eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?

[Ryan Wright]

Does anyone have insight into this coach located in Tampa, FL?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...index\
URL=3

I have a dialog going with the seller (owner's agent). Curious if
anyone is familiar with this one, or can offer any advice. (I've
bought multiple vehicles over the Internet before and am familiar with
common sense practices regarding money transfers, etc).

Thank you,

-Ryan

[Pete Masterson]

It looks fairly clean in the photos. The actual mechanical condition
would be the most important aspect. Of course, with a 21-22 year old
coach, you can expect several maintenance items to be an issue so
don't blow your budget buying the coach...

An observation about the cruise air AC units ... they leave the roof
'clean' ... but take up a fair amount of basement storage space. I
note that this coach has a roof pod for storage ... so it's trading a
"clean" roof (no ACs) for a roof-pod storage ... not much gain there
-- and the roof pod is far less convenient to access than is basement
storage (IMHO). I've heard others criticize the cruise airs on
operational grounds, but I have no personal experience on that point.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
El Sobrante, CA




On Aug 31, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

> Does anyone have insight into this coach located in Tampa, FL?
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> ViewItem&item=190024521209&indexURL=3
>
> I have a dialog going with the seller (owner's agent). Curious if
> anyone is familiar with this one, or can offer any advice. (I've
> bought multiple vehicles over the Internet before and am familiar with
> common sense practices regarding money transfers, etc).
>
> Thank you,
>
> -Ryan



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ryan Wright]

Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the description said 3
but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.

Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without extraordinary
effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that? Or would this be a
major undertaking?

-Ryan

On 8/31/06, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> It looks fairly clean in the photos. The actual mechanical condition
> would be the most important aspect. Of course, with a 21-22 year old
> coach, you can expect several maintenance items to be an issue so
> don't blow your budget buying the coach...
>
> An observation about the cruise air AC units ... they leave the roof
> 'clean' ... but take up a fair amount of basement storage space. I
> note that this coach has a roof pod for storage ... so it's trading a
> "clean" roof (no ACs) for a roof-pod storage ... not much gain there
> -- and the roof pod is far less convenient to access than is basement
> storage (IMHO). I've heard others criticize the cruise airs on
> operational grounds, but I have no personal experience on that point.
>
> Pete Masterson
> aeonix1@...
> '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
> El Sobrante, CA
>
>
> On Aug 31, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:
>
> > Does anyone have insight into this coach located in Tampa, FL?
> >
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> > ViewItem&item=190024521209&indexURL=3
> >
> > I have a dialog going with the seller (owner's agent). Curious if
> > anyone is familiar with this one, or can offer any advice. (I've
> > bought multiple vehicles over the Internet before and am familiar with
> > common sense practices regarding money transfers, etc).
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > -Ryan
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ryan Wright]

I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can help
clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it appears
to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller is not
the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.

1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh, 40 black,
60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT should have
136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing either the
seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had significant
modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear. Since you
folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think of any
normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?

2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again: Would
converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend project, or a
huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
who has owned them?

3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front. I'm
guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
mini-table with another sofa?

Thanks to all for your time,

-Ryan

On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright wrote:
>
> Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the description said 3
but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
>
> Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without extraordinary
effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that? Or would this be a major
undertaking?
>
>
> -Ryan
>

[Richard Hayden]

I'm sure someone with first hand knowledge will come in here. However, my guess
is that the smaller capacities are due to the amount of space that the 3, Cruise
Air A/C units take up. Just a guess. I once looked at a coach for my brother
that had that kind of A/C and it seemed to me that it took up considerable
amount of basement space. As far as converting is concerned, it probably isn't
at all particle and would cost far more than it was worth. I wouldn't consider
doing it at all. You'll need that money for more important things such as
deferred maintenance and upgrades if you get this coach. A far as the second
couch is concerned - that wouldn't be too difficult. We had such an arrangement
in our last coach but have the couch/2 chairs arrangement in our present one.
We much prefer the latter.

Good luck

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?


I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can help
clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it appears
to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller is not
the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.

1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh, 40 black,
60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT should have
136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing either the
seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had significant
modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear. Since you
folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think of any
normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?

2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again: Would
converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend project, or a
huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
who has owned them?

3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front. I'm
guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
mini-table with another sofa?

Thanks to all for your time,

-Ryan

On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright >
wrote:
>
> Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the description said 3
but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
>
> Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without extraordinary
effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that? Or would this be a major
undertaking?
>
>
> -Ryan
>




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[mbulriss]

Ryan,

> 1. Big concern is the capacities.
Unknowledgable consignment seller guessing at specs. Trust Vintage
Birds specs.

