Some FC 31 questions

[ultrask824]

I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he cruises
at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of this.
I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with the
larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.

The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho), looking
for some input or helpful info.

Thanks

Jonny

[grizz46s]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824" wrote:
>
> I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he cruises
> at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of this.
> I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with the
> larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
>
> The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho), looking
> for some input or helpful info.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jonny
>
I have an 81 fc with the 3208, and I would say that the cruise speed is
most likely accurate or at least close. The milage at that speed may
be a bit of an exaggeration. I find to get that mileage I have to keep
the speed closer to 55. As for the price, it is really difficult to say
without more info. Are the jacks the only system that is inoperative?
There are a great many things that could cost far more to repair than
the jacks. Look it over closely. I purchased a coach on the owner's
word that the only thing wrong with the coach was the tach. When I got
there to pick it up I found a coach that looked very good on the
outside, but was very poor condition on the inside. Replacing flooring,
AC units, heaters, toilet, exhaust fans, and reupholstering, made a
reasonable price no longer so reasonable. My advice, "Buyer be ware!"
Check it over closely, if the majority of the systems are in good
woring order 19K is a good price in my estimation, but be very careful
or you can end up like me. I will be happy when I am done, but it has
cost me far more than I had anticipated to get there.
Gene

[dthollis1961]

Jonny,

My 78 didn't get 10MPG. 8 maybe. My current 84 with the turbo gets
better mileage...close to 9 average, but I keep it around 62MPH.

How 'bout that 77FC listed on Vintagebirds for $14,500??? I don't
know anything about it other than it was listed, disappeared and now
is back again.

David Hollis 84FC35 Springfield,IL


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824" wrote:
>
> I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he
cruises
> at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of this.
> I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with the
> larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
>
> The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho), looking
> for some input or helpful info.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jonny
>

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

--- Jonny:
I've had three birds...my current 90SP36 is wonderful and luxurious
and all we need. With that, my other two birds were 77FC33 and 80FC31.
Niether with levelers and air bags and I liked that.
I think 77-80FC were very well built birds..bulletproof!
Make sure the engine and tranny are OK and if so, you have a deal at
$19,000! Naturaly, you will have to fix some things, maybe brakes,
bearings, tires etc....BUT..after a few more grand, you will have a
bird that will last you a lifetime!!!
I loved both of my old birds but got the "hots" for a newer one!!!
I think the FC31 is a great little bird. My FC31 had a 4.88 rear
end, 22.5 tires and got 9-10mpg. It also cruised at 70mph ALL DAY and
would cut out on a strait away at about 74mph. It was fun to drive,
slept seven people if necessary and was a great bird for two full
timers.
Regards,
Hank Hannigan..still chillin in Vegas
90SP36










In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824" wrote:
>
> I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he
cruises
> at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of this.
> I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with the
> larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
>
> The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho), looking
> for some input or helpful info.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jonny
>

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

--- Jonny:
Regarding my 80FC31 mileage...9 to 10 mpg at between 50-60 mph not
at 70mph!
Regards,
Hank Hannigan
90SP36









In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Henry Jay Hannigan"
wrote:
>
> --- Jonny:
> I've had three birds...my current 90SP36 is wonderful and
luxurious
> and all we need. With that, my other two birds were 77FC33 and
80FC31.
> Niether with levelers and air bags and I liked that.
> I think 77-80FC were very well built birds..bulletproof!
> Make sure the engine and tranny are OK and if so, you have a deal
at
> $19,000! Naturaly, you will have to fix some things, maybe
brakes,
> bearings, tires etc....BUT..after a few more grand, you will have
a
> bird that will last you a lifetime!!!
> I loved both of my old birds but got the "hots" for a newer one!!!
> I think the FC31 is a great little bird. My FC31 had a 4.88 rear
> end, 22.5 tires and got 9-10mpg. It also cruised at 70mph ALL DAY
and
> would cut out on a strait away at about 74mph. It was fun to
drive,
> slept seven people if necessary and was a great bird for two full
> timers.
> Regards,
> Hank Hannigan..still chillin in Vegas
> 90SP36
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824" > wrote:
> >
> > I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he
> cruises
> > at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of
this.
> > I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with
the
> > larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
> >
> > The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho),
looking
> > for some input or helpful info.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Jonny
> >
>

