eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?

[Ryan Wright]

Thanks to all for your responses. I am now much more educated on the A/C
options - I'd initially assumed the coach was a fixed "shell" with the A/C
location being an "after the fact" type of choice. Looks like the entire
coach is more or less built to order instead and I can now see where it
would be virtually impossible to change this. Certainly cheaper to sell the
coach and buy a different one if that's what a person wanted.

I've also decided that I'm not terribly picky about the A/C location, there
are apparently upsides and downsides to both configurations, so I won't
worry about it.

Thanks again to each of you.

-Ryan

On 9/1/06, Tom Warner wrote:
>
> The 1985 PT 40 with cruiseairs does not have much less exterior
> storage then one with roof airs. The two 1985 PT 40s that I looked
> when looking for a PT both had 300 gallon fuel tanks including the
> one that I bought. Both the 1982 FC35 that I had and the 1985 PT 40
> that I now have were equipped with cruiseairs and that was something
> that I specifically looked for in the 1985 PT 40. I would not have
> bought it if it had roof airs. Cruiseairs mean 3 less roof
> penetrations, clean ceilings since the air from the cruiseairs exits
> on the sides of the rooms, are quieter and in my opinion a better A/C
> option. Properly maintained they provide true 3 section A/C for the
> bedroom, kitchen and front room.
>
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
> At 01:08 PM 9/1/2006, you wrote:
> >After further thought, the smaller capacities closely match those of
> >the FC and may have been incorrectly used because of ignorance of
> >the seller who is probably not familiar with BB. Just another possibly.
> >
> >Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Richard Hayden>
> > To:
> > WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> >
> > Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 9:57 AM
> > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
> >
> >
> > I'm sure someone with first hand knowledge will come in here.
> > However, my guess is that the smaller capacities are due to the
> > amount of space that the 3, Cruise Air A/C units take up. Just a
> > guess. I once looked at a coach for my brother that had that kind
> > of A/C and it seemed to me that it took up considerable amount of
> > basement space. As far as converting is concerned, it probably
> > isn't at all particle and would cost far more than it was worth. I
> > wouldn't consider doing it at all. You'll need that money for more
> > important things such as deferred maintenance and upgrades if you
> > get this coach. A far as the second couch is concerned - that
> > wouldn't be too difficult. We had such an arrangement in our last
> > coach but have the couch/2 chairs arrangement in our present one.
> > We much prefer the latter.
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> > Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ryan
> > Wright > ryanpwright@... >>
> > To:
> > WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> >
> >>
>
> >
> > Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:58 AM
> > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
> >
> > I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can help
> > clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it appears
> > to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller is not
> > the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.
> >
> > 1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh, 40 black,
> > 60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT should have
> > 136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing either the
> > seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had significant
> > modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear. Since you
> > folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think of any
> > normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?
> >
> > 2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again: Would
> > converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend project, or a
> > huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
> > who has owned them?
> >
> > 3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front. I'm
> > guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
> > mini-table with another sofa?
> >
> > Thanks to all for your time,
> >
> > -Ryan
> >
> > On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright
> > > ryanpwright@... > > ryanpwright@... > ryanpwright@... >>>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the
> > description said 3 but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
> > >
> > > Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without
> > extraordinary effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for
> > that? Or would this be a major undertaking?
> > >
> > >
> > > -Ryan
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Bob Lawrence]

