Annual Maintenance / Repair Cost

[Leroy Eckert]

It is difficult to answer your question exactly. Non routine is difficult to classify also. I purchased a very well maintained coach 4 years ago from a knowledgeable owner who now owns a Prevost. Excluding elective upgrades (about $12K) which I have performed on my coach to make it better and more to my personal taste, follows is what I have done in those 4 years. I performed all the labor except as indicated. 8 new tires-by others-routine every 5-7 years Engine water pump-by others-non routine Annual fuel filter service Annual oil change Rebuilt Thomas air pump-air operated toilet-non routine. Depending on use 5 years is good Change Anit-freeze in engine and genset Service genset 8 times-every 100 hours Touch up paint as required to keep bus top notch Repair Kool-O-Matic fan-non routine Change dump paddles Replace Genset cooling fan and motor-non routine Replace front step mercury switches-non routine Reupholster couch, dinette and head board-non routine Replace two 160amp alternators-by others-non routine Light bulbs as needed Wax coach and polish wheels twice annually Replace 2 awning springs-non routine Annual Webasto service Clean Cadet toe heaters New gas grill outside-non routine Repair fresh water pump-change belt every two years Replace shore water pressure regulator-non routine Rework some TV cables-non routine Replace EL panel inverters-non routine Replace rear camera and monitor-add right side camera-non routine Replace two gas struts on bay doors Replace oil pressure sending unit Replace overtemp sensor and temp sender on genset Replace batteries with sealed versions-non routine- should last 5-7 years Convert chassis a/c to 134a-non routine Replace drive belts Water to air connection modification-non routine All of the foregoing amounts to just over 9K in 4 years or about $200 per month on average. Everything on my coach works today. Assuming one does not have a engine or tranny blow the bus is relatively inexpensive for the enjoyment gained. I used to spend $200 a week eating and drinking at the Cannery in Newport Beach. The more work you do yourself, the less it costs. If you have the service performed by others, the cost might be double what I have spent, don't know. There is always something to pick at if you want the bus to be top notch. I call it preventative maintenance hoping that my knit picking will help prevent a major incident, and hence defend against a really big bill. As far as the Prevost, my friend wants to sell his and return to Blue Bird. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors Dahlonega, GA Royale Conversion. --- On Wed, 11/19/08, Dave Mayo wrote: From: Dave Mayo Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Annual Maintenance / Repair Cost To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 9:21 PM In reading these type forums one would get the impression that a motorhome is constantly broken and being repaired. That is the nature of this type forum to discuss mechanical issues. I'm interested in getting an idea of the ballpark annual cost for non- routine repair for a mid 1990's Wanderlodge. I am also interested in a ballpark cost of annual routine maintenance. In planning a budget should one plan on $3,000 per year; $5,000 per year; $10,000 or more. Outside of the cost of purchase, depreciation, etc. how rich does one's blood need to be to afford the maintenance on a Bluebird. I understand that this will vary based upon the age of the coach and its condition. I'm just doing research to understand what is required to be able to own and maintain a Bluebird. Also, would the maintenance and repair cost between a Bluebird and a Prevost be similar or would one expect the Prevost to be higher. I appreciate your input as your knowledge is great. Thanks. Dave