Should I even be thinking about this?

wrote:
>
> I dream every day of owning a Wanderlodge, but....
> Money, money, money.
>
> I found this ad today:
> 1967 bluebird wanderlodge motor coach, 34 feet long, diesel engine,
about 7,000 miles on
> the engine, automatic transmision, air brakes, onan generator, roof
air, gas furnace, electric
> heat also, seats 12, sleeps 5 comfortably, complete bath, gas cook
stove, refrigerator, alot of
> towing capacity, needs some work, runs and drives, new front tires,
nice rear tires, drive it
> anywhere now with the right fuel mix that is, must sell right away
for the best serious cash
> offer only, call 763-689-2775, please call mid afternoon only, jeff
>
> After doing some research I found a post on an owner's forum where
he prices the coach at
> 7500, OBO. Should I even be thinking about this? What are the big
negatives about a coach
> this old? What are some 'red flags' I should look for?
>
> Devon Cox
> Wanderlodge Wannabe
>

Should I even be thinking about this? - Leroy Eckert - 02-10-2009 03:40

Insurance is high on all that stuff in CA isn't it Greg?
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

--- On Tue, 2/10/09, timvasqz wrote:

From: timvasqz Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Should I even be thinking about this?
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 10:34 AM

Devon, yea do it. just dont trick yourself into thinking you are

getting a deal. I buy construction equip at RitchieBros auctions and

marvle at the expression on bidders who gleem proudly that they just

made high bid. When I win I always realize that I was the only one

in the stadium who would pay that amount of money for that piece. Its

not embarrasment that I feel, its cognitive disonance. Also fear of

what Tim and Code enforcement will say when its delivered. When I

ask some one for advice on a purchase I alsaws look for afirmation

not opinion, I am sure most do, just buy it as cheep as you can.

Greg ofTim&Greg

94pt,Bobcat 863a, Fourwinns210, bobcat220, h2, polaris500

mustang2070, national30gDovetail , freightliner236, fordAeromax,

Avion34, bobcat300,Jeeprubic on, polaris700, mustang2031, Airstream27,

LandroverClas, DodgeCummins, Hondacrf450x, etc, etc etc

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "contactdevonheath"

wrote:

>

> I dream every day of owning a Wanderlodge, but....

> Money, money, money.

>

> I found this ad today:

> 1967 bluebird wanderlodge motor coach, 34 feet long, diesel engine,

about 7,000 miles on

> the engine, automatic transmision, air brakes, onan generator, roof

air, gas furnace, electric

> heat also, seats 12, sleeps 5 comfortably, complete bath, gas cook

stove, refrigerator, alot of

> towing capacity, needs some work, runs and drives, new front tires,

nice rear tires, drive it

> anywhere now with the right fuel mix that is, must sell right away

for the best serious cash

> offer only, call 763-689-2775, please call mid afternoon only, jeff

>

> After doing some research I found a post on an owner's forum where

he prices the coach at

> 7500, OBO. Should I even be thinking about this? What are the big

negatives about a coach

> this old? What are some 'red flags' I should look for?

>

> Devon Cox

> Wanderlodge Wannabe

>

Should I even be thinking about this? - timvasqz - 02-10-2009 03:46

I dont buy collision on anything. I even paid off my ChevyH2 so I
could drop that. My thinking is I saved 4g's ayear for the last 20.
I did buy accidential insurance on a laptop yesterday at bestbuy,
thats a first for me. Check this out, I wrote this site last night
Trucksmog.com