> 2. Would converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable
> weekend project?
NO. Absolutely not. There are no skylights visible on the roof
pictures of this bus. Skylights would have made it a little more
feasible. Lack of skylights means a huge task. Wiring would be an
entirely another pain. You gain no storage space by removing the
cruise airs (without fabricating a new bay - see driver side picture),
so why even consider replacing the cruise airs?

> Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
> who has owned them?
Our cruise airs in our 83 PT40 worked wonderful. You could hang beef
in the back bedroom. If there is a problem with them, they can be
repaired.

> 3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front.
> I'm guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
> mini-table with another sofa?
Much easier project than question number 1. In fact, I have a brand
new Villa J-lounge sofa matching that interior, that I bought for the
83 and never got around to installing.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can help
> clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it appears
> to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller is not
> the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.
>
> 1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh, 40 black,
> 60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT should have
> 136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing either the
> seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had significant
> modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear. Since you
> folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think of any
> normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?
>
> 2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again: Would
> converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend project, or a
> huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
> who has owned them?
>
> 3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front. I'm
> guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
> mini-table with another sofa?
>
> Thanks to all for your time,
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright wrote:
> >
> > Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the
description said 3 but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
> >
> > Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without
extraordinary effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that?
Or would this be a major undertaking?
> >
> >
> > -Ryan
> >
>

[Richard Hayden]

After further thought, the smaller capacities closely match those of the FC and
may have been incorrectly used because of ignorance of the seller who is
probably not familiar with BB. Just another possibly.

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Hayden
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?


I'm sure someone with first hand knowledge will come in here. However, my
guess is that the smaller capacities are due to the amount of space that the 3,
Cruise Air A/C units take up. Just a guess. I once looked at a coach for my
brother that had that kind of A/C and it seemed to me that it took up
considerable amount of basement space. As far as converting is concerned, it
probably isn't at all particle and would cost far more than it was worth. I
wouldn't consider doing it at all. You'll need that money for more important
things such as deferred maintenance and upgrades if you get this coach. A far as
the second couch is concerned - that wouldn't be too difficult. We had such an
arrangement in our last coach but have the couch/2 chairs arrangement in our
present one. We much prefer the latter.

Good luck

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright>
To:
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com :WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?

I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can help
clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it appears
to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller is not
the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.

1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh, 40 black,
60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT should have
136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing either the
seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had significant
modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear. Since you
folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think of any
normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?

2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again: Would
converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend project, or a
huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
who has owned them?

3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front. I'm
guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
mini-table with another sofa?

Thanks to all for your time,

-Ryan

On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright
m>> wrote:
>
> Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the description said 3
but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
>
> Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without extraordinary
effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that? Or would this be a major
undertaking?
>
>
> -Ryan
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[mbulriss]

>However, my guess is that the smaller capacities are due to the
>amount of space that the 3, Cruise Air A/C units take up.
Central air was standard on the 85 PT40, so the tank specs off the BB
sheets on VintageBirds should be correct.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Hayden"
wrote:
>
> I'm sure someone with first hand knowledge will come in here.
However, my guess is that the smaller capacities are due to the amount
of space that the 3, Cruise Air A/C units take up. Just a guess. I
once looked at a coach for my brother that had that kind of A/C and it
seemed to me that it took up considerable amount of basement space.
As far as converting is concerned, it probably isn't at all particle
and would cost far more than it was worth. I wouldn't consider doing
it at all. You'll need that money for more important things such as
deferred maintenance and upgrades if you get this coach. A far as the
second couch is concerned - that wouldn't be too difficult. We had
such an arrangement in our last coach but have the couch/2 chairs
arrangement in our present one. We much prefer the latter.
>
> Good luck
>
> Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan Wright
> To:
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:58 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
>
>
> I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can help
> clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it appears
> to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller is not
> the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.
>
> 1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh, 40 black,
> 60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT should have
> 136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing either the
> seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had significant
> modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear. Since you
> folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think of any
> normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?
>
> 2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again: Would
> converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend project, or a
> huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
> who has owned them?
>
> 3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front. I'm
> guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
> mini-table with another sofa?
>
> Thanks to all for your time,
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright >
wrote:
> >
> > Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the
description said 3 but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
> >
> > Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without
extraordinary effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that?
Or would this be a major undertaking?
> >
> >
> > -Ryan
> >
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

Very major. Keep the cruise airs. Don't over look the rule of thumb, ad
$15/20k to any used BB for things that will need attention. Most reliable shops
will charge around $100 an hour to work on a bird.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?


Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the description said 3
but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.

Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without extraordinary
effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for that? Or would this be a
major undertaking?

-Ryan

On 8/31/06, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> It looks fairly clean in the photos. The actual mechanical condition
> would be the most important aspect. Of course, with a 21-22 year old
> coach, you can expect several maintenance items to be an issue so
> don't blow your budget buying the coach...
>
> An observation about the cruise air AC units ... they leave the roof
> 'clean' ... but take up a fair amount of basement storage space. I
> note that this coach has a roof pod for storage ... so it's trading a
> "clean" roof (no ACs) for a roof-pod storage ... not much gain there
> -- and the roof pod is far less convenient to access than is basement
> storage (IMHO). I've heard others criticize the cruise airs on
> operational grounds, but I have no personal experience on that point.
>
> Pete Masterson
> aeonix1@...
> '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
> El Sobrante, CA
>
>
> On Aug 31, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:
>
> > Does anyone have insight into this coach located in Tampa, FL?
> >
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> > ViewItem&item=190024521209&indexURL=3
> >
> > I have a dialog going with the seller (owner's agent). Curious if
> > anyone is familiar with this one, or can offer any advice. (I've
> > bought multiple vehicles over the Internet before and am familiar with
> > common sense practices regarding money transfers, etc).
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > -Ryan
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Tom Warner]

The 1985 PT 40 with cruiseairs does not have much less exterior
storage then one with roof airs. The two 1985 PT 40s that I looked
when looking for a PT both had 300 gallon fuel tanks including the
one that I bought. Both the 1982 FC35 that I had and the 1985 PT 40
that I now have were equipped with cruiseairs and that was something
that I specifically looked for in the 1985 PT 40. I would not have
bought it if it had roof airs. Cruiseairs mean 3 less roof
penetrations, clean ceilings since the air from the cruiseairs exits
on the sides of the rooms, are quieter and in my opinion a better A/C
option. Properly maintained they provide true 3 section A/C for the
bedroom, kitchen and front room.

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40

At 01:08 PM 9/1/2006, you wrote:
>After further thought, the smaller capacities closely match those of
>the FC and may have been incorrectly used because of ignorance of
>the seller who is probably not familiar with BB. Just another possibly.
>
>Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Richard Hayden
> To:
> WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 9:57 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
>
>
> I'm sure someone with first hand knowledge will come in here.
> However, my guess is that the smaller capacities are due to the
> amount of space that the 3, Cruise Air A/C units take up. Just a
> guess. I once looked at a coach for my brother that had that kind
> of A/C and it seemed to me that it took up considerable amount of
> basement space. As far as converting is concerned, it probably
> isn't at all particle and would cost far more than it was worth. I
> wouldn't consider doing it at all. You'll need that money for more
> important things such as deferred maintenance and upgrades if you
> get this coach. A far as the second couch is concerned - that
> wouldn't be too difficult. We had such an arrangement in our last
> coach but have the couch/2 chairs arrangement in our present one.
> We much prefer the latter.
>
> Good luck
>
> Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan
> Wright>
> To:
>
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com :WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com>
>
> Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:58 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] eBay PT 40 - Anyone familiar?
>
> I have some other concerns on this, wondering if someone can help
> clear them up. I've got a dialog going with the seller but it appears
> to be a consignment thing with an RV dealership - the seller is not
> the owner - so I'm not sure he knows much about this coach.
>
> 1. Big concern is the capacities. Seller says 100 gal fresh, 40 black,
> 60 grey, and 210 fuel. Vintagebirds.com tells me an '85 PT should have
> 136g fresh, 82 grey, 82 black, and 300 fuel. I'm guessing either the
> seller is misinformed (most likely) or the coach has had significant
> modifications for a reason I probably don't want to hear. Since you
> folks know much more about these Birds than I, can you think of any
> normal reason this coach would have smaller capacities?
>
> 2. I already asked my A/C question but I'll put it here again: Would
> converting to roof mounted units be a reasonable weekend project, or a
> huge undertaking? Any thoughts on the cruise-air systems from someone
> who has owned them?
>
> 3. I love how some of these coaches have a pair of sofas up front. I'm
> guessing it would be trivial to replace the two front chairs &
> mini-table with another sofa?
>
> Thanks to all for your time,
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 9/1/06, Ryan Wright
>
m>>
> wrote:
> >
> > Interesting - I was wondering about the A/C units, as the
> description said 3 but I couldn't see 3 on the roof. Now I know why.
> >
> > Would it be possible to convert to roof mount units without
> extraordinary effort - is it likely the bus came pre-wired for
> that? Or would this be a major undertaking?
> >
> >
> > -Ryan
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
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