1989 WB Bluebird

[Al]

Tom,
Your points are taken but I am sure BlueBird still constructed
the bird to its standards. Besides having a different chassis,
smaller holding tanks and a few less features, it has more storage
since the tanks are smaller. We still can go 3 - 4 days with 4
people taking showers with the tank capacity. The fuel tank is 150
gallons compared to 300 but the BMC get 8 - 10 mpg compared to
Wanderlodge getting 5 - 6 I hear. Hence our range is just about the
same BMC 1200 - 1500 compared to 1500 - 1800 for half the cost in
fuel. Taken into account that the system on the BMC is 5 - 6 years
newer than the Wanderlodge for the same money, I chose the BMC. In
most cases, its not the engine / transmission that does not function
correctly, its the refrig, front dash air, heat, roof air, etc. I
felt that the money for a newer more up to date look and systems,
the BMC is the way to go. True it does not say Wanderlodge but it
is a BlueBird none the less. If someone is looking at an SP, the
BMC is a better buy with 102 inches widebody compared to 96".

With Kind Regards,
Al, Kathy, Alfred & Daniel
Mandeville, Louisiana
Currently in Cody, Wy at State Park
Heading to Yellowstone Tomorrow
'96 BMC 37'

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
wrote:
> The BMC line is a nice coach and is a good value but it is not a
> Wanderlodge. It uses a Spartan mountain master chassis just like
the Tiffin
> motorhomes use, with a body put on it on the Bluebird Assembly
line.
> Bluebird marketed the BMC for a very few years in an effort to
break into
> the lower priced field.
>
> tom
> 1982 FC35
> Vernon Center,NY
>
>
> At 03:08 AM 7/28/2005 +0000, you wrote:
> >Doug,
> > You should look into the BMC line. You can get a 5 - 6 year
> >newer bird for same money with a Cummins Engine / 6 Speed Allison
> >MT3060 Transmission. You can find with white wash interiors as
well
> >as dark wood. Ours has white wash interiors, wanderlodge dash,
roof
> >latter / rails. As far as hp, the 37' has 350 and 40' have 400 I
> >believe. I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct me.
> >
> >Al & Kathy Johnson
> >'96 BMC 37
> >Mandeville, Louisiana
> >Currently in Gillette, WY on way to Cody tomorrow then final to
> >Yellowstone
> >
> >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dougtidwellhome"
> > wrote:
> > > Ralph,
> > >
> > > The transmission on this coach is a 4-speed. Do you think a 4-
> >speed
> > > is a great negative compared to one with more speeds? Just
> > > wondering what you thought.
> > >
> > > Thanks!!
> > >
> > > Doug Tidwell
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
> > > wrote:
> > > > Doug:
> > > >
> > > > Sent you the phone back channel.
> > > >
> > > > The folks at Bleakly are pretty reliable really. They know
Birds
> > > and since
> > > > they are only a few miles from Bird's Nest, they do represent
> > > their Coaches
> > > > pretty openly. They have a nice facility there as well.
> > > >
> > > > Safe travels,
> > > >
> > > > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > > > Ralph's RV Solutions,, Oklahoma
> > > >
> > > > At 01:52 PM 7/27/2005 -0500, you wrote:
> > > > >Hello Ralph,
> > > > >
> > > > >Your information is very much appreciated!! I have not seen
> >this
> > > coach
> > > > >and I only have the salesman word on the condition (he
seems to
> > > very
> > > > >honest and is not pressuring me in any way). I think I will
> >fly
> > > down
> > > > >there tomorrow and look it over and use your information as
a
> > > > >guide. Assuming everything checks out good, do you think it
> > > would be
> > > > >advisable for me to pay you to check it over before I sign
on
> >the
> > > dotted
> > > > >line? I know so many things can be wrong and I really don't
> >want
> > > to get
> > > > >into a coach with numerous follow-up expenses. I was
> >originally
> > > focusing
> > > > >on coaches in the 91-95 model years which could probably
afford
> > > but
> > > > >certainly would like to pay less if I found the right older
> > > coach. What
> > > > >is your opinion on the best value and is there any good
> > > comparisons
> > > > >between the 89 verses the early 90's? I guess you have
worked
> >on
> > > all of
> > > > >them and maybe have established some fact based opinions.
Any
> > > comments
> > > > >would be greatly appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > >Also, should I look at suspension air-bags. I have noticed