Gregory
94pt

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Leroy Eckert
wrote:
>
> Insurance is high on all that stuff in CA isn't it Greg?
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> --- On Tue, 2/10/09, timvasqz wrote:
> From: timvasqz > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Should I even be thinking about
this?
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 10:34 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Devon, yea do it. just dont trick yourself into
thinking you are
>
> getting a deal. I buy construction equip at RitchieBros auctions
and
>
> marvle at the expression on bidders who gleem proudly that they
just
>
> made high bid. When I win I always realize that I was the only one
>
> in the stadium who would pay that amount of money for that piece.
Its
>
> not embarrasment that I feel, its cognitive disonance. Also fear of
>
> what Tim and Code enforcement will say when its delivered. When I
>
> ask some one for advice on a purchase I alsaws look for afirmation
>
> not opinion, I am sure most do, just buy it as cheep as you can.
>
> Greg ofTim&Greg
>
> 94pt,Bobcat 863a, Fourwinns210, bobcat220, h2, polaris500
>
> mustang2070, national30gDovetail , freightliner236, fordAeromax,
>
> Avion34, bobcat300,Jeeprubic on, polaris700, mustang2031,
Airstream27,
>
> LandroverClas, DodgeCummins, Hondacrf450x, etc, etc etc
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "contactdevonheath"
>
> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > I dream every day of owning a Wanderlodge, but....
>
> > Money, money, money.
>
> >
>
> > I found this ad today:
>
> > 1967 bluebird wanderlodge motor coach, 34 feet long, diesel
engine,
>
> about 7,000 miles on
>
> > the engine, automatic transmision, air brakes, onan generator,
roof
>
> air, gas furnace, electric
>
> > heat also, seats 12, sleeps 5 comfortably, complete bath, gas
cook
>
> stove, refrigerator, alot of
>
> > towing capacity, needs some work, runs and drives, new front
tires,
>
> nice rear tires, drive it
>
> > anywhere now with the right fuel mix that is, must sell right
away
>
> for the best serious cash
>
> > offer only, call 763-689-2775, please call mid afternoon only,
jeff
>
> >
>
> > After doing some research I found a post on an owner's forum
where
>
> he prices the coach at
>
> > 7500, OBO. Should I even be thinking about this? What are the
big
>
> negatives about a coach
>
> > this old? What are some 'red flags' I should look for?
>
> >
>
> > Devon Cox
>
> > Wanderlodge Wannabe
>
> >
>

Should I even be thinking about this? - David Brady - 02-10-2009 03:52

Greg,

Now you gotta work on getting google to rank it.

David
'02 LXi, NC

-----Original Message-----

From: timvasqz
Sent: Feb 10, 2009 10:46 AM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Should I even be thinking about this?

I dont buy collision on anything. I even paid off my ChevyH2 so I

could drop that. My thinking is I saved 4g's ayear for the last 20.

I did buy accidential insurance on a laptop yesterday at bestbuy,

thats a first for me. Check this out, I wrote this site last night

Trucksmog.com

Gregory

94pt

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Leroy Eckert

...> wrote:

>

> Insurance is high on all that stuff in CA isn't it Greg?

> Leroy Eckert

> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors

> Dahlonega, GA

> Royale Conversion

>

> --- On Tue, 2/10/09, timvasqz ..> wrote:

> From: timvasqz ..>

> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Should I even be thinking about

this?

> To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"

> Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 10:34 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Devon, yea do it. just dont trick yourself into

thinking you are

>

> getting a deal. I buy construction equip at RitchieBros auctions

and

>

> marvle at the expression on bidders who gleem proudly that they

just

>

> made high bid. When I win I always realize that I was the only one

>

> in the stadium who would pay that amount of money for that piece.

Its

>

> not embarrasment that I feel, its cognitive disonance. Also fear of

>

> what Tim and Code enforcement will say when its delivered. When I

>

> ask some one for advice on a purchase I alsaws look for afirmation

>

> not opinion, I am sure most do, just buy it as cheep as you can.

>

> Greg ofTim&Greg

>

> 94pt,Bobcat 863a, Fourwinns210, bobcat220, h2, polaris500

>

> mustang2070, national30gDovetail , freightliner236, fordAeromax,

>

> Avion34, bobcat300,Jeeprubic on, polaris700, mustang2031,

Airstream27,

>

> LandroverClas, DodgeCummins, Hondacrf450x, etc, etc etc

>

>

>

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "contactdevonheath"

>

> wrote:

>

> >

>

> > I dream every day of owning a Wanderlodge, but....

>

> > Money, money, money.

