New Vintage Bird Owner First Post

[jcpryn]

A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be driving it
home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home.

What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the plane to
make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take some
basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane.

Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have not
seen it in person.

Any suggestions.

would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar for
towing protection?

Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this.

Thanks
John

Penryn Ca.

[Pete Masterson]

American Express, Visa, and MasterCard... Plan to Visit a Walmart
soon after picking up your 'bird for those "must have" items. Good
Sam Emergency Road Service or CoachNet (either directly or through
FMCA) are both good choices for towing and other emergency help. I
have the Good Sam ERS (you have to be a Good Sam member).

A '68 is pretty old, so there could be some "issues" ... you'll need
pillows, sleeping bags, etc. 600 miles will probably require at least
one night on the road (but some with tougher composition than myself,
might do 600 miles in one day). I've gone that far ... but prefer to
limit myself to 300 to 400 miles per day. It also depends on which
direction you're coming from...

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Idaho Springs, CO



On Aug 26, 2008, at 12:15 PM, jcpryn wrote:

> A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be driving it
> home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home.
>
> What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the plane to
> make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take some
> basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane.
>
> Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have not
> seen it in person.
>
> Any suggestions.
>
> would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar for
> towing protection?
>
> Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this.
>
> Thanks
> John
>
> Penryn Ca.
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Fred Bellows]

> John, we looked into those programs and they seem to be about $80/yr
and include a bunch of little features that you don't really need, and
unlimited towing, AND they will attempt to try and fix the problem on
the road to eliminate the need for towing (basic repairs). So this
would be good if you're ready to travel a lot over the next year.
However, we checked into our insurance policy (which, btw cost
~$500/yr for full coverage) and it included towing up to $600 per
incident. So for our first two trips (our "fly there, buy it, drive it
2100 mi home, and our 3 week, 2200 mi trip last month), we just relied
on the ins towing (and took lots of cash). We had a problem on the
first trip, and were just about to tow, and the tow truck driver
offered to try to determine what the truck repair shop hadn't (even
though they charged us $500!). And he and I spent 1.5 hrs (in the
rain), and discovered it was a loose wire on the fuel shutoff
solenoid. So we gave him $200 cash and he was happy. So, that $700 we
spent might've been covered if we had had the Good Sam thing (if they
sent out a sharp guy). Next year we will start doing a lot of
traveling, and then we will get a Good Sam or one of those policies as
well.-- Don't forget the cash!

Fred Bellows
90 SP
Phx, AZ

[bubblerboy64]

Hi John, Welcome to the forum. I will be very interested in
following along with ya on your adventure. Tell us about what you
bought. The old ones have character and deserve good homes and care.
Just think what you were doing when the coach was built. I was just
finishing college and here I am almost 62 years old. You might not
have even been close to being born who knows but the nice thing is
the old bird will still work well for you.

As to what to take along. That's difficult because as soon as we
make a list for you you can figure that you will have everything
except the one thing you need. I might suggest that you don't take
anything along and once you get there perhaps pick up some basic hand
tools just to keep in the bus at all times. Now if you already have
a couple of everything then take just the basics along.

Most important thing to do is to go over the coach fairly carefully
before you take off and look for things which can cause trouble such
as loose belts hoses and tires (especially if they are very old and
have obvious weather cracking) Check the fluids and do the stuff you
would do on a car. I always worry about tires on these old and very
heavy buses so don't forget if you have trouble a flat or worse off a
blow out is not a good thing to have happen in a car but a lot worse
in a motor-home. If the tires are really bad get new ones before you
even start out and if they are respectable just keep the speeds way
down. Maybe 50 mph tops.

