Help...Us buy our first motoerhome......

[brad barton]

Wave,

I am only a civilian, not a mechanic, so these are just my impressions. There are many others who would disagree. Compared to my 35'FC and the 43' LXi, the Newell had much less vertical movement in travel. It's just the way different manufacturers set up the suspension and handle the weight on their coaches.

My opinion is that the 43' length of the coach, exaggerated by the wide travel of the suspension produced either flexes or possibly shocks that resulted in several failures plus chatters, chirps and rattles, alllocated near the middle of the coach which I outlined earlier. Maybe they were all unrelated. Maybe I just had some bad luck- Ican't sayfor sure.

Don't get me wrong, my LXi was, and still is the most elegant coach I've ever seen.I'm glad I had the experience of owning it. If I was forced to make a choice right now though, I'd take a close look at a non-slide LXi, a PT40 or an LX if they were impeccably maintained or re-done.

Best of luck,

Brad







"bbartonwx@hotmail.com"

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To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: w5sk@...
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:57:36 +0000
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Help...Us buy our first motoerhome......

Brad,

I am new to this forum. Have owned several glass coaches but looking to move up to a bus. Currently in a 40' Vogue V 96 which is really a very nice fiberglass Prevost look alike.

You said that the 43 foot Wonderlodge had some issues with the ride. Do you think that was the length or the chassis. Could you tell me more?

Thanks,

Wave
Near Medicine Park, Ok.
96 Vogue V
still working

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", brad barton <bbartonwx@.<WBR>..> wrote:
>
>
> Clyde,
>
> I've owned an 84 FC Blue Bird Wanderlodge, an 86 Newell and a 2000 Wanderlodge LXi. For what it's worth, my 84 FC was the most trouble-free coach I had, but underpowered (for my taste).
>
> The 86 Newell was the best handling coach I had, a pleasure to drive, but a few of the parts were getting hard to find in 2004. My LXi was more problematic than I thought it should've been. I think the 43' length, excessive vertical movement and body flex were related to several problems. I'd rather stay at 38-40'.
>
>
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> Since you're in St. Louis, you'd be fairly close to the Newell factory in Miami, OK. And they are a pleasure to deal with on maintenance and service issues (as I'm sure Blue Bird was when their factory was still in business). A later-model Newell (Series 2000 or newer) in pristine condition would be a good choice, just keep it serviced at the factory.
>
>
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> A late 80's to mid 90's Wanderlodge PT40 or SP36 would be fine if it's been renovated and free of rust.
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>
> If I were in the market for a bus-style coach, I'd find out who services Prevost and Marathon coaches in my area and get their opinion on parts and maintenance.
>
> And, if you buy a metal coach, you'll probably never want to buy a fiberglass coach again, no matter what the price.
>
>
> No coach, new, used, metal or plastic will be a snap to own and run. You have to be prepared financially and emotionally for wear, tear, breakage, replacement parts and plenty of maintenance. One other thing that's real important is..no leaks. No air leaks at the door, no water leaks anywhere, roof, windows, tanks or valves. They have a way of causing more damage to more things than you can imagine. If it leaks, and they won't guarantee the fix, keep looking. Best of luck.
>
>
> bbartonwx@...
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>
>
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> To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
> From: cmlintx@...
> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:07:50 -0800
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Help...Us buy our first motoerhome......
>
>
>
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>
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> My wife and I would like to buy a diesel pusher this spring. In your opinion, would it be better to buy an older Blue Bird, Prevost, or Newell or....... a newer Newmar, Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood, or Tiffin? Our funds are limited so a new ones are out of the question.
>
> Your opinion is welcome and needed!!
>
> Thank You,
> Clyde Byram
> St. Louis, MO
> Want-A-Be Motorhomer
>
>
>
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