Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hi --

k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.

Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4 wheelers
and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I would
prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-ups
and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding around
on her 4 wheeler).

So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf springs
as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
(something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this
true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want the FC
so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the dust
as much. ???

Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one hand
it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break down -
but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage it
is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any numbers or
real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph over
a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the
flats.

Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers and
their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na pulling
a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with a
31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me. Not
too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into camp.

Thank you . . .

Jim

Any motorhome with airbrakes is gonna have a compressor. I see many dumptrucks running offroad with airbag suspension but they do rip the bags often. Out in California the first trailer in a combination of two has to be a fith wheeler. how is dust an issue, isnt dust and dirt what going off road is all about?

a

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "barneja4" <barneja4@...> wrote:
>
> Hi --
>
> k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
> decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
>
> Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4 wheelers
> and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
> country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I would
> prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-ups
> and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding around
> on her 4 wheeler).
>
> So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf springs
> as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
> (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this
> true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want the FC
> so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the dust
> as much. ???
>
> Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one hand
> it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break down -
> but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage it
> is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any numbers or
> real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph over
> a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the
> flats.
>
> Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers and
> their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na pulling
> a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with a
> 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me. Not
> too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into camp.
>
> Thank you . . .
>
> Jim
>

Jim, I'm not too certain any bb is a good pick for your application but 7500 PBS
is too
much for my coach way too much and I can not carry more then about 50 gal of
water.
Not able to suggest what would work but my coach isn't nearly enough to do what
you
are planning
John Heckman
Center pa
1973 fc 3208na
>
> k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
> decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
>
> Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4 wheelers
> and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
> country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I would
> prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-ups
> and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding around
> on her 4 wheeler).
>
> So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf springs
> as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
> (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this
> true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want the FC
> so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the dust
> as much. ???
>
> Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one hand
> it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break down -
> but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage it
> is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any numbers or
> real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph over
> a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the
> flats.
>
> Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers and
> their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na pulling
> a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with a
> 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me. Not
> too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into camp.
>
> Thank you . . .
>
> Jim
>

Jim,
The shear weight of an FC will get you into trouble in any soft
ground. If you intend to go down a narrow dirt road I would jump on a
4-wheeler and scope it out thoroughly first. And with a heavy trailer
like that I don't know how you are going to get turned around to get
back out?

Gardner
83FC35

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "barneja4" <barneja4@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi --
>
> k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
> decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
>
> Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4
wheelers
> and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
> country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I would
> prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-ups
> and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding around
> on her 4 wheeler).
>
> So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf
springs
> as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
> (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this
> true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want the
FC
> so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the dust
> as much. ???
>
> Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one hand
> it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break down -
> but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage
it
> is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any numbers
or
> real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph
over
> a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the
> flats.
>
> Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers and
> their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na
pulling
> a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with a
> 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me. Not
> too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into camp.
>
> Thank you . . .
>
> Jim
>

I've been thinkin about Jim's intended use and having owned travel
trailers and a 5th wheel I think he would be better off with a pickup
truck and a toy hauler of some type, or perhaps at truck (bed) camper
and the trailer he already has. These would likely do the job better
for any Class A motorhome. A toterhome built on some type of 4 wheel
drive chassis would be the nuts. I don't know of anything like that
that out there. Like Gardner suggested getting a BB into a tight
situation could be real interesting. I've had a 4 wheel drive truck
stuck with a 5th wheel on the back and I do not want to ever have to
experience similar with the "Bird"
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC




wrote:
>
>
> Jim,
> The shear weight of an FC will get you into trouble in any soft
> ground. If you intend to go down a narrow dirt road I would jump on
a
> 4-wheeler and scope it out thoroughly first. And with a heavy
trailer
> like that I don't know how you are going to get turned around to
get
> back out?
>
> Gardner
> 83FC35
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "barneja4" <barneja4@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi --
> >
> > k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
> > decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
> >
> > Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4
> wheelers
> > and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
> > country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I
would
> > prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-
ups
> > and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding
around
> > on her 4 wheeler).
> >
> > So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf
> springs
> > as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
> > (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this
> > true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want
the
> FC
> > so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the
dust
> > as much. ???
> >
> > Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one
hand
> > it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break
down -
> > but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage
> it
> > is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any
numbers
> or
> > real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph
> over
> > a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the
> > flats.
> >
> > Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers
and
> > their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na
> pulling
> > a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with
a
> > 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me.
Not
> > too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into
camp.
> >
> > Thank you . . .
> >
> > Jim
> >
>

