Intro/Decisions...

[dieselcruisertoo]

Hello all,

Will introduce us briefly and ask for your wisdom/advice.

Recently retired after 25 years in military. Have 4 kids and
presently own a 34' Airstream. Tow vehicle is a Chevy Silverado CC
with D/A combo. We're looking at taking a year or two off and
exploring the lower 48. Have made the decision that spending that
amount of time in a crew cab won't be the most comfortable nor
safest way to travel. I've been researching motorhomes for several
years now and have ended up with either a BlueBird or Newell. I've
searched through the archives and haven't found these specific
area's dealt with. There are pro's & con's for each one. One huge
pro for the Bluebird is forums like this. After owning an Airstream
for the last 10 years, I'm used to quality, timeless design, & other
owner support/fantastic forums. Anyway, here are my
questions/issues:

*I'm 6'5", so need head room. From what I gather, the earliest rigs
that I'll be able to stand in w/o problems are the SP/WB coaches
that started in 88. Is this correct?

*Having 4 kids we're focusing on the center door units which due to
above primarily mean the SP coaches. We don't want the traffic
through the whole coach just to run in and get a drink, etc. Also
we can have the kids sleep up front and not disturb them if we want
to go outside. Have those of you with kids discovered that the
front door units aren't as much a problem as we feel it will be?

*All SP's I've seen so far have walk-through baths. We don't want
to be kept in/out of the bedroom because someone is in the
bathroom. Are there any SP's that don't have the walk-through
bath? Again, are we blowing this one out of proportion by feeling
that they will be a problem with a family of 6?

*My wife and kids love to bake. I haven't seen a late 80's early
90's coach yet that have a conventional oven. Are there any of you
out there who bake and cook that have found the microwave/convection
oven sufficient? Has anyone installed an oven in their coach?

*Have any of you found that having a 40-43' coach a distinct
disadvantage vice having a 36' coach as far as ability to drive or
camp in certain areas?

I appreciate all advice you can give.

Paul

[dieselcruisertoo]

No responses...

Can anyone help me in my determinations? I'm stuck doing all my
research online as there aren't many Birds up here in the 49th
state. Unfortunately, I have to get my ducks in a row before I can
even test drive one.

I've been reading the posts for the last year and have searched out
the archives as best I could before sending the below.

Thanks,

Paul

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dieselcruisertoo"
wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> Will introduce us briefly and ask for your wisdom/advice.
>
> Recently retired after 25 years in military. Have 4 kids and
> presently own a 34' Airstream. Tow vehicle is a Chevy Silverado
CC
> with D/A combo. We're looking at taking a year or two off and
> exploring the lower 48. Have made the decision that spending that
> amount of time in a crew cab won't be the most comfortable nor
> safest way to travel. I've been researching motorhomes for
several
> years now and have ended up with either a BlueBird or Newell.
I've
> searched through the archives and haven't found these specific
> area's dealt with. There are pro's & con's for each one. One
huge
> pro for the Bluebird is forums like this. After owning an
Airstream
> for the last 10 years, I'm used to quality, timeless design, &
other
> owner support/fantastic forums. Anyway, here are my
> questions/issues:
>
> *I'm 6'5", so need head room. From what I gather, the earliest
rigs
> that I'll be able to stand in w/o problems are the SP/WB coaches
> that started in 88. Is this correct?
>
> *Having 4 kids we're focusing on the center door units which due
to
> above primarily mean the SP coaches. We don't want the traffic
> through the whole coach just to run in and get a drink, etc. Also
> we can have the kids sleep up front and not disturb them if we
want
> to go outside. Have those of you with kids discovered that the
> front door units aren't as much a problem as we feel it will be?
>
> *All SP's I've seen so far have walk-through baths. We don't want
> to be kept in/out of the bedroom because someone is in the
> bathroom. Are there any SP's that don't have the walk-through
> bath? Again, are we blowing this one out of proportion by feeling
> that they will be a problem with a family of 6?
>
> *My wife and kids love to bake. I haven't seen a late 80's early
> 90's coach yet that have a conventional oven. Are there any of
you
> out there who bake and cook that have found the
microwave/convection
> oven sufficient? Has anyone installed an oven in their coach?
>
> *Have any of you found that having a 40-43' coach a distinct
> disadvantage vice having a 36' coach as far as ability to drive or
> camp in certain areas?
>
> I appreciate all advice you can give.
>
> Paul
>

[Robert Johannesen]