If the motor-home starts up and runs and shifts gears as it should I
would just stop often and check the fluid levels and use common
sense. It takes a while to "get on to" driving the older FC's so go
slow and let them pass you. Worn your wife that there is a learning
curve and that most of us who have older coaches have had to learn to
drive them. The wheels are 4 ft or so behind you and these buses do
tend to wander a little (0r a lot depending). My heart was in my
throat for the first couple hundred miles and especially if the roads
are bad. I would suggest not driving a night because you need to see
the roads. Try not to frighten the wife too badly first time out.
You'll be Ok if you take your time

Post a bunch of pictures as soon as you can and welcome to the ole
bird club.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be driving
it
> home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home.
>
> What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the plane to
> make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take some
> basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane.
>
> Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have not
> seen it in person.
>
> Any suggestions.
>
> would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar for
> towing protection?
>
> Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this.
>
> Thanks
> John
>
> Penryn Ca.
>

[Leroy Eckert]

Personally, even with a third party inspection I would not make a deal unless I touched, smell and inspected it myself. To much subjectivity involved. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors Dahlonega, GA Royale Conversion --- On Tue, 8/26/08, jcpryn wrote: From: jcpryn Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] New Vintage Bird Owner First Post To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 2:15 PM A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be driving it home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home. What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the plane to make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take some basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane. Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have not seen it in person. Any suggestions. would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar for towing protection? Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this. Thanks John Penryn Ca.

[Curt Sprenger]

John,

Well said, nice post. Thank you.

And welcome to our new members.

On Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 3:05 PM, bubblerboy64 <"jehdds@hotmail.com"> wrote:

Hi John, Welcome to the forum. I will be very interested in

following along with ya on your adventure. Tell us about what you

bought. The old ones have character and deserve good homes and care.

Just think what you were doing when the coach was built. I was just

finishing college and here I am almost 62 years old. You might not

have even been close to being born who knows but the nice thing is

the old bird will still work well for you.



As to what to take along. That's difficult because as soon as we

make a list for you you can figure that you will have everything

except the one thing you need. I might suggest that you don't take

anything along and once you get there perhaps pick up some basic hand

tools just to keep in the bus at all times. Now if you already have

a couple of everything then take just the basics along.



Most important thing to do is to go over the coach fairly carefully

before you take off and look for things which can cause trouble such

as loose belts hoses and tires (especially if they are very old and

have obvious weather cracking) Check the fluids and do the stuff you

would do on a car. I always worry about tires on these old and very

heavy buses so don't forget if you have trouble a flat or worse off a

blow out is not a good thing to have happen in a car but a lot worse

in a motor-home. If the tires are really bad get new ones before you

even start out and if they are respectable just keep the speeds way

down. Maybe 50 mph tops.



If the motor-home starts up and runs and shifts gears as it should I

would just stop often and check the fluid levels and use common

sense. It takes a while to "get on to" driving the older FC's so go

slow and let them pass you. Worn your wife that there is a learning

curve and that most of us who have older coaches have had to learn to

drive them. The wheels are 4 ft or so behind you and these buses do

tend to wander a little (0r a lot depending). My heart was in my

throat for the first couple hundred miles and especially if the roads

are bad. I would suggest not driving a night because you need to see

the roads. Try not to frighten the wife too badly first time out.

You'll be Ok if you take your time



Post a bunch of pictures as soon as you can and welcome to the ole

bird club.



John Heckman

central Pa

1973 FC

>

> A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be driving

it

> home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home.

>

> What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the plane to

> make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take some

> basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane.

>

> Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have not

> seen it in person.

>

> Any suggestions.

>

> would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar for

> towing protection?

>

> Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this.

>

> Thanks

> John

>

> Penryn Ca.

>

--
Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, CA

[John]

Thanks for all of the kind words, sorry I have been away from my computer for a bit.

Still moving forward with the purchase. Deposit has been sent and having someone local do a quick inspection for me. Unless something major is wrong we will be making arangements to fly there and drive back.

Don't know when we will be traveling allot so I will rely on my AAA towing if needed. crossed fingers for sure.

I am just a bit older than the Bird by 7 years, my wife just 4.

It has the 391 gas, so I know it will be very slow. Have thoughts of an diesel transplant to help with the power.

Starting to put a tool kit together that I can put in one bag. Will make a trip to walmart for some paper plates ect when we get rolling.

