Cost of ownership

[gcyeaw]

James,
Thanks for your data. There seems to be some controversy over the
level 2 maintenance cost, but based on an average speed of say 30
mph, that's 60,000 miles in 2000 hours. So if it's $800 or $1200
it's not much different spread out over that mileage/time. Not
knowing the cost of adding a swing radiator, it would seem to pay
for itself on the first broken belt or hose. I imagine that removing
the dog house and putting down a protective runner before heading in
for service might also save some labor and probably please the
service tech as well.


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
wrote:
>
> Gardner, here are some actual maintence costs for the model
of 'Bird
> that you are looking for.
>
> If you take the 'Bird to an authorized Cat Center for oil and
filter
> changes it will cost $280.00 -- This will include all of your oil
> and fuel filters, a complete chassie lube and Cat brand motor
oil.
> Of course they do all the work, you watch them and start the bus
> when needed.
>
> Here are the parts cost:
>
> 16 Qts. 15/40 Cat -- $34.40
>
> 2 - 1R-0713 -------- $11.20
>
> 1 - 1P-0808 -------- $2.46
>
> 1 - 1R-0750 -------- $11.88
>
> 1 - 8N9803 --------- $20.10
>
> Total parts cost is $80.04 -- so, you can save two hundered bucks
> here if you do it yourself. This is a once a year task for most
> folks.
>
> Tires, every five years between $2200 and $3000 depending on Tire
> Brand.
>
> Cat PM level 2 Maintainence -- every 2000 hours or 10.000 gallons
of
> fuel -- Costs $790 at a certified Cat Center and includes
> everything. This service also includes the above listed oil,
filter
> and lube service.
>
> 1) All new hoses and belts
>
> 2) Performance Analysis report
>
> 3) Steam clean engine
>
> 4) Valve lash adjustment
>
> 5) cooling system service (flush and clean)
>
> That is pretty much your ongoing maintenience stuff. You can also
> figure on a transmission service every thirty thousand miles with
a
> new filter and fluid for about $175.00 including labor.
>
> That's the stuff you can count on doing and what it actually
costs.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> James
> 78FC33SB "Old School"
> Orange Lake, FL
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello, Gardner.
> >
> > The biggest factor in the cost of ownership of a 25 year old, or
> > older 'Bird, lies in the condition of the bus that you buy.
> >
> > Remember we are talking about older buses here and no two are
the
> > same. You will find "project buses" on the market that may need
> > everything replaced on them from the motor and electronics to
the
> > fridge and carpet ect. However, from time to time, a very nice
> > highly updated example will be offered for sale that will need
> next
> > to nothing.
> >
> > Obviously the cost of ownership will be much higher on
a "project
> > bus" than on a Cheery example with newer motor and everything
else
> > in the bus having been already updated and in good working order.
> >
> > I guess my point is to buy your bus wisely! The project bus at
a
> > rock bottom price that needs everying replaced will not be your
> best
> > value. Rather, find a bus that has had on-going care by folks
who
> > were enthusiastic owners.
> >
> > Take my bus for example ... the motor is about 4 years old with
> > 15,000 miles on it. At the time the motor was replaced so were
> all
> > pumps, fan assembly even the main started motor. All belts and
> > hoses are two years old. Trojan batteries less than a year
old.
> > Twin 55 amp Iota charges less than a year old. Xantrex pure
sine-
> > wave inverter less than a year old. High deffenition Direct TV
> > system less than a yera old. 27" Samsung LCD TV less than a
year
> > old. Refridgerator about 4 years old. AC units about 3 years
> old.
> > Roof deck rebedded, refastened and painted less than a year
ago.
> > Polished Aluminum wheels that you can comb your hair in. New
> carpet
> > about 2 years ago. I could go on and on, but you get my point.
> >
> > If I were to sell my bus tomorrow I could get around 25 to 27
> > thousand.
> >
> > Now think about that "project bus" that has been sitting behind
a
> > barn for 8 years before someone pulled it out, polished it up
and
> > hung a for sale sign on it. These are two very different
pictures
> > arn't they? Certainly you would experience a very different
cost
> of
> > ownewship betweeen the above examples. Now you may be able to
buy
> > the project bus for 16 thousand bucks, but get ready to spend
that
> > much again, and more, to make it into a good looking reliable
> runner.
> >
> > So shop wisely, and buy the best bus you can find in your price
> > range.
> >
> > Good Luck.
> >
> >
> > James
> > 78FC33SB "Old School"
> > Orange Lake, FL (Mid-Eightys, total over cast and raining)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gcyeaw"
wrote:
> > >
> > > I have asked other questions on this forum and I do
appreciate
> > the
> > > responses I have received. I have been building a spreadsheet
to
> > try
> > > to estimate the real cost of owning a vintage Bluebird. I love
> the
> > > look and would enjoy repairing/restoring the systems at my
> leisure
> > > prior to retirement.
> > > The price range I am looking at is under $30,000 for a 1984
> or
> > > older FC 33 TO 35. Given that price range I would expect to
have
> > > lots of small things to fix. Also given the age, I would
expect
> > > higher incidence of failure in in basic engine/transmit
> > ion/chassis
> > > systems over say, a 10 year time span..
> > >
> > > Would it be reasonable to estimate $700/year for routine
> > > maintenance and $1000/year for unplanned maintenance averaged
> over
> > a
> > > ten year time span? (assuming I don't need an engine rebuild)
> > >
> > > I am really trying to determine the value as the clock
ticks
> on
> > > 20 to 25 year old coaches. They may be well built, but so was
I
> 40
> > > years ago!
> > >
> > > Gardner
> > >
> >
>