How to get started

[bubblerboy64]

I am interested,but how do you begin? I have searched the web and found
some Birds for sale but they often are many hundreds or even thousands
of miles away. I have not actually even touched a Blue Bird. How do I
know what I would even like? I need to be able to touch and feel before
I go any further. I live in central Pa. Any suggestions on what to do
next would be appreciated. They are not all that common. At this point
I don't even know if I am interested in a PT or an FC. Like the prices
of the FC's but figure the PT would be quieter to drive. Any
suggestions would be appreciated. John H

[guysmalley]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64" wrote:
>
> I am interested,but how do you begin? I have searched the web and found
> some Birds for sale but they often are many hundreds or even thousands
> of miles away. I have not actually even touched a Blue Bird. How do I
> know what I would even like? I need to be able to touch and feel before
> I go any further. I live in central Pa. Any suggestions on what to do
> next would be appreciated. They are not all that common. At this point
> I don't even know if I am interested in a PT or an FC. Like the prices
> of the FC's but figure the PT would be quieter to drive. Any
> suggestions would be appreciated. John H
>

Hi John
Welcome to the wonderful world of BB, what I did was to go to the Rally in the
valley in
perry GA where the birds are made. You will see hundreds of birds all shape &
sizes. My
wife & I walked around and looked talked to owners who are more than happy to
show off
their BB.
we had people offer wine, we felt right at home. that is where I drove my first
bird and that
was it I was hooked, where do you live? you are near someone who has a bird.
As far as pt or fc depends on budget, personal preferences as to layout,
generally pts are
more powerful for the mountains, are you going to do short trips, or extended?
that will
determine the type BB you get, we spend about 6 months on ours we have a motosat
dish
for internet connection anywhere.
for the money you can't find a better built coach, good luck in your search

guy smalley
86pt40

[John Suter]

Hi John,

Welcome. Another thing you might provide for the
group, is your level of experience with any other
motorhomes, gas or diesel, and your level of "fixin'
ability." I.e. How much, and what kind of,
maintenance are you comfortable doing?

Lots of folks willing to help here, but some
additional guidance from you will help narrow the
focus.

John Suter
2000LXi and prior models




--- bubblerboy64 wrote:

> I am interested,but how do you begin? I have
> searched the web and found
> some Birds for sale but they often are many hundreds
> or even thousands
> of miles away. I have not actually even touched a
> Blue Bird. How do I
> know what I would even like? I need to be able to
> touch and feel before
> I go any further. I live in central Pa. Any
> suggestions on what to do
> next would be appreciated. They are not all that
> common. At this point
> I don't even know if I am interested in a PT or an
> FC. Like the prices
> of the FC's but figure the PT would be quieter to
> drive. Any
> suggestions would be appreciated. John H
>
>
>
>
>
>


__________________________________________________
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Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[ronmarabito2002]

John: Go to http://www.frapper.com/wanderlodge and you will see a map
showing the location of many Blue Birds. Contact a couple of the
nearest people and you can get some first hand knowledge.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
Moderator


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> I am interested,but how do you begin? I have searched the web and
found
> some Birds for sale but they often are many hundreds or even
thousands
> of miles away. I have not actually even touched a Blue Bird. How
do I
> know what I would even like? I need to be able to touch and feel
before
> I go any further. I live in central Pa. Any suggestions on what to
do
> next would be appreciated. They are not all that common. At this
point
> I don't even know if I am interested in a PT or an FC. Like the
prices
> of the FC's but figure the PT would be quieter to drive. Any
> suggestions would be appreciated. John H
>

[bubblerboy64]

