Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

I would like some basic info on this year coach with the 8V92 engine.

Estimate of MSRP (realizing there are variables r/t options)?

Wheel base, with tag up?

Turning radius?

Front axle cut angle?

Weight?

All I'm looking for is ballpark figures, not exact numbers:-)

Regards,
Steve Harrie
(Travel Nursing: Out of lurking mode since our Dutch Star sold yesterday)

Steve,

These are guesses...(I did go out and measure the wheel base, however...+/-
an inch or so):

Wheelbase: (front axle to drivers): 231"
(front axle to tag) 281"

Weight: (rule of thumb on BB PT's) 1000 per ft (38' PT=38,000
lbs {empty} ) 38,000 pounds of rolling metal!!!

Turning radius: I can't come close to turning around on my 40' wide
residential street...I'd make a wild guess and say, maybe, turn around on a 70'
street (???).

Sorry, don't know what a "cut angle" is...I just drive the damn
thing...sorry!


Kevin McKeown
Yorba Linda, CA
1986 38' PT


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Steve,

Sorry, I forgot the MSRP when new...someone told me around $270,000 when
new...possibly more with all the extras???

Now, value ranges between 40K (great deal) to 100K (dreaming, unless
perfect)....my opinion, and you know what people say about opinions!


Kevin McKeown
YL CA
86 38PT


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for the info Kevin. It looks like we are looking at a rig
similar to yours. Is there any particulars we should look for with
this coach.

Regards,
Steve Harrie

Steve,

I can't think of anything in particular to watch out for on a
1986...basically, the same things as on all other BB's of this age. It's nice
to have the
maintenance records, all "Blue Box" contents (owner's manual, accessories
documentation, etc).

You should be prepared to bring all systems up to date, and expect to spend
money on that. Fluid changes (oil, coolant, trans), air dryer, alignment,
tires (on a PT, there's 8 tires at about $400 each) and tires older than 6 or so
years should be replaced regardless of how good they look, and any interior
improvements you might want to make...remember it's an 80's coach, with
interior styling in that era.

The coach's generator (Kohler/Yanmar) should be checked, and it's hours
consistent with the mileage shown on the BB. Expect to perform routine
maintenance on the genset as well.

If you are buying from a dealer, try to negotiate with them to have all this
stuff done before you pick it up, and make sure that they really do it.
When I bought mine, they said it was done, but I later found out that all they
did was "check" these things.

I suggest that you find a forum member that is willing to do a "walk
through" or PDI (pre delivery inspection) on any coach you are considering
buying.
Whatever nominal charge they might charge you will be money well spent. Put
out a plea for help once you find the coach...

I like the 8V92 vs the 6V (more HP, towing ability, resale). Nothing wrong
with the 6V (5 speed trans vs the 8V's 4 speed), but maybe it's a guy thing
(HP and torque). I believe that a coach that is used and driven often, not
just sitting around, not driven for a few years, is probably a better buy.
Fresh fuel, (I'd hate to have to replace 300 gallons of old, contaminated
diesel), exercised systems that still work, are all things to look for.

Expect to buy a new refrigerator if it's original, expect the dash air not
to work, expect one or more of the propane heaters not to work, prepare to buy
new batteries (6 6v, and a 12 genset battery) and smart chargers.

Still, these BB's are fun to own, and are truly built like a tank. It would
be hard for me to own anything else.

Let us know if there is anything you might need...the forum is a wealth of
information and without it, I would probably find a new owner for my BB!
Again, I thank all the BB owners for their past help and advice.


Best of luck!

Kevin McKeown
Yorba Linda, CA
1986 38' PT


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good points Kevin.

Steve,
If you like I can send you my Work Items and Cost Ledger that I keep for
our 1987 PT38. I purchased the bird in early February this year.

Curt Sprenger ‘87PT38, Anaheim, Calif.



krminyl@... wrote:

