Front Control v. Pusher

[Alan]

I am looking at a late 80's FC and have a few questions that I have
not been able to find a posting on.

1. Is the FC noisier for the driver when going down the road than a
pusher? Is it still possible to carry on a conversation with
passengers without too much difficulty?

2. Is one of the units easier to work on than the other? If so, much
more difficult? In what way?

3. Is there a difference in resale value for a FC v. Pusher? Is one
hard to sale than the other?

Any other advice that I should know for considering a FC (or other
questions I should be asking) would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully joining the BB club soon,
Alan Johnson

[davidkerryedwards]

My FC is quieter than the gas engined Travco I drove previously. No
problem carrying on a conversation going down the road. However,
especially with the windows open, it is louder than a pusher. Not
loud enough to bother me however. I do like the fact that any change
in engine sound that might indicate a problem can be heard by the
driver in an FC. This is not always the case with a pusher.
Look for an FC with a swing out radiator. It makes working on the
front of the engine much easier. With an air wrench, the mechanic who
repaired the idler pulley on my FC a few weeks ago, had the front
completely open and the engine accessible within 10 minutes.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Alan"
wrote:
>
> I am looking at a late 80's FC and have a few questions that I have
> not been able to find a posting on.
>
> 1. Is the FC noisier for the driver when going down the road than a
> pusher? Is it still possible to carry on a conversation with
> passengers without too much difficulty?
>
> 2. Is one of the units easier to work on than the other? If so, much
> more difficult? In what way?
>
> 3. Is there a difference in resale value for a FC v. Pusher? Is one
> hard to sale than the other?
>
> Any other advice that I should know for considering a FC (or other
> questions I should be asking) would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Hopefully joining the BB club soon,
> Alan Johnson
>

[Eric Johnson]

Hello Alan,
I agree with all Kerry said. My FC is plenty quiet on the road for normal
conversation.
Have read some complaints about noise but I think most of these cases are due to
deterioration of sound proofing materials in engine hatch which is not a big job
to replace.
Swing radiator is nice to have but mine is not. I can access the front of the
engine within
45 minutes to an hour so it takes a little longer but is not a killer. FC's
with turbo get
pretty good fuel mileage (8 mpg) compared with coaches with bigger engines but
are also
slower. Many pro's and cons for FC vs pusher. I think the best thing you can
do is look
for a coach that is well cared for and best meets your needs in terms of space,
performance and cost. Resale of one vs the other is complicated subject. A
pusher that is
trashed out can easily be worth less than an FC in top condition.

I used http://www.birdconnection.com website to shop for birds when I was looking.
Wide range
of listings can give you a feel for prices and features.

Regards, Eric
84FC35SB

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Alan" wrote:
>
> I am looking at a late 80's FC and have a few questions that I have
> not been able to find a posting on.
>
> 1. Is the FC noisier for the driver when going down the road than a
> pusher? Is it still possible to carry on a conversation with
> passengers without too much difficulty?
>
> 2. Is one of the units easier to work on than the other? If so, much
> more difficult? In what way?
>
> 3. Is there a difference in resale value for a FC v. Pusher? Is one
> hard to sale than the other?
>
> Any other advice that I should know for considering a FC (or other
> questions I should be asking) would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Hopefully joining the BB club soon,
> Alan Johnson
>

[Scott Forman]

I have an FC, have previously owned a non-BB pusher.

The FC is most certainly louder, the engine is 10 inches from your
right knee. But it is not so loud it creates a problem. I re-
insulated my engine compartment, and that helped a lot, but even
before that it was not hard to talk to passengers in a normal tone.
I also like the piece of mind of being able to hear my engine.
Sometimes unusual noises can signal a problem-in-waiting, and you'd
never know with a pusher.

I have never tried to work on a pusher 'Bird, but an FC with a swing
radiator is not hard to work on with simple tools.

If you have an FC and a pusher of the same year and comporable
condition, the pusher will cost more. Although, in my experience
watching the market, neither an FC or a pusher of early or mid 80's
vintage is going to depreciate much if you don't pay too much and
keep the coach maintained. That is, to me, one of the greatest
things about owning an old 'Bird, none of that typical 300% per year
motorhome depreciation. As for difficulty selling...any 'Bird takes
the right buyer from a limited group of people who understand
what 'Birds are all about. An FC is going to be cheaper, making it
affordable to a wider group of people. But some folks require a
pusher for their own personal tastes and won't consider an FC.

Good luck finding what you want.

Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Alan"
wrote:
>
> I am looking at a late 80's FC and have a few questions that I have
> not been able to find a posting on.
>
> 1. Is the FC noisier for the driver when going down the road than a
> pusher? Is it still possible to carry on a conversation with
> passengers without too much difficulty?
>
> 2. Is one of the units easier to work on than the other? If so,
much
> more difficult? In what way?
>
> 3. Is there a difference in resale value for a FC v. Pusher? Is
one
> hard to sale than the other?
>
> Any other advice that I should know for considering a FC (or other
> questions I should be asking) would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Hopefully joining the BB club soon,
> Alan Johnson
>

[Jack & Donna Smith]

Yes, to what Scott said. Our FC is a Gas rig, a bit underpowered, but
in comparison to the newer coaches it requires much less maintenance.
Partly because it is a simpler machine, not having many of the
"Systems" of the newer models. "What Ain't There, Can't Break"!
But bear in mind that an older coach will have aore wear on it than a
new Coach..
Plan on replacing ALL rubber hoses, especially those to the Chassis
heaters. Last year, I had to replace both the Radiator, and the Onan,
while 1000 miles from home..
But my License fee (in ArnoldLand) was a whopping $56 last year!!
Jack Smith
1973FC31...


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> I have an FC, have previously owned a non-BB pusher.
>
> The FC is most certainly louder, the engine is 10 inches from your
> right knee. But it is not so loud it creates a problem. I re-
> insulated my engine compartment, and that helped a lot, but even
> before that it was not hard to talk to passengers in a normal tone.
> I also like the piece of mind of being able to hear my engine.
> Sometimes unusual noises can signal a problem-in-waiting, and you'd
> never know with a pusher.
>
> I have never tried to work on a pusher 'Bird, but an FC with a swing
> radiator is not hard to work on with simple tools.
>
> If you have an FC and a pusher of the same year and comporable
> condition, the pusher will cost more. Although, in my experience
> watching the market, neither an FC or a pusher of early or mid 80's
> vintage is going to depreciate much if you don't pay too much and
> keep the coach maintained. That is, to me, one of the greatest
> things about owning an old 'Bird, none of that typical 300% per year
> motorhome depreciation. As for difficulty selling...any 'Bird takes
> the right buyer from a limited group of people who understand
> what 'Birds are all about. An FC is going to be cheaper, making it
> affordable to a wider group of people. But some folks require a
> pusher for their own personal tastes and won't consider an FC.
>
> Good luck finding what you want.
>
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Alan"
> wrote:
> >
> > I am looking at a late 80's FC and have a few questions that I have
> > not been able to find a posting on.
> >
> > 1. Is the FC noisier for the driver when going down the road than a
> > pusher? Is it still possible to carry on a conversation with
> > passengers without too much difficulty?
> >
> > 2. Is one of the units easier to work on than the other? If so,
> much
> > more difficult? In what way?
> >
> > 3. Is there a difference in resale value for a FC v. Pusher? Is
> one
> > hard to sale than the other?
> >
> > Any other advice that I should know for considering a FC (or other
> > questions I should be asking) would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Hopefully joining the BB club soon,
> > Alan Johnson
> >
>