and the other ones directly across the side streets. I'd bet they would have found the OP a place to park if asked?

It’s been a few years but when we toured we called ahead to schedule ( don’t you still need to schedule or call and not just “walk in” ?) that would have been the time to describe the situation and get parking instructions I would think.

That's outrageous I'm crossing them off my list for future purchase. :B

A bit disappointed | Good Sam Community

gbopp
Explorer
Oct 29, 2018
That is strange. I thought Newmar would welcome RVers and have sufficient parking for motorhomes.
I'm sure they have their reasons. A large parking lot for RV's is probably a big expense.
Maybe they only want potential Newmar buyers and not people looking for entertainment?
larry_cad
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2018
So why didn't you disconnect the Jeep? I tow a jeep all the time, and takes me about 1 minute to disconnect it. Seems silly to drive an hour to see something and then pass on the visit because you couldn't spare a minute to park!!! Oh, wait, I almost forgot, you have to reconnect it which takes another 1 minute!
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2018
larry cad wrote:
So why didn't you disconnect the Jeep? I tow a jeep all the time, and takes me about 1 minute to disconnect it. Seems silly to drive an hour to see something and then pass on the visit because you couldn't spare a minute to park!!! Oh, wait, I almost forgot, you have to reconnect it which takes another 1 minute!

Or just have asked about the parking. I do business with a firm just down the road, and have been past Newmar's plant twice. Sure seems like they have a lot of vacant paved lot around the entire facility and the other ones directly across the side streets. I'd bet they would have found the OP a place to park if asked?
jorbill2or
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2018
It’s been a few years but when we toured we called ahead to schedule ( don’t you still need to schedule or call and not just “walk in” ?) that would have been the time to describe the situation and get parking instructions I would think.
mike_brez
Explorer
Oct 29, 2018
That's outrageous I'm crossing them off my list for future purchase. :B
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 29, 2018
I guess the problem is, Newmar, being in Amish/Mennonite country has NO PHONES. So the OP was at a disadvantage since they could not call to inquire about parking and Tours:R Doug

PS, It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to go from 80 to hi-way 6 in Nappanee. Unless you try at rush hour. If coming from Chicago, you get off at South Bend(hiway 31 exit) and take the BYPASS. then take hiway 19 south, very quick and NO secondary roads.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Oct 29, 2018
Well, IF anyone does take the secondary roads, I can certainly understand why it took an hour to drive that distance. Lots of Amish horse and buggies on those roads to slow down and dodge. Not to mention dodging horse poo paddies everywhere. That does require slower driving! It's almost as bad as rush hour in the big cities!
jplante4
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2018
Tough crowd here Tom. I had a similar disappointment on our last trip. We made a jog south to Cape Girardeau MO so I could have a meal at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston (home of the throwed rolls - google it). I had flown out there once but didn't go to Sikeston because a pilot friend invited me to an chili cookoff at Cape G. We drove right by the one in Branson MO because I wanted to go to the original.

So we jump if the toad on a Saturday afternoon figuring on beating the dinner crowd. Wrong. It was an hour and a half wait, which I probably would have done if it wasn't 90° and muggy.

So I took a pic in front of the place, crossed it off the bucket list and had a nice dinner at a Texas Roadhouse.

BTW if this is on anyone else's bucket list, there's an RV park nearby (not sure which one) where Lambert's will come and pick you up and take you in the back door and seat you immediately. Of course, I found this out afterwards. They will do the same if you fly into the Sikeston general aviation airport.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Oct 29, 2018
dougrainer wrote:
I guess the problem is, Newmar, being in Amish/Mennonite country has NO PHONES. So the OP was at a disadvantage since they could not call to inquire about parking and Tours:R Doug

PS, It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to go from 80 to hi-way 6 in Nappanee. Unless you try at rush hour. If coming from Chicago, you get off at South Bend(hiway 31 exit) and take the BYPASS. then take hiway 19 south, very quick and NO secondary roads.

I looked at the Newmar coaches once in Nappanee. I had the salesmen show me a new King Air and I didn't understand the hooks on the front bumper...

So, I asked how big of a fuel tank did it have, he then walked me around the back and opened the rear doors. There must have been 10 bales of hay in there. He said it has 40 horse power, hence, the hooks on the front for the harnesses. :B

MM.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2018
You are welcome to use the service parking lot. Next time call first and they will tell you where you can park. Also no reservation was required when we went.