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02-16-2009, 08:47

I can add that even if you do plan to do some "remodeling" to a coach, it's best to have one that's sound to begin with. I had some very specific needs in my coach -- and I knew I'd probably remove some of the furniture, etc.

I ended up doing much more (installed a bamboo wood floor) than I'd intended, but since there was no underlying repairs to make, the updating/redecorating was relatively straightforward and I didn't run into any serious challenges with the project. I note that putting in a new wood floor requires that the interior be near-gutted. Only permanently fixed cabinets (the galley) stayed in place. I chose not to remove the driver/passenger seat (leaving the carpet under them) but everything else was taken out to allow a wall-to-wall installation of the floor.

I gotta say, too, that living with a wood floor is so much more pleasant than the smelly old carpet! It's easy to clean. You can use a couple of bath-mat size washable rugs to capture dirty shoes. (Then run 'em through the wash when they're dirty.) It doesn't hold any odors. (A slightly funky smell I noticed after the bus was stored awhile is gone.) And, it looks nice, too.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 16, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 6:52 PM, jkenn48105 <"apache235@mac.com"> wrote:

If I were you I'd look for a bus that you could step in and drive away with
99% of everything working.
Seconded. Don't buy an old coach with problems unless you have lots of
time, money, and the skill to fully restore it. Even with all of that,
you will probably grow weary. I did. Bought my grandparents' old '66
Dodge Travco. It was rough after sitting for a decade. I think I gave
Grandma $4500 for it, enjoyed it for maybe a couple of years, then
realized the extent of the restoration that would be required to keep
enjoying it. The floor was rotten which meant gutting the entire
interior, for one, and that was just the first item on a very long
list. I started it... got several hundred hours and another $4000 into
it before realizing, "When I'm done, I'm going to have a year of my
life and $30,000+ into this, and it will still only be worth $10k
tops."

I cut my losses and bought a Wanderlodge. Sold the Travco for $1000 to
a friend who is going to try to finish the restoration I started.
Should have just sold it to begin with and never started the
restore...

If you really want a Wanderlodge on a budget, my advice is to save up
$30,000-$40,000 and find an early eighties coach that has been well
cared for and doesn't need any work at all. Make sure you can afford
the random $2,000 repair, and tires every few years, and fuel and
maintenance. I don't want to discourage you but a big coach like this
is not cheap to own or operate. The older, "needs work" coaches are
very tempting, but I don't believe most people have any idea what
they're getting themselves into until it's too late. Been there, done
that, learned my lesson good.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

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