How to get started

[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


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