> >some
> > > people on
> > > > >the forum have had to replace them in older coaches.
> > > > >
> > > > >Do you have a phone number where I could call you?
> > > > >
> > > > >Thanks!
> > > > >
> > > > >Doug Tidwell
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
> > > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 12:33 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] 1989 WB Bluebird
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Hello Doug:
> > > > >
> > > > > I am in Oklahoma
> >
<http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm>http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/
index.htm
> > and
> > > perform
> > > > > service
> > > > > work on Birds.
> > > > >
> > > > > When you go see the Coach, don't be in a rush, take your
> >time
> > > and don't be
> > > > > overwhelmed. It is easy to do, I know, we have all been
> >there.
> > > > >
> > > > > After a walk through, ask Bleakly to have a service tech
> >come
> > > out with a
> > > > > manometer and do an LP leak down test. This can be done
in
> >the
> > > > > refrigerator
> > > > > out side access compartment. This is important.
> > > > > Next, open the engine hatch, do a visual check where the
> >hatch
> > > gas shocks
> > > > > mount to the lid. Then check the manifolds for cracks or
> > > broken ears by
> > > > > the
> > > > > hold down bolts. If the turbo piping is covered with heat
> > > shielding, as
> > > > > your facing the engine, on your left in front you will
see
> >the
> > > turbo
> > > > > piping, under that shielding you will find a flange
covered
> >by
> > > a clamp.
> > > > > Just above the clamp, do a visual check for any cracks.
> > > > > Next check the battery wiring, it should be 2/0 min cable
> > > size. Check the
> > > > > condition of the cable ends.
> > > > > As you do your walk through of the Coach, turn on all the
> > > lighting
> > > > > systems.
> > > > > Bring the AC's on line one at a time until all are
running
> >and
> > > take a look
> > > > > at the gauges to see if they are balanced and steady.
Turn
> >on
> > > the Coach
> > > > > head lights and driving lights, check to be sure they are
> > > working. If
> > > > > memory serves, unless it has been modified ( you will
> >probably
> > > make that
> > > > > modification later) the bright lights have to be on for
the
> > > driving lights
> > > > > to work. Check the step in and out function. Check the
entry
> > > door to be
> > > > > sure it is not bowed or need an adjustment. Check all the
> > > gaskets around
> > > > > all windows to be sure there is not rust beginning. Go
up on
> > > top and check
> > > > > all vents where the base contacts the roof metal, for
> >cracking
> > > or if that
> > > > > d(*&@ silicone has been used to stop leaks. Check all
screws
> > > holding down
> > > > > the walk plates to see if they are loose. Look over the
side
> > > and check the
> > > > > seams where the awnings meet the coach. If the rain
> >guttering
> > > has open
> > > > > cracks in the sealant, it is not a major concern but you
> >will
> > > have to
> > > > > address that as a prevent maint later on.
> > > > > Standing at the front of the Coach peer down the sides
for
> > > anything
> > > > > unusual
> > > > > like deeper than what should be normal indentations in
the
> > > skin. Open the
> > > > > compartments and check the gas shocks and rubber seals.
Look
> > > under the
> > > > > compartment edges, especially the front where tire blow
outs
> > > could have
> > > > > crumpled the compartments. Check all wheel wells for
missing
> > > insulation,
> > > > > this tells you if there has been a blow out, and if any
> >damage
> > > from that.
> > > > > Check the water system to be sure it pressures up and the
> >pump
> > > shuts off
> > > > > properly.
> > > > >
> > > > > So many things, but this you can do with an informed walk
> > > around. Check
> > > > > the
> > > > > undercarriage for major rust and the bottom of the LP
ASME
> > > tank is a good
> > > > > tell tell there.
> > > > >
> > > > > That is just a few things to look at to start with. Hope
> >this
> > > helps a
> > > > > little. The '89 is a good Coach. Good luck.
> > > > >
> > > > > Ralph Fullenwider
> > > > > out of Oklahoma
> > > > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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