Much to my surprise a good friend sent me an email informing me he's looking at MH's. Since he's never had not been in an RV in his life (outside of touring ours) it was a bit of a shock.Anyway, he has been looking at used...2005 to 2009 coaches and is bouncing around between a Newell, Prevost/Marathon, and Country Coach. He doesn't want to make the big investment in a new one until he tries one for a year of two to see if they enjoy the experience.They want to spend about 4-6 months a year just touring, always staying in resorts for a week or two before moving on.Any thoughts on how these coaches compare. I said they were all nice and he probably couldn't go wrong with any of them. Knowing Jack, he will only shop dealers that handle the line in question.Your comments are appreciated.

bluwtr49 wrote: He doesn't want to make the big investment in a new one until he tries one for a year of two to see if they enjoy the experience.Could you better define 'Big Investment'? For the year range and manufacture I don't think you find something under $400K. Maybe a Country Couch considering thier history. I'm not even sure if Newell, Prevost or Marathon even have dealers. All are in my 'Rock Star' classification and are big, very well appointed and very expensive.

I would tell him to add in Foretravel and not to go into it withthe expectation of getting another one shortly. I would say any of them that has thefloorplan he likes will work. It is very expensive to buy any one them and then sell it if he wants to upgrade. It is hard to upgrade from those brands. The Newell and Prevost are already 45 foot and most will have three or four slides already. If it was me I would look very closely at a 05 or 06 Prevost. They do nto have the tough pollution stuff on it and they are in high demand.

I want to be able to buy an 06 Prevost to drive around to see IF I like the lifestyle...:B:B....any one of the three will do. Marathon is still in business in Coburg....Dennis

We have a 2004 Country Coach and love it. There is a Country Coach yahoo group where he can learn more info about certain models. I'd say Country Coach may be the least expensive of the list but depends on lots of factors. Country Coach is back in business doing service in Oregon. They have plans to build in the future. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Country Coach if it was well cared for. I also agree that he should look at Foretravels. I think there is also a Foretravel group where he could talk to Foretravel owners.

Thanks for the replies. I sent him an email with the info and suggested he add Foretravel to the list as well but I got the impression he was leaning towards a Newell.

Newell, vs. Prevost vs. Country Coach | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

Skid_Row_Joe
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
bluwtr49 wrote:
Thanks all for the replys.

I chatted with him the other day and he is quite excited about his new "adventure" as he calls it. He never brought up the price range and I certainly wouldn't do so as it's his money. However, he did ask what I thought a typical budget would be for operating, maintenance, and etc for 4-5 months of cross county traveling. I tossed out 20 to 30K and perhaps another 10K for new "stuff". He said that was less than his boat so not to bad and also less than staying in hotels.

I has also brought up Foretravel for consideration and he said yes, he did think about them but dropped those from his list. The balance of this year will be spent traveling around looking at coaches with the intent of buying early next year. They would fly out, spend a month wherever they bought it for familiarization, upgrades, stocking with everything necessary, buy a toad and have someone provide instructions on operation and maintenance....than hit the road.

Heck of a plan.

I'd be interested in learning the why of him dropping Foretravel from his list?

Without more information on what he is looking for, and why, it's impossible to know at this point where in coaches he's headed. -Just an observation.

I'm fascinated by what ppl state they are looking for in their RV purchases, especially when they've never owned one.

Please update on this one.......
JTHarley
Explorer
Aug 22, 2013
Mr.Mark wrote:
JTHarley wrote:
He should consider going to the Prevost Community Rally in Branson MO. on October 14 - 19. I will be there with my new to me Prevost and according to the club, there should be about 20 show coaches at the site....all for sale! Tell him to simply bring his check book....LOL

JT, you bought a Prevost? Did you trade the super-duper C?

MM.

Yes, I just bought it today!!! I didn't trade it I sold it outright....as a matter of fact I had a buyer in less than a month with 2 other buyers that gave me deposits in case the deal fell thru. I was SHOCKED at how many people called, and even more shocked that 3 people flew in to look at it. Maybe I had the price too low since there are only 10 of the Ultra's like mine ever built but I know the buyer got a good deal and the quickness of the sale allowed me to move on the right coach.