Hi Ryan,
Our 84 PT 36 has 3 Cruise Air's and a roof air forward. Keep in mind
the Cruise's will pick up road heat if run while going down the
road. We just run the roof air and close off the back half of the
bus and it keeps us veru cool!
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36
Tacoma, Wa.
>
> Thanks to all for your responses. I am now much more educated on
the A/C
> options - I'd initially assumed the coach was a fixed "shell" with
the A/C
> location being an "after the fact" type of choice. Looks like the
entire
> coach is more or less built to order instead and I can now see
where it
> would be virtually impossible to change this. Certainly cheaper to
sell the
> coach and buy a different one if that's what a person wanted.
>
> I've also decided that I'm not terribly picky about the A/C
location, there
> are apparently upsides and downsides to both configurations, so I
won't
> worry about it.
>
> Thanks again to each of you.
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 9/1/06, Tom Warner wrote:
> >
> > The 1985 PT 40 with cruiseairs does not have much less exterior
> > storage then one with roof airs. The two 1985 PT 40s that I
looked
> > when looking for a PT both had 300 gallon fuel tanks including
the
> > one that I bought. Both the 1982 FC35 that I had and the 1985 PT
40
> > that I now have were equipped with cruiseairs and that was
something
> > that I specifically looked for in the 1985 PT 40. I would not
have
> > bought it if it had roof airs. Cruiseairs mean 3 less roof
> > penetrations, clean ceilings since the air from the cruiseairs
exits
> > on the sides of the rooms, are quieter and in my opinion a
better A/C
> > option. Properly maintained they provide true 3 section A/C for
the
> > bedroom, kitchen and front room.
> >
> >
> > Tom Warner
> > Vernon Center,NY
> > 1985 PT 40
> >
> > At 01:08 PM 9/1/2006, you wrote:
> > >After further thought, the smaller capacities closely match
those of
> > >the FC and may have been incorrectly used because of ignorance
of
> > >the seller who is probably not familiar with BB. Just another
possibly.
> > >
> > >Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Richard Hayden>
> > > To:
> > > WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com 40yahoogroups.com>
> > 40yahoogroups.com>
> > >
> > > Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 9:57 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
> > >
> > >
> > > I'm sure someone with first hand knowledge will come in here.
> > > However, my guess is that the smaller capacities are due to the
> > > amount of space that the 3, Cruise Air A/C units take up. Just
a
> > > guess. I once looked at a coach for my brother that had that
kind
> > > of A/C and it seemed to me that it took up considerable amount
of
> > > basement space. As far as converting is concerned, it probably
> > > isn't at all particle and would cost far more than it was
worth. I
> > > wouldn't consider doing it at all. You'll need that money for
more
> > > important things such as deferred maintenance and upgrades if
you
> > > get this coach. A far as the second couch is concerned - that
> > > wouldn't be too difficult. We had such an arrangement in our
last
> > > coach but have the couch/2 chairs arrangement in our present
one.
> > > We much prefer the latter.
> > >
> > > Good luck
> > >
> > > Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Ryan
> > > Wright > > ryanpwright@... >>
> > > To:
> > > WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com 40yahoogroups.com>
> > 40yahoogroups.com>
> > > 40yahoogroups.com>
> > 40yahoogroups.com>>>
> >
> > >
> > > Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:58 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
> > >
> > > I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can
help
> > > clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it
appears
> > > to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller
is not
> > > the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.
> > >
> > > 1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh,
40 black,
> > > 60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT
should have
> > > 136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing
either the
> > > seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had
significant
> > > modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear.
Since you
> > > folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think
of any
> > > normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?
> > >
> > > 2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again:
Would
> > > converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend
project, or a
> > > huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from
someone
> > > who has owned them?
> > >
> > > 3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up
front. I'm
> > > guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
> > > mini-table with another sofa?
> > >
> > > Thanks to all for your time,
> > >
> > > -Ryan
> > >
> > > On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright
> > > > > ryanpwright@... > > > ryanpwright@... > > ryanpwright@... >>>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the
> > > description said 3 but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I
know why.
> > > >
> > > > Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without
> > > extraordinary effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for
> > > that? Or would this be a major undertaking?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -Ryan
> > > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Tom Warner]

I believe that the cruiseairs are getting a bad rap when it comes to
not cooling if the road temperature is high etc, much along the same
lines as "The chassis air does not work very well so we fire up the
generator when we travel and power the roof airs"). Both statements
in my opinion many be true in some cases but why?

The design of the cruiseairs in my opinion is better then a roof top
A/C, since the condenser is mounted in a protected area under the
coach and the evaporator separated by several feet (unlike a rooftop
A/C) and mounted inside the coach. The cruiseair unit has a much
larger pump and evaporator radiator. I believe that in those cases
where the owner is not getting good cooling from the cruiseairs it is
because they need servicing after so many years.

All three of the cruiseairs in my previous 1982 FC35 (even in very
hot southern weather) and the present PT 40 work very well and have
never failed to cool the coach down very quickly. Normally we only
use one of the cruiseairs either in the back bedroom area during the
day if we are in the front of the coach or vice versa during the
night if A/.C is necessary.
I would suggest that anyone that has cruiseairs where the exit air is
above 40 degrees have them checked by a person that knows how to
properly service them.

tom warner
Vernon center,NY
1985 PT40





At 12:37 AM 9/2/2006, you wrote:
>Hi Ryan,
>Our 84 PT 36 has 3 Cruise Air's and a roof air forward. Keep in mind
>the Cruise's will pick up road heat if run while going down the
>road. We just run the roof air and close off the back half of the
>bus and it keeps us veru cool!
>Bob Lawrence
>84 PT36
>Tacoma, Wa.

