D & D World Travel

Our RV
(The Windswept Pearl)

On April 17, 2009 we purchased a 5 year old used RV from an authorized Newmar Sales/Repair facility called R & S Sales in Mahomet (Urbana), IL from Jeff Robinson and Rob Washburn. Our RV is a 2004 Newmar® Essex 4503; she is 45 ft. long with 4 slides, a Cummins® ISM 500 hp diesel engine, and an Allison® 6 speed automatic transmission. This RV is considered a luxury motorcoach (2012 models start at $643,185.00) and she is a real beauty. We have placed lots of information about our RV below including outside photos, inside photos, original sales brochure with floor plan and a list of amenities, as well as a copy of the original MSRP sheet showing all of her upgrades. We named our RV "The Windswept Pearl" which is also what Newmar calls this exterior paint scheme.

Here is a nice article written by Guy and Pamela Selbert back in April 2004 about test driving a 2004 Newmar Essex 4502 motor coach: Newmar Essex.

We love our RV and plan on living this lifestyle for several years to come. It is like living in a luxury condo-on-wheels and instead of flying from resort to resort, we simply drive from one location to the next taking our home with us. This is the ultimate way to travel since there is no packing and unpacking; all of our belongings are in our home and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to get her ready for travel to a new location.

We are pulling a 2003 Ford Explorer 4x4 SUV behind our RV as a run around car which is also known as a "towd", "toad" or "dinghy". Also onboard the rear of the RV will be an All-terrain vehicle (ATV) hoisted up on a bumper mounted, hydra-lift system, as well as an inflatable boat inside the cargo bay of the SUV, and a couple of bicycles on a Yakama bike rack sticking out of the receiver hitch on the back of the SUV.

Here is a list of the amenities we have with THE WINDSWEPT PEARL. This is the only way to spend time in the great outdoors. If only my Marine Corps and Army Infantry buddies could see how I am roughing it now; my days of sleeping in foxholes are gone forever!!!

MOTORIZED CHASSIS FEATURES

• Cruise Control
• Anti-Lock Braking System
• Tilt and Telescope Steering Wheel
• Electronic Height Adjustable Brake/Accelerator Pedals with Two (02) Driver Presets
• Four (04) Power Slide Out Rooms
• Recessed Fuel Fills with Cross Over To Fill From Either Side
• 150 Gallon Diesel Fuel Tank
• 65 Gallon Grey Water Tank
• 45 Gallon Sewage (Black Water) Tank
• 105 Gallon Fresh Water Tank
• 32 Gallon Liquid Propane (LP) Tank
• Spartan® K2 chassis with Cummins® ISM 500 HP Diesel Pusher Engine (10.8 Liter/661 Cubic Inch Displacement) and Side-Mounted Radiator (Engine Specs 1 / Engine Specs 2 / Engine Specs 3)(Chassis Photo)
• Eight (08) Michelin® XZA®2 size 295/80R22.5 with Load Range 'H' (upgraded to Eight (08) Michelin® XZA®1 size 315/80R22.5 with Load Range 'L') (RV Tire Information, Proper Use & Maintenance / Tech Bulletin - Service Life for RV Tires / Movie1 - Things RV Owners Should Know / Movie2 - RV: The Critical Factor)
• Tire Tracker® Twelve (12) Wheel Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Signal Booster: TPMS Model# TT-400C /Signal Booster Model# TT100B (Owner's Manual)
• Silent Drive Air-Ride Tag Axle
• Air Brakes with Hi/Lo Engine Exhaust Brake
• Allison® 4000 MH 6 Speed Automatic Transmission (Owner's Manual / Motorhome Series Information)
• Backup Alarm
• Alcoa® Dura-Brite Polished Aluminum Wheels
• 12.5 KW Cummins® Onan® Diesel Quiet Series Auto-Start Generator on KWH® Power Generator Slide Out with Automatic Changeover: Model# 12.5HDCAB1150/Serial# A040590658 (Tech Manual 1 / Tech Manual 2)
• Coretronics® Trip-Tek® Motor Coach Trip Computer, Displayed on Rearview and Passenger Screen Monitors: Model# 2510-X (Operator's Manual)