Howdy,
You're looking at the right year group to get the headroom. And it is a
big improvement. My son is 5'18" and the 78 was almost too short and the 91 WLWB
has lots of room. I personally would not be too driven by the center door. The
front door is easy to work with in a crowded coach. But what I would focus on is
the side aisle bath because any one can use it with some privacy without walking
through everybody else's space. We've traveled with eight adults without too
much problem. The main issue is where to put their stuff. If each has an
overhead bin and the rest in the "Basement", you're fine.
The oven switch shouldn't be too hard. I haven't tried baking anything
more complicated than blueberry muffins in ours so I can't give you too much
advice
on that.
The market has quite a few 91s and up in the $80K to $130K price range
based on condition. Tires are about $325 each mounted x 8 can be $2500 to $3000
(some guys don't carry spares but I like the insurance that I'm not stuck
waiting for a wrecker driver to charge me $500.00 for one), batteries (11) also
are recurring expenses.
I've had several coaches and trailers, sleeping bags on motorcycles,
etc. and I believe you can't beat a Bird for quality, construction, and most of
all - customer service!
Enjoy the search...

Bob & Judy Johannesen
91 WLWB 40 "Seldom Blue"
Argyle, Texas



dieselcruisertoo wrote:
No responses...

Can anyone help me in my determinations? I'm stuck doing all my
research online as there aren't many Birds up here in the 49th
state. Unfortunately, I have to get my ducks in a row before I can
even test drive one.

I've been reading the posts for the last year and have searched out
the archives as best I could before sending the below.

Thanks,

Paul

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dieselcruisertoo"
wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> Will introduce us briefly and ask for your wisdom/advice.
>
> Recently retired after 25 years in military. Have 4 kids and
> presently own a 34' Airstream. Tow vehicle is a Chevy Silverado
CC
> with D/A combo. We're looking at taking a year or two off and
> exploring the lower 48. Have made the decision that spending that
> amount of time in a crew cab won't be the most comfortable nor
> safest way to travel. I've been researching motorhomes for
several
> years now and have ended up with either a BlueBird or Newell.
I've
> searched through the archives and haven't found these specific
> area's dealt with. There are pro's & con's for each one. One
huge
> pro for the Bluebird is forums like this. After owning an
Airstream
> for the last 10 years, I'm used to quality, timeless design, &
other
> owner support/fantastic forums. Anyway, here are my
> questions/issues:
>
> *I'm 6'5", so need head room. From what I gather, the earliest
rigs
> that I'll be able to stand in w/o problems are the SP/WB coaches
> that started in 88. Is this correct?
>
> *Having 4 kids we're focusing on the center door units which due
to
> above primarily mean the SP coaches. We don't want the traffic
> through the whole coach just to run in and get a drink, etc. Also
> we can have the kids sleep up front and not disturb them if we
want
> to go outside. Have those of you with kids discovered that the
> front door units aren't as much a problem as we feel it will be?
>
> *All SP's I've seen so far have walk-through baths. We don't want
> to be kept in/out of the bedroom because someone is in the
> bathroom. Are there any SP's that don't have the walk-through
> bath? Again, are we blowing this one out of proportion by feeling
> that they will be a problem with a family of 6?
>
> *My wife and kids love to bake. I haven't seen a late 80's early
> 90's coach yet that have a conventional oven. Are there any of
you
> out there who bake and cook that have found the
microwave/convection
> oven sufficient? Has anyone installed an oven in their coach?
>
> *Have any of you found that having a 40-43' coach a distinct
> disadvantage vice having a 36' coach as far as ability to drive or
> camp in certain areas?
>
> I appreciate all advice you can give.
>
> Paul
>






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[dspithaler@...]

Hi Paul We have an 89 SP 36' & are very happy with it so far. We have had it
for two & a half years.
It have 6'- 6 1/2" head room in it. Under the air unit it is 6'-3 3/4" under the
air conditioner. I don't know of any SP with anything but a center bath. Maybe
some one else would know that? It does have doors that close off & makes the
bath private little room with a hallway still open to the rear bedroom. I think
the 40' will keep you out of some state & national parks. What part of the 49th'
state are you located in? There is a guy that lives there that might see this
post & he has an SP I could find his email address if you want it.
Don
89 SP 36'
Butler, PA
-----Original Message-----
From: dieselcruisertoo
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 06:33:35 -0000
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Intro/Decisions...


No responses...

Can anyone help me in my determinations? I'm stuck doing all my
research online as there aren't many Birds up here in the 49th
state. Unfortunately, I have to get my ducks in a row before I can
even test drive one.

I've been reading the posts for the last year and have searched out
the archives as best I could before sending the below.