>

> >

>

> > I found this ad today:

>

> > 1967 bluebird wanderlodge motor coach, 34 feet long, diesel

engine,

>

> about 7,000 miles on

>

> > the engine, automatic transmision, air brakes, onan generator,

roof

>

> air, gas furnace, electric

>

> > heat also, seats 12, sleeps 5 comfortably, complete bath, gas

cook

>

> stove, refrigerator, alot of

>

> > towing capacity, needs some work, runs and drives, new front

tires,

>

> nice rear tires, drive it

>

> > anywhere now with the right fuel mix that is, must sell right

away

>

> for the best serious cash

>

> > offer only, call 763-689-2775, please call mid afternoon only,

jeff

>

> >

>

> > After doing some research I found a post on an owner's forum

where

>

> he prices the coach at

>

> > 7500, OBO. Should I even be thinking about this? What are the

big

>

> negatives about a coach

>

> > this old? What are some 'red flags' I should look for?

>

> >

>

> > Devon Cox

>

> > Wanderlodge Wannabe

>

> >

>

Should I even be thinking about this? - Leroy Eckert - 02-10-2009 03:58

I have always done the same on non-financed vehicles. I have saved thousands over the years.
Nice site. Take your computer to Fontana and test all day every day for the next ten years. Forget digging. One spelling error on the first page at the bottom. On my computer there is over write on the FAQ page. I do not know if that is my computer or something else.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

--- On Tue, 2/10/09, timvasqz wrote:

From: timvasqz Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Should I even be thinking about this?
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 10:46 AM

I dont buy collision on anything. I even paid off my ChevyH2 so I

could drop that. My thinking is I saved 4g's ayear for the last 20.

I did buy accidential insurance on a laptop yesterday at bestbuy,

thats a first for me. Check this out, I wrote this site last night

Trucksmog.com

Gregory

94pt

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Leroy Eckert

wrote:

>

> Insurance is high on all that stuff in CA isn't it Greg?

> Leroy Eckert

> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors

> Dahlonega, GA

> Royale Conversion

>

> --- On Tue, 2/10/09, timvasqz wrote:

> From: timvasqz
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Should I even be thinking about

this?

> To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"

> Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 10:34 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Devon, yea do it. just dont trick yourself into

thinking you are

>

> getting a deal. I buy construction equip at RitchieBros auctions

and

>

> marvle at the expression on bidders who gleem proudly that they

just

>

> made high bid. When I win I always realize that I was the only one

>

> in the stadium who would pay that amount of money for that piece.

Its

>

> not embarrasment that I feel, its cognitive disonance. Also fear of

>

> what Tim and Code enforcement will say when its delivered. When I

>

> ask some one for advice on a purchase I alsaws look for afirmation

>

> not opinion, I am sure most do, just buy it as cheep as you can.

>

> Greg ofTim&Greg

>

> 94pt,Bobcat 863a, Fourwinns210, bobcat220, h2, polaris500

>

> mustang2070, national30gDovetail , freightliner236, fordAeromax,

>

> Avion34, bobcat300,Jeeprubic on, polaris700, mustang2031,

Airstream27,

>

> LandroverClas, DodgeCummins, Hondacrf450x, etc, etc etc

>

>

>

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "contactdevonheath"

>

> wrote:

>

> >

>

> > I dream every day of owning a Wanderlodge, but....

>

> > Money, money, money.

>

> >

>

> > I found this ad today:

>

> > 1967 bluebird wanderlodge motor coach, 34 feet long, diesel

engine,

>

> about 7,000 miles on

>

> > the engine, automatic transmision, air brakes, onan generator,

roof

>

> air, gas furnace, electric

>

> > heat also, seats 12, sleeps 5 comfortably, complete bath, gas

cook

>

> stove, refrigerator, alot of

>

> > towing capacity, needs some work, runs and drives, new front

tires,

>

> nice rear tires, drive it

>

> > anywhere now with the right fuel mix that is, must sell right

away

>

> for the best serious cash

>

> > offer only, call 763-689-2775, please call mid afternoon only,

jeff

>

> >

>

> > After doing some research I found a post on an owner's forum

where

>

> he prices the coach at

>

> > 7500, OBO. Should I even be thinking about this? What are the

big

>

> negatives about a coach

>

> > this old? What are some 'red flags' I should look for?

