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Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Yahoo Message Number: 109926
Good morning,

Joined the CC group this weekend. We have been learning over several months about the quality of some of the older model 'bus' style CCs. We are retired and living near Charlotte NC, with seven grandchildren from literally the Atlantic to the Pacific and some in between! We are shopping for a 40'+ diesel pusher with tag axle from the early 2000s. Can't afford new, but appreciate quality that lasts when it's taken care of (documentation!). Due to our age, this purchase is likely to be our onetime buy. And though not a heavy mechanic, I'm fairly handy and can do many small projects (kinda hobby level stuff).
We have looked at Wanderlodge for the same reason, so we are open to facts, observations, and opinions on both, especially if members here have owned both.
Looking forward to any comments, pros/cons, from this fine RVing community! Many thanks!

Safe journeys and sweet memories!
DJ and SR
Irish Rovers
Midland NC

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109927
I have known a few folks with wanderlodges and they said the coaches ride was extra firm to harsh, but I can't confirm that. They are also very heavy and that means poor fuel milage. If I were looking I would make sure the bus had a series 60 Detroit. Not as strong as a big Cat or Cummins, but were more economical and had a great reputation. A 40 ft with a tag doesn't give you much storage space under neath and is why I chose a 42'. A 42' with IFS front end can go almost any where a 37 ft can go with an I beam front end with older lower turning angle. The wanderlodges were built like tanks but as time wore on they seemed to fall out of favor as competitors were moving forward and wanderlodge like Fore travel was lingering behind in the early 2000's. Affinities and Magnas were grest choices, 2000-2002. There were some issues with Fiber glass and electrolysis with Allures and Intrigues at the time. Tire issues and over loading of Intrigues and Allures had been corrected by 2001 models. Full body pint came along in 02 which was a good thing and gave the clear coat something to stick on. All coaches from that period should have their radiators and charge air coolers replaced. Tires and shocks should be close to new also. Entertainment electronics should have been up-graded. Heating and air-conditioning systems should be checked with a big magnifying glass. But most of these issues apply to any coach built from this period. One of the big reasons for buying a CC is the ease of entry and exit. It may seem like a small thing but as we age and do it 10 to 20 times a day it becomes a big issue. If I had all the money in the world the first thing Marathon or Liberty would have to do is make the entry on a Prevost meet OSHA standards. 7" rise only on each step consistently with a 8 to 9" tread. Fortunately CC realized the issue from the beginning with their factory built coaches. Make sure you check the carrying capacity posted on on the inside of a bathroom cabinet door over the sink. I would want 5,000 lbs or more. Going down the road at 63 mph I easily average over 8 mpg, with a 400 ISL. I can't fly up steep grades but I get there. Belonging to the 300 mile/day club means hopefully only traveling 5 to 6 hours a day. No more of those 700 mile days for me. TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731.

Half the fun is enjoying the scenery on the way to your destination.

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109928
Tom Insall you're spot-on with your comments, in my opinion. Being 6'5" and 300+ lbs, and driving our 2003/4 42ft Country Coach Intrigue since we bought it new in 2003, I find enormous variables amongst the other brands I've been in. Having had a 40ft SOB prior to the CC, I find the advantages of having the extra 2ft. far outweigh any perceived disadvantage. We really like our coach, and heartily recommend 40ft+ Country Coachs in the timeframe you're discussing.

Safe travels.

Ovation 42ft 11630

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109933
I have a 42' 2004 Intrigue Ovation for sale. It's listed on Craigslist in Wilmington, Raleigh, and Charlotte. The price is negotiable. By the way, I have a friend that lives in Midland, NC.

Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836 
www.cojobluegrass.com

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109938
I have a 2003 40 foot Allure 3 slides with a tag. We love the 40 Foot, My friend has a 42 Foot Magnum, He swears mine turns, and maneuvers a lot better then his.
When you get to RV parks, anything over 40 get difficult, as availability.
We have a ton of storage in the 2 full pass threw basements. I would stick with the 40 as we are very happy with it. I also live in the charlotte area, and enjoy taking it to florida, and up in the mountains. As a matter of fact, we are leaving for Florida in the morning.
Good Luck with your search
Bob

03 Allure 3slide tag 370 #30814

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109956
Robert Ross "" thanks for the 40 vs 42 comparison.
Is maneuverability always worse with longer units? Does turning/steering cut affect the turning radius? Safe journeys and happy memories on you Florida trip!

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109957
Our 40ft without tag took much more room to turn than our current 42ft with tag. The tag can be lifted during slow-speed maneuvers and allows remarkable turns. Safe travels.

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109958
I would not worry about maneuverability with a 45’. With CC’s IFS and lifting the tag, their turning radius is outstanding. I think the issue you need to address with length is where are you going to camp. If you like some of the older parks, the 40 (or less) is the way to go. Since we live in ours for 3 months at a time, I prefer the extra room and storage of my 45. We find wonderful parks that accept 45’, and they are very conservative about the site length and handling in the park, it’s very easy. But driving it on the road, pulling a toad, I don’t think you would even notice the difference between 40 and 45’. I would definitely get one with a tag though for driving stability/comfort. Focus more on finding the right coach that has been well cared for and has all the maintenance records. Look at lots of coaches and decide what kind of floor plan works for you. Once you are happy with that, it defines the length.
 
Greg
06 Magna
6642
2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109959
One to keep in mind is the wheelbase is a big component of turning radius. Tag axle rigs have a shorter wheelbase since the drive axle moves forward to make space for the tag and to spread load.
So combine that with a sharper wheel cut and lifting tag and a 42 with tag is often more maneuverable than a non-tag 40'. Now on CC's 37' up are tags so the turning radius is always good.

Ray

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109961
Not trying to change the message info on this thread, but since I have a Tag wheel type coach, why lifting the tag wheels will causes me to have a better turning radius or am I just saving the tag tires from not turning and just dragging or scooting as I turn into a RV spot? Thanks,

Dave

07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal and
Henderson, Nev
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109962
Will not increase or decrease your turning radius at all. It saves on the wear and tear on the tires and components on the tag axle Just imagine the amount of drag if you are sliding two tires across a asphalt or concrete surface.
 

Re: Shopping for quality Coach that has lasted

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109963
From Prevost forum:

tag axle is just intended to carry a little weight. It is not driven. The tag axles can be lifted, and in later coaches (45') the air was dumped from the tag axle air bags to make turning a little easier and to minimize the sidways scuffing when the steering wheels were turned to the extreme.

To shorten turns drivers will lift the tag axle. That has the effect of moving the theoretical rear axle centerline forward, shortening the turn radius. A second use for picking up a tag axle is to increase starting traction on slippery surface. It will increase the weight on the drive axle by slightly more than the weight carried by the tag axle if the tag is lifted.

Tag axles should not be lifted at speeds much faster than walking speeds.
2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad