Complete newbie seeking advice

[Eric Johnson]

Hello Again Ryan,
Please note that I made no mention of depreciation when I gave you the
information on
our costs to own/operate an 84FC. As you know, depreciation is a major expense
in the
early years of a new coaches life. When you have a coach that is over 20 years
old,
depreciation is small by comparison to the new one but maintenance costs are
higher.

When you figure what depreciation is on a $500,000 to $750,000 coach, the type
of
operating expenses I've shared with you, are small indeed. Of course, we don't
have all
the amenities of the new high end motorhomes, but we have a unit that fits our
needs and
is built like a bank vault.

Regards, Eric
84FC35SBWL2
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright" wrote:
>
> 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
>