Thanks,

Paul

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dieselcruisertoo"
wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> Will introduce us briefly and ask for your wisdom/advice.
>
> Recently retired after 25 years in military. Have 4 kids and
> presently own a 34' Airstream. Tow vehicle is a Chevy Silverado
CC
> with D/A combo. We're looking at taking a year or two off and
> exploring the lower 48. Have made the decision that spending that
> amount of time in a crew cab won't be the most comfortable nor
> safest way to travel. I've been researching motorhomes for
several
> years now and have ended up with either a BlueBird or Newell.
I've
> searched through the archives and haven't found these specific
> area's dealt with. There are pro's & con's for each one. One
huge
> pro for the Bluebird is forums like this. After owning an
Airstream
> for the last 10 years, I'm used to quality, timeless design, &
other
> owner support/fantastic forums. Anyway, here are my
> questions/issues:
>
> *I'm 6'5", so need head room. From what I gather, the earliest
rigs
> that I'll be able to stand in w/o problems are the SP/WB coaches
> that started in 88. Is this correct?
>
> *Having 4 kids we're focusing on the center door units which due
to
> above primarily mean the SP coaches. We don't want the traffic
> through the whole coach just to run in and get a drink, etc. Also
> we can have the kids sleep up front and not disturb them if we
want
> to go outside. Have those of you with kids discovered that the
> front door units aren't as much a problem as we feel it will be?
>
> *All SP's I've seen so far have walk-through baths. We don't want
> to be kept in/out of the bedroom because someone is in the
> bathroom. Are there any SP's that don't have the walk-through
> bath? Again, are we blowing this one out of proportion by feeling
> that they will be a problem with a family of 6?
>
> *My wife and kids love to bake. I haven't seen a late 80's early
> 90's coach yet that have a conventional oven. Are there any of
you
> out there who bake and cook that have found the
microwave/convection
> oven sufficient? Has anyone installed an oven in their coach?
>
> *Have any of you found that having a 40-43' coach a distinct
> disadvantage vice having a 36' coach as far as ability to drive or
> camp in certain areas?
>
> I appreciate all advice you can give.
>
> Paul
>







Yahoo! Groups Links






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

[dieselcruisertoo]

Hi Bob & Judy,

Thanks for your response!

> You're looking at the right year group to get the headroom.
And it is a big improvement. My son is 5'18" and the 78 was almost
too short and the 91 WLWB has lots of room. I personally would not
be too driven by the center door. The front door is easy to work
with in a crowded coach. But what I would focus on is the side aisle
bath because any one can use it with some privacy without walking
through everybody else's space. We've traveled with eight adults
without too much problem. The main issue is where to put their
stuff. If each has an overhead bin and the rest in the "Basement",
you're fine.

After reading past posts by Blair (6'8") about his headroom issues I
know that height is my biggest concern. If I had to prioritize it,
the next would be sleeping accomodations and bathroom layout right
with it. The door location wouldn't be as high on my list as it is
on my wife's. She really doesn't care for the front door and the
associated cleaning that will occur. Why do they design coaches
with front doors and then put carpet from the door to the galley
area? If we do go with a front door model, I'm sure I'll be
replacing some carpeting.

Thanks,

Paul

[dieselcruisertoo]

Hi Don,

Thanks for this information. I hadn't found any real measurements
of the SP, this is invaluable. I'm in Anchorage and can't tell you
how awesome it would be to see an SP up here. That would be great.
Please email me with his contact info.

Thanks again,

Paul

> It have 6'- 6 1/2" head room in it. Under the air unit it is 6'-3
3/4" under the air conditioner. I don't know of any SP with anything
but a center bath. Maybe some one else would know that? It does have
doors that close off & makes the bath private little room with a
hallway still open to the rear bedroom. I think the 40' will keep
you out of some state & national parks. What part of the 49th' state
are you located in? There is a guy that lives there that might see
this post & he has an SP I could find his email address if you want
it.

[KP Marsh]

Paul,

We also went with a wide body because of the extra headroom it affords and I'm
only 6' tall. Patti had the same issues as your wife with the carpet in our
coach.

Our home of 30+ years (which we just sold last fall in preparation of going
full-time) had hardwood floors. So-o-o-o we had Ernie replace ToWanda's
carpeting in the kitchen & salon areas with oak hardwood.

It is absolutely amazing how much of a difference it made..... it instantly
updated the appearance of the interior AND has made the space seem bigger and
"lighter." And we already know from past experience that hardwood is MUCH
easier to keep clean than carpeting. We're happy campers now that we are
"carpetless."

Ken & Patti Marsh
Mpls ~ Keepin' our eye on the prize
Full-timing as of March '07
ToWanda'89WLWB40ft

dieselcruisertoo wrote:

After reading past posts by Blair (6'8") about his headroom issues I
know that height is my biggest concern. If I had to prioritize it,
the next would be sleeping accomodations and bathroom layout right
with it. The door location wouldn't be as high on my list as it is
on my wife's. She really doesn't care for the front door and the
associated cleaning that will occur. Why do they design coaches
with front doors and then put carpet from the door to the galley
area? If we do go with a front door model, I'm sure I'll be
replacing some carpeting.

Thanks,

Paul






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Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web.

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