Worth It To Upgrade To A Newer Wanderlodge???

[George Lowry]

Jack,

That slowness doesn't necessarily go away with a newer coach. I
expected a lot more from our '95 bird with the Series 60 engine and 6
speed tranny. It is slightly faster than 17 mph up the Grapevine
(actually around 30 towing a toad.) but the mileage is not that great
getting only around 6 mpg after modifying it with a new turbo. My old
GM did better in both categories (49 mph up the Grapevine and 7.5
mpg). But Moma wanted a larger coach for full timing. Now she is
having second thoughts. In many respects you could do a better job if
you remodeled what you have. Only problem is that you must use the
value, you can never sell it for a fraction of what you get in it.

George Lowry
'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
Spearfish, SD (selling the farm in NORCAL)

Jack & Donna Smith wrote:

> We are also interested in upgrading. We like our 1973FC but some
> basic things annoy us. For instance, the Hydraulic Brakes, 391 Gas
> Engine, Split Rim Wheels, and a general overhaul of the interior to
> please the Wife.
> What really irks us is the slowness of the coach. We always tow the
> Jeep, but 17mph up the Grapevine, Cajon Pass, Raton Pass, and others
> make us wish for more power.
> The mileage at 5mpg also leaves a bunch to be desired, but I remember
> the 22K mile trip in our Cl 'C' Toyota that turned in 12mpg, so half
> that with 10 times the coach eases the pain....
> But to date we have some $20K invested, Engine work, new Torque
> Converter, New Paint, and a new 5.5 Onan. Probably be lucky to get
> $12-14K out of the coach.
> But I belive that it, being a BLUEBIRD, we have a better resale than
> if it were a SOB.
> Jack Smith
> 1973FC31
> SoCal
>
> --- 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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