Used RV's (not the aircraft) : )

[pavulon]

Approaching completely ignorant to these things but am wondering. It seems to my small brain that a used Wanderlodge is a LOT of vehicle for the money. So, what are the ins and outs of RVs as the braintrust sees them?

Random Wanderlodge image:

[rfuerst911sc]

In my opinion buying a used RV is the way to go unless you have stupid money available. RV's lose their value pretty quick why not let the first owner take the hit ? The major thing to look for in ANY RV is water leaks.

[Scuba Steve]

I've heard tires are stupid expensive and to have a look at the age and condition of those closely too.

[911_Dude]

All the problems of a house and a car all rolled into one. But they are cool. Definitely buy used.

[recycled sixtie]

When I see an older RV like this it reminds me of that Jack Nicholson movie( I forget the name) when he takes off in it after his wife passes. This is a cool way to pass the time but as the above says combine costs of living in a house and a car but with Porsche like expenses.

Yes definitely used is the way to go . High level of maintenance is required as regards propane fittings etc.(have witnessed one burn up). Of course you need a place to park a barge like this and mpg would be low. From my experience in the past we have rented a motorhome. They like to catch bugs because of the large frontal area at right angles to the direction of travel. However if something happened to my wife I would consider selling everything and buying an older motor home and towing some kind of P car behind.

Guy

[onewhippedpuppy]

Good timing. I had a 2002 31' Four Winds offered to me in trade for a Jeep last week. Under 20k, one pop out, looked nice in the pictures. I ultimately said no because in reality, I don't know when I would really use it, which seems to be a common theme. Lots of low mileage RVs for sale because they don't get used.

[ckelly78z]

The wonderlodge is essentially the same drivetrain as the Bluebird school buses all over this country, I would think that repair costs associated with the running gear should be a little cheaper because of that.

I have always liked the class C motorhome built on a Ford E350 V-10 chassis because of the relative affordability, and much easier to find and fix. Many times the difference between a high end RV and a budget RV are the quality of the finishes inside......suchas marble countertops compared to formica, hard wood floors compared to linoleum.

[patz]

It it rolls, screws, floats or is on a lake/shore.....rent.

[95avblm3]

My wife and I would like a serious RV to travel the country in in the future... as liveaboards. I've been doing extensive research on them. Ultimately, when the time comes, we will buy a converted Prevost... a Marathon coach is my first choice.

However, I've researched Wanderlodge's as an interim solution (since we are still a few years away from being able to live-a-board). Like a vintage Porsche, it is all about maintenance and care. As someone already said, they ride in a purpose-built bus chassis. My favorites are the ones from the '70s and '80s that are truly Bluebirds. Bluebird spun off the RV business in the late '90s (I think)... Buses from the hey day can be had for decent prices.

They made several configurations over the years including pushers and pullers in varying lengths and axle configurations. In the late '80s, when the US government allowed wider vehicles on our highways, they began offering wide-body versions (102" vs 96"). The pushers are quieter than the pullers for obvious reasons of engine location. Early busses didn't have air suspension either, so ride was not as smooth but they were simpler.

The first Wanderlodges used a Ford industrial gas engine, but these were the earliest ones and most used diesels. Cat 3208s both NA and turbo are pretty common. I've read good and bad about these. I think if maintained, they are fine. Most of the pushers in the '80s used Detroit 6V-92 or 8V-92 2-strokers. These Detroits are still pretty common on roads and are pretty bulletproof if taken care of. My first choice would be an SP or PT coach 38 to 40 feet with a Detroit. Easily attainable for under $50k. Interiors are mostly dated, but hey, that's part of the charm. It's vintage after-all.

Good luck.

[s_morrison57]

I'm looking at buying one as a tow vehicle for the race car, been checking them out for years.
Check the transmission oil for burnt smell
Make sure all the appliances work cause they are stupid expensive to repair /replace
Roof leaks as someone mentioned, beware of a freshly painted ceiling
I'm getting a Class C (van front) so its cheaper for rubber and brakes
There all al kinds of options so look at a few and surprisingly the floor plans differ quite a bit also, I'm looking for a big block for towing and not worried about mileage cause I'm close to the track. Vacationed in MH's seem to be in better shape than lived in MH's and a lot have been lived in or showed evidence of it, seems like they were worn out before their time, check the drivers seat vs mileage to see if that relates to the overall interior condition. The roll up canopy should be checked cause you hardly ever see them for sale used in decent condition and this is a sign of a lived in MH.