>

> >

>

> > Devon Cox

>

> > Wanderlodge Wannabe

>

> >

>

Should I even be thinking about this? - timvasqz - 02-10-2009 04:35

I have a pro building a site. They take too much time so I published
this from a Microsoft Css program (expressions web)I had the url posted
on adverts and it is printed on our van wrapping (cool process). I
didnt want surfers going to a dead end. I'm not sure that somthing this
simple looking is better? I think the FAQ open from the home page I
think I have to find the path I didnt update with the changed navbar
from when FAQ didnt open at all. Good thing is my Wanderlodge got a
smog cert
Greg ofTim&Greg

Should I even be thinking about this? - Al Scudder - 02-10-2009 04:56

Devon

sounds like this is a NASCAR tour bus with enough sleeping spots for those that have overindulged

Scooter 2000 LX Ocqueoc, MI

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: mike.putz@...
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:17:47 +0000
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Should I even be thinking about this?

Hey Devon,

Like Fred mentioned about 25 years ago I was doing what you are
now except the Wanderlodge prices were over $100,000 at the time. So
I ended up buying an old 1963 Bluebird All American school bus and
started converting it to look like a Wanderlodge as I could not
afford such a coach.

I am pretty handy and thought I could just about do anything that
needed done. Plus, it allowed me to spread the costs over the years
and I truly enjoyed learning about the beast. I know that bus inside
and out and that is a very comforting feeling. It's only down fall
was an underpowered engine (455 Olds - don't ask) and so I finally
broke down a few years ago and purchased a CAT 3208na with an Allison
MT643 (just like the Wanderlodges) to complete my dream.

Well, after 25 years, space issues, time issues, and a bad economy
I was able to purchase my 78FC35 that I have now. I'm still going to
complete the '63 as it is very unique and spacious. Once complete
I'm not sure which bus I will keep as the '63 was built "my way" and
accomodates my life style better with lots more room.

My point is your decision should be based on;
1) What you're need really is? Project or instant use?

2) What your finance situation is? Building from scratch is far more
expensive than fixing an existing design. I'd rather have a $10k
dollar bus and put $10k in to it than buy a $20k used bus where the
condition of everything is questionable. (Unless you buy from a known
source such as some of our known members with history). Anyway, I
feel more comfortable knowing the condition of the work I did.

3) What is your skill set? If you are handy then parts only costs
aren't so bad. If you have to hire everything out you will not be
cost affective.

4) Check the bus for rust! My '63 Arizona Bluebird has a lot LESS
rust than my 78 Wanderlodge. AND the '78 Wanderlodge needs LOTS of
little things fixed, I just made sure the drive train worked well as
that has been the issue with my old '63.

If you'd like to see pics or discuss further I'm available at
"mike.putz@cox.net". BUT.. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! The fuel statement and
seating statement don't make sense! See the bus yourself even if it
means flying out to do so! A picture (visual look) is worth a
thousand words AND dollars!!! hee hee hee

Good Luck,
Michael

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "contactdevonheath"
wrote:
>
> I dream every day of owning a Wanderlodge, but....
> Money, money, money.
>
> I found this ad today:
> 1967 bluebird wanderlodge motor coach, 34 feet long, diesel engine,
about 7,000 miles on
> the engine, automatic transmision, air brakes, onan generator, roof
air, gas furnace, electric
> heat also, seats 12, sleeps 5 comfortably, complete bath, gas cook
stove, refrigerator, alot of
> towing capacity, needs some work, runs and drives, new front tires,
nice rear tires, drive it
> anywhere now with the right fuel mix that is, must sell right away
for the best serious cash
> offer only, call 763-689-2775, please call mid afternoon only, jeff
>
> After doing some research I found a post on an owner's forum where
he prices the coach at
> 7500, OBO. Should I even be thinking about this? What are the big
negatives about a coach
> this old? What are some 'red flags' I should look for?
>
> Devon Cox
> Wanderlodge Wannabe
>

Should I even be thinking about this? - Ryan Wright - 02-16-2009 08:24

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 6:52 PM, jkenn48105 wrote:
>
> If I were you I'd look for a bus that you could step in and drive away with
> 99% of everything working.

