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Hello all,

Retired a few years now and considering a quality "vintage" coach (late 1970's-early 1990's most likely) for regular short-distance trips (under 500 miles) and perhaps in the next few years a cross-country journey.  The most important considerations for me are:

1.  Build quality of the coach.  I've been considering Newell, Wanderlodge, Prevost and peeking at MCI and Silver Eagles.  I'd like to avoid fiberglass entirely.

2.  Durability and reliability.  I know for any vintage coach, issues occur and repairs can be costly.  I do have decent mechanical skills working on automobiles and pickup trucks and would enjoy handling routine maintenance DIY like oil and filter changes, belt changes and such (I like to keep an eye on things).  So good access to the engine, generator, radiator, chassis and other major components would be helpful.  While I like the Wanderlodge FC, the engine location is less than ideal, particularly if the radiator hasn't been converted to swing out.

3.  Usability and drivability.  Most state parks in our state and neighboring states have a 40' limit so I would ideally like to keep it at 35' to 40'.  I'd like an engine powerful enough to run 70mph on an interstate and maintain a decent speed on inclines.  I prefer a diesel pusher with a tag axle.  I do not want slides.

I'm also interested in a coach in good condition with records of regular maintenance.  I'm not interested in a gutted or "project" coach nor one with a sketchy history of deferred maintenance and repairs.

I've read on a post here about the construction of the vintage Newells but am unclear on how the aluminum body is actually built and how it compares to an all-steel coach like the vintage Wanderlodges.  I also know that Newell, Prevost (and some converters) and MCI are still in business and building coaches but Wanderlodge and Eagle are both out-of-business.

Any and all advice is appreciated!  Thanks all!

Hey there (insert name here)! You also did not mention where you are located, this could help as well finding what you are looking for. 
I have both a Newell and a Wanderlodge. I cannot speak to the older Newells, but I imagine their construction is comparable to the Wanderlodge, but if they are aluminum they are going to be much lighter. 

For comparison, my 84 Wanderlodge PT 40' with a 6v92 Detroit is the same weight as my 1998 Newell 45' w the Series 60 Detroit. So the Newells is definitely lighter due to the aluminum construction.