Looking to purchase used 1992 WB40

[Pete Masterson]

It's a good looking coach ... had it been available when I was
looking it would have been high on my list of units to consider. With
the new paint job, you'll find that hardly anybody (outside the BB
community) will believe that it's a 15 year old RV. (My coach is
quite similar, though a couple of years newer and with the Series 60
engine.)

The Primus heat is a concern ... but parts are available, even if
single-sourced. A steel bodied RV does need a bit more heat (when
it's cold) than, perhaps, a plastic model. (One of the trade-offs,
but I still much prefer the strength of steel.)

The main concern is vehicle mechanical condition and the wear and
tear on the various systems. If the engine hasn't been mistreated, it
is certainly good for a lot of miles beyond the 144,000 lsited. The
miles divided by the engine hours equals an average movement speed of
50 mph -- that suggest that the coach was a fair number of freeway
miles. I would plan a fairly complete servicing including oil change
and brake inspection early on.

One "watch for" is the condition of the radiator. DD engines are not
forgiving of overheating. It is common for the radiator to become
partially clogged with oily-dirt. The tendency of DD engines to spray
a bit of oil through the breather tubes makes the problem worse as
the fan often sucks the oil mist back through the radiator mixing
with dust that kicks up. This should be something that you carefully
monitor and try to clean out the radiator if it shows any blockage.
(It was very difficult to examine on my coach as it sits behind the
air-charge radiator (that cools air from the turbo charger), but
perhaps the DD 8v92 configuration allows easier viewing of the
radiator.) Simply pulling the radiator is a $2000+ job. The complete
replacement of the core may run as much as $3000+. (I also had work
done on my chassis AC -- so my tab came to about $4000 for core
replacement and the other services performed by a professional heavy
duty radiator service. Costs for work done outside California may be
more reasonable.)

Other expenses you might plan for would include new tires in a year
or two. (8 times $350~450) Also, the gel batteries have a life
expectancy of up to about 7 years... but if they've been mistreated,
they may also be next to go. I'm shopping for batteries now ... looks
like about $2100 for six size 4D AGM house batteries. I haven't
priced engine batteries (mine seem OK), but my coach has 3 AGM class
37s -- about $160 each .

Of some concern would be the refrigerator. While home refrigerators
used to run for 25-30 years, since the 80s, they've been manufactured
to only last about 10-12 years or so. It's hard to guess how long an
RV refrigerator might last -- it depends on brand, type (RV with gas
& electric option or regular home-type), and use. In particular, if
gas operated, the burner and venting is subject to corrosion.

Not as difficult, but still a modest headache would be the microwave/
convection oven ... at 15 years, it, too, may be near it's expected
life span -- or not -- again depending on use, etc.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Mar 6, 2007, at 7:30 PM, mbrund wrote:

> Leroy,
>
> Thanks for the pointer to the list at vintagebirds, I had forgotten
> about that one. I picked up a PDI list from ChanginGears that I am
> modifing to add the extra stuff the bird has I am aware of.
>
> The bird I am looking at is this one:
> http://www.birdconnection.com/showroom/d...hp?v_id=72
> It is located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. So if there is anyone in
> that area that could assist I would greatly appreciate it. I am a
> current Fleetwood owner, and happy to say not for much longer
>
> As for the Primus, I doubt we would ever need so much heat in the
> unit that we would have to run two Primus heaters (live in Austin
> Texas), but if I ever did I guess I would need to decide do I want
> to go hydronic or stay with propane fired Primus and get it fixed.
> I like the newer AquaHot type systems since they do more than just
> heat the interior (domestic hot water, pre-heat engine, etc.), and
> may decide to go that route in the future, so would be interested in
> what the cost is to convert over to such a system.
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Leroy Eckert"
> wrote:
>>
>> There is a fairly comprehensive check list on
> http://www.vintagebirds.com. Perhaps there is a forum member near you or
> the Bird that could help. There are forum members that will do an
> inspection for a fee. What is your location?
>> As for the flaky Primus, Stephen Birtles http://www.capeinnovation.com
> can help you there. I had a flaky Primus and converted to Wabasto
> diesel fired hydronic heat. It's a little pricey but I am very
> happy with the system.
>> Now I use LP gas for the outside grill, refer(while in transit)
> and cooktop. I don't get overly concerned with LP leaks because the
> tank is off most of the time. I haven't filled the LP tank in two
> years.
>>
>> Leroy Eckert
>> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
>> Niceville, FL
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: mbrund
>> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 4:48 PM
>> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Looking to purchase used 1992 WB40
>>
>>
>>
>> I am looking at purchasing a used 1992 WB40, I was wanting to
> know
>> what things to look out for on this year model. I was told by the
>> current owner that one of the Primus heaters is a little flaky,
> and as
>> I understand by reading at various places that this should be of
>> concern since there is only one place to get parts. He said he
> did
>> not know what the issue was as it works sometimes, and does not
>> others, but the other unit works all the time. New fridge.
> Cooktop
>> and washer/dryer have not been used during the current owners 10
> year
>> term.
>>
>> What other items should I look for while inspecting a coach of
> this
>> year model that might be a big ticket items?
>>
>> Coach has ~140K miles ~3000 hours on 8V92, 4 years on tires (kept
>> inside), 4 years on GEL cells (low batt charger plugged in while
> in
>> storage).
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Michael
>>
>>



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