Tendencies toward major problems?

[Ryan Wright]

Folks,

As I sit here debating whether to finish the restoration of my '66
Travco or sell it to my neighbor and buy a Bird, some questions come
to mind.

Particularly, I am curious what the Bird's tendencies are toward major
problems. The Travcos, for example, tend to have rotted floors. That's
the case with mine and most Travcos I have looked at for sale seem to
have the same deal. This is, of course, an absolutely huge job
requiring hundreds of hours of labor.

I'd like to know what, if any, expensive tendencies a vintage Bird
would have. I'd be looking at an '88 - '92 PT-40 w/8V92. Basically,
are there any common issues that are going to cost me in excess of
$5,000 to fix (for that single issue - certainly there will be a lot
of $1,000 - $3,000 issues that pop up from time to time)? Anything
major like the Travco's tendency toward floor rot?

If I jump into this, I want to be prepared. I don't want to buy a Bird
that is going to bankrupt me and be too costly to keep operating.

-Ryan

[erniecarpet@...]

Ryan, we have had 2 birds and have had no major costs to fix. knock on
wood. The floor in the birds are marine grade plywood over steel. We have
experienced some rot on the plywood in a coach that we redone. Sell that baby to
your neighbor- or brother-in law and get a bird. Other SOB coaches have particle
board and OSB chip board as their only floor. I'll pass.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Mt




************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


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

[Pete Masterson]

The rear-engine 'birds have a tendency for the radiator to become
clogged with oily-dirt causing a potential for overheating problems.
Be sure to clean the radiator fins, etc. thoroughly. I did a re-core
on mine, and now it stays right where it should all the time.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
Fredricksburg, TX
aeonix1@...



On Apr 14, 2007, at 7:57 AM, erniecarpet@... wrote:

> Ryan, we have had 2 birds and have had no major costs to fix.
> knock on
> wood. The floor in the birds are marine grade plywood over steel.
> We have
> experienced some rot on the plywood in a coach that we redone. Sell
> that baby to
> your neighbor- or brother-in law and get a bird. Other SOB coaches
> have particle
> board and OSB chip board as their only floor. I'll pass.
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Mt
>
>
<snip>

[Leroy Eckert]

As evidenced by the number of Birds still flapping, the general tendency for
Birds is: They outlast their owner. We have not incurred any major expense,
other than elective items.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 12:15 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Tendencies toward major problems?


Folks,

As I sit here debating whether to finish the restoration of my '66
Travco or sell it to my neighbor and buy a Bird, some questions come
to mind.

Particularly, I am curious what the Bird's tendencies are toward major
problems. The Travcos, for example, tend to have rotted floors. That's
the case with mine and most Travcos I have looked at for sale seem to
have the same deal. This is, of course, an absolutely huge job
requiring hundreds of hours of labor.

I'd like to know what, if any, expensive tendencies a vintage Bird
would have. I'd be looking at an '88 - '92 PT-40 w/8V92. Basically,
are there any common issues that are going to cost me in excess of
$5,000 to fix (for that single issue - certainly there will be a lot
of $1,000 - $3,000 issues that pop up from time to time)? Anything
major like the Travco's tendency toward floor rot?

If I jump into this, I want to be prepared. I don't want to buy a Bird
that is going to bankrupt me and be too costly to keep operating.

-Ryan




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

[bbwlwb88]

Ryan, I have owned 5 Blue Birds since 1984 and 4 of them were used
coaches. Fortunately, I have never had a major problem with any of
them. Rotten flooring is highly unlikely to be a problem in a Bird
because of the 3/4 inch marine grade plywood. Assuming your Travco
is gasoline powered, you will find that diesel power requires more
attention to fuel filters and fuel treatment. If you decide to
purchase an older Bird I would urge you to have the engine and
transmission checked by a Detroit Diesel dealer. Those items can be
exceptionally expensive to repair or replace. While the coach is at
the Detroit dealer have them check the air brakes. Also you will
have an air suspension system which is very different than you may be
used to. The suspension air springs (air bags) can dry rot or crack
and may need to be replaced which will be expensive. Another
suggestion would be to get the coach body number and call the factory
to see if they can tell you if the coach has been serviced there for
any major problems. A final suggestion would be to have the coach
inspected by Ralph Fullenwider before you finalize the purchase.

