Complete newbie seeking advice

[Ryan Wright]

Hi Folks,

I'm looking to buy a nice coach and stumbled across an '83 Wanderlodge
on eBay (item #140017325224). I was incredibly impressed with the list
of features and the huge capacities! The "modern" RVs we've looked at
don't come close! I mean, 200+ gallon fuel tanks; 12+kw generators; 3
A/C units and 50 amp electrical service; remote door locking, heated
waste tanks, etc, etc. I am very, very impressed.

However, I don't like the layout of this particular coach - my wife
and I don't sleep in separate beds and I'm not fond of the bathroom
taking up the center area (seems claustrophobic to me) - but this
really got me looking at the Wanderlodge coaches. From looking at
other ads, I think I want a PT 40. My budget is modest: I prefer to
spend around $30k, though I can stretch to $50k for the right coach.

As you can guess, I have a lot of questions.

1. Can someone orient me a bit? Tell me the ups and downs of buying an
early eighties Wanderlodge. What should I expect? Do the various
systems hold up? Seems like a lot of parts to go wrong; do these
coaches tend to be money pits, or can the old parts be expected to, by
and large, last for another 20 plus years? Should I expect to do a lot
of work on an old coach like this, or can I simply enjoy it with only
the occasional maintenance and repair item?

2. Do most of the models in this era have such an extensive list of
features as indicated in that eBay auction?

3. I've noticed many of the ads are showing rebuilt engines at ~100k
miles. What's with that? I thought these diesels ran "forever"?

4. How do these drive? I have a '66 Dodge Travco 27' I'll be getting
rid of if I buy a newer coach. It's a great rig but I get real tired
after traveling for a few hours, which isn't fun. I can drive my SUV
for a dozen or more hours virtually non-stop; I ought to be able to do
the same with an RV, right? Local RV dealers tell me I'll have the
same problem with any coach made before about 1999. Of course, they
may just want to sell me a new rig.

Thank you all for your time. Perhaps I will become a proud new
Bluebird owner one of these days.

-Ryan