Opinions on the SP36 - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Opinions on the SP36 (/showthread.php?tid=3826) |
Opinions on the SP36 - erniecarpet@... - 11-15-2006 08:26 Scott- a couple years ago, Ralph, Bim and I did one of our first PDI's on and SP. this required us to do a test drive. The SP, in my opinion, drives and performs great. Ernie Ekberg 83 PT40 Livingston, Montana [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Opinions on the SP36 - dspithaler@... - 11-15-2006 11:14 Scott I have owned a 89 SP for three years & am very satisfied with it. It gets about 7 miles to the gallon & rides really well. I was a little leery about the ZF myself but I wanted the Cat engine as I had a forward control cat before it. Now I think it is a strong tranny.The services centers aren't as plentiful as the Alison. The ZF is a tranny that is used in heavy equipment, cranes, City Transit Busses & now a going to be used in the 07 BlueBirds. I think the Cat is a little cheaper to maintain than the Detroit although I never owned one. Don 89 SP 36' Butler, PA Hello all, I am considering moving up to a newer 'Bird, and have seen a few nice SP's for sale. What is everyone's opinion of this model vs. the PT's? Is the Detroit driveline superior to the Cat/ZF set-up? Are there any SP "quirks" I need to be aware of? SP's appeal to me because I prefer a middle entry door. Thanks for the advice in advance [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Opinions on the SP36 - Scott Forman - 11-15-2006 13:03 Hello all, I am considering moving up to a newer 'Bird, and have seen a few nice SP's for sale. What is everyone's opinion of this model vs. the PT's? Is the Detroit driveline superior to the Cat/ZF set-up? Are there any SP "quirks" I need to be aware of? SP's appeal to me because I prefer a middle entry door. Thanks for the advice in advance Scott Forman 82 FC35RB Memphis Opinions on the SP36 - Tom Seitz - 11-15-2006 13:52 Scott, I could tell you what I know about SP's but I would be a bit biased. I have an SP for sale. would maybe be interested in a trade. If interested contact me. Tom 90 SP36 Alpharetta GA (For Sale) --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote: > > Hello all, > > I am considering moving up to a newer 'Bird, and have seen a few nice > SP's for sale. What is everyone's opinion of this model vs. the PT's? > Is the Detroit driveline superior to the Cat/ZF set-up? Are there any > SP "quirks" I need to be aware of? > > SP's appeal to me because I prefer a middle entry door. > > Thanks for the advice in advance > > Scott Forman > 82 FC35RB > Memphis > Opinions on the SP36 - Wilhelmus Schreurs - 11-15-2006 16:17 Scott: Just look up on the search for the ZF transmission and make up your own mind. Don't know nothing about them, but having only a handful of dealers to fix the transmission, hmmmm well I would certainly not go that way. My 2 cents worth. Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge" Terrace, B.C. Canada ----- Original Message ---- From: Tom Seitz To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 5:52:29 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Opinions on the SP36 Scott, I could tell you what I know about SP's but I would be a bit biased. I have an SP for sale. would maybe be interested in a trade. If interested contact me. Tom 90 SP36 Alpharetta GA (For Sale) --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@... > wrote: > > Hello all, > > I am considering moving up to a newer 'Bird, and have seen a few nice > SP's for sale. What is everyone's opinion of this model vs. the PT's? > Is the Detroit driveline superior to the Cat/ZF set-up? Are there any > SP "quirks" I need to be aware of? > > SP's appeal to me because I prefer a middle entry door. > > Thanks for the advice in advance > > Scott Forman > 82 FC35RB > Memphis > <!-- #ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;} #ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;} #ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;} #ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;} #ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;} #ygrp-text{ font-family:Georgia; } #ygrp-text p{ margin:0 0 1em 0; } #ygrp-tpmsgs{ font-family:Arial; clear:both; } #ygrp-vitnav{ padding-top:10px; font-family:Verdana; font-size:77%; margin:0; } #ygrp-vitnav a{ padding:0 1px; } #ygrp-actbar{ clear:both; margin:25px 0; white-space:nowrap; color:#666; text-align:right; } #ygrp-actbar .left{ float:left; white-space:nowrap; } .bld{font-weight:bold;} #ygrp-grft{ font-family:Verdana; font-size:77%; padding:15px 0; } #ygrp-ft{ font-family:verdana; font-size:77%; border-top:1px solid #666; padding:5px 0; } #ygrp-mlmsg #logo{ padding-bottom:10px; } #ygrp-vital{ background-color:#e0ecee; margin-bottom:20px; padding:2px 0 8px 8px; } #ygrp-vital #vithd{ font-size:77%; font-family:Verdana; font-weight:bold; color:#333; text-transform:uppercase; } #ygrp-vital ul{ padding:0; margin:2px 0; } #ygrp-vital ul li{ list-style-type:none; clear:both; border:1px solid #e0ecee; } #ygrp-vital ul li .ct{ font-weight:bold; color:#ff7900; float:right; width:2em; text-align:right; padding-right:.5em; } #ygrp-vital ul li .cat{ font-weight:bold; } #ygrp-vital a { text-decoration:none; } #ygrp-vital a:hover{ text-decoration:underline; } #ygrp-sponsor #hd{ color:#999; font-size:77%; } #ygrp-sponsor #ov{ padding:6px 13px; background-color:#e0ecee; margin-bottom:20px; } #ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{ padding:0 0 0 8px; margin:0; } #ygrp-sponsor #ov li{ list-style-type:square; padding:6px 0; font-size:77%; } #ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{ text-decoration:none; font-size:130%; } #ygrp-sponsor #nc { background-color:#eee; margin-bottom:20px; padding:0 8px; } #ygrp-sponsor .ad{ padding:8px 0; } #ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{ font-family:Arial; font-weight:bold; color:#628c2a; font-size:100%; line-height:122%; } #ygrp-sponsor .ad a{ text-decoration:none; } #ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{ text-decoration:underline; } #ygrp-sponsor .ad p{ margin:0; } o {font-size:0;} .MsoNormal { margin:0 0 0 0; } #ygrp-text tt{ font-size:120%; } blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;} .replbq {margin:4;} --> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Opinions on the SP36 - birdshill123 - 11-16-2006 02:32 Doing a search of this and other BB forums will bring up mostly praise for the ZF transmission. They did have some voltage problems that are easily fixed. Major repairs can be accomplished by having a bus/truck shop remove the tranny and send it to a ZF facility. No big deal. My thoughts are that the 300 HP Cat that goes with the ZF more than makes up for any tranny shortcomings. Bruce 1988 FC 35 Opinions on the SP36 - Juergen - 11-16-2006 14:35 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote: > > Hello all, > > I am considering moving up to a newer 'Bird, and have seen a few nice > SP's for sale. What is everyone's opinion of this model vs. the PT's? > Is the Detroit driveline superior to the Cat/ZF set-up? Are there any > SP "quirks" I need to be aware of? > > SP's appeal to me because I prefer a middle entry door. > > Thanks for the advice in advance > > Scott Forman > 82 FC35RB > Memphis > Scott I've owned an SP36 for 11 years now. Like all the other posts said, its a good maschine. Perfect? No, but who is perfect anywhere. I have had a lot of good trips without problems, and some trips with problems, but none were major things. The biggest draw back of owning and operating this rig is A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. I had a couple of on the road breakdowns. Once, the engine just quit at a restspot. Would not start. Problem? A plugged Racor fuel filter. Aclean filter fixed that. Had to get towed once due to the ZF not engaging any gear. Caused by a low voltage to the thing. Cure was a 2 foot wire to feed the ECM with 12Volts, not 8.9Volts. Coach leaned once during driving. right side just leaned down, no air in the right side. Cause was a height adjustment rod broke off the axle, it just rusted off. This all in a course of 11 years. Had I known before what I know now, this would have all been prevented. However, the coach keeps on teaching me and if I actually pay attention to what it is telling me, life would be good. No breakdowns. So, it is a great coach, ZF is VERY reliable, thats why there are so FEW repair stations around in the US, Jeff Miller put my SP35 Handbook on the website somewhere, it explains the coach and what I learned. If you have questions, just holler, I'll be happy to try to answer you. Juergen in PA 1991 SP36 Opinions on the SP36 - Dan Weaver - 11-16-2006 14:43 Hi Scott, I read the replies on the SP. I also considered one, and think they are a fine coach. Have you also looked at the BB BMC 37' coach, 1994 to 1996? Cummins 300 HP 4 stroke, Allison 6 speed, still a steel coach except for front and rear cap. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/BlueBirdBMCowners/ Dan 94 BB BMC 37' --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote: > > Hello all, > > I am considering moving up to a newer 'Bird, and have seen a few nice > SP's for sale. What is everyone's opinion of this model vs. the PT's? > Is the Detroit driveline superior to the Cat/ZF set-up? Are there any > SP "quirks" I need to be aware of? > > SP's appeal to me because I prefer a middle entry door. > > Thanks for the advice in advance > > Scott Forman > 82 FC35RB > Memphis > |