I absolutely loved my Truck conversion...best coach I've ever owned but my DW just never got used to driving in a truck verses our last class A diesel. I actually brought home the Dynamax on my way back from Florida in 2010 new from the factory. The wife flew home and I left florida with my Vectra and pulled in the driveway with my Dynamax...I was really happy but probably not the best decision I've made in our 32 years of marriage.

Anyway, I gave in and gave my wife 4 coaches (3 prevosts and one foretravel) to go look at. She flew down to Texas and fell in love with the '05 Prevost Royale. Called me from the airport and said she told the sales agent I would be sending a check in 24 hours for the deposit so that is exactly what I did....LOL All is good and balanced again in the world......
RayChez
Explorer
Aug 22, 2013
wny_pat wrote:
RayChez wrote:
J-Rooster wrote:
If I bought a luxury coach DP it would be a CC or TS!

LOL! Rooster those two you mentioned are not even in the same class. Provost and Newell are on a class of their own. Those two are million dollar coaches.
RayChez, your forgetting the Foretravel IH45. It is over a million bucks and giving Newell a run for their money from what I hear.

Never have seen one of them Foretravel IH45 coaches, but I am sure it is a nice one. Foretravel manufactures some great coaches. Just like Bluebird used to manufacturer some great Wanderlodge coaches. I was really impressed with the riveting of the whole super structure, and all the electrical components were extra heavy duty. Reminded me of what I was used to seeing on locomotives where I used to work.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Aug 22, 2013
JTHarley wrote:
He should consider going to the Prevost Community Rally in Branson MO. on October 14 - 19. I will be there with my new to me Prevost and according to the club, there should be about 20 show coaches at the site....all for sale! Tell him to simply bring his check book....LOL

JT, you bought a Prevost? Did you trade the super-duper C?

MM.
JTHarley
Explorer
Aug 22, 2013
He should consider going to the Prevost Community Rally in Branson MO. on October 14 - 19. I will be there with my new to me Prevost and according to the club, there should be about 20 show coaches at the site....all for sale! Tell him to simply bring his check book....LOL
wny_pat1
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
RayChez wrote:
J-Rooster wrote:
If I bought a luxury coach DP it would be a CC or TS!

LOL! Rooster those two you mentioned are not even in the same class. Provost and Newell are on a class of their own. Those two are million dollar coaches.
RayChez, your forgetting the Foretravel IH45. It is over a million bucks and giving Newell a run for their money from what I hear.
JetAonly
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
Well one things for sure, you can't talk people smart. I hope he enjoys it.
racerchaser
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
The 1% just do it differently.
bluwtr49
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2013
Thanks all for the replys.

I chatted with him the other day and he is quite excited about his new "adventure" as he calls it. He never brought up the price range and I certainly wouldn't do so as it's his money. However, he did ask what I thought a typical budget would be for operating, maintenance, and etc for 4-5 months of cross county traveling. I tossed out 20 to 30K and perhaps another 10K for new "stuff". He said that was less than his boat so not to bad and also less than staying in hotels.

I has also brought up Foretravel for consideration and he said yes, he did think about them but dropped those from his list. The balance of this year will be spent traveling around looking at coaches with the intent of buying early next year. They would fly out, spend a month wherever they bought it for familiarization, upgrades, stocking with everything necessary, buy a toad and have someone provide instructions on operation and maintenance....than hit the road.

Heck of a plan.
JTHarley
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
Dale.Traveling wrote:
bluwtr49 wrote:
He doesn't want to make the big investment in a new one until he tries one for a year of two to see if they enjoy the experience.
Could you better define 'Big Investment'? For the year range and manufacture I don't think you find something under $400K. Maybe a Country Couch considering thier history. I'm not even sure if Newell, Prevost or Marathon even have dealers. All are in my 'Rock Star' classification and are big, very well appointed and very expensive.

With the exception being the country coach....an '05-'09 Newell or Prevost will be at the low end ($400K and at the high end$800K+ if it is an '09) Country Coach although nice, is not in the same category as the other two. Now if you are talking about a CC prevost conversion then it would be on the low end.