Take the

with you.GOOD LIFE

NEWELL’S NEWSSpring 2013

View from the Corner OfficeHOW ALICE GOT AWAY WITH IT ! OR WHEN DO YOU NEED A CDL?

In This Issue...HOW TO PREVENT ‘HOT WHEELS’ 3

NEWELL GALLERY 4

PROFILE: CHUCK EVANS 6

CUSTOMER PROFILE: HARRY HASTINGS, JR . 7

Rereading an article from the October 1993 issue of Newell’s News reminded me that Alice (my wife) once talked her way out of being issued a couple of hefty traffic citations, one of which pertained to an ongoing issue for Newell owners: How do you avoid being required to carry a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)? The story sheds some light on the subject and reveals how my own perspective has changed.

Here’s the 1993 article (slightly revised):

As Alice was driving a show coach home to Miami,

Oklahoma, from a Newell rally in Winthrop, Washington, she

was pulled over by a South Dakota State Trooper. First he

commented on her speed—clocked at a cool 82 mph on

his radar. Next, he asked Alice the weight of the coach. She

didn’t know, but together they located the GVWR plate on

the coach specifying its weight rating was 45,000 pounds.

The officer then pointed out the fine print on the back of

Alice’s driver’s license. It indicated that she was not licensed

to drive any vehicle over 26,000 pounds.

He gave Alice a stern lecture directing her to obtain a

CDL upon her return home, and sent her on her way—

without issuing a ticket either for a lack of proper license or

speeding. This outcome is mysterious only if you don’t know

Alice. Her engaging ways and “control skills” are legendary.

The officer probably never had a chance.

But he was wrong that she needed a CDL. Oklahoma, like

virtually every other state, exempts motorhomes from the

26,000-pound threshold to require a CDL. But there’s not

enough room on the back of a driver’s license to print all of

the details of the state law.

We recommend that you verify your state laws

concerning CDLs.

But wait, she DID need a CDL!

That was 20 years ago! And with age comes wisdom, right? I now know that my opinion that Alice didn’t need a CDL was wrong. Here’s why…

Commercial vs. private use

Operating a large motorhome for private use is exempt from the CDL requirement. If the use is commercial, however, a CDL is required. In Alice’s case, the officer was right that she needed a CDL, but wrong that the weight of the vehicle was the determining factor. Alice was driving a vehicle with “commercial” dealer plates, and she was doing so as an employee of the company. Both indicate commercial use, so a CDL was actually required.

Since few of us share Alice’s negotiating skills when confronted by an officer of the law whose lights are flashing, it’s well worth knowing how to avoid situations that would require a CDL. So we still recommend that you check your own state’s laws about CDLs.

As for how to get off scot-free after being caught doing 82 mph? You’ll have to ask Alice about that. Or bring her along as your driver.

Happy spring!

Karl BladeNewell Coach Corp. President and CEO

Volume 34, Issue 2

How to Prevent ‘Hot Wheels’5 T IPS TO KEEP YOUR COOL ON STEEP ROADS

A distressed driver recently called to report that smoke was pouring from his Newell’s wheel wells. Descending a long grade had given his coach a bad—but avoidable—case of “hot wheels.” His wheels weren’t ruined. But they could have been. Following the tips below will help prevent hot wheels and will also help ensure that your trip down a mountain is as safe and pleasurable as the trip up!

1. Use your Jacobs engine brake (“Jake”) as much as possible. The Jake brake is controlled by the OFF/ON and HIGH/LOW switches located on the driver-side arm panel. The OFF/ON must be ON for the Jake to work. It then works automatically when the throttle is lifted. The exhaust valves in the engine cylinders stay closed after the compression cycle, and the air compression in the cylinders slows the vehicle.

2. To maximize your engine’s braking power, turn the Jake ON and the HIGH/LOW switch to HIGH. This engages all six cylinders. If this slows you too much, switch to LOW, and your Jake will work on four cylinders instead of six.

3. Even with the engine brake working and both switches on, you might need to downshift on steep grades. Start your descent in the gear you used to climb the hill, then fine-tune your gear and engine-brake selection based on how well the engine brake is holding your descent speed. If you select a gear that allows you to adjust your speed by switching between the HIGH and LOW engine-brake positions, you will rarely, if ever, need to use your air brakes during a descent.

