Old or Older?

[richafranco]

Fred,

Put down the coffee pot and step away from the computer!

Really, really good info, but I was out of breath by the time I finished. You brought some good points up.big vs. bigger, if I mightparaphrasethe thread I started. This was the first suggestion that smaller might be better and I agree with your arguments for it. I never thought about towing a vehicle and staying at 55mph. I mean, I've probably been passed by some of these members and I thought I was speeding!

I've got a '98 Ford Expedition, 2wd, with less than 100k on it and I'm a photographer(www.richfrancophotography.com) and I think I would need a car or truck of somekind to keep the gear in. I'd rather not tow something, but most of the stuff I take photos of, seem to be down these little narrow roads.We've got a 2002 Wv Beetle too, with low miles, maybe that might work, but low ground clearance could be an issue.

I'm open to suggestions! Maybe that's a good thread to start" to tow or not to tow, that is the question"

Thanks,

Rich & Joyce Franco

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Bellows" wrote:
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
>
> \/\/\…Fred
> __________________
> Fred & Wendy Bellows
> Queen Creek, AZ (so.east Phx)
> '90 SP36
> "Maunder Maximum"
> photos of coach and upgrades
> <http://picasaweb.google.com/Bluebirdzoom...erMaximum>
> current location <http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user1.cfm?user=125%20>
>