Wanderlodge Question
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05-17-2009, 00:36
Post: #1
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Wanderlodge Question
I am contemplating a used higher end (mid 1990s) RV purchase and inquiring on
the benefits of the Wanderlodge over the Prevost. Is one more reliable and or easy to maintain than the other? Cost of Ownership? The Wanderlodge has different axel and engine configurations. Any thoughts on this? I think I am more interested in the Detroit Deisel, but am open to anyone's thoughts. Are these relatively easy to maintain for someone with basic mechanical skills? Thanks Chris |
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05-17-2009, 02:20
Post: #2
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Wanderlodge Question
I think the pros for the Wanderlodge are: The community (this forum
and others); simplicity (the mid-90's coach follows the same basic design criteria as the earlier coaches (Ridewell suspension, etc); consistency (Wanderlodge has been doing it since 1963); ease of maintenance (HWH jacks makes tire changing easy, all English hardware, shares most heavy duty items with the trucking industry (Brakes, air dryers, etc.); and safety. Pros for the Prevost are: 2 million mile "over-the-road" touring coach chassis/suspension that's been continually evolved, world class. Cons for the Wanderlodge: Old chassis/suspension design, choppy ride and so-so handling. Cons for the Prevost: Many different conversion companies with varying level of expertise, some no longer in business. No real community (most Prevost owners don't wrench their coaches). A good bus, but not tough like a Wanderlodge. If I were driving to El Salvadore I'd take a Wanderlodge (the c-channel backbone makes pulling it out of the mud easy, the Ridewell suspension is bullet proof). Similarities between Wanderlodge and Prevost: both uses Detroit Diesel engines, both use Allison transmissions. The mid 90's Prevost use a stick axle up front like the mid 90's Wanderlodge (No Independent Front Suspension). Both are all steel constructed buses. -----Original Message----- |
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05-17-2009, 02:23
Post: #3
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Wanderlodge Question
Sorry, forgot to sign my post.
David Brady '02 LXi, N C -----Original Message----- |
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05-17-2009, 04:53
Post: #4
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Wanderlodge Question
Good synopsis David.
A few other points: -same amenities and quality interiors -same year Wanderlodge consistently less $$$ than same year Prevost -in most high-end RV parks, my Wanderlodge is rarer than Prevosts in the park and thus attracts more attention (hmmm, is that good or bad?) Most telling comment - I know of at least two Wanderlodge owners that went to Prevost and returned to Birds (Jay Darst is still around and can probably give the best comparison between the two.) FWIW, Mike Bulriss 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" San Antonio, TX |
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05-17-2009, 09:36
Post: #5
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Wanderlodge Question
As a '95 WL owner, I can agree with these points. I'd add that most mid 90s 'birds are a little less expensive than the Prevost of the same year, depending on the Prevost conversion.
I've had generally good experience with my coach -- but I'm not that handy with a wrench (and worse) I don't have a comfortable place to do much of the work myself. However, most of the stuff on the coach is pretty accessible. Just don't _ever_ get under one without sturdy jack stands for support. While uncommon, a failure of the jacks or a sudden release of the air bags can be fatal. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 El Sobrante CA "aeonix1@mac.com" On May 17, 2009, at 7:20 AM, David Brady wrote:
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05-17-2009, 16:51
Post: #6
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Wanderlodge Question
On Sun, May 17, 2009 at 2:36 PM, Pete Masterson
> > Just don't _ever_ get under one without sturdy jack stands for support. > While uncommon, a failure of the jacks or a sudden release of the air bags > can be fatal. ... and has been fatal, to a member of this forum if I recall correctly. Chris, the bird is as easy to maintain as anything else. I'm a decently average backyard mechanic and maintain most of my own coach systems. If you can do basic repairs around the home and know how to use a voltmeter (basic electrical know-how), that accounts for most of your maintenance. Mechanically, it's a big bus, plenty of room to work on things. I am not a big rig mechanic and don't fully understand that part of my coach yet - this is my first diesel - but I'm learning. I've done some basic repairs to my generator (see http://www.ryanwright.com/wanderlodge/sliprings/) and it was relatively easy. I change my own oil, filters, etc, but I'd be lost if I had to deal with something like a non-starting engine. Some day I'll unfortunately have the privilege of learning that, I'm sure. -Ryan '86 PT-40 8V92 |