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

• Three (03) 15,000 BTU Dometic® Penguin® Heat Pump Central Air Conditioners: Model# 630516.321/Front Serial# 41231121, Center Serial# 41231148, Rear Serial# 41231150 (AC Install Instructions / HP Install & Operation / AC-HP Parts List)
• Dometic® Duo-Therm® 5 Button Comfort Control Center System: Model# 3109228.001 (Troubleshooting Manual)
• LP Leak Detector
• Dash Heater and High-Output Air Conditioner with Dual Controls: Model# RV201198/Serial# 139728
• Aqua-Hot® Hydro-Hot® 50,000 BTU Hydronic Heating System with Motoraide and Instant Unlimited Hot Water: Model# HHE-500-08M-12VDC/Serial# HM04-383 (Owner's Manual / Parts Manual)
• Engine Block Heater

APPLIANCES & ACCESSORIES

• GE® Profile Spacemaker® Convection/Microwave Oven: Model# JVM1490SH 01/Serial# AG901890K (Installation Instructions / Quick Specs / Owner's Manual)
• 32" Sony BRAVIA® XBR® LCD Flat Panel HDTV in Living Room: Model# KDL-V32XBR1 TV (Quick Specs / Operating Instructions / Home Theatre Guide)
• 20" Sony® FD Trinitron® WEGA® Flat-Screen Color LCD TV in Bedroom: Model# KV-20FS100/Serial# 4384011 (Operating Instructions)
• Princess® Two-Burner Recessed Gas Cooktop: Model# 2276-1000/Serial# 110153 (Quick Specs)
• AM/FM/XM Pioneer® Dash Radio with Pioneer® Remote 6-Disc CD Changer in Overhead Cabinetry
• TV Antenna with Power Lift, One Exterior Jack and Two Interior Jacks
• Pioneer® VCR and Audio Video Smart Source Switch with Remote Control in Living Room
• Cobra® Compact Remote Mount CB Radio with Sound Tracker System (40 CB and 10 Weather Channels): Model# C75WXST (Operator's Manual)
• Cable TV Connection with RG 6 Coax
• Satellite Prep (Phone, TV Jack and Recept)
• KVH® TracVision In-Motion Satellite: Model# L3 (Owner's Manual)
• Air Horns
• Floor Mounted Safe
• Bose® Wave Radio with CD Player and Alarm Clock in Bedroom
• Interior Rearview Mirror with Electronic Compass and Temperature Display
• Rearview Color Monitor System
• Side View Color Cameras
• Secondary Color Monitor for Passenger Seat
• Pioneer® Surround Sound System with Subwoofer in Living Area with Pioneer® CD and DVD Players
• Essex Electronics Incorporated Keyless Entrance Lighted Door Pad: Model# KE-1601 (User Guide)
• Pass Through Storage Tray
• Dometic® Refrigerator with Icemaker (13.8 Cu. Ft.): Model# NDR1402/Serial# 31900113 (Installation & Operating Instructions)
• Splendide® One-Piece, Vented, Combo Washer/Dryer: Model# WD2100/Serial# 312093211 (Fabric Care Reference Guide / Quick Reference Guide 1 / Quick Reference Guide 2 / Installation Instructions and Use & Care Guide / Data Sheet / Training Manual)
• External Basement Entertainment Center with LCD Monitor and AM/FM CD Radio
• 100 lb. Norcold Freezer on Pullout Tray
• Fisher & Paykel® DishDrawer: Model# DS6031-USA/Serial# 38274MLM720 (User's Guide)
• OnStar® System
• Security System

CABINETS & FURNITURE

• Villa® Ultra Leather Front Seats with Eight-Way Power Lumbar Support and Oversized Passenger Seat
• Villa® Easy Bed Sofa with Storage Drawer
• Villa® Ultra Leather L-Lounge with Storage Drawer
• Northern Maple Hardwood Cabinets with Raised-Panel Double-Arched Cabinet Doors
• Northern Maple Hardwood Computer Desk in Bedroom
• Polished Corian® Countertop in Kitchen with Integrated Sink Bowls and Flush Sink Covers
• Polished Corian® Lavatory Countertop in Bathroom with an Integrated Bowl
• Polished Corian® Countertop on Bedroom Nightstands
• Polished Corian® Tabletop in Kitchen with Extra Leaf and Four (04) Chairs
• Lifts on Bed to Access Storage Area
• Cedar Paneling on Rear Wardrobe Wall
• Built-in Shoe Rack on Rear Wardrobe Wall