To add to my post. I am now camping with a 5th wheel and pick up.
Have never owned a MH. I have actually only driven two MH's and both
of them what I would consider low enders. They scared me not being
stable on the road. My search has brought me to Bluebirds for the
quality and safety aspects of their design. With respect to my
abilities to maintain? No experience with engines and mechanics. I
can do some home repairs and consider myself reasonably handy and a
reasonable learner. I also have enough sense to not get in over my
head which I guess is even more important. I would not be looking for
a fixer upper unless it was just interior cosmetics and such. I would
be using the MH for a lot of short trips of around 150 miles staying
over one or two nights but I would also expect to travel some each
year for a month or more at a time. (We had the 5th wheel and truck
out west for 4 wks last year and plan to go again) I know that
everyone wants the best buy and I would too. I also know that price
is not always cost. No point in buying less then what I would be
satisfied with and then trading up and loosing plus the aggravation.
I would like to buy what I would be happy with the first time and if
it is out of my reach then so be it. I am considering $75K to $85K
as the upper limit. I want to be able to keep up with traffic and to
be able to climb reasonably well but am not a expecting to drive it
like its a sports car. I am looking at the coaches on the Bill Board
and it would be nice if all the advertizers would indicate locations.
Many do but some do not. There are several which seem to be very nice
and I may try to contact but again its not knowing what I want that
makes it a little premature. There are several PT 36 coaches which do
not have the dually axles. Is this a desided disadvantage and I
assume they also have smaller engines as well? There are one or two
real nice looking FC coaches for well under my price but I am
wondering if I would be happy with the performance. Any help is
appreciated and I know there is not a lot you can do for me because I
am so green at this point. Thanks in advance. John H
>
> Hi John,
>
> Welcome. Another thing you might provide for the
> group, is your level of experience with any other
> motorhomes, gas or diesel, and your level of "fixin'
> ability." I.e. How much, and what kind of,
> maintenance are you comfortable doing?
>
> Lots of folks willing to help here, but some
> additional guidance from you will help narrow the
> focus.
>
> John Suter
> 2000LXi and prior models
>
>
>
>
> --- bubblerboy64 wrote:
>
> > I am interested,but how do you begin? I have
> > searched the web and found
> > some Birds for sale but they often are many hundreds
> > or even thousands
> > of miles away. I have not actually even touched a
> > Blue Bird. How do I
> > know what I would even like? I need to be able to
> > touch and feel before
> > I go any further. I live in central Pa. Any
> > suggestions on what to do
> > next would be appreciated. They are not all that
> > common. At this point
> > I don't even know if I am interested in a PT or an
> > FC. Like the prices
> > of the FC's but figure the PT would be quieter to
> > drive. Any
> > suggestions would be appreciated. John H
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

[John Suter]

Hi again, John,

I think your additions are extremely helpful to the
group and should result in your receiving lots of
valuable information. Folks will try not to point you
in the direction of items and valuations that won't
work for you. And we now understand that you aren't a
first time camper, having used a 5th wheel and camped
4 weeks at a time, and you understand things do break
as they age.

When you have a more complicated vehicle the small
bills may tend not to come as often, but occasionally
there can be shockers, so have a reserve for
maintenance; tires at least every 5 years or more
often, engine batteries every 3 or so, coach batteries
at 5 year intervals, if lucky. Most of us can't
afford to turn shops loose to diagnose "general"
problems without at least weeding out some items on
our own, and directing the focus of a shop, and also
trying to force a time quotation. Otherwise the bills
can be in increments of $1,000.

John Suter


--- bubblerboy64 wrote:

> To add to my post. I am now camping with a 5th wheel
> and pick up.
> Have never owned a MH. I have actually only driven
> two MH's and both
> of them what I would consider low enders. They
> scared me not being
> stable on the road. My search has brought me to
> Bluebirds for the
> quality and safety aspects of their design. With
> respect to my
> abilities to maintain? No experience with engines
> and mechanics. I
> can do some home repairs and consider myself
> reasonably handy and a
> reasonable learner. I also have enough sense to not
> get in over my
> head which I guess is even more important. I would
> not be looking for
> a fixer upper unless it was just interior cosmetics
> and such. I would
> be using the MH for a lot of short trips of around
> 150 miles staying
> over one or two nights but I would also expect to
> travel some each
> year for a month or more at a time. (We had the 5th
> wheel and truck
> out west for 4 wks last year and plan to go again) I
> know that
> everyone wants the best buy and I would too. I also
> know that price
> is not always cost. No point in buying less then
> what I would be
> satisfied with and then trading up and loosing plus
> the aggravation.
> I would like to buy what I would be happy with the
> first time and if
> it is out of my reach then so be it. I am
> considering $75K to $85K
> as the upper limit. I want to be able to keep up
> with traffic and to
> be able to climb reasonably well but am not a
> expecting to drive it
> like its a sports car. I am looking at the coaches
> on the Bill Board
> and it would be nice if all the advertizers would
> indicate locations.
> Many do but some do not. There are several which
> seem to be very nice
> and I may try to contact but again its not knowing
> what I want that
> makes it a little premature. There are several PT 36
> coaches which do
> not have the dually axles. Is this a desided
> disadvantage and I
> assume they also have smaller engines as well?
> There are one or two
> real nice looking FC coaches for well under my price
> but I am
> wondering if I would be happy with the performance.
> Any help is
> appreciated and I know there is not a lot you can do
> for me because I
> am so green at this point. Thanks in advance. John H
> >
> > Hi John,
> >
> > Welcome. Another thing you might provide for
> the
> > group, is your level of experience with any other
> > motorhomes, gas or diesel, and your level of
> "fixin'
> > ability." I.e. How much, and what kind of,
> > maintenance are you comfortable doing?
> >
> > Lots of folks willing to help here, but some
> > additional guidance from you will help narrow the
> > focus.
> >
> > John Suter
> > 2000LXi and prior models


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[iwander_85pt40]

Hi John,

My wife and I just bought our '85PT40, and went through the same
process you are starting. So, some perspective from my point of view.

