Maintenance comparison

[Mdel60]

Hello all,
Wife and I are looking to full time in the next 2-3 years, and will do it in either a Wanderlodge or Newell, with our focus on the Wanderlodge.

Do any of you have an opinion on whether a wanderlodge or newell offers less expensive maintenance costs? Assume that we will do much of the easier maintenance.

I know that this is a tough question and depends on the condition of the specific bus, but are they any clear advantages to either coach?

We would be looking for a 89-95 year coach.

Thanks for the forum and for your thoughts!

[Arcticdude]

Well, you've found two of the best forums out there to ask the question! I think it comes down to "Does having a factory still around mean anything to you?" Not having a factory hasn't slowed the bird owners down any, but I could see where having a factory could provide some piece of mind.

That being said, I'm not selling my bird anytime soon.

[mikebulriss]

(12-15-2013 14:28)Mdel60 Wrote:  Hello all,
Wife and I are looking to full time in the next 2-3 years, and will do it in either a Wanderlodge or Newell, with our focus on the Wanderlodge.

Do any of you have an opinion on whether a wanderlodge or newell offers less expensive maintenance costs? Assume that we will do much of the easier maintenance.

I know that this is a tough question and depends on the condition of the specific bus, but are they any clear advantages to either coach?

We would be looking for a 89-95 year coach.

Thanks for the forum and for your thoughts!

Hello and welcome to the forum,

Following up on the prior factory availability comment: Having owned a Wanderlodge since 1997, in all that time I called the factory a total of once, in order to get detailed wiring prints on our unique 1991. Turns out, they were no better than what was already in the "blue box" that comes with each Wanderlodge. Make sure your future coach has one. I never called the factory in the 9 years we owned our first 1983 PT40.

Like you, I try to do as much maintenance as I can, and I have never been unable to find parts since all the mechanical parts are standard heavy duty (Class 8) truck parts. Repairs I can not or will not do are available from any competent big rig repair shop. Some internal trim parts will be much harder to find than the mechanical parts.

Advice on fixing problems and finding parts has come exclusively from other owners, like on this forum. There is a unique "been there, done that, and here's how" attitude among the Wanderlodge owners that is not present on other big rigs like Prevost.

Having talked with many other big rig coach owners over the years, I would say that maintaining a Wanderlodge, in the year grouping you identified, is one of the easiest, because of standard parts and the ownership group. I will let other owners comment on their brands.

Finally, we try to encourage all users to sign their posts (so we know who we are sharing ownership info with) and list a general location (so local owners may respond with rally or Bird viewing invites).

Happy hunting!

[patticake]

I agree with Mike on maintenance situation. I have owned birds since '99, and have called the factory twice. But the best thing to have is a GOOD forum like this, to help with something you figure out yourself or want more info on. One of the advantages of having a bird is that there is a complete strong frame under them with strong jacks to support you when parked, and not rely on an air system to keep you level.

[RetDA]

Being technologically challenged, I have personally experienced the members of our owners' group who are always ready to lock arms come to the aid of one of our number in need. And, my friends, that is not just for mechanical/technical help. Time and again I have seen our cohesive group come to the aid of owners where there is an accident, sickness and even death.

I have belonged to a lot of organizations in my life, but a group of people who have Wanderlodges are the best. It doesn't make any difference who you are, what you do or did for a living, where you are from, or any other socio-economic categorizations. Ownership of a Wanderlodge is a great social leveler.

Thanks to all y'all for your help, concern and willingness to be there for each other.