> Steve,
>
> I can't think of anything in particular to watch out for on a
> 1986...basically, the same things as on all other BB's of this age.
> It's nice to have the
> maintenance records, all "Blue Box" contents (owner's manual, accessories
> documentation, etc).
>
> You should be prepared to bring all systems up to date, and expect to
> spend
> money on that. Fluid changes (oil, coolant, trans), air dryer, alignment,
> tires (on a PT, there's 8 tires at about $400 each) and tires older
> than 6 or so
> years should be replaced regardless of how good they look, and any
> interior
> improvements you might want to make...remember it's an 80's coach, with
> interior styling in that era.
>
> The coach's generator (Kohler/Yanmar) should be checked, and it's hours
> consistent with the mileage shown on the BB. Expect to perform routine
> maintenance on the genset as well.
>
> If you are buying from a dealer, try to negotiate with them to have
> all this
> stuff done before you pick it up, and make sure that they really do it.
> When I bought mine, they said it was done, but I later found out that
> all they
> did was "check" these things.
>
> I suggest that you find a forum member that is willing to do a "walk
> through" or PDI (pre delivery inspection) on any coach you are
> considering buying.
> Whatever nominal charge they might charge you will be money well
> spent. Put
> out a plea for help once you find the coach...
>
> I like the 8V92 vs the 6V (more HP, towing ability, resale). Nothing
> wrong
> with the 6V (5 speed trans vs the 8V's 4 speed), but maybe it's a guy
> thing
> (HP and torque). I believe that a coach that is used and driven often,
> not
> just sitting around, not driven for a few years, is probably a better
> buy.
> Fresh fuel, (I'd hate to have to replace 300 gallons of old, contaminated
> diesel), exercised systems that still work, are all things to look for.
>
> Expect to buy a new refrigerator if it's original, expect the dash air
> not
> to work, expect one or more of the propane heaters not to work,
> prepare to buy
> new batteries (6 6v, and a 12 genset battery) and smart chargers.
>
> Still, these BB's are fun to own, and are truly built like a tank. It
> would
> be hard for me to own anything else.
>
> Let us know if there is anything you might need...the forum is a
> wealth of
> information and without it, I would probably find a new owner for my BB!
> Again, I thank all the BB owners for their past help and advice.
>
>
> Best of luck!
>
> Kevin McKeown
> Yorba Linda, CA
> 1986 38' PT
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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Steve,

It seems whenever someone who knows motorhomes sees the 8V, they have fond
memories of it. I think a diesel is a diesel, 2 stroker or 4 stroker. The
basic principals are the same, just that the 2 stroker has a power stroke each
detonation. This requires a lot of air, thus the supercharger.

RPM range is around 1300-2000. At 2000, you're hitting around 70 mph. Max
torque is between 1400-1600.

Fuel economy (contradiction in terms) is around 5 mpg, yanking a 24'
enclosed trailer with 4 large quads and gear in it.

The motor should go at least half a million miles before you think about any
major overhaul (I hope) assuming you take good care of it.

By the way, my wife is a cardiology NP, and has privledges at Anaheim
Memorial. I also had shoulder surgery there about 2 yrs ago. Small world...

Take care...

Kevin McKeown
Yorba Linda, CA (next to Anaheim, a couple miles from Curt's house).
1986 38' PT


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>Let us know if there is anything you might need

Boy, I was waiting for this:-)

I understand this is a 2 stroke engine. Is there anything different in
driving it compared to a 4 stroke? The Cat 330hp in my '03 Dutch Star
was pretty idiot proof. What RPM range do you keep it in? Approx what
RPM is peak torque? How many MPG at 65mph? Is the 8V92 DD a tricky
engine, or can most diesel mecahnics work on it? We just moved to St.
George, UT. I haven't noticed any DD mechanics here, but I know Las
Vegas Freightliner works on them (2 hours away).

I'm understanding this coach will weigh upwards of 38,000 lbs. Is
there anything beyond utilizing common sense that I'll need to be
aware of?

TIA,
Steve Harrie

> Steve, If you like I can send you my Work Items and Cost Ledger

That would be great!

Where in Anahiem are you. My wife and I worked as travel nurses,
working 2-3 month contracts at different hospitals around the country
while living in our DSDP. We did a stint at Anaheim Memorial Medical
Center. It's a very nice area.

We also worked at Spearfish Memorial in SD. I noticed there is a forum
member that lives there too.

Steve Harrie
(Ex Travel Nurse...Looking for a New Ride)

Hi Stevie,

I will probably get hit for this also.... But there is a good friend
who lives in Santa Clara, UT who is extremely knowledgeable on Detroit
engines. If you want his name, email off board. I understand I am
about to be banned.

George Lowry
'95 WBDA 4203
Spearfish, SD

trvlngnrs wrote:

>>Let us know if there is anything you might need
>
>
> Boy, I was waiting for this:-)
>
> I understand this is a 2 stroke engine. Is there anything different in
> driving it compared to a 4 stroke? The Cat 330hp in my '03 Dutch Star
> was pretty idiot proof. What RPM range do you keep it in? Approx what
> RPM is peak torque? How many MPG at 65mph? Is the 8V92 DD a tricky
> engine, or can most diesel mecahnics work on it? We just moved to St.
> George, UT. I haven't noticed any DD mechanics here, but I know Las
> Vegas Freightliner works on them (2 hours away).
>
> I'm understanding this coach will weigh upwards of 38,000 lbs. Is
> there anything beyond utilizing common sense that I'll need to be
> aware of?
>
> TIA,
> Steve Harrie
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>