Might be having a relitive making the trip up to portland befor we do, if that is the case I will be sending sleeping bags and a bunch of other stuff that way so the flight will be a little lighter

The bird is a 1968 version. It has been redone inside a few years ago and looks pretty nice. No idea on miles, but not sure if it really matters for something that old. Tires are new so that "should" not be an issue. Hope to have time in portland to swap belts and check fluids.

Can I put pics in the post or do I need ot open a folder?

Will let everyone know where we are at on this adventure. Wife and myself are really looking forward to flying in the Bird. May have even come up with a name.......... OLD & SLOW ment in the most loving way.

for now

John

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

From: "jehdds@hotmail.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 15:05

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: New Vintage Bird Owner First Post

Hi John, Welcome to the forum. I will be very interested in
following along with ya on your adventure. Tell us about what you
bought. The old ones have character and deserve good homes and care.
Just think what you were doing when the coach was built. I was just
finishing college and here I am almost 62 years old. You might not
have even been close to being born who knows but the nice thing is
the old bird will still work well for you.

As to what to take along. That's difficult because as soon as we
make a list for you you can figure that you will have everything
except the one thing you need. I might suggest that you don't take
anything along and once you get there perhaps pick up some basic hand
tools just to keep in the bus at all times. Now if you already have
a couple of everything then take just the basics along.

Most important thing to do is to go over the coach fairly carefully
before you take off and look for things which can cause trouble such
as loose belts hoses and tires (especially if they are very old and
have obvious weather cracking) Check the fluids and do the stuff you
would do on a car. I always worry about tires on these old and very
heavy buses so don't forget if you have trouble a flat or worse off a
blow out is not a good thing to have happen in a car but a lot worse
in a motor-home. If the tires are really bad get new ones before you
even start out and if they are respectable just keep the speeds way
down. Maybe 50 mph tops.

If the motor-home starts up and runs and shifts gears as it should I
would just stop often and check the fluid levels and use common
sense. It takes a while to "get on to" driving the older FC's so go
slow and let them pass you. Worn your wife that there is a learning
curve and that most of us who have older coaches have had to learn to
drive them. The wheels are 4 ft or so behind you and these buses do
tend to wander a little (0r a lot depending). My heart was in my
throat for the first couple hundred miles and especially if the roads
are bad. I would suggest not driving a night because you need to see
the roads. Try not to frighten the wife too badly first time out.
You'll be Ok if you take your time

Post a bunch of pictures as soon as you can and welcome to the ole
bird club.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be driving
it
> home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home.
>
> What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the plane to
> make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take some
> basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane.
>
> Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have not
> seen it in person.
>
> Any suggestions.
>
> would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar for
> towing protection?
>
> Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this.
>
> Thanks
> John
>
> Penryn Ca.
>

No virus found in this outgoing message
Checked by PC Tools AntiVirus (4.0.0.26 - 10.100.020).
http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

[Pete Masterson]

In most states, AAA does not tow RVs unless you have an "RV
Extension." Check with your AAA office to ensure that you will
actually be covered, should there be a problem.

If you're seriously considering a diesel transplant, you'd be better
off to buy a coach that already had a diesel engine (unless you're a
highly qualified mechanic with a suitable shop to do the work yourself).

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Idaho Springs, CO



On Aug 28, 2008, at 10:43 AM, John wrote:

