Old or Older?

[Fred Bellows]

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Rich,
as Pete said, you'll probably get about
886 opinions, and here's mine, so, …883 to go. Ryan and Pete like the big coach
concept. Apparently most people do, since once they started making them in the 90's, they never made small ones again. I, however, decided on a smaller coach.
It's true you can take more stuff along with a big one, but consider where you
may want to take it. Many parks limit to 35'. Many roads have weight limits and
speed limits for vehicles with trailers. Various spots around this country still
have shorter height limits, like covered bridges, etc. And just maneuvering
around parking lots and such can require a strategy session with a big rig and
toad. I was like you, knowing I wanted a Blue Bird, because they are clearly
the best engineered and built coaches, with serviceable, redundant systems of
quality components, but not knowing which one. I wanted to spend around $50k.
Wanted to have a rear engine for quiet ride. Wanted a modern exterior look.
Wanted a light-colored interior with an open floorplan that allowed
inter-action between dinette and livingroom. Wanted a single rear axle and low
enough weight to not be restricted on hardly any roads. Wanted length to not
restrict staying in hardly any campgrounds. Wanted 300 horsepower to get up a
mountain (in the same day I started!) Wanted a bath that could be easily
accessed from front or rear when we had guests staying on the comfortable
pull-out couch. In other words a side bath normally, but then a double-door
center bath when needed! Wanted a mid-entry door, with a screen door. Wanted
the kitchen sink to face the "patio" side. Didn't want the extra 6" of width
because to have it on the inside, unfortunately it's on the outside too! Didn't
want to tow a "toad", because I didn't want to be limited to 55mph on a lot of
roads, and I like to be able to back up when needed. So I got a motorcycle lift
and large Vespa scooter (see pics by my signature- also see that there's
another SP photo album on that bluebirdzoom site, as well. and Pete's PT42). Wanted a quiet,
smooth, generator, far from the bedroom for boondocking in the summer in the
desert. I looked at all the Wanderlodges, and discovered that I wanted an SP!
SP's are the little orphan `Birds that were only made for 3 yrs, starting in '89,
and are single axle ("SP" "single axle, pusher"). They were only made in a
36'version, and so we don't even have to say "SP36" – just "SP"! They have been
nick named by some, the "corvette of the Blue Birds" due to their short wheel
base, relatively low weight of 35,000 lbs, and 300 HP. I'm not sure how many
were made, but you can still see them for sale from time to time, but they tend
to go quick. I'm sure in this current climate you'd find one though. And cheap.
So, consider an SP as well, -`just to confuse you further. `My two cents. Well,
expect the other 883 opinions soon.
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\/\/\…Fred

__________________

Fred & Wendy Bellows

Queen Creek, AZ (so.east Phx)

'90 SP36

"Maunder Maximum"

photos of coach
and upgrades

current location