ELECTRICAL FEATURES

• 5-Watt Solar Panel to Charge Chassis Battery (upgraded with additional 1100 Watt Solar System)
• Four (04) Sun Electronics® 210 Watt Panels
• Two (02) Alps® 130 Watt Panels
• Two (02) Blue Sky Energy® 3024iL 24 VDC Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Photovoltaic 3-Stage Charge Controllers that are Integrated Power Net (IPN) Networked together as Master/Slave at 40 amps each for a total capacity of 80 amps: Model# 3024iL (Data Sheet / Installation & Ops Manual)
• Blue Sky Energy® Remote Digital Display (Data Sheet / Installation & Operational Manual)
• Blue Sky Energy® Battery Temperature Compensation Sensor (Data Sheet / Installation & Ops Manual)
• Four (04) 6 Volt House Batteries on Pullout Tray (upgraded to Eight (08) 6 Volt Lifeline® Absorbant Glass Matt (AGM) GPL-4CT Batteries consisting of 220 amp Hours (AH) each wired in series/parallel for a total of 880 AH @ 12 Volts) (Tech Drawing / Tech Specs / Tech Manual)
• Two (02) 12 Volt BCI Group 31 Interstate 31P-MHD Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Cranking Batteries consisting of 950 cold cranking amps (CCA), 1190 cranking amps (CA), and 195 reserve capacity (RC) each
• Intellitec® BD1 Battery Disconnect for House Batteries (Service Manual)
• Progressive Industries® 50 amp Hardwire Surge Protector: Model# EMS-HW50C (Operating & Installation Guide)
• 12.5 KW Cummins® Onan® Diesel Quiet Series Auto-Start Generator on Power Slides with Automatic Changeover (Tech Manual 1 / Tech Manual 2)
• 200-amp Alternator
• 50-amp Electrical Service
• Automatic Transfer Switch (upgraded to Parallex Power Supply® 50 amp Automatic Line/Generator Switch): Model# ATS501 (Product Specs)
• 50-amp Flexible Cord on Power Rewind Cord Reel
• Emergency Engine Start Switch
• Exterior Security Lights (One Installed on Each Side)
• Lights in Exterior Storage Compartments
• Daytime Headlight System
• Lights in Wardrobes
• ICC Light Flasher Switch
• Recessed Docking Lights
• Automatic Generator Start on Low Battery or Thermostat Temperature Setting
• Mood Lights Recessed in Ceiling, Lambrequins and Kitchen Valance
• Rope Lighting throughout Living Room Ceiling/Floor/Display Cabinets and Bedroom Ceiling
• Xantrex® Trace 2000-Watt Inverter (44 amp AC Surge Capability) with 100 amp Converter: Model# RV2012M/Serial# A10065871 (Owner's Manual)
• Xantrex® RV Series RC7 Remote Control (Owner's Manual)
• Driving Lights
• Interior Courtesy Lights
• Sidemounted Front and Rear Turn Signals
• Halogen Lights Recessed in Ceiling
• Power Slideout Lock Arms

EXTERIOR FEATURES

• Convex Exterior Chrome Mirrors with Remote Control, Defrost and Turn Signal Indicators
• Gel-Coated Fiberglass Exterior Sides
• One-Piece Molded Fiberglass Roof and Top Wrap with 7mm Decking
• Class 5, 10,000 lb. Hitch
• Hydralift USA® RV Mounted Hydraulic Lift with HLA4648 Sports Adaptor for ATV with an 800 lb. Lifting Capacity
• KWH® Air Leveling System with Computerized Leveling and Air Dump: Model# 725 (Information Sheet / Brochure)
• KWH® Straight Acting, Pivoting Jacks: Two (02) 24,000 LB Rear Jacks and Two (02) 16,000 LB Front Jacks (Image)
• Fully Painted Exterior Graphics with Super Clearcoat Finish
• Front Protective Film
• Sideview Cameras Displayed on Rearview Monitor System

INTERIOR FEATURES

• Lined Day/Night Pleated Window Shades and Lambrequins
• Padded Vinyl Ceiling
• Quilted Bedspread, Pillow Shams, Padded Bed Base and Accent Pillows
• King Size Bed with Luxurious Pillowtop Mattress
• Polished Porcelain Floor Tile in Kitchen, Bathroom and Entry Area
• Hardwood Fascia on Living Area Slideout
• Power Side Shades and Front Visors for Driver and Passenger
• Power-Activated Windshield-Area Privacy Shade
• Fabrica® Sculptured Carpet in Living Area