[Jon]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Henry Jay Hannigan"
wrote:
>
> --- Jonny:
> I've had three birds...my current 90SP36 is wonderful and luxurious
> and all we need. With that, my other two birds were 77FC33 and
80FC31.
> Neither with levelers and air bags and I liked that.
> I think 77-80FC were very well built birds..bulletproof!
> Make sure the engine and tyranny are OK and if so, you have a deal
at
> $19,000! Naturally, you will have to fix some things, maybe
brakes,
> bearings, tires etc....BUT..after a few more grand, you will have a
> bird that will last you a lifetime!!!
> I loved both of my old birds but got the "hots" for a newer one!!!
> I think the FC31 is a great little bird. My FC31 had a 4.88 rear
> end, 22.5 tires and got 9-10mpg. It also cruised at 70mph ALL DAY
and
> would cut out on a strait away at about 74mph. It was fun to
drive,
> slept seven people if necessary and was a great bird for two full
> timers.
> Regards,
> Hank Hannigan..still chillin in Vegas
> 90SP36
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824" > wrote:
> >
> > I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he
> cruises
> > at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of
this.
> > I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with
the
> > larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
> >
> > The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho),
looking
> > for some input or helpful info.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Jonny

My 78 Wanderlodge get around 10 and I swear sometimes 11 miles per
gallon. I usually just cruse at about 55 to 60 MPH. I guess I could
go faster but I don't want to put any big strain on my old 3208. I
paid 21,900 for mine and I have about 2500 hundred invested. Make
sure the brakes are good as this was my big cost item. Cost around
1500 dollars for complete brake job (including new drums and
transmission adjustment!) I also put on a new set of tires at Les
Swab for around $1300 (Back set). Check out the dot date on the tires
and if there older than seven years than if you buy the coach you
should get another set as soon as possible. Good luck!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/1942...alservice0
03.jpg

Jon
1978 Wanderlodge
Bremerton Washington
> >
>

[worktohobby]

Hello,

I had a 1980 fc31... The spead is a bit high, perhaps the govenor is
set a bit off, or the speedometer is off a bit; or a different rear
differential than typical. Your probably better off going a bit under
the governed speed, which I think is 2950. In the past there was a big
discussion about fuel economy, the old wanderlodge group, and the
concensus was about 8.5 mph being about what to expect. Some of these
folks were tracking their economy by gps.

If it is going 67 mph at 2700 rpm for real, then he has a different
rear end than the stock 5.29, probably 12RX22.5 tires as well.

You should factor in how close this bird is too you in your cost
analysis. Breakdown halfway accross country, one way air fare or simply
the cost of fuel can add up. If it's close to home you can tinker on it
for month before you deam it truly long distance road worthy; otherwise
you take your chances. Been there and it can by a nightmare...

Regards,

Don Duncan
1987 PT40
Beaverton, Oregon

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824" wrote:
>
> I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he cruises
> at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of this.
> I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with the
> larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
>
> The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho), looking
> for some input or helpful info.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jonny
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Jonny, maybe the rear gear has been changed? any bird has got to be
worth 15 to 20 grand. The only better deal would be one in better shape
and with recent tech upgrades. If you are in areas of the country
with steep grades you may want to find a turbo, 5 grand more.
GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824"
wrote:
>
> I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he cruises
> at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of this.
> I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with the
> larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
>
> The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho), looking
> for some input or helpful info.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jonny
>

[Brent Swartzentruber]

Jonny,
My '77 FC31 gets about 10mpg around 60-63mph. It cruises nicely at
63mph, but 67 is pushing it.

Brent
Ventura, CA
77 FC31

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ultrask824" wrote:
>
> I am talking to a seller with a 77 FC 31, 3208 NA. He says he cruises
> at 67 mph and gets 10mpg, I am wondering about the accuracy of this.
> I saw the RPM chart on Vintage Birds, the 67mph is possible with the
> larger tires (I don't know what size he has on it) at 2700 rpm.
>
> The price seems reasonable , $19k, (no leveling jacks tho), looking
> for some input or helpful info.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jonny
>