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

[Gene Speer]

_____

>From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bubblerboy64
>Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 6:12 PM
>To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Opinions needed !!! Found a nice one ????



>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 -

Price is a difficult question, it tends to be relative. Having said
that I can tell you that I have an 81', 35', RB, FC, it has a new paint job,
new rubber, new rear end, new polished alum. wheels, retrofitted with an 8.3
series C turbo charged Cummins engine, new flooring, new beds, new blinds,
new awning, rebuilt jacks, and the list goes on frankly. I plan to sell
this bus in the fall for 35k, and I know there are others out there for
similar dollars in similar condition, so if you consider that the paint job
alone will cost in excess of 8k, and the engine another 8k, 20k for the '77
seems a little high to me.

>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?

I would say that
everyone has trouble driving these coaches for the first time. I know when
I drove mine for the first time, we had several hundred miles to travel and
I was afraid my wife was going to divorce me before we finished the trip.
You tend to over steer and until you learn to relax it will be difficult.
They all feel like they are loose, but I would venture to guess that the
steering is fine, it is more of an issue of you learning how to manage her
down the road.

>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.

I replaced the 3208 with a turbo charged Cummins and I will say
that it has made a huge difference in performance and economy. I can hold
the speed better, and I have better economy. I feel that the 3208 is a
little weak for the load. As for the retarder, I do have one on my coach
and frankly would not want to be with out it, I drive in the Rockies and
while I don't drive over a lot of passes, the retarder is of great help just
handling hills, it saves a great deal on brakes.

>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.

My coach is an 81', but you
will find it is very similar to the 83'-86' coaches, and if you would like
you can call me @ 406-253-4044

>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 ?

honestly the 3208 is a throw away engine,
they typically will provide service for as much as 250k, but depending on
the maintenance that has been done, they can have much shorter lives. That
is why I refitted with a Cummins. I know I won't be left standing on the
side of the road.

Gene Speer
81', 35', RB, FC


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