[LivingtheDream]

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!

[Richard]

35 to 40 takes you out of the Newell world unless you want to drop back into early 80s machinery.

There is an entire section on this forum with existing answers to the questions you posed. Its worthwhile reading.

[[email protected]]

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.

[HoosierDaddy]

There are youtube videos showing the construction methods Newell employs. They haven’t changed much since the early 90’s . Main difference is the use of 3M mastic replacing rivets in the field of the outside wall panels. I found a beautiful Wanderlodge FC when I was looking for my first coach 30 years ago. I dismissed it as an option upon starting the CAT engine sitting right next to the driver seat. Otherwise a great coach … built like a tank!

[LivingtheDream]

As I mentioned, I am looking at vintage coaches. There is just something about the classic "old school" luxury motorcoaches that appeals to me. Plus, with the use we plan on giving it (at least for the next few years), spending hundreds of thousands of dollars or more on a coach just doesn't make financial sense.

I've read quite a few posts here even before joining and did watch that video the other day on Newell construction methods currently in use but I wasn't clear how much had changed. Thanks for the info on that.

Jeff...first of all, love watching your videos on Gino's Garage, they've been a great source of knowledge during this quest and as a self-taught "shade tree mechanic", I'd find them interesting even if I wasn't looking for a coach. I'm in NE Georgia, not too far from Athens. Since you own both a Wanderlodge and a Newell, other than the weight difference, can you share your thoughts on safety, durability and reliability of the Wanderlodge all-steel compared to the Newell? Are there any significant differences in build/material quality and ease of servicing the chassis and all of its components?

Thanks again!

[[email protected]]

As I mentioned, I am looking at vintage coaches.  There is just something about the classic "old school" luxury motorcoaches that appeals to me.  Plus, with the use we plan on giving it (at least for the next few years), spending hundreds of thousands of dollars or more on a coach just doesn't make financial sense.

I've read quite a few posts here even before joining and did watch that video the other day on Newell construction methods currently in use but I wasn't clear how much had changed.  Thanks for the info on that. 

Jeff...first of all, love watching your videos on Gino's Garage, they've been a great source of knowledge during this quest and as a self-taught "shade tree mechanic", I'd find them interesting even if I wasn't looking for a coach.  I'm in NE Georgia, not too far from Athens.  Since you own both a Wanderlodge and a Newell, other than the weight difference, can you share your thoughts on safety, durability and reliability of the Wanderlodge all-steel compared to the Newell?  Are there any significant differences in build/material quality and ease of servicing the chassis and all of its components?

Thanks again!

So my Newell and my Wanderlodge are kinda far apart mainly because of the years. The reason we went with the Newell was for comfort to use it for full time living when I am ready to hit the road. The Newell interior is far up to date even for a 98. I took it last year to the WOG gathering at Pine Mountain and the response from Wanderlodge owners all was pretty much the same, they loved the interior design and overall open feel inside, this is what we fell in love with as well. I am not sure that the vintage Newells will give you this feel, based on what I have seen of the vintage 80s Newells the interior is very similar to a Wanderlodge feel. I can tell you that my Wanderlodge is sturdy and it does not flex hardly at all. Many think the Wanderlodge body is integrated onto the frame but its actually bolted on to the frame. Not sure when or if they changed this over the years. It uses metal clips that go under the frame rails to hold the body on the frame. 

BTW I have been considering selling my PT40, its probably the best maintained PT that would be available for purchase. I only know of 2 or 3 that are running around that are maintained as well. I can tell you that to get an FC that will run 70 down the road you will have to buy a later year FC and there just are not that many for sale. The early FC's were made for running 55 mph down the road, most of them top out around 60 to 65mph max. My PT will run 70 all day no problem, in fact that is the speed it runs at best. On a lonely road in "mexico" I had it up to 85 and it was still pulling eek! If you really want to move along you will need to go to a coach with the 8v92 or Series 60, but there are no vintage coaches that I am aware of that came with the Series 60, there may be one that someone has converted but that is like finding a needle in a haystack.