Things wearing out

[martingregg598]

Hi all, wish I was in Quartzsite. I needed to be in Southern California
over Christmas to see my son before his second deployment to Iraq, so
dad and I can't make the rally, again, maybe next year? Does anyone's
95-97 have high miles? I am looking at a coach for sale that has
160,000 miles on it and 5000 hr's on the generator and was hoping that
someone would have some insight. At this point in the life of the unit
are the front ends getting so sloppy that parts need to be replaced? Is
the generator good for another 5000 hr?
Marty Gregg
95 BMC 37
Kennewick WA

[Fred Hulse]

Hi Marty

We are going to miss you and Dad again this year.Our family wish your son the best on his deployment.He is a Giant in oureyes.God Bless Him.

My 97 has 90,000 miles,of which 60,000 were from the first owner and it has been well used but there hasn't been what I would call a major issue at all.I had the front end inspected soon after I first got it and it was ok,which amazed me considering it had been to Alaska twice.

There ismaintainence type repairs mostly all the time it seems,but I expected that.

My opinion is if you can see that it has been respected and given attention you will not have much more to do than normal.But on the other hand each person has an idea what is normal and what isn't.

It was nice to hear from you again,tell your Dad Hello from us.

Heading over to Q in the morning.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse

Sharon & Sheryl
Morristown Arizona
1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

[Pete Masterson]

My '95 has 137,467 miles. Generator has 4046 hours.

I had the alignment checked at Henderson's Line-up in Grants Pass Oregon in September of 2007. At that time, the "drag link" was found to need a new tie rod end. (Eventually, we replaced the whole drag link piece since the shop was unable to remove the end from the old drag link without damaging it.) Other steering components were able to be adjusted to be within the specified tolerances. I note that the steering in a large vehicle is not as precise as what most are familiar with in an automobile -- so some "sloppiness" is normal. The previous owner of my coach had installed a Blue Ox True Center steering damper with trim control. It had become bent and jammed (which was the primary reason I took my coach in for alignment). I replaced it with a more robust SuperSteer with trim control device. This helps make the steering less subject to wander -- and the trim control allows you to make an adjustment so that steering pressure (and potential fatigue to the driver) is reduced due to cross winds or road crown.

Be sure to carefully check the left-front upper shock absorber mount. These have a tendency to begin cracking and potentially can tear off. The strength of the Ridewell component used was not up to the task -- I've heard that many '95-'97 Wanderlodges have a problem there. My shock mount has been repaired and strengthened by a certified welder at CCW in Riverside (in May 2008).

As for longevity, the relatively high mileage is not a problem. The engine is supposed to go 500,000 miles before a rebuild is necessary. The chassis is designed for perhaps a million or more miles with moderate maintenance along the way. Indeed, the "rotting" that occurs when a coach sits unused can be a more serious problem than racking up miles on the road. (Moderate maintenance might include replacing air bags (in the suspension) and renewing the bushings in some suspension components.)

Likewise, the generator is a heavy duty item. It may require servicing and repair/replacement of components from time to time, but it should have an economically useful life extending well beyond 5000 hours. However, I can't say, exactly, how many hours to expect.

BTW, my coach is on the market and may be one you'd like to consider. It's priced aggressively at $99,000.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jan 15, 2009, at 4:29 PM, martingregg598 wrote:

Hi all, wish I was in Quartzsite. I needed to be in Southern California
over Christmas to see my son before his second deployment to Iraq, so
dad and I can't make the rally, again, maybe next year? Does anyone's
95-97 have high miles? I am looking at a coach for sale that has
160,000 miles on it and 5000 hr's on the generator and was hoping that
someone would have some insight. At this point in the life of the unit
are the front ends getting so sloppy that parts need to be replaced? Is
the generator good for another 5000 hr?
Marty Gregg
95 BMC 37
Kennewick WA

[martingregg598]

Hi Fred and family, Thanks for the reply, hope to see you next year,
Dad (Jerry) is 80 this year and we are planning on going to the FMCA
rally in Albany Or in June for 4 days. Hopefully we can do father-son
outings for a few more years. We did Cody WY last summer.
Marty Gregg
95 BMC 37
Kennewick WA

[martingregg598]

Thanks Pete, It's always good to know the spots to keep an eye on. I am
sure your coach is great; I'm looking for one with furniture We are
really in the early stages of looking may be a year or so.
Marty Gregg
95 BMC 37
Kennewick WA.

[patticake592000]

Marty,
What series coach are you talking about, PT or BMC?
My coach has 196k and 7k on the gen. The steering is still tight
and drives very well. The 95 has a different series engine, and the
BMC has a Cummins. The PT chassis is very heavy built and the BMC
is well...... you know it well!
The thing to look at is how well was/is it being maintained.
Most of these coaches can go a looong time, remember we still
have most of the older ones on the road.

Steve Gureasko
90WLWB40 Jus Chillin
Ponchatoula, La.