Opinions needed !!! Found a nice one ????

[erniecarpet@...]

John, the steering you have experienced is normal- and I experienced the
same in both my coaches, UNTIL- I just relaxed and let the coach drive down the
road, while I just guided her. Over correcting, is probably the best term, for
this. Where is this coach located?

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Mt




************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[bubblerboy64]

Fellows, I just returned from a run to look, feel and fondle a 1977
33ft Side Bath. This one was NICE, So nice even the engine air
worked. Paint 95% interior 90% all systems functional. 120K miles
with an engine replaced at 70K couple questions.
1) If this is the best of the best or close how far off is
the asking price of $24K ? I know, I know, that's a crap shoot but I
am thinking if I offer I would not feel good at over $20K. Knowing
the realities of what the future holds even if its really that good
today
2) Only problem I had was driving it. I had trouble keeping
in going now the road straight. Owner said characteristic and I was
doing better then he did first time in the drivers seat but I found
it disconcerting enough that 45 mph was about all I felt comfortable
going. When the owner was driving he seemed to have no trouble. So
question. Is this the nature or is there a steer box issue?
3) Driving home over some of the roads I would in fact drive
the coach over I began to question the lack of turbo and retarder.
Not talking about the Rockies here but I am interested in opinions
(again I guess) about the NA seventies coaches. This had air
suspended seat and as a result I was more then satisfied with ride
quality.
4) My goal is to do this one time or not at all. I intend to
drive a newer later coach with the items missing for this 1977 before
I go further. So perhaps some of you guys with 1983 to 1986 coaches
could drop me a note with phone numbers etc.
5) All opinions appreciated. Again thanks for all the
information all ready provided. I am attempting to do the leg work
and the travel to make an educated and wise decision. I realize that
I may need to spend more to buy the hammer to drive the nail that I
want to sink. I would love to spend $20K but I will not until I have
more opinions and more experience. It would make no sense to buy
less and then have to sell and more up. So what ya think? And I know
I have to be the judge but your input as a group is EXTREMELY
valued. Thank you again for your collective time, interest and
understanding. John Heckman Oh and PS why are some many of these
coaches facing engine replacements at around 80K miles. Shouldn't one
of those CAT engines go hundreds of K's. So at 120k miles is a guy
facing another engine at 150K ?

[Jon]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> Fellows, I just returned from a run to look, feel and fondle a
1977
> 33ft Side Bath. This one was NICE, So nice even the engine air
> worked. Paint 95% interior 90% all systems functional. 120K miles
> with an engine replaced at 70K couple questions.
> 1) If this is the best of the best or close how far off is
> the asking price of $24K ? I know, I know, that's a crap shoot but
I
> am thinking if I offer I would not feel good at over $20K. Knowing
> the realities of what the future holds even if its really that good
> today
> 2) Only problem I had was driving it. I had trouble keeping
> in going now the road straight. Owner said characteristic and I
was
> doing better then he did first time in the drivers seat but I found
> it disconcerting enough that 45 mph was about all I felt
comfortable
> going. When the owner was driving he seemed to have no trouble. So
> question. Is this the nature or is there a steer box issue?
> 3) Driving home over some of the roads I would in fact
drive
> the coach over I began to question the lack of turbo and retarder.
> Not talking about the Rockies here but I am interested in opinions
> (again I guess) about the NA seventies coaches. This had air
> suspended seat and as a result I was more then satisfied with ride
> quality.
> 4) My goal is to do this one time or not at all. I intend
to
> drive a newer later coach with the items missing for this 1977
before
> I go further. So perhaps some of you guys with 1983 to 1986 coaches
> could drop me a note with phone numbers etc.
> 5) All opinions appreciated. Again thanks for all the
> information all ready provided. I am attempting to do the leg work
> and the travel to make an educated and wise decision. I realize
that
> I may need to spend more to buy the hammer to drive the nail that I
> want to sink. I would love to spend $20K but I will not until I
have
> more opinions and more experience. It would make no sense to buy
> less and then have to sell and more up. So what ya think? And I
know
> I have to be the judge but your input as a group is EXTREMELY
> valued. Thank you again for your collective time, interest and
> understanding. John Heckman Oh and PS why are some many of these
> coaches facing engine replacements at around 80K miles. Shouldn't
one
> of those CAT engines go hundreds of K's. So at 120k miles is a guy
> facing another engine at 150K ?

Your question of "Why so many engine replacements at 80,000 miles?"
Boy the only thing I can think about is that the previous owner never
did his preventive maintenance or ran the engine at full throttle!
Mine has 150,000 miles on it and it runs like a clock and uses about
the same amount of oil as when new.

I would check all the hoses and belts to see that they are in good
shape as those items tend to where out. And check out the brakes!!!!
Make sure you have plenty of shoe wear left on all four brakes and
that there are no leaky Axel seal on the rear. When I bought mine
the owner told me the brakes were in good shape but didn't tell me
anything about the seals on the rear axle's. You can check this just
by looking under and checking the rear drums for any oil leakage.

