Worth It To Upgrade To A Newer Wanderlodge???

[jon lechich]

Jeff that was well written! Your write about the two foot thing and what happens
when you get that big 40 ft coach in a few years you want another one. Human
nature at work!Jon

Jeff Miller wrote:"Two-foot-itus" is a desease that has
inflicted financial pain on its
victims for longer than I've been around, it can affect boaters,
RVers, homeowners, ... its mutations are many.

If you like the coach you have, keep it. If it doesn't suit your
needs, then you have justification to change up. Anything beyond that
is a simple matter of you can afford better and you want to do it.
You can't take the money with you, ...

I've had most years/configurations of diesel FC, have my preferences.
Leaf springs, ride a little harsher and can't drop the coach for
leveling and ease of entry, but they are lighter and don't have the
air-leak problems (I'll be changing an air-bag tomorrow that leaks).
Turbos? I personally won't buy a non-turbo coach for example, kind of
like going back to B&W television once you've had color. I like the
safety of the retarder and the power with relatively clean exhaust of
the turbo coaches. The '87-'89 FC with the 300hp/5-speed is a whole
different driving experience again.

There is no improvement made to the Wanderlodge in the '80s that I
can think of that isn't worth a little more money. When people ask me
what year/model they should buy, the first question I ask is the
budget. If someone wants to spend $30k and have a coach that is ready
to roll, with everything looking and working great, it'll be hard to
find even an early diesel in that condition for that price. If
spending mid-$40k range and not minding a few minor and cosmetic
issues with an original interior, definately a turbo FC. If you have
the money for an '88/'89 FC, go for it they are IMO by far the best
FC models made for driveability and floorplan as well as many other
refinements. Pretty much every year from '82-on had significant
changes, some even mid-year, on the FC and on the PT. Move to a nice
turbo coach and you'll never be able to go back, air leaks or not.

We loved our '77, it served us well. It was simple and inexpensive to
operate, and most system failures could be dealt with using wire and
tape temporarily, ... a robust and charming coach. Then two-foot-itus
got me.

- Jeff Miller
http://www.wanderlodge.net
http://www.millercoachworks.com


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dthollis1961"

wrote:
> I own a 78 FC33 that I've spent the last 1-1/2 years refurbing.
It's
> to the point now that most everything works and looks good too, but
> it
> is still a 1978 model with leaf springs, 210 hp and 5.29 gears.
I'm
> not smart, but I don't think it would be a good idea to try to make
> a '78 into an '87 or so. Maybe I should buy a newer one instead.
> I'm
> talking about a '87-'89 FC.
>
> My questions are to those that have moved up the Wanderlodge
ladder.
> Is an '87 FC with all its updates over a '78 really worth 2 or 3
> times
> what a '78 FC is worth? I must be missing something. An '87 is
> still
> old, mine's just a little older. Was it worth it to you to move up?
>
> Just Wandering,
> David Hollis
> 78 FC33
> Springfield,IL






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