Pricey repairs

[Curt Sprenger]

Winston,
I don't have the start of this thread. I'll send you my work-items and
cost-ledger spread sheets (SS) if you like. We purchased the 1987 PT38
in February of the year. The spread sheets will give you a good idea
about work-items and cost. You will need to keep in mind that I'm
spending more dollars than the average person would spend...that's just
me...everything gets attention even though some items could wait or
never receive attention. Our Bird is getting everything it needs to come
back to original, and better. Send me your email address and I'll send
the spread sheets to you. Good luck in your search.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Ralph L. Fullenwider wrote:

> Hello Winston:
>
> Mike B gave you some pretty good answers to your question. And yes, some
> repairs can be costly, no question there. Blow a 12R 22.5 tire and wheel
> wells along with various other damage can occur.
>
> As to the pricey alternator job, I agree it was pricey but necessary?
> Even
> removing the bumper the un install and re install is maybe 4 hours.
> Perhaps
> something else happened, like a broken bolt that had to be drilled out.
> More than likely they 2 tech's on the job and charged for each tech.?
> That
> is not right either, in my book. It would be interesting to have seen
> that
> bill and what the write up was. No I am not defending that shop, in
> fact I
> would be dubious of it.
>
> Part of what this and other Forums were started for was to help one
> another
> as we can and also to list the "known" good shops around the Country to
> take the birds to and then on the other hand, to know what shops not to
> take them to. This Forum is intended to be a clearing house of seeking
> answers to problems and so forth. Even if your not doing the repair
> work <
> which, as Mike pointed out, will save one some money> one can come to the
> forum's to try to get a better idea of what to expect when taking a Coach
> to a shop. Information among us, is a powerful tool, and one that can
> help
> you recognize if that shop or repair facility is running high on costs.
>
> Repairs on Birds, Prevost, Newell or any high line Coach will usually run
> higher in some respects as they are far advanced machines with more
> amenities than most others. With that advancement, comes the fact that a
> tech has spent many an hour just learning the how the systems work and
> those systems change almost daily at times. So yes, shops do ask for a
> higher wage and get it because we are way past bailing wire and stickum.
>
> In my shop, I charge the $75.00 per hour plus parts rate and I work on
> Birds. Though, as Mike told you, I have worked on Vectra's and
> bounders and
> Fleetwood products at the same price. I am also one tech that prefers the
> customer to be with me, if he/she so chooses as I am working on their
> coach.
>
> Bottom line is, information, data, questions and answers on the forum
> gives
> anyone a powerful tool, and most of us have learned to use it along with
> learning to do some things by our on hand. And in truth, most of those
> that
> do some of the work, learns the systems in them, end up having a greater
> sense of Ownership and the resultant pride that goes with. There is
> nothing
> wrong with Birds and you won't find a better coach for not only fun but
> safety out on the road.
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
> http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm
>
>
>
> At 06:50 PM 10/18/2005 +0000, you wrote:
> >I was going to look at a '91 Bluebird Wanderlodge until a gentleman
> >told me a series of horror stories about repair bills on his. Like if
> >you need to change the alternator you have to remove the bumper
> >and all the belts on the engine. He got a $1500 labor bill for that.
> >Question: are all Wanderlodges so expensive to repair? -winston
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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