FC vs PT re; Repairs and Complexities

[mbulriss]

Tom,

ANY motorhome will have repair issues, even a new one. Typically, my
experience has been with the various systems rather than the running
gear, so diesel repairs is not really the issue (assuming a sound
investment to begin with and good maintenance practices). As you get
more amenities, you get more complex systems and more potential for
failure/learning experiences. Wanderlodges are full of amenities. It
is a worthwhile investment to get a good inspection from a
knowledgable party before buying if you are totally unfamiliar with RVs.

If you are truly mechanically challenged and unwilling to learn, then
a new coach that can be taken to the dealer under warranty for
everything that goes wrong may be the way to go. You bite the bullet
on depreciation. If you are mechanically inexperienced, but willing
to learn and try, then the various Wanderlodge forums will be there to
help you out. If you out-source all the repairs, you bite the bullet
on repair costs. As an example of the help available on the forums,
one of our female members that inherited a vintage Bird just had the
experience of learning how to remove, repair and replace a generator
radiator with the help of the forum members. I think she learned that
it isn't rocket science and that step by step input can save lots of
otherwise out-sourced repair costs.

Pop-up trailer?! Kind of a stretch versus a Bird. Are you seriously
looking? On the other hand, we went from a tent to a PT, so I
understand about stepping up in class!

Good luck in your decision. And, yes, we have members on many other
BB sites, so post away!

Mike Bulriss
83 PT40 "Stagecoach" - For Sale
91 PT40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "martymc_99"
wrote:
> As a relatively mechanically
> challenged "wanabee" (maybe can handle a spin on oil filter!)...are the
> FC's less or maybe more difficult to keep running than say a mid 80's
> PT? Also, along the same theme...is a mid 90's PTs less likely to have
> repair "issues"? Other than the fact it is newer?
>
> Seems to me the BB's are substantially more mechanically complex...ie
> multiple of everything? Should I maybe look for a pop-up trailer? Or
> should I get a diesel mechanic on retainer?
>
> What say you??? Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota
>
> P.S. I also posted on the other BB site...hope that is not against the
> Law!