Wanderlodge Question

[d.mckendree]

For lots of info on Prevost, join POG (http://www.prevostownersgroup.com). Cost
$100/year but they are very helpful,knowledgeable,and mechanically inclined.
They also have a great prepurchase inspection list of things to inspect. I was
looking a the same types of coaches last year at this time. Had a 2000 Itasca
Horizon - 36' with 2 slides which had served me well, but was ready for
something different. Looked at Bluebirds, Prevosts, and Newells. The 1999-2000
Bluebird LXi's with slides were very apppealing. Hated to give up slides. The
Prevosts rarely have slides. 1998 Prevosts and newer have independent front
suspension (IFS) - very nice, can turn in their own radius. After 2000 the
stainless on Prevosts is laminated(glued on), not rivited. There has been some
delamination issues. So far Prevost has covered the repair which can run up to
$30K, so I would prefer rivits. Marathon, Liberty, and Parliament are all good
converters, still in business and offering execellent customer support. At
http://www.parliamentcoach.com, they have a nice 1999 Marathon Prevost for $189,000.00.
Looked at it last year, it was $100K more. Nice woodwork (I'm not a big fan of
laminate), but no slides. It's been for sale for a couple years, so it would
probably need some going over and all rubber replaced - hoses, suspension bags,
etc. as recommended by POG every 10 years, but then would be good for years.
Another good place to look is http://www.mrolivers.com . Never did find quite the
right metal coach, so ended up buying a 2008 Beaver Contessa last fall. Yea
it's plastic, but it has beautiful cherry woodwork, king bed, new rubber,
electronics and lots of room with the slides out. Fortunately I got all the
Monaco related warranty issues resolved before they filed for bankruptcy. If I
bought one now, I would spend a lot of time at the dealer making sure everything
worked before buying and consider an extended warranty.

Dave Campbell
SOB
Fla.-Wis.





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "cmccarty4301"
wrote:
>
> I am contemplating a used higher end (mid 1990s) RV purchase and inquiring on
the benefits of the Wanderlodge over the Prevost. Is one more reliable and or
easy to maintain than the other? Cost of Ownership?
>
> The Wanderlodge has different axel and engine configurations. Any thoughts on
this? I think I am more interested in the Detroit Deisel, but am open to
anyone's thoughts.
>
> Are these relatively easy to maintain for someone with basic mechanical
skills?
>
> Thanks
> Chris
>