Decide what your primary use will be. We plan to become fulltimers,
so a PT40 was more practical in terms of storage and over all living
space/headroom. For a weekender, or for that yearly camping vacation,
the FC will work just fine, IMHO.

There will be less issue regarding length at some RV parks and
campgrounds with the FC. However, if you opt for a pusher, the SP/PT
36-38 footers will help with this problem.

In the FC, you will be stepping over the engine doghouse to get into
the cockpit seats. However, BB's thoughtful seat side slide function
does help.

The engine noise level is somewhat higher in the FC. I test drove
an FC35 and carried on a fairly normal conversation with the seller,
who was sitting in the copilot seat, and another person sitting on the
couch behind him. If the doghouse insulation is in good shape, I
don't think noise will be a big issue.

The FC comes with side bath and rear bath configurations. The side
bath is positioned between the living area and kitchen. The rear bath
is across the rear of the coach behind the bedroom area. Early on, by
personl choice, we ruled out consideration of the side bath models.
However, if you have children, the rear bath may be somewhat
impractical, as has been mentioned in other posts.

The ride differs between the FC and PT/SP models. There is more
"float" on uneven pavement from the FC. This is primarily due to the
wheelbase/length ratio and the fact that the freshwater tank is
mounted to the rear of the drive axle.

If you plan to finance any or all of your purchase, contact
potential lenders regarding the lender's cutoff year to finance. Some
won't finance anything older than ten years.

I suggest you locate and inspect/test drive at least one of each
model (maybe some fine, friendly BB owners in your part of country can
help you out). Then start listing the pros and cons of each based on
your intended use/lifestyle. You can then narrow your search to the
model and configurations that fit your personal criteria.

Have fun. You will meet and talk to some fine folks.

Phil
"iWander" 85PT40
So. California

[nicodemus815@...]

My recommendation is to stay on these forums and learn as much as possible
while searching for a BB. Learn how to "cut and paste" and make a file system of
different BB systems. Mine is arranged as Air System, Air Conditioner,
Batteries, Cooling System, Driveline & Steering, Engine, Exterior Tips, Fuel
System,
Genset, Heating System, Interior Tips.......At first, it is a lot of work,
because you save almost everything, but soon you will have quite an extensive
file system at your fingertips. When you get your BB you will be happy to have
the info.

As for purchasing one, I would recommend getting one off the forum.
Maintenance is everything with an older rig. I think people who are on the Yahoo
forums
are more inclined to do this, that is why they are on the forum.

We purchased ours from a frequent poster here. I had to fly 1000+ miles to
pick it up. Until then, I had never been in a PT, but with the internet, and
pictures Blair had sent me, I had a pretty good idea of what the rig was like.
That being said, these are complex machines. We fulltimed in an '03 Dutch Star
for 2.5 years before buying another house (too good of a deal to pass up). This
1986 PT blows the Dutch Star away with it's subsystems and complexity. This
is why you will appreciate your file system.

HTH,
Steve Harrie
'86 PT38
St. George, UT


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

[bubblerboy64]

Thanks for your very helpful posts. I have been and will continue
to accumulate information. I will have to make it a point to attend
a BB gathering at some point in the near future. This will help
direct me. I would say that the next step in the process will be to
take either the path of the FC or the PT coaches. This will require
a little on hands. Again thank folks for all the interest and help.
John H
>
> My recommendation is to stay on these forums and learn as much as
possible
> while searching for a BB. Learn how to "cut and paste" and make a
file system of
> different BB systems. Mine is arranged as Air System, Air
Conditioner,
> Batteries, Cooling System, Driveline & Steering, Engine, Exterior
Tips, Fuel System,
> Genset, Heating System, Interior Tips.......At first, it is a lot
of work,
> because you save almost everything, but soon you will have quite
an extensive
> file system at your fingertips. When you get your BB you will be
happy to have
> the info.
>
> As for purchasing one, I would recommend getting one off the
forum.
> Maintenance is everything with an older rig. I think people who
are on the Yahoo forums
> are more inclined to do this, that is why they are on the forum.
>
> We purchased ours from a frequent poster here. I had to fly 1000+
miles to
> pick it up. Until then, I had never been in a PT, but with the
internet, and
> pictures Blair had sent me, I had a pretty good idea of what the
rig was like.
> That being said, these are complex machines. We fulltimed in
an '03 Dutch Star
> for 2.5 years before buying another house (too good of a deal to
pass up). This
> 1986 PT blows the Dutch Star away with it's subsystems and
complexity. This
> is why you will appreciate your file system.
>
> HTH,
> Steve Harrie
> '86 PT38
> St. George, UT
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>