> Thanks for all of the kind words, sorry I have been away from my
> computer for a bit.
>
> Still moving forward with the purchase. Deposit has been sent and
> having someone local do a quick inspection for me. Unless
> something major is wrong we will be making arangements to fly there
> and drive back.
>
> Don't know when we will be traveling allot so I will rely on my AAA
> towing if needed. crossed fingers for sure.
>
> I am just a bit older than the Bird by 7 years, my wife just 4.
>
> It has the 391 gas, so I know it will be very slow. Have thoughts
> of an diesel transplant to help with the power.
>
> Starting to put a tool kit together that I can put in one bag.
> Will make a trip to walmart for some paper plates ect when we get
> rolling.
>
> Might be having a relitive making the trip up to portland befor we
> do, if that is the case I will be sending sleeping bags and a bunch
> of other stuff that way so the flight will be a little lighter
>
> The bird is a 1968 version. It has been redone inside a few years
> ago and looks pretty nice. No idea on miles, but not sure if it
> really matters for something that old. Tires are new so that
> "should" not be an issue. Hope to have time in portland to swap
> belts and check fluids.
>
> Can I put pics in the post or do I need ot open a folder?
>
> Will let everyone know where we are at on this adventure. Wife and
> myself are really looking forward to flying in the Bird. May have
> even come up with a name.......... OLD & SLOW ment in the
> most loving way.
>
>
> for now
>
> John
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: bubblerboy64
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 15:05
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: New Vintage Bird Owner First Post
>
> Hi John, Welcome to the forum. I will be very interested in
> following along with ya on your adventure. Tell us about what you
> bought. The old ones have character and deserve good homes and care.
> Just think what you were doing when the coach was built. I was just
> finishing college and here I am almost 62 years old. You might not
> have even been close to being born who knows but the nice thing is
> the old bird will still work well for you.
>
> As to what to take along. That's difficult because as soon as we
> make a list for you you can figure that you will have everything
> except the one thing you need. I might suggest that you don't take
> anything along and once you get there perhaps pick up some basic hand
> tools just to keep in the bus at all times. Now if you already have
> a couple of everything then take just the basics along.
>
> Most important thing to do is to go over the coach fairly carefully
> before you take off and look for things which can cause trouble such
> as loose belts hoses and tires (especially if they are very old and
> have obvious weather cracking) Check the fluids and do the stuff you
> would do on a car. I always worry about tires on these old and very
> heavy buses so don't forget if you have trouble a flat or worse off a
> blow out is not a good thing to have happen in a car but a lot worse
> in a motor-home. If the tires are really bad get new ones before you
> even start out and if they are respectable just keep the speeds way
> down. Maybe 50 mph tops.
>
> If the motor-home starts up and runs and shifts gears as it should I
> would just stop often and check the fluid levels and use common
> sense. It takes a while to "get on to" driving the older FC's so go
> slow and let them pass you. Worn your wife that there is a learning
> curve and that most of us who have older coaches have had to learn to
> drive them. The wheels are 4 ft or so behind you and these buses do
> tend to wander a little (0r a lot depending). My heart was in my
> throat for the first couple hundred miles and especially if the roads
> are bad. I would suggest not driving a night because you need to see
> the roads. Try not to frighten the wife too badly first time out.
> You'll be Ok if you take your time
>
> Post a bunch of pictures as soon as you can and welcome to the ole
> bird club.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
> >
> > A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be driving
> it
> > home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home.
> >
> > What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the plane to
> > make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take some
> > basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane.
> >
> > Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have not
> > seen it in person.
> >
> > Any suggestions.
> >
> > would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar for
> > towing protection?
> >
> > Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this.
> >
> > Thanks
> > John
> >
> > Penryn Ca.
> >
>
>
>
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message
> Checked by PC Tools AntiVirus (4.0.0.26 - 10.100.020).
> http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

[erniecarpet@...]

John, best wishes on your purchase. I believe a forum member named their coach-- Slow and in the Way

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Montana

---

It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.

[Gregory OConnor]

John, might be an idea to hit Portland (hood-River)Sears or even
homedepot with the bus for a complete mechanics tool set that you
can dedicate to the bus. save you from shipping tools thru the
airport. I dont think an engine swap can be cost effective with the
give away prices the FC's go for. If you want a diesel, they have to
be close to the gasser price and less than any swap will cost to
complete . Pepboys does a good thirdperson ebay inspection (since
its gas). their list is most subjective and campingworld can do the
same.

On long distance purchases I gather information on the seller by
googling their phone numbers, email address, and unique advert
phrases. and I do a flyover on Maps.live .com. I have been burnt in
the past $7,000.00, Barrister Wallamungongo or something.