I stated here befor as far as having a brake retarder system on a
coach it would be great but I don't have one and I really don't think
it would be worth the money spent to install one. But that's my
opinion and beside this old coach had 147,000 miles on it and its
went that far with without this device I guess the old brakes system
works ok.

Well good luck on your deal and be ready to find a few hidden
problems but it sounds like a nice coach to start with and into days
market 20,000 to 25,000 dollars is within reach of most new rv owners.

One more thing check the DOT dates on all four tires!!!!! The tires
might look just great but if they are over seven years old then most
of the people here will state "Get them replaced". So if the tires
are older than seven years maybe the seller might bring the price
down a thousand dollars just so you can get new shoes for your rig.

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

Jon
78 Wanderlodge
Washington "The evergreen state"

Jon

>

[brad barton]

You will find many more opinions even when you don't ask for them, but I will
tell you that the older FC coaches will be fairly tricky to steer in the
beginning. One factor you can't change. Heavy weight over wide tires up front.
You will find yourself "leading" the steering by a second or so before getting a
delayed response in direction. The old pros compensate for it invisibly. The
second factor on a coach that age would be wear and tear on parts. That you can
fix, but it'll cost a little to tighten things up. Best of luck.Brad Barton
00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...
_________________________________________________________________
Create the ultimate e-mail address book. Import your contacts to Windows Live
Hotmail.
http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/learn...T_TAG\
LM_HMWL_reten_impcont_0507

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

---JON: If it is a nice one, it will be gone soon. If engine and
tranny are good, recommend you discount for tires and a few seals
etc. and buy it! I think the 77-early 80 models are great! I had 77
and early 80....Both great birds. Well worth $30K or below.
Regards,
Hank Hannigan
90SP36

In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
> wrote:
> >
> > Fellows, I just returned from a run to look, feel and fondle a
> 1977
> > 33ft Side Bath. This one was NICE, So nice even the engine air
> > worked. Paint 95% interior 90% all systems functional. 120K miles
> > with an engine replaced at 70K couple questions.
> > 1) If this is the best of the best or close how far off
is
> > the asking price of $24K ? I know, I know, that's a crap shoot
but
> I
> > am thinking if I offer I would not feel good at over $20K.
Knowing
> > the realities of what the future holds even if its really that
good
> > today
> > 2) Only problem I had was driving it. I had trouble
keeping
> > in going now the road straight. Owner said characteristic and I
> was
> > doing better then he did first time in the drivers seat but I
found
> > it disconcerting enough that 45 mph was about all I felt
> comfortable
> > going. When the owner was driving he seemed to have no trouble.
So
> > question. Is this the nature or is there a steer box issue?
> > 3) Driving home over some of the roads I would in fact
> drive
> > the coach over I began to question the lack of turbo and
retarder.
> > Not talking about the Rockies here but I am interested in
opinions
> > (again I guess) about the NA seventies coaches. This had air
> > suspended seat and as a result I was more then satisfied with
ride
> > quality.
> > 4) My goal is to do this one time or not at all. I
intend
> to
> > drive a newer later coach with the items missing for this 1977
> before
> > I go further. So perhaps some of you guys with 1983 to 1986
coaches
> > could drop me a note with phone numbers etc.
> > 5) All opinions appreciated. Again thanks for all the
> > information all ready provided. I am attempting to do the leg
work
> > and the travel to make an educated and wise decision. I realize
> that
> > I may need to spend more to buy the hammer to drive the nail that
I
> > want to sink. I would love to spend $20K but I will not until I
> have
> > more opinions and more experience. It would make no sense to buy
> > less and then have to sell and more up. So what ya think? And I
> know
> > I have to be the judge but your input as a group is EXTREMELY
> > valued. Thank you again for your collective time, interest and
> > understanding. John Heckman Oh and PS why are some many of
these
> > coaches facing engine replacements at around 80K miles. Shouldn't
> one
> > of those CAT engines go hundreds of K's. So at 120k miles is a
guy
> > facing another engine at 150K ?
>
> Your question of "Why so many engine replacements at 80,000 miles?"
> Boy the only thing I can think about is that the previous owner
never
> did his preventive maintenance or ran the engine at full throttle!
> Mine has 150,000 miles on it and it runs like a clock and uses
about
> the same amount of oil as when new.
>
> I would check all the hoses and belts to see that they are in good
> shape as those items tend to where out. And check out the
brakes!!!!
> Make sure you have plenty of shoe wear left on all four brakes and
> that there are no leaky Axel seal on the rear. When I bought mine
> the owner told me the brakes were in good shape but didn't tell me
> anything about the seals on the rear axle's. You can check this
just
> by looking under and checking the rear drums for any oil leakage.
>
> I stated here befor as far as having a brake retarder system on a
> coach it would be great but I don't have one and I really don't
think
> it would be worth the money spent to install one. But that's my
> opinion and beside this old coach had 147,000 miles on it and its
> went that far with without this device I guess the old brakes
system
> works ok.
>
> Well good luck on your deal and be ready to find a few hidden
> problems but it sounds like a nice coach to start with and into
days
> market 20,000 to 25,000 dollars is within reach of most new rv
owners.
>
> One more thing check the DOT dates on all four tires!!!!! The tires
> might look just great but if they are over seven years old then
most
> of the people here will state "Get them replaced". So if the tires
> are older than seven years maybe the seller might bring the price
> down a thousand dollars just so you can get new shoes for your rig.
>
>
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/1942...alservice0
> 03.jpg
>
> Jon
> 78 Wanderlodge
> Washington "The evergreen state"
>
> Jon
>
> >
>

