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11-02-2009, 15:03

Pure gold info . I can clearly see how this could be a great model for zeroing in on the unit that would best suit our needs.

Thank you for this info.

Ron & Maryann

From: Pete Masterson
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 2, 2009 4:48:15 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Thanks for the invite

The list of model year changes on Vintage Birds is very helpful.

A couple of key considerations:

Air suspension was available in 1980.

Wide Body pushers introduced in 1989.

FCs phased out within the next year or two.

42/43' pushers with DD Series 60 introduced in 1995.

When I was first considering what I might want I used these guideposts to narrow down my decision making. At first blush, I decided I wanted air suspension (so that eliminated pre 1980 units).

Eventually, I narrowed my consideration to wide body pushers -- and

finally, the desirability of the DD S-60 over the 8v92 pushed my choice to a particular '95 ... but I'd have still gone with a '93 or '94 had I found one aggressively priced when I was looking.

Your evaluation may be different than mine -- but I give it to explain one way to narrow down the choices.

So, think about "must have" (or "must _not_ have") features:

FC or Pusher?

Wide body a must?

Air suspension?

Are there any other "must haves" -- e..g. AquaHot/Webasto heat? Mid entry door? etc.

Consider too the engines.

Those with the Cat 3208 tend to be a little underpowered (some would say). Turbo units are better, but power increases usually accompanied weight increases so the relative power-weight didn't change much.

8v92 and S-60 generally have sufficient power, so that's not much of an issue for the pushers...

Realize too, that some features are only a consideration if you have particular needs. If you plan to spend a lot of time boondocking (off the grid) then an all-electric coach or one with a home-type refrigerator may not be the ideal choice. But if boondocking is _not- important, then it's a neutral factor.

And so on...

Pete Masterson

(former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Nov 2, 2009, at 4:26 PM, Markus Meyer wrote:

If you go to this site and click on the history link you can find changes across the model years:

http://vintagebirds .com/

Markus

To:"WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
From:"merchantman7777@yahoo.ca"
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:32:16 -0800
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Thanks for the invite

Thanks for the welcome.

I know that my first question is .......Excluding the new Birds, I understand that some improvements were made in the late 80's??...is there a good year range that I should consider? I know that I want diesel, and I know that I want a pusher. I have much to learn so I don't want to form a wrong opinion about any year.

Thanks

Ron& Maryann

From:Ernie Ekberg
To:WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
Sent:Mon, November 2, 2009 12:08:38 PM
Subject:Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Thanks for the invite

Ron, welcome to our forum. If you have questions, ask away. Good luck in whatever vehicle you choose.

Ernie- Rancho Oso, Santa Barbara, Ca

Ernie Ekberg

83PT40

Wanderlodge

Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991

http://autos. groups.yahoo. com/group/ erniesremodeling andrepair

--- OnMon, 11/2/09, Ron Schofield<merchantman7777@ yahoo.ca>wrote:

From: Ron Schofield <merchantman7777@ yahoo.ca>
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Thanks for the invite
To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Monday, November 2, 2009, 10:58 AM

Hi ya,

My name is Ron and my wife is Maryann.

Thank you for the invite to your forum. I do not yet own a B<>B but I am in the process of looking into info. about them..... and also I am looking into the Carriage 5th. wheel & truck combo.

I have discovered through the years that if you want information about a product DO NOT GO TO A SALESMAN, but rather go to the experts (the owner/ operators). These, and only these people are the real experts.

I appreciate your hospitality and your invite into your experiences so that I may have a real time comparison of products.

Thanks again.

Ron

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