If you select a gear that allows you to adjust your speed by switching between the high and low engine-brake positions, you will rarely, if ever, need to use your air brakes during a descent.”

NOTE: When you downshift to increase engine braking, don’t worry about over-revving the engine. The transmission automatically upshifts at approximately 2,400 RPM.

4. If you must use your air brakes, DON’T pump them or apply steady pressure during a descent. Instead, apply your brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown. When you’ve slowed to about 5 mph below your safe speed, release the brakes. If you’re in the correct gear, this should last for about three seconds. When you’ve accelerated again to your safe speed, repeat the process. If you must do this more than twice per minute, downshift to slow down. (See Tip 3.) Again, don’t worry about over-revving the engine. The transmission automatically upshifts at about 2,400 RPM.

5. If you’ve used your air brakes during a descent, and they’re “smokin’ hot,” DON’T immediately park at the bottom of the grade. Doing so can damage your wheels, rotors and pads. Instead, drive on for a few miles so air keeps flowing over the wheels, rotors and pads and allows the brakes to cool.

NOTE: If the Alcoa label near the outside rim of your stock aluminum wheels has blackened or blistered, or the blue dot on the label has turned to a reddish color, your wheels may have overheated. We recommend that you have the wheels and brakes inspected by a professional.

Happy driving!

John ClarkNewell V.P. of Customer Service

SNOWBIRDS IN WINTER

Newell Gallery

Newell Snowbirds are an exotic lot whose range extends into California and Florida when the days shorten and temperatures in more northern latitudes drop.

They can be found roosting together at luxurious motorcoach resorts throughout Southern California and Florida, where they often eat, golf and socialize in small to medium-sized flocks. You can recognize them by their relaxed expressions, mid-winter tans, and the thoroughness with which they enjoy their ease and the company of friends and family.

Newell friends and family gather at Desert Shores Motorcoach Resort to enjoy an evening together.

Golf, boating and stunning scenery are all part of winter living at the Motorcoach Country Club near Palm Springs.

The rugged San Jacinto Mountains overlook the Palm Springs area’s Motorcoach Country Club, a motorcoach-exclusive resort popular with Newell Snowbirds.

Profile: Chuck Evans, Newell V.P. of Manufacturing‘EXCITED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT’

As V.P. of Manufacturing, Chuck Evans—who joined Newell in August of 2012—heads up Newell’s production team. This is no small feat! After Newell engineers have helped the client create their dream coach on paper, Chuck oversees all aspects of the coach’s creation—from the welding of its chassis through the delivery of the coach some five months later. Chuck’s

coordination of 12 work stations and over 100 highly specialized craftspeople requires great skill and a thorough understanding of what it takes to keep teams working together efficiently, productively and harmoniously.

Fast facts

• Born and raised in Tulsa, OK.

• Took undergraduate courses in business administration at Tulsa Community College.

• Certified as a mediator by the Oklahoma State Supreme Court through the Tulsa Municipal Court Early Settlement Division. Conducted mediations for Tulsa Municipal Court.

• Certified in Emotional Intelligence training/consulting.

• Lives near Joplin, MO, with wife Gretchen. Grown children Charles, Charity, and Erinn live in Springfield, MO; Tulsa, OK; and Republic of Ghana, West Africa; respectively.

Training, coaching, leadership development

Chuck’s strengths include extensive experience in manufacturing and systems development. He also has a passion for helping others develop their skills. “Before coming to Newell, I spent 14 years at Kimberly-Clark where I taught, consulted and coached performance and leadership,” he says. “I also helped set up an experimental prototype manufacturing plant based on fully autonomous self-managing teams. This taught me a great deal about how to use high-performance work systems and Total Quality Management effectively.”

Focus at Newell

Chuck’s current focus at Newell involves working with the engineering and procurement teams to ensure the quality and on-time delivery of every coach the company builds. “My projects include supporting our Quality System effort, developing a world-class delivery process, and working with our purchasing department to ensure that our vendors align with Newell’s quality and cost goals. I also try to foster a work environment that promotes high performance and fun.”

Although Chuck is a relative newcomer to Newell Coach, his positive influence is already being felt. “Chuck has an uncanny ability to unite a team around a common purpose,” says Grant Kernan, Newell’s Executive V.P. and General Manager. “He’s also helping improve the quality of our coaches and the efficiency of our processes. We expect to see many more good things from Chuck in the years to come.”