[Gene Speer]

_____

>From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bubblerboy64
>Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 6:12 PM
>To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Opinions needed !!! Found a nice one ????



>Fellows, I just returned from a run to look, feel and fondle a 1977
>33ft Side Bath. This one was NICE, So nice even the engine air
>worked. Paint 95% interior 90% all systems functional. 120K miles
>with an engine replaced at 70K couple questions.
>1) If this is the best of the best or close how far off is
>>the asking price of $24K ? I know, I know, that's a crap shoot but I
>am thinking if I offer I would not feel good at over $20K. Knowing
>the realities of what the future holds even if its really that good
>>today -

Price is a difficult question, it tends to be relative. Having said
that I can tell you that I have an 81', 35', RB, FC, it has a new paint job,
new rubber, new rear end, new polished alum. wheels, retrofitted with an 8.3
series C turbo charged Cummins engine, new flooring, new beds, new blinds,
new awning, rebuilt jacks, and the list goes on frankly. I plan to sell
this bus in the fall for 35k, and I know there are others out there for
similar dollars in similar condition, so if you consider that the paint job
alone will cost in excess of 8k, and the engine another 8k, 20k for the '77
seems a little high to me.

>2) Only problem I had was driving it. I had trouble keeping
>in going now the road straight. Owner said characteristic and I was
>doing better then he did first time in the drivers seat but I found
>it disconcerting enough that 45 mph was about all I felt comfortable
>going. When the owner was driving he seemed to have no trouble. So
>question. Is this the nature or is there a steer box issue?

I would say that
everyone has trouble driving these coaches for the first time. I know when
I drove mine for the first time, we had several hundred miles to travel and
I was afraid my wife was going to divorce me before we finished the trip.
You tend to over steer and until you learn to relax it will be difficult.
They all feel like they are loose, but I would venture to guess that the
steering is fine, it is more of an issue of you learning how to manage her
down the road.

>3) Driving home over some of the roads I would in fact drive
>the coach over I began to question the lack of turbo and retarder.
>Not talking about the Rockies here but I am interested in opinions
>(again I guess) about the NA seventies coaches. This had air
>suspended seat and as a result I was more then satisfied with ride
>quality.

I replaced the 3208 with a turbo charged Cummins and I will say
that it has made a huge difference in performance and economy. I can hold
the speed better, and I have better economy. I feel that the 3208 is a
little weak for the load. As for the retarder, I do have one on my coach
and frankly would not want to be with out it, I drive in the Rockies and
while I don't drive over a lot of passes, the retarder is of great help just
handling hills, it saves a great deal on brakes.

>4) My goal is to do this one time or not at all. I intend to
>drive a newer later coach with the items missing for this 1977 before
>I go further. So perhaps some of you guys with 1983 to 1986 coaches
>could drop me a note with phone numbers etc.

My coach is an 81', but you
will find it is very similar to the 83'-86' coaches, and if you would like
you can call me @ 406-253-4044

>5) All opinions appreciated. Again thanks for all the
>information all ready provided. I am attempting to do the leg work
>and the travel to make an educated and wise decision. I realize that
>I may need to spend more to buy the hammer to drive the nail that I
>want to sink. I would love to spend $20K but I will not until I have
>more opinions and more experience. It would make no sense to buy
>less and then have to sell and more up. So what ya think? And I know
>I have to be the judge but your input as a group is EXTREMELY
>valued. Thank you again for your collective time, interest and
>understanding. John Heckman Oh and PS why are some many of these
>coaches facing engine replacements at around 80K miles. Shouldn't one
>of those CAT engines go hundreds of K's. So at 120k miles is a guy
>facing another engine at 150K ?

honestly the 3208 is a throw away engine,
they typically will provide service for as much as 250k, but depending on
the maintenance that has been done, they can have much shorter lives. That
is why I refitted with a Cummins. I know I won't be left standing on the
side of the road.

Gene Speer
81', 35', RB, FC


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]