CurtS is hardcore offroad with his bus. he drives to the limit then
unhooks one of the offroad toys for the balance. the trick is
knowing the limit. I see folks setup camp in the desert and beach
once stuck. that's just after your limit, not at limit. The bigger
the tires the deeper they seem to go and get stuck.

Pismo beach cops told me to park the bus in the soft sand or I would
be tickeded $35.00 for leaving it in the hardpack tidal path. I
paid cash.

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomoland

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> I've been thinkin about Jim's intended use and having owned travel
> trailers and a 5th wheel I think he would be better off with a
pickup
> truck and a toy hauler of some type, or perhaps at truck (bed)
camper
> and the trailer he already has. These would likely do the job
better
> for any Class A motorhome. A toterhome built on some type of 4
wheel
> drive chassis would be the nuts. I don't know of anything like
that
> that out there. Like Gardner suggested getting a BB into a tight
> situation could be real interesting. I've had a 4 wheel drive
truck
> stuck with a 5th wheel on the back and I do not want to ever have
to
> experience similar with the "Bird"
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>
>
>
>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Jim,
> > The shear weight of an FC will get you into trouble in any
soft
> > ground. If you intend to go down a narrow dirt road I would jump
on
> a
> > 4-wheeler and scope it out thoroughly first. And with a heavy
> trailer
> > like that I don't know how you are going to get turned around to
> get
> > back out?
> >
> > Gardner
> > 83FC35
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "barneja4" <barneja4@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi --
> > >
> > > k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
> > > decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
> > >
> > > Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4
> > wheelers
> > > and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
> > > country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I
> would
> > > prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-
> ups
> > > and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding
> around
> > > on her 4 wheeler).
> > >
> > > So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf
> > springs
> > > as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
> > > (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is
this
> > > true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want
> the
> > FC
> > > so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the
> dust
> > > as much. ???
> > >
> > > Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one
> hand
> > > it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break
> down -
> > > but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp
usage
> > it
> > > is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any
> numbers
> > or
> > > real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole
35mph
> > over
> > > a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on
the
> > > flats.
> > >
> > > Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo
trailers
> and
> > > their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na
> > pulling
> > > a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road
with
> a
> > > 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind
me.
> Not
> > > too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into
> camp.
> > >
> > > Thank you . . .
> > >
> > > Jim
> > >
> >
>

Smart Man Greg, wouldn't get a bird pulled out for ten times $35.
Like you said it's knowing the limit, which I clearly know the moment
I go over. I don't know if I am smarter or lazier then I used to be
but the thoughts of taking the BB anyplace that I might even have to
back out of is not happy thoughts for me.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> CurtS is hardcore offroad with his bus. he drives to the limit then
> unhooks one of the offroad toys for the balance. the trick is
> knowing the limit. I see folks setup camp in the desert and beach
> once stuck. that's just after your limit, not at limit. The bigger
> the tires the deeper they seem to go and get stuck.
>
> Pismo beach cops told me to park the bus in the soft sand or I
would
> be tickeded $35.00 for leaving it in the hardpack tidal path. I
> paid cash.
>
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomoland
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
> wrote:
> >
> > I've been thinkin about Jim's intended use and having owned
travel
> > trailers and a 5th wheel I think he would be better off with a
> pickup
> > truck and a toy hauler of some type, or perhaps at truck (bed)
> camper
> > and the trailer he already has. These would likely do the job
> better
> > for any Class A motorhome. A toterhome built on some type of 4
> wheel
> > drive chassis would be the nuts. I don't know of anything like
> that
> > that out there. Like Gardner suggested getting a BB into a tight
> > situation could be real interesting. I've had a 4 wheel drive
> truck
> > stuck with a 5th wheel on the back and I do not want to ever have
> to
> > experience similar with the "Bird"
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 1973 FC
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Jim,
> > > The shear weight of an FC will get you into trouble in any
> soft
> > > ground. If you intend to go down a narrow dirt road I would
jump
> on
> > a
> > > 4-wheeler and scope it out thoroughly first. And with a heavy
> > trailer
> > > like that I don't know how you are going to get turned around
to
> > get
> > > back out?
> > >
> > > Gardner
> > > 83FC35
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "barneja4" <barneja4@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi --
> > > >
> > > > k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a
good
> > > > decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
> > > >
> > > > Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4
> > > wheelers
> > > > and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the
back
> > > > country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I
> > would
> > > > prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no
hook-
> > ups
> > > > and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding
> > around
> > > > on her 4 wheeler).
> > > >
> > > > So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf
> > > springs
> > > > as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt
roads
> > > > (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is
> this
> > > > true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you
want
> > the
> > > FC
> > > > so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of
the
> > dust
> > > > as much. ???
> > > >
> > > > Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the
one
> > hand
> > > > it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break
> > down -
> > > > but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp
> usage
> > > it
> > > > is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any
> > numbers
> > > or
> > > > real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole
> 35mph
> > > over
> > > > a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on
> the
> > > > flats.
> > > >
> > > > Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo
> trailers
> > and
> > > > their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na
> > > pulling
> > > > a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road
> with
> > a
> > > > 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind
> me.
> > Not
> > > > too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into
> > camp.
> > > >
> > > > Thank you . . .
> > > >
> > > > Jim
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

Jim:
Find yourself an EARLY 1980 FC 31..........without airbags and
levelers,...put a SWINGOUT RADIATOR ON IT....... tell the wife to
shower the old fasion way with a DIPPER AND A TUB....AND......you
will be happeir then a pig in mud doing your OFF ROAD stuff......
the 1980 is a 210 NA and the culmination of all the best features
from 1976- 1980....I had a 1980, leaf springs, 210 NA and 31 ft...it
was the GREATEST!..DO NOT GET ONE ANY LONGER FOR YOUR OFF ROAD TOWING
NEEDS..........I now have a 1990 SP36 with a 300CAT turbo which is
GREAT ....BUT...I DO NOT go OFF road and the fresh water tank is 100
gallons NOT 45 so the wife can shower for a week at WALMARTS.....sure
wish WALMART had HOOKUPS!!!
LOL..
Hank
90SP36 in Chicago





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "barneja4" <barneja4@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi --
>
> k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
> decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
>
> Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4
wheelers
> and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
> country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I would
> prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-ups
> and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding around
> on her 4 wheeler).
>
> So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf
springs
> as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
> (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this
> true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want the
FC
> so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the dust
> as much. ???
>
> Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one hand
> it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break down -
> but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage
it
> is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any numbers
or
> real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph
over
> a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the
> flats.
>
> Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers and
> their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na
pulling
> a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with a
> 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me. Not
> too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into camp.
>
> Thank you . . .
>
> Jim
>

Jim,
I may have found your solution. Look in the pictures section under
the "4 wheel drive" album.

Gardner
83FC354
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "barneja4" <barneja4@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi --
>
> k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good
> decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.
>
> Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4
wheelers
> and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back
> country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I would
> prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-ups
> and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding around
> on her 4 wheeler).
>
> So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf
springs
> as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads
> (something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this
> true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want the
FC
> so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the dust
> as much. ???
>
> Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one hand
> it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break down -
> but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage
it
> is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any numbers
or
> real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph
over
> a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the
> flats.
>
> Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers and
> their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na
pulling
> a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with a
> 31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me. Not
> too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into camp.
>
> Thank you . . .
>
> Jim
>