Looking to purchase used 1992 WB40

[mbrund]

Pete,

Thanks for the feedback. The batteries and tires where one of the
items on my list of concern knowing that they will require replacing
at some point in the near future and than tab would be around $5K (was
told it has GEL know, but plan to go AGM if I purchased and had to
replace them). The tires are 5 years old, but the coach has spent its
life inside when not being used. Depending on if they have ever been
curbed or run low on air, they can be extended to 9 years if not dry
rotted or thread wear, I will have to look at them close.

The fridge was replaced in the last 12 months or so, so should be no
concern there. The cooktop and washer per the current owner have not
been used since they owned it. So they need to be checked out well,
especially the washer to make sure the seals are good.

I would prefer a newer model, say '94 or so, but I have a budget and
most are asking more than I want to spend at this time. Seems many
people are trying to get retail prices for private sales, which means
they will be sitting on their units for sometime to come with the turn
down in the RV market as it is.

The paint is not new, the coach was sent from BB in primer state when
the coach was new to be custom painted. So the paint shows it age (14
years: cracked around the wheel wells, some rivets, door panels, some
rock dings, etc.).


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> It's a good looking coach ... had it been available when I was
> looking it would have been high on my list of units to consider. With
> the new paint job, you'll find that hardly anybody (outside the BB
> community) will believe that it's a 15 year old RV. (My coach is
> quite similar, though a couple of years newer and with the Series 60
> engine.)
>
> The Primus heat is a concern ... but parts are available, even if
> single-sourced. A steel bodied RV does need a bit more heat (when
> it's cold) than, perhaps, a plastic model. (One of the trade-offs,
> but I still much prefer the strength of steel.)
>
> The main concern is vehicle mechanical condition and the wear and
> tear on the various systems. If the engine hasn't been mistreated, it
> is certainly good for a lot of miles beyond the 144,000 lsited. The
> miles divided by the engine hours equals an average movement speed of
> 50 mph -- that suggest that the coach was a fair number of freeway
> miles. I would plan a fairly complete servicing including oil change
> and brake inspection early on.
>
> One "watch for" is the condition of the radiator. DD engines are not
> forgiving of overheating. It is common for the radiator to become
> partially clogged with oily-dirt. The tendency of DD engines to spray
> a bit of oil through the breather tubes makes the problem worse as
> the fan often sucks the oil mist back through the radiator mixing
> with dust that kicks up. This should be something that you carefully
> monitor and try to clean out the radiator if it shows any blockage.
> (It was very difficult to examine on my coach as it sits behind the
> air-charge radiator (that cools air from the turbo charger), but
> perhaps the DD 8v92 configuration allows easier viewing of the
> radiator.) Simply pulling the radiator is a $2000+ job. The complete
> replacement of the core may run as much as $3000+. (I also had work
> done on my chassis AC -- so my tab came to about $4000 for core
> replacement and the other services performed by a professional heavy
> duty radiator service. Costs for work done outside California may be
> more reasonable.)
>
> Other expenses you might plan for would include new tires in a year
> or two. (8 times $350~450) Also, the gel batteries have a life
> expectancy of up to about 7 years... but if they've been mistreated,
> they may also be next to go. I'm shopping for batteries now ... looks
> like about $2100 for six size 4D AGM house batteries. I haven't
> priced engine batteries (mine seem OK), but my coach has 3 AGM class
> 37s -- about $160 each .
>
> Of some concern would be the refrigerator. While home refrigerators
> used to run for 25-30 years, since the 80s, they've been manufactured
> to only last about 10-12 years or so. It's hard to guess how long an
> RV refrigerator might last -- it depends on brand, type (RV with gas
> & electric option or regular home-type), and use. In particular, if
> gas operated, the burner and venting is subject to corrosion.
>
> Not as difficult, but still a modest headache would be the microwave/
> convection oven ... at 15 years, it, too, may be near it's expected
> life span -- or not -- again depending on use, etc.
>
> Pete Masterson
> aeonix1@...
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
> El Sobrante, CA
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 6, 2007, at 7:30 PM, mbrund wrote:
>
> > Leroy,
> >
> > Thanks for the pointer to the list at vintagebirds, I had forgotten
> > about that one. I picked up a PDI list from ChanginGears that I am
> > modifing to add the extra stuff the bird has I am aware of.
> >
> > The bird I am looking at is this one:
> > http://www.birdconnection.com/showroom/d...hp?v_id=72
> > It is located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. So if there is anyone in
> > that area that could assist I would greatly appreciate it. I am a
> > current Fleetwood owner, and happy to say not for much longer
> >
> > As for the Primus, I doubt we would ever need so much heat in the
> > unit that we would have to run two Primus heaters (live in Austin
> > Texas), but if I ever did I guess I would need to decide do I want
> > to go hydronic or stay with propane fired Primus and get it fixed.
> > I like the newer AquaHot type systems since they do more than just
> > heat the interior (domestic hot water, pre-heat engine, etc.), and
> > may decide to go that route in the future, so would be interested in
> > what the cost is to convert over to such a system.
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Leroy Eckert"
> > wrote:
> >>
> >> There is a fairly comprehensive check list on
> > http://www.vintagebirds.com. Perhaps there is a forum member near you or
> > the Bird that could help. There are forum members that will do an
> > inspection for a fee. What is your location?
> >> As for the flaky Primus, Stephen Birtles http://www.capeinnovation.com
> > can help you there. I had a flaky Primus and converted to Wabasto
> > diesel fired hydronic heat. It's a little pricey but I am very
> > happy with the system.
> >> Now I use LP gas for the outside grill, refer(while in transit)
> > and cooktop. I don't get overly concerned with LP leaks because the
> > tank is off most of the time. I haven't filled the LP tank in two
> > years.
> >>
> >> Leroy Eckert
> >> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> >> Niceville, FL
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: mbrund
> >> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 4:48 PM
> >> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Looking to purchase used 1992 WB40
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I am looking at purchasing a used 1992 WB40, I was wanting to
> > know
> >> what things to look out for on this year model. I was told by the
> >> current owner that one of the Primus heaters is a little flaky,
> > and as
> >> I understand by reading at various places that this should be of
> >> concern since there is only one place to get parts. He said he
> > did
> >> not know what the issue was as it works sometimes, and does not
> >> others, but the other unit works all the time. New fridge.
> > Cooktop
> >> and washer/dryer have not been used during the current owners 10
> > year
> >> term.
> >>
> >> What other items should I look for while inspecting a coach of
> > this
> >> year model that might be a big ticket items?
> >>
> >> Coach has ~140K miles ~3000 hours on 8V92, 4 years on tires (kept
> >> inside), 4 years on GEL cells (low batt charger plugged in while
> > in
> >> storage).
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Michael
> >>
> >>
>
>
>
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