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John" wrote:
>
> Thanks for all of the kind words, sorry I have been away from my
computer for a bit.
>
> Still moving forward with the purchase. Deposit has been sent and
having someone local do a quick inspection for me. Unless something
major is wrong we will be making arangements to fly there and drive
back.
>
> Don't know when we will be traveling allot so I will rely on my
AAA towing if needed. crossed fingers for sure.
>
> I am just a bit older than the Bird by 7 years, my wife just 4.
>
> It has the 391 gas, so I know it will be very slow. Have thoughts
of an diesel transplant to help with the power.
>
> Starting to put a tool kit together that I can put in one bag.
Will make a trip to walmart for some paper plates ect when we get
rolling.
>
> Might be having a relitive making the trip up to portland befor we
do, if that is the case I will be sending sleeping bags and a bunch
of other stuff that way so the flight will be a little lighter
>
> The bird is a 1968 version. It has been redone inside a few years
ago and looks pretty nice. No idea on miles, but not sure if it
really matters for something that old. Tires are new so
that "should" not be an issue. Hope to have time in portland to
swap belts and check fluids.
>
> Can I put pics in the post or do I need ot open a folder?
>
> Will let everyone know where we are at on this adventure. Wife
and myself are really looking forward to flying in the Bird. May
have even come up with a name.......... OLD & SLOW ment in
the most loving way.
>
>
> for now
>
> John
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: bubblerboy64
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 15:05
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: New Vintage Bird Owner First Post
>
>
> Hi John, Welcome to the forum. I will be very interested in
> following along with ya on your adventure. Tell us about what
you
> bought. The old ones have character and deserve good homes and
care.
> Just think what you were doing when the coach was built. I was
just
> finishing college and here I am almost 62 years old. You might
not
> have even been close to being born who knows but the nice thing
is
> the old bird will still work well for you.
>
> As to what to take along. That's difficult because as soon as we
> make a list for you you can figure that you will have everything
> except the one thing you need. I might suggest that you don't
take
> anything along and once you get there perhaps pick up some basic
hand
> tools just to keep in the bus at all times. Now if you already
have
> a couple of everything then take just the basics along.
>
> Most important thing to do is to go over the coach fairly
carefully
> before you take off and look for things which can cause trouble
such
> as loose belts hoses and tires (especially if they are very old
and
> have obvious weather cracking) Check the fluids and do the stuff
you
> would do on a car. I always worry about tires on these old and
very
> heavy buses so don't forget if you have trouble a flat or worse
off a
> blow out is not a good thing to have happen in a car but a lot
worse
> in a motor-home. If the tires are really bad get new ones before
you
> even start out and if they are respectable just keep the speeds
way
> down. Maybe 50 mph tops.
>
> If the motor-home starts up and runs and shifts gears as it
should I
> would just stop often and check the fluid levels and use common
> sense. It takes a while to "get on to" driving the older FC's so
go
> slow and let them pass you. Worn your wife that there is a
learning
> curve and that most of us who have older coaches have had to
learn to
> drive them. The wheels are 4 ft or so behind you and these buses
do
> tend to wander a little (0r a lot depending). My heart was in my
> throat for the first couple hundred miles and especially if the
roads
> are bad. I would suggest not driving a night because you need to
see
> the roads. Try not to frighten the wife too badly first time
out.
> You'll be Ok if you take your time
>
> Post a bunch of pictures as soon as you can and welcome to the
ole
> bird club.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
> >
> > A deal has been made on "our" Vintage 1968 Bird. Will be
driving
> it
> > home apx 600 miles. We will be flying in and driving home.
> >
> > What I am looking for is an idea of what I can take on the
plane to
> > make the trip home as easy as possible. I will try to take
some
> > basic tools that I will have to check in on the plane.
> >
> > Coach will be inspected by 3rd party before we go, but I have
not
> > seen it in person.
> >
> > Any suggestions.
> >
> > would it be worth it to join Good Sams or something similar
for
> > towing protection?
> >
> > Both my wife and myself are really looking forward to this.
> >
> > Thanks
> > John
> >
> > Penryn Ca.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message
> Checked by PC Tools AntiVirus (4.0.0.26 - 10.100.020).
> http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/
>