Seconded. Don't buy an old coach with problems unless you have lots of
time, money, and the skill to fully restore it. Even with all of that,
you will probably grow weary. I did. Bought my grandparents' old '66
Dodge Travco. It was rough after sitting for a decade. I think I gave
Grandma $4500 for it, enjoyed it for maybe a couple of years, then
realized the extent of the restoration that would be required to keep
enjoying it. The floor was rotten which meant gutting the entire
interior, for one, and that was just the first item on a very long
list. I started it... got several hundred hours and another $4000 into
it before realizing, "When I'm done, I'm going to have a year of my
life and $30,000+ into this, and it will still only be worth $10k
tops."

I cut my losses and bought a Wanderlodge. Sold the Travco for $1000 to
a friend who is going to try to finish the restoration I started.
Should have just sold it to begin with and never started the
restore...

If you really want a Wanderlodge on a budget, my advice is to save up
$30,000-$40,000 and find an early eighties coach that has been well
cared for and doesn't need any work at all. Make sure you can afford
the random $2,000 repair, and tires every few years, and fuel and
maintenance. I don't want to discourage you but a big coach like this
is not cheap to own or operate. The older, "needs work" coaches are
very tempting, but I don't believe most people have any idea what
they're getting themselves into until it's too late. Been there, done
that, learned my lesson good.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

Should I even be thinking about this? - Pete Masterson - 02-16-2009 08:47

I can add that even if you do plan to do some "remodeling" to a coach, it's best to have one that's sound to begin with. I had some very specific needs in my coach -- and I knew I'd probably remove some of the furniture, etc.

I ended up doing much more (installed a bamboo wood floor) than I'd intended, but since there was no underlying repairs to make, the updating/redecorating was relatively straightforward and I didn't run into any serious challenges with the project. I note that putting in a new wood floor requires that the interior be near-gutted. Only permanently fixed cabinets (the galley) stayed in place. I chose not to remove the driver/passenger seat (leaving the carpet under them) but everything else was taken out to allow a wall-to-wall installation of the floor.

I gotta say, too, that living with a wood floor is so much more pleasant than the smelly old carpet! It's easy to clean. You can use a couple of bath-mat size washable rugs to capture dirty shoes. (Then run 'em through the wash when they're dirty.) It doesn't hold any odors. (A slightly funky smell I noticed after the bus was stored awhile is gone.) And, it looks nice, too.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 16, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 6:52 PM, jkenn48105 <"apache235@mac.com"> wrote:

If I were you I'd look for a bus that you could step in and drive away with
99% of everything working.
Seconded. Don't buy an old coach with problems unless you have lots of
time, money, and the skill to fully restore it. Even with all of that,
you will probably grow weary. I did. Bought my grandparents' old '66
Dodge Travco. It was rough after sitting for a decade. I think I gave
Grandma $4500 for it, enjoyed it for maybe a couple of years, then
realized the extent of the restoration that would be required to keep
enjoying it. The floor was rotten which meant gutting the entire
interior, for one, and that was just the first item on a very long
list. I started it... got several hundred hours and another $4000 into
it before realizing, "When I'm done, I'm going to have a year of my
life and $30,000+ into this, and it will still only be worth $10k
tops."

I cut my losses and bought a Wanderlodge. Sold the Travco for $1000 to
a friend who is going to try to finish the restoration I started.
Should have just sold it to begin with and never started the
restore...

If you really want a Wanderlodge on a budget, my advice is to save up
$30,000-$40,000 and find an early eighties coach that has been well
cared for and doesn't need any work at all. Make sure you can afford
the random $2,000 repair, and tires every few years, and fuel and
maintenance. I don't want to discourage you but a big coach like this
is not cheap to own or operate. The older, "needs work" coaches are
very tempting, but I don't believe most people have any idea what
they're getting themselves into until it's too late. Been there, done
that, learned my lesson good.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

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Should I even be thinking about this? - Fred Bellows - 02-16-2009 11:06

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "contactdevonheath" wrote:
>
> I dream every day of owning a Wanderlodge, but....
> Money, money, money.
...............................
> Devon Cox
> Wanderlodge Wannabe
>

Devon, did you see the very clean '69 on vintagebirds.com for $10,500?

Fred Bellows
'90SP
Phx

<!--[if gte mso 9]>

Normal
0

photo album of coach projects and mods:

http://picasaweb.google.com/geefred/MaunderMaximum#