Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

I have the Burgendy & Silver 1973FC31 that is in Vintage Birds. It has a 391A
Ford with a MT40 Allison, that has a retarder. It has juce brakes, and is
overall a very simple Bird, compared to the newer ones. No air system, and that
troublesom Air Step. I have seen Sporlian valves mentioned, but my coach has
none. To fill the Water tank, I simply connect the hose to a fitting that goes
right into the tank.. It originally had 30 amp shore power, but I upgraded to 50
amp. It also came with steel split rims, and 9.00X19" tires. Now it rides on
11X22.5 Toyos and some very pretty Accuride wheels. One thing to watch for on
an older vehicle is the rotted rubber water hoses, including that feed to the
chassis heaters, and Hot Water Heater. (I bypassed these...Here in Arnold-Land,
the last thing I need is more heat)!! The little hoses around the engine water
pump should be replaced also, as they rot after time..
In a gas rig, you dont have to worry about Diesel Fuel "Going Bad", no Racor
Filters, just a simple gas filter like I have in my Jeep.. No worry about what
Anti-Freez to use or not to mix. I buy whatever is on sale at WallyWorld.....If
I should replace the Shock Absorbers, I understand a set can be bought at Pep
Boys.
I get 5.0 to 6.0 mpg on the road, and I always tow my Jeep.
An oil change is some 9 quarts, much less that the 3208, and the oil also is
from WallyWorld..
We like our Coach, but are just interested in persuing other things.
Jack Smith
1973FC31
SoCal


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
>
> I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.
>
> It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser
peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
>
> The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other
than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference
in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride
suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both
have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the
gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than
just the engine?
>
> Any info would be great.
>

Jack,
Thank you for the info. It sounds like you haven't had any bad experiences with
your gasser rig. What kind of mileage have you put on it since you have owned
it?

Steve Hutter.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jackcj7" wrote:
>
>
> I have the Burgendy & Silver 1973FC31 that is in Vintage Birds. It has a 391A
Ford with a MT40 Allison, that has a retarder. It has juce brakes, and is
overall a very simple Bird, compared to the newer ones. No air system, and that
troublesom Air Step. I have seen Sporlian valves mentioned, but my coach has
none. To fill the Water tank, I simply connect the hose to a fitting that goes
right into the tank.. It originally had 30 amp shore power, but I upgraded to 50
amp. It also came with steel split rims, and 9.00X19" tires. Now it rides on
11X22.5 Toyos and some very pretty Accuride wheels. One thing to watch for on
an older vehicle is the rotted rubber water hoses, including that feed to the
chassis heaters, and Hot Water Heater. (I bypassed these...Here in Arnold-Land,
the last thing I need is more heat)!! The little hoses around the engine water
pump should be replaced also, as they rot after time..
> In a gas rig, you dont have to worry about Diesel Fuel "Going Bad", no Racor
Filters, just a simple gas filter like I have in my Jeep.. No worry about what
Anti-Freez to use or not to mix. I buy whatever is on sale at WallyWorld.....If
I should replace the Shock Absorbers, I understand a set can be bought at Pep
Boys.
> I get 5.0 to 6.0 mpg on the road, and I always tow my Jeep.
> An oil change is some 9 quarts, much less that the 3208, and the oil also is
from WallyWorld..
> We like our Coach, but are just interested in persuing other things.
> Jack Smith
> 1973FC31
> SoCal
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
> >
> > I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.
> >
> > It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any
gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
> >
> > The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other
than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference
in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride
suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both
have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the
gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than
just the engine?
> >
> > Any info would be great.
> >
>

Just an FYI... My 1963 Bluebird with a GMC 401 Gasser came with air brakes.

Michael & Tami Putz
Mesa, Az
1978 FC35SB Wanderlodge - "Putz'n Around"
1963 FC35SB Conversion - "The Freedom Bus"
FMCA #236459


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "freewill2008" wrote:
>
> Steve - Air suspension started around 1980 and gassers ended around 1978, so
no standard Wanderlodges had both air suspension and a gas engine. Air was
*maybe* an available option earlier.
>
> The chassis is pretty much the same for all FCs. 34,000 GVW with
body-on-frame construction.
>
> By the time diesel and air suspension became standard, brakes were air. Not
sure when hydraulic brakes were used, but it goes back to early 70s.
>
> 80s FC all had 22.5" wheels AFAIK. I think some early 70's had 20".
>
> Many FCs have a Telma (also marketed by Jacobs) electric driveline retarder.
Not sure when they started but would guess the 80s.
>
> I've heard of both 391 and 534 Ford gassers. There are several gasser owners
on this forum. Maybe someone will chime in.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
> >
> > Thanks Bob,
> > I'll check it out and see if it helps. These Yahoo forums are a bit strange,
it doesn't seem to have a place for a signature (or at least I haven't found it
yet) so I'll just put it at the end of this post.
> >
> > What I'm looking for is more than just lists of which years had diesel/gas
available, but specific specs for diesel vs gasser and real experience from
gasser owners.
> >
> > Steve Hutter
> > Florida
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "freewill2008"
wrote:
> > >
> > > Start here: http://vintagebirds.com/ Go to "History" when you get there.
> > >
> > > Please tell us your name.
> > >
> > > Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.
> > > >
> > > > It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any
gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
> > > >
> > > > The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis.
Other than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any
difference in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the
air ride suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do
they both have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake
for the gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference
other than just the engine?
> > > >
> > > > Any info would be great.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>