‘It’s a delight to come to work’

When asked what he likes best about working at Newell Coach, Chuck is unabashedly enthusiastic. “It’s a delight to come to work every day and see the most outrageously gorgeous and sophisticated coaches in the world,” he says. “Plus, the Newell production leaders are the most committed I’ve ever seen. Without prompting, they work holidays, evenings and weekends, doing whatever it takes to delight our customers. When I think about Newell’s business leadership and commitment to customers and imagine adding a few new twists of my own, the word ‘excited’ is an understatement!”

It’s a delight to come to work every day and see the most outrageously gorgeous and sophisticated coaches in the world.”

Chuck Evans,V.P. of Manufacturing,

Newell Coach

Customer Profile: Harry Hastings, Jr.A TRUE ORIGINAL

Newell’s “family” of customers includes many remarkable people who have combined hard work and success with a zest for the outdoors and the companionship of family and friends. Harry Hastings, Jr. of Little Rock, Arkansas, is the epitome of this spirited approach to life. “In our group of highly accomplished individuals,” says Newell President and CEO, Karl Blade, “Harry stands out as a true original.”

Early days

Harry’s love of camping was instilled 75 years ago when he started going on deer hunting trips with his dad, Harry Hastings, Sr. In those days, their microwave was a portable wood stove, their LED lighting was a Coleman lantern, their slide-out was a tent flap, and their air conditioning was the evening breeze.

The family moved from camping to RV’ing when Harry Sr. purchased an aluminum Spartan travel trailer immediately after World War II. It was the Newell of its day. Harry Jr. fondly remembers pulling it from Tulsa to Little Rock with his spiffy 1950 Chevy convertible. Luckily for him—and the Chevy’s 92-horsepower engine—there were no hills along the way.

From father to son

Harry Sr. imparted not only a love of the outdoors to his son, but also a strong work ethic and the ability to see and seize an opportunity. Harry Sr.’s successful ventures included a property-development business and a liquor and wine distribution company that is still in operation to this day.

When Harry Jr. grew up and completed college, he took over managing the family businesses. He did so with great

flair, expanding and shaping them into his own impressive conglomerate of enterprises that included banking, industrial supplies and numerous other concerns.

In those years, Harry also met and married his wife Rosalyn (whom he calls “the love of my life”). They had three children who have also taken their place in the family businesses. At 86, Harry Jr. is still active in these companies, but his children now handle their day-to-day operation. The boldness, integrity and drive with which Harry Jr. has always conducted his businesses remain their core principles. Contributions to Newell

In keeping with the Hastings tradition of enjoying their play every bit as much as their work, Harry and Rosalyn purchased their first Newell in 1982. Since then, they’ve purchased five more coaches, and each time, Harry has offered his own unique ideas to their design. Indeed, the Newell in its current form owes much to Harry’s contributions.

“In 1987, Harry asked us to raise the coach roofline six inches so he could have a walk-in closet over the rear engine,” Karl Blade explains. “Our assembly-area ceilings were too low, so we remodeled a building to accommodate his request. And we’re glad we did. Harry’s roofline design allowed us to develop our popular rear-bath floorplan and to also offer more headroom than our competition.”

Many adventures, lifelong friends

Harry and Rosalyn have been married 60 years and travelling with Newell for 30. “Rosalyn and I have seen the world,” Harry says. “We’ve had many adventures and have met many lifelong friends along the way. We’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but we both agree—there’s nothing like traveling in a Newell!”

According to Karl, this endorsement is hard to beat.

In our group of highly accomplished individuals, Harry stands out as a true original.”

Karl Blade,President and CEO,

Newell Coach

Longtime Newell enthusiasts, Harry and Roslyn Hastings also enjoy travel by water. Here they strike a pose on their yacht, the Hasty IV.

To receive Newell’s News via email, visit newellcoach.com/newell-newsletter

PO Box 511 • Miami, OK 74355Announcing Newell’s Summer 2013 Rally

It’s not too early to put our Northern Michigan Rally on your calendar!

When: August 19-23, 2013

Where: The elegant Hearthside Grove Luxury Motorhome Resort, Petosky, MI

Stay tuned for details!