New to group

[Brian Gatley]

I have been lurking for about a week now and just thought I would throw
my hat in the ring.

We are a family with 4 kids (ages 6 - 13) and bought a 97 Beaver Patriot
2 years ago to travel across the country. After putting 10,000 miles on
that coach and then selling it we now have our eyes on a Wanderlodge
(probably 90s vintage). Obviously sleeping accommodations is an issue
for us and in the Patriot we installed a drop dinette and had 2 joey-bed
couches.

As the kids get bigger, the dinette is getting a bit crowded for 2 kids
and maybe a little short for even just 1. I am not sure I would go to
the expense of installing a drop dinette again.

I have seen pictures of a Newell at Holland Motor Homes that sleeps 9
and I thought I would investigate a similar bunk installation in a
Wanderlodge.

http://imm.rvamerica.net/showinv/imm_det...lientid=33
<http://imm.rvamerica.net/showinv/imm_det...3&id=10908>
&id=10908

We have no intention of changing the queen bed in the back, but would
consider installing bunks above the couches in the living area (sleep 6
total - queen, 2 bunks and 2 couches)

There are several reasons we are looking at Wanderlodges:

1. Steel frame construction - I'm not sure I want to hang bunks like
these from the ceiling of an aluminum frame coach.

2. Towing capacity - We tow a Yukon XL and the older Beavers (and other
coaches) have towing capacities closer to 5000 than do the bus class
coaches. We towed a smaller 4600 lb van with our Patriot and it worked
fine, but I don't think I would tow our Yukon with it.

3. Safety - I like the idea of a "tank" for the family.

4. Ride and handling - The ride and handling of our Beaver was great (8
airbags), but I am hoping the ride of a bus class coach is going to be
as good, if not better, as the Beaver.

5. Long-term value - This purchase may be longer term if we enjoy the
coach more, but I want to be sure to retain value over that time also.

6. Repairs and maintenance - I do not have time or inclination for a
significant full-time project of constant repairs and remodeling. I
understand the need for on-going maintenance and now and then repairs.
However, I really do want more travel time than I do repair or
remodeling time.

As I have read some of the discussions about Wanderlodges and
investigated other information, they, like many other coaches seem to
have their issues, but with regular maintenance and possibly a little
help from this group, I hope to own a Wanderlodge one day that will
serve our desire to travel as a family.

Is anyone familiar with the bunk system that is in the Newell above and
possible ways to install a similar system in a Wanderlodge?

Also, any other tips anyone has for a "newbie Wanderlodge wanna-be"
would be helpful.

Brian


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