It's likely you can find a Bird that is in good condition because
most of us overmaintain them, but still have it checked!!! You will
love the Bird compared to the coach you now have.

Royal Washburn
97 43BBWL
Conway, AR




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> As I sit here debating whether to finish the restoration of my '66
> Travco or sell it to my neighbor and buy a Bird, some questions come
> to mind.
>
> Particularly, I am curious what the Bird's tendencies are toward
major
> problems. The Travcos, for example, tend to have rotted floors.
That's
> the case with mine and most Travcos I have looked at for sale seem
to
> have the same deal. This is, of course, an absolutely huge job
> requiring hundreds of hours of labor.
>
> I'd like to know what, if any, expensive tendencies a vintage Bird
> would have. I'd be looking at an '88 - '92 PT-40 w/8V92. Basically,
> are there any common issues that are going to cost me in excess of
> $5,000 to fix (for that single issue - certainly there will be a lot
> of $1,000 - $3,000 issues that pop up from time to time)? Anything
> major like the Travco's tendency toward floor rot?
>
> If I jump into this, I want to be prepared. I don't want to buy a
Bird
> that is going to bankrupt me and be too costly to keep operating.
>
> -Ryan
>

[bloomas]

----- Original Message -----
From: bbwlwb88
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 11:32 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Tendencies toward major problems?
Hi Royal I have two question.Who do you suggest pays for the inspection and
Ralph travel and time?Would you
turn over the keys to your coach and let somebody that you don't no and drive
off? Just wondering.
Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36


Ryan, I have owned 5 Blue Birds since 1984 and 4 of them were used
coaches. Fortunately, I have never had a major problem with any of
them. Rotten flooring is highly unlikely to be a problem in a Bird
because of the 3/4 inch marine grade plywood. Assuming your Travco
is gasoline powered, you will find that diesel power requires more
attention to fuel filters and fuel treatment. If you decide to
purchase an older Bird I would urge you to have the engine and
transmission checked by a Detroit Diesel dealer. Those items can be
exceptionally expensive to repair or replace. While the coach is at
the Detroit dealer have them check the air brakes. Also you will
have an air suspension system which is very different than you may be
used to. The suspension air springs (air bags) can dry rot or crack
and may need to be replaced which will be expensive. Another
suggestion would be to get the coach body number and call the factory
to see if they can tell you if the coach has been serviced there for
any major problems. A final suggestion would be to have the coach
inspected by Ralph Fullenwider before you finalize the purchase.

It's likely you can find a Bird that is in good condition because
most of us overmaintain them, but still have it checked!!! You will
love the Bird compared to the coach you now have.

Royal Washburn
97 43BBWL
Conway, AR

>





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

[brad barton]

Question: To David Brady or anyone else who can tell me about adjusting the
shocks on a 43' LXI. Do you have to remove the wheels to get to the Koni
shocks to twist them tighter..or can you get to them without removing the
wheels. I'm assuming one part of the shock can be disconnected and twisted
to stiffen it up. We're going to try to adjust the front shocks first. Do
the wheels have to be pulled or not? And what part of the shock has be
twisted and how much?



Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
bbartonwx@...





