To buy or not to buy?

[brad barton]

RW,
Our first coach was a 1984 FC-35 with the side bath, twin sofas up front and
corner bed in the back. I agree 33' seems a little short for four people
but power/weight ratio may give you a little more pull. We used our 84 Bird
with our son and daughter who were both in High School at the time (a number
of shorter trips and a 2-week great circle vacation through KS, SD, ID, OR,
CA, AZ, back to TX). The sofas were wide enough up front that we never had
to pull out the streetside jacknife bed. The curbside sofa had deep back
bolsters that revealed plenty of sleeping width. And the bolsters, when
placed on the dash, blocked the view from outside without having to pull
down the blinds or curtains. We liked the overall size and balance of the
side bath. While the floor space was pretty tight, the shower was more than
adequate. We really liked the layout.
Later we, too had a 1986 Newell, 38'. We liked the big fixed table around
the two forward chairs and the 8V92, overall drive, ride and handling were
great. But parts were getting hard to find and it was becoming a money pit.
Air ride and park leveling tanks, lines and valves were leaky and
complicated and the dash air never worked right. We are glad to be BB
owners again (first month..still in punch list stage). Fit and finish and
overall solid feel of the coach is superior to the Newell.


Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
bbartonwx@...





>From: "Dan"
>Reply-To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>To:
>Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?
>Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:18:55 -0500
>
>That is interesting, Newell had a wide body in 1986 and Wanderlodge waited
>until 1988.
>Dan
>81RB33
>Jackson, MS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Troy Tikalsky
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 11:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?
>
>
> My first coach was a 1983 FC33SB with a single couch and 2 barrel chairs
>in front and a queen bed in the rear. I have 2 daughters that were not
>happy sleeping in the same bed and were not shy telling us repeatedly. The
>lack of closet space and the side bathroom really makes the coach feel
>cramped inside with 4 people. There is not much outside storage either. I
>was searching for a 35 foot rear bath model with the intention of making
>bunks above the rear beds. I ended buying a Newell 40' wide body with dual
>couches in the front and now the family tells me how much more they like
>this coach on every trip and no more fighting about sharing a bed! I took
>the whole family with when buying the Newell and before buying asked each
>of them if they would be happy with the sleeping arrangements and layout. A
>happy family makes traveling and vacations much more enjoyable.
>
> Troy Tikalsky
> Waconia, MN
> 1986 Newell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Dan
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 7:07 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?
>
> Any thoughts? 1) I think a 33 is too short for four people. It is enough
>for a couple or small kids but you may wish for more room. 2) an oil sample
>is important to rule out hidden engine problems 3) I think you should set
>aside 10-20% of the purchase price for repairs and unexpected expenses 4) a
>good mechanic and fair electrician should have no trouble keeping it
>running.
>
> Dan
> 81RB33
> Jackson, MS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: littlehouseonprairie1
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:07 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] To buy or not to buy?
>
> I'm on the verge of purchasing a 1984 FC33 rear bath. The coach is in
> excellent condition with recent interior remodel, new paint job, new
> generator, good mechanical maintenance, etc. The price is below $30k.
> I'm a pretty good mechanic and fair electrician. I have two early
> teen daughters and a loving wife I want to show the country to. My
> question is this... is the cost and maintenance challenge of owning
> one of these older birds worth the effort or do most people who buy on
> eventually get overwhelmed and wish they had just gone fishing? I see
> a lot of 4-figure repairs in the various notes going back and forth.
> I guess I'm just a little paranoid at this point of making my fun too
> much work.
>
> Any thoughts you have to offer will be appreciated.
>
> RW
>
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