PLUMBING & BATH FEATURES

• Exterior Convenience Wash Station with Hot/Cold Water, Soap Dispenser and Towel Dispenser
• Monitor Panel
• Sewage Holding-Tank Rinse
• Thetford® Aria Electric Version Sculptured Porcelain Toilet
• Fiberglass Tub/Shower with Glass Reverse Shower Door to Open
• Hydro-Hot® 50,000 BTU Hydronic Heating System with Motoraide and Instant Unlimited Hot Water Model# HHE-500-08M-12VDC/Serial# HM04-383 (Owner's Manual / Parts Manual)
• Demand Water System with Aquajet® 5503-4V15-B636 ES Pump (6.5 gallons per minute) (Product Specs / User's Manual and Installation Guide)
• Automatic-Rewind Water Hose Reel
• Drink Dispenser at Kitchen Sink
• Delta® Faucets in Kitchen and Bathroom
• Flow-Pur® Water Filter for Entire Coach Water System
• Flow-Pur® Water Filter for Refrigerator
• Flow-Pur® Water Filter for Kitchen Sink
• MANABLOC® Manifold Plumbing System

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES

• Aluminum-Frame Sidewalls and Roof Construction, 16" On Center
• Roof R-Value Rating: 17
• Sidewall R-Value Rating: 11
• Floor R-Value Rating: 11
• 5/8" Foam Insulation Laminated in Sidewalls and Ceiling
• R7 Fiberglass Insulation in Sidewalls and Floor, R11 in Roof

WINDOWS, AWNINGS & VENTS

• Double-Pane, Tinted Safety-Glass Windows
• Automatic Double Entrance-Door Step
• Fan-Tastic® Vent with Rain Sensor in Kitchen and Bathroom (upgraded with Maxx Air II Vent Covers)
• Two (02) Maxx Air II Vent Covers above Vents in Kitchen and Bathroom
• Skylight in Bathroom
• Front Entry Door with Power Flush Stepwell Cover
• Driver’s-Side Power Window
• Carefree® Awning Package with Mirage Side Awning and Power Window Awnings
• A&E® Power Front Entrance-Door Awning
• A&E® Slideout Covers

TOW PACKAGE & ACCESSORIES

• RoadMaster® Sterling All-Terrain Non-Binding Tow Bar 576 (2011 RoadMaster Product Catalog)
• RoadMaster® Mounting Bracket 480-1
• RoadMaster® All-Terrain Combo Kit 9284-2
• RoadMaster® BrakeMaster 9160 with BrakeAway for Air-to-Air Braking
• RoadMaster® Guardian Rock Shield 4000 with StowAway Guardian Storage System 4000-40
• RoadMaster® Tow Defender II 4700

COMPLETED UPGRADES SINCE WE PURCHASED IN APRIL 2009

• 1100 Watt Solar System Consisting of Four (04) Sun Electronics® 210 Watt Panels and Two (02) Alps® 130 Watt Panels
• Two (02) Blue Sky Energy® 3024iL 24 VDC Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Photovoltaic 3-Stage Charge Controllers that are Integrated Power Net (IPN) networked together as Master/Slave with optional Remote Digital Display and optional Battery Temperature Compensation Sensor (Data Sheet / Installation & Ops Manual)
• Eight (08) 6 Volt Lifeline® Absorbant Glass Matt (AGM) GPL-4CT Batteries consisting of 220 amp Hours (AH) each wired in series/parallel for a total of 880 AH @ 12 Volts) (Tech Drawing / Tech Specs / Tech Manual)
• Parallex Power Supply® ATS501 50 amp Automatic Line/Generator Switch (Product Specs)
• Progressive Industries® 50 amp Hardwire Surge Protector EMS-HW50C (Operating & Installation Guide)
• Two (02) 12 Volt BCI Group 31 Interstate 31P-MHD Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Cranking Batteries consisting of 950 cold cranking amps (CCA) and 1190 cranking amps (CA), and 195 reserve capacity (RC) each
• Two (02) Maxx Air II Vent Covers
• 50 ft. Length, 3/8" Diameter, High Pressure, Air Compressor Hose with Various Pneumatic Air Hose Couplers, Blow Guns, and Chucks
• RoadMaster® Towing Package including Sterling Tow Bar, BrakeMaster with BrakeAway, Guardian Rock Shield, and Tow Defender II
• Eight (08) Michelin® XZA®1 size 315/80R22.5 with Load Range 'L' (RV Tire Information, Proper Use & Maintenance / Tech Bulletin - Service Life for RV Tires / Movie1 - Things RV Owners Should Know / Movie2 - RV: The Critical Factor)
• Tire Tracker® Twelve (12) Wheel Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Signal Booster: TPMS Model# TT-400C /Signal Booster Model# TT100B (Owner's Manual)