Opinions needed !!! Found a nice one ????

[Jon]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> Fellows, I just returned from a run to look, feel and fondle a
1977
> 33ft Side Bath. This one was NICE, So nice even the engine air
> worked. Paint 95% interior 90% all systems functional. 120K miles
> with an engine replaced at 70K couple questions.
> 1) If this is the best of the best or close how far off is
> the asking price of $24K ? I know, I know, that's a crap shoot but
I
> am thinking if I offer I would not feel good at over $20K. Knowing
> the realities of what the future holds even if its really that good
> today
> 2) Only problem I had was driving it. I had trouble keeping
> in going now the road straight. Owner said characteristic and I
was
> doing better then he did first time in the drivers seat but I found
> it disconcerting enough that 45 mph was about all I felt
comfortable
> going. When the owner was driving he seemed to have no trouble. So
> question. Is this the nature or is there a steer box issue?
> 3) Driving home over some of the roads I would in fact
drive
> the coach over I began to question the lack of turbo and retarder.
> Not talking about the Rockies here but I am interested in opinions
> (again I guess) about the NA seventies coaches. This had air
> suspended seat and as a result I was more then satisfied with ride
> quality.
> 4) My goal is to do this one time or not at all. I intend
to
> drive a newer later coach with the items missing for this 1977
before
> I go further. So perhaps some of you guys with 1983 to 1986 coaches
> could drop me a note with phone numbers etc.
> 5) All opinions appreciated. Again thanks for all the
> information all ready provided. I am attempting to do the leg work
> and the travel to make an educated and wise decision. I realize
that
> I may need to spend more to buy the hammer to drive the nail that I
> want to sink. I would love to spend $20K but I will not until I
have
> more opinions and more experience. It would make no sense to buy
> less and then have to sell and more up. So what ya think? And I
know
> I have to be the judge but your input as a group is EXTREMELY
> valued. Thank you again for your collective time, interest and
> understanding. John Heckman Oh and PS why are some many of these
> coaches facing engine replacements at around 80K miles. Shouldn't
one
> of those CAT engines go hundreds of K's. So at 120k miles is a guy
> facing another engine at 150K ?

Your question of "Why so many engine replacements at 80,000 miles?"
Boy the only thing I can think about is that the previous owner never
did his preventive maintenance or ran the engine at full throttle!
Mine has 150,000 miles on it and it runs like a clock and uses about
the same amount of oil as when new.

I would check all the hoses and belts to see that they are in good
shape as those items tend to where out. And check out the brakes!!!!
Make sure you have plenty of shoe wear left on all four brakes and
that there are no leaky Axel seal on the rear. When I bought mine
the owner told me the brakes were in good shape but didn't tell me
anything about the seals on the rear axle's. You can check this just
by looking under and checking the rear drums for any oil leakage.

I stated here befor as far as having a brake retarder system on a
coach it would be great but I don't have one and I really don't think
it would be worth the money spent to install one. But that's my
opinion and beside this old coach had 147,000 miles on it and its
went that far with without this device I guess the old brakes system
works ok.

Well good luck on your deal and be ready to find a few hidden
problems but it sounds like a nice coach to start with and into days
market 20,000 to 25,000 dollars is within reach of most new rv owners.

One more thing check the DOT dates on all four tires!!!!! The tires
might look just great but if they are over seven years old then most
of the people here will state "Get them replaced". So if the tires
are older than seven years maybe the seller might bring the price
down a thousand dollars just so you can get new shoes for your rig.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/1942...alservice0
03.jpg

Jon
78 Wanderlodge
Washington "The evergreen state"

Jon

>