>From: "bloomas"
>Reply-To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>To:
>Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Tendencies toward major problems?
>Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:05:18 -0500
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: bbwlwb88
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 11:32 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Tendencies toward major problems?
> Hi Royal I have two question.Who do you suggest pays for the
>inspection and Ralph travel and time?Would you
> turn over the keys to your coach and let somebody that you don't no and
>drive off? Just wondering.
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
>
> Ryan, I have owned 5 Blue Birds since 1984 and 4 of them were used
> coaches. Fortunately, I have never had a major problem with any of
> them. Rotten flooring is highly unlikely to be a problem in a Bird
> because of the 3/4 inch marine grade plywood. Assuming your Travco
> is gasoline powered, you will find that diesel power requires more
> attention to fuel filters and fuel treatment. If you decide to
> purchase an older Bird I would urge you to have the engine and
> transmission checked by a Detroit Diesel dealer. Those items can be
> exceptionally expensive to repair or replace. While the coach is at
> the Detroit dealer have them check the air brakes. Also you will
> have an air suspension system which is very different than you may be
> used to. The suspension air springs (air bags) can dry rot or crack
> and may need to be replaced which will be expensive. Another
> suggestion would be to get the coach body number and call the factory
> to see if they can tell you if the coach has been serviced there for
> any major problems. A final suggestion would be to have the coach
> inspected by Ralph Fullenwider before you finalize the purchase.
>
> It's likely you can find a Bird that is in good condition because
> most of us overmaintain them, but still have it checked!!! You will
> love the Bird compared to the coach you now have.
>
> Royal Washburn
> 97 43BBWL
> Conway, AR
>
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

_________________________________________________________________
Mortgage refinance is Hot. *Terms. Get a 5.375%* fix rate. Check savings
https://www2.nextag.com/goto.jsp?product...h=mor\
tgage_text_links_88_h2bbb&disc=y&vers=925&s=4056&p=5117

[bbwlwb88]

Normally the buyer pays for inspections. Just consider the cost as
an investment to protect yourself against purchasing a coach with
lots of expensive problems. And no, I wouldn't let just anyone drive
off in a coach. In Ralph's case he is a Blue Bird owner and is well
known to most members of this forum. He has the credentials that
should satisfy the seller to let him evaluate and drive the coach.
If the seller won't allow the coach to be driven then walk away.

Royal Washburn
97 43BBWL
Conway, AR

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bloomas"
wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: bbwlwb88
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 11:32 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Tendencies toward major problems?
> Hi Royal I have two question.Who do you suggest pays for the
inspection and Ralph travel and time?Would you
> turn over the keys to your coach and let somebody that you don't
no and drive off? Just wondering.
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
>
> Ryan, I have owned 5 Blue Birds since 1984 and 4 of them were
used
> coaches. Fortunately, I have never had a major problem with any
of
> them. Rotten flooring is highly unlikely to be a problem in a
Bird
> because of the 3/4 inch marine grade plywood. Assuming your
Travco
> is gasoline powered, you will find that diesel power requires
more
> attention to fuel filters and fuel treatment. If you decide to
> purchase an older Bird I would urge you to have the engine and
> transmission checked by a Detroit Diesel dealer. Those items can
be
> exceptionally expensive to repair or replace. While the coach is
at
> the Detroit dealer have them check the air brakes. Also you will
> have an air suspension system which is very different than you
may be
> used to. The suspension air springs (air bags) can dry rot or
crack
> and may need to be replaced which will be expensive. Another
> suggestion would be to get the coach body number and call the
factory
> to see if they can tell you if the coach has been serviced there
for
> any major problems. A final suggestion would be to have the coach
> inspected by Ralph Fullenwider before you finalize the purchase.
>
> It's likely you can find a Bird that is in good condition because
> most of us overmaintain them, but still have it checked!!! You
will
> love the Bird compared to the coach you now have.
>
> Royal Washburn
> 97 43BBWL
> Conway, AR
>
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Tom Meservey]

Hey Ryan,

In 2002 when Ernie Ekberg and Bim Burt replaced my carpet and put in new along
with new hard wood flooring in my 1981 Wanderlodge, they found no rot. This is
due to Blue Bird putting in top quality marine plywood over steel. I had a
little bit of rot around the entry, but not much; AND the following year I had
to replace the flooring underneath the frige, no big deal and put in a couple of
drains. What happens there is the freezer overflow is a poor design is all.
Trust me, the floor I put in under it, will outlast the next owner; optimistic
that I am there will be another owner.

Tom Meservey, USN (Ret)
'81FC33' at a wonderful price



---------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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