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

I agree with Mike.....5-20K add to any bird u buy...unless u buy one
from a guy thats been thru it all and then sells.. I just put new
rear brakes and seals on my "new" 80 fc31 and am heading to
florida..in Kentucky now.
regards,
Hank Hannigan
90SP36
80FC31









In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> Very major. Keep the cruise airs. Don't over look the rule of
thumb, ad $15/20k to any used BB for things that will need
attention. Most reliable shops will charge around $100 an hour to
work on a bird.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan Wright
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 10:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
>
>
> Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the
description said 3
> but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
>
> Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without
extraordinary
> effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that? Or would
this be a
> major undertaking?
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 8/31/06, Pete Masterson wrote:
> >
> > It looks fairly clean in the photos. The actual mechanical
condition
> > would be the most important aspect. Of course, with a 21-22
year old
> > coach, you can expect several maintenance items to be an issue
so
> > don't blow your budget buying the coach...
> >
> > An observation about the cruise air AC units ... they leave
the roof
> > 'clean' ... but take up a fair amount of basement storage
space. I
> > note that this coach has a roof pod for storage ... so it's
trading a
> > "clean" roof (no ACs) for a roof-pod storage ... not much gain
there
> > -- and the roof pod is far less convenient to access than is
basement
> > storage (IMHO). I've heard others criticize the cruise airs on
> > operational grounds, but I have no personal experience on that
point.
> >
> > Pete Masterson
> > aeonix1@...
> > '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
> > El Sobrante, CA
> >
> >
> > On Aug 31, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:
> >
> > > Does anyone have insight into this coach located in Tampa,
FL?
> > >
> > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> > > ViewItem&item=190024521209&indexURL=3
> > >
> > > I have a dialog going with the seller (owner's agent).
Curious if
> > > anyone is familiar with this one, or can offer any advice.
(I've
> > > bought multiple vehicles over the Internet before and am
familiar with
> > > common sense practices regarding money transfers, etc).
> > >
> > > Thank you,
> > >
> > > -Ryan
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Howard O. Truitt]

Hank,
Don't know your route south but I live just off US Hwy 19 abt. 2 miles South of
Camilla, Ga. We are abt. 50 miles south west of Tifton, Ga.. I have a nice place
for visitors to park only water available. I would certainly recommend you
consider a stop in Thomasville, Ga. 30 miles south of me. Check out Thomasville
on the web. Many old Victorian homes very quaint downtown section with old
original brick paved streets famous Pebble Hill Plantation open for tours. There
is a very nice camp ground just north of town on Hwy 19 with all aminities named
Sugar Mill Campground.
Howard Truitt
Camilla, Ga.
86 PT40



----- Original Message -----
From: Henry Jay Hannigan
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 11:21 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?


I agree with Mike.....5-20K add to any bird u buy...unless u buy one
from a guy thats been thru it all and then sells.. I just put new
rear brakes and seals on my "new" 80 fc31 and am heading to
florida..in Kentucky now.
regards,
Hank Hannigan
90SP36
80FC31

In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> Very major. Keep the cruise airs. Don't over look the rule of
thumb, ad $15/20k to any used BB for things that will need
attention. Most reliable shops will charge around $100 an hour to
work on a bird.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan Wright
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 10:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
>
>
> Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the
description said 3
> but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
>
> Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without
extraordinary
> effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that? Or would
this be a
> major undertaking?
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 8/31/06, Pete Masterson wrote:
> >
> > It looks fairly clean in the photos. The actual mechanical
condition
> > would be the most important aspect. Of course, with a 21-22
year old
> > coach, you can expect several maintenance items to be an issue
so
> > don't blow your budget buying the coach...
> >
> > An observation about the cruise air AC units ... they leave
the roof
> > 'clean' ... but take up a fair amount of basement storage
space. I
> > note that this coach has a roof pod for storage ... so it's
trading a
> > "clean" roof (no ACs) for a roof-pod storage ... not much gain
there
> > -- and the roof pod is far less convenient to access than is
basement
> > storage (IMHO). I've heard others criticize the cruise airs on
> > operational grounds, but I have no personal experience on that
point.
> >
> > Pete Masterson
> > aeonix1@...
> > '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
> > El Sobrante, CA
> >
> >
> > On Aug 31, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:
> >
> > > Does anyone have insight into this coach located in Tampa,
FL?
> > >
> > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> > > ViewItem&item=190024521209&indexURL=3
> > >
> > > I have a dialog going with the seller (owner's agent).
Curious if
> > > anyone is familiar with this one, or can offer any advice.
(I've
> > > bought multiple vehicles over the Internet before and am
familiar with
> > > common sense practices regarding money transfers, etc).
> > >
> > > Thank you,
> > >
> > > -Ryan
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>






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