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05-17-2009, 17:09
Post: #7
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Wanderlodge Question
Ryan,
If you haven't already done so, please upload this to the forum. Thanks. Curt Sprenger On Sun, May 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM, Ryan Wright <"ryanpwright@gmail.com"> wrote:
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05-18-2009, 03:12
Post: #8
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Wanderlodge Question
For lots of info on Prevost, join POG (http://www.prevostownersgroup.com). Cost
$100/year but they are very helpful,knowledgeable,and mechanically inclined. They also have a great prepurchase inspection list of things to inspect. I was looking a the same types of coaches last year at this time. Had a 2000 Itasca Horizon - 36' with 2 slides which had served me well, but was ready for something different. Looked at Bluebirds, Prevosts, and Newells. The 1999-2000 Bluebird LXi's with slides were very apppealing. Hated to give up slides. The Prevosts rarely have slides. 1998 Prevosts and newer have independent front suspension (IFS) - very nice, can turn in their own radius. After 2000 the stainless on Prevosts is laminated(glued on), not rivited. There has been some delamination issues. So far Prevost has covered the repair which can run up to $30K, so I would prefer rivits. Marathon, Liberty, and Parliament are all good converters, still in business and offering execellent customer support. At http://www.parliamentcoach.com, they have a nice 1999 Marathon Prevost for $189,000.00. Looked at it last year, it was $100K more. Nice woodwork (I'm not a big fan of laminate), but no slides. It's been for sale for a couple years, so it would probably need some going over and all rubber replaced - hoses, suspension bags, etc. as recommended by POG every 10 years, but then would be good for years. Another good place to look is http://www.mrolivers.com . Never did find quite the right metal coach, so ended up buying a 2008 Beaver Contessa last fall. Yea it's plastic, but it has beautiful cherry woodwork, king bed, new rubber, electronics and lots of room with the slides out. Fortunately I got all the Monaco related warranty issues resolved before they filed for bankruptcy. If I bought one now, I would spend a lot of time at the dealer making sure everything worked before buying and consider an extended warranty. Dave Campbell SOB Fla.-Wis. --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "cmccarty4301" wrote: > > I am contemplating a used higher end (mid 1990s) RV purchase and inquiring on the benefits of the Wanderlodge over the Prevost. Is one more reliable and or easy to maintain than the other? Cost of Ownership? > > The Wanderlodge has different axel and engine configurations. Any thoughts on this? I think I am more interested in the Detroit Deisel, but am open to anyone's thoughts. > > Are these relatively easy to maintain for someone with basic mechanical skills? > > Thanks > Chris > |
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05-23-2009, 00:29
Post: #9
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Wanderlodge Question
Howdy, Chris.
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "cmccarty4301" > > I am contemplating a used higher end (mid 1990s) RV purchase and inquiring on the benefits of the Wanderlodge over the Prevost. Is one more reliable and or easy to maintain than the other? Cost of Ownership? > > The Wanderlodge has different axel and engine configurations. Any thoughts on this? I think I am more interested in the Detroit Deisel, but am open to anyone's thoughts. > > Are these relatively easy to maintain for someone with basic mechanical skills? > > Thanks > Chris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I can't speak to the mechanics of maintenance on my 1993 Bird but I can tell you that I feel very SAFE in my coach. That was a very important factor in saying OK to the purchase of our Bluebird. We are fulltimers. Our first rig was a 1995 Safari Serengeti, ordered from the factory. It too was a metal-sided coach but at half of the weight of our present Wanderlodge. Now when we were looking for a 1991 Wanderlodge, I couldn't find one that was what I wanted. We then looked at Prevost conversions at Liberty in Florida. In order to meet our financial budget, I had to look at Prevosts that were in the 1986 year range. I was leary about that. Prevost conversions are very customized. I would have to do so much redecorating to make the coach into our home. Too many $$$$$. I also talked to a lot of wives that own BBs. The significant point of that is that every one of those women that I talked to said , "I know that my family is safe in our Bluebird." That impressed me a lot. Long reply short, we bought our 1993 Wanderlodge in 2004. We are very comfortable in it. The help and support that we get from the BB user groups is terrific. Good luck in your decision. Regards, Jack and Liz Pearce Fulltiming in a 1993 Wanderlodge WB40 D'Hanis, TX - Winter Buena Vista, CO - Summer |
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