Finn

[Salty Springs]

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! Bought a 2003 Airstream Landyacht in 2005.0% down 2.9% interest.I nicknamed it my 626.02 cause that was my monthly payment.I paid for that GD thing for 7 years and finally got a prospective buyer.My wife said "are you gonna be sad when it's gone" I said "Yah but I'm gonna be a lot sadder if they don't show up!" Did enjoy it but was by far the worst financial mistake in all my years of buying chit.Bargain HARD and don't fall in love,walk away.Imo rv dealers are at the bottom of the sales food chain,Try to buy privately.As mentioned before look for leaks(roof especially)Remember,there are two kinds of rv's,those that leak and those that are gonna leak.
Dave

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Scuba Steve

I've heard tires are stupid expensive and to have a look at the age and condition of those closely too.

They are truck tires, and yes, hold on to your ass! But they last for freaking ever on a vehicle like that so once you are in, budget a few hundred a year for tires and it stash that money away.

[fingpilot]

Have been full-timing retired in a diesel pusher for 4 years now.

Is my 7th MH. First diesel pusher. Was the best decision I have ever made. I got tired of chasing 454 problems. The pushers are built to travel, half million mile chassis.

Bought a '02 Newmar Dutch Star in '11. Paid 60k. Window sticker in the file said $439k in '02. It had 30k miles. Looked like new, in and out. Set of tires cost me $1600. Has a Cummins 350HP Allison 6 speed trans, both computer controlled. I've put 30k on it, I did have one problem. Threw the A/C belt idling in Albuquerque. Took me 20 minutes to change in a Napa parking lot.
Two of us can go 20 days without needing a hookup. Short straw is grey water.

You'll never look back, I follow the sun.

Definately buy used. Buy an extended warranty until you get thru a maintenance cycle. Find one with slideouts. Don't know if the Bluebirds do that.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by fingpilot

Bought a '02 Newmar Dutch Star in '11. Paid 60k. Window sticker in the file said $439k in '02. It had 30k miles. Looked like new, in and out.

There you go. My parents owned 4 RVs and they always* bought used. Nicest was a mid 2000 Monaco diesel pusher. They drove all over NA for years and loved it. Their house had enough space to keep it onsite so it was a guest suite when not in use. They paid somewhere around $140K for it - similar original sticker to what fingpilot quoted. They sold it a few years ago for something like $100K.

* My Dad is older now and not making the best decisions. He took the money from the Monaco sale and bought a new '09 RoadTrek RS Adventurous. It currently has a grand total of 10K miles on it - they are just too old to use it. I'm guessing they lost 50% to depreciation alone I was tasked to sell it selling-rv-advice last year this time but that never came to pass. Maybe this year.

[Hugh R]

Tires can be expensive depending on the size of the vehicle. Big diesels tend to take more expensive ones. Everyone says you need new tires every 5 years, regardless of miles. I bought new in 2013 and put in a better mattress.

[schamp]

I have a 1990 Wanderlodge. If you want a motor coach there are none better imo. Mine weighs in around 47,000 pounds. It gets 5.8 miles to the gallon of diesel fuel. Fuel tank holds 300 gallons. Detroit Diesel 8v92. If the wind is on my nose its gets about 5.2. The best year imo was the 1997.
Saying they are well built is a understatement. The generator could run my house 15KV. Diesel as well.
Check out Wanderlodge Owners Group .com Lots and lots to read there. buy bye bluebird has a good many listed for sale. I bought mine thru them and would do it again.
On just about what ever you buy in the motor coaches, expect to spend an extra 10K in the first year. Servicing, tires, etc.
I know where there is a top of the line Winnebago that's about 10 years old with about 15,000 miles on it. Been in storage. Man died and his wife wont drive it. Kids use it some but they want to sell. Has two slides, I think. I can get you the telephone number.
My advice, whatever you buy, it has to have a history of the work done, maintenance, etc. If no history, keep walking, no, run.
For me, my next one will be a Wanderlodge.

[arcsine]

I have a love/hate relationship with my GMC.

It is cool and way-ahead-of-its-time design and engineering-wise. Relatively small outside but plenty of room inside. There is a near cult of people that are available to help maintain or upgrade pretty much any system on the coach.

But it is nearing 40 years old and there are many little projects needed to keep it up and running. The biggest hassle is undoing some very sketchy work done by previous owners (especially electrical).