ownership costs - 1989 to 1991 vintage Bluebird Wanderlodge

[braemaroh]

could I get some feedback on the annual maintenance and repair costs
for a bluebird about 15 years old?

I looked at a 15 year old unit, very good condition, average miles.
The annual bills were a shock. They averaged 3,000 to handle routine
maintenance. Items needing repair ran four times what I would expect.
$200 oil changes, $1,800 tuneups were common. Replacing AC units or
inop refrigerator ran $1,500 to 2,000. Tires ran 1,800 for four, with
two more to go! troubleshooting a rough running engine socked the
owner for $2,000 and resulted in the replacement of two fuel filters.
This ritual repeated itself the following year. If the motorhome was a
gift, it looks like it would still cost $500 per month to keep it
running. Isn't this a little high? After paying for it, and the
additional $500 to keep it on the road, you still have not bought
insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the campsite for the
night, or storage in the off season.

How about extended warranties? The owner plunked down almost $4,000
for two years of warranty, and did not have a single claim. Are these
warranties worth the price?

Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?

I would love to hear from everyone!

Frank

[John Suter]

Hi Frank,

Welcome to the "hobby" of owning a coach; any coach.

--- braemaroh wrote:
>
> The annual bills were a shock... you still
> have not bought
> insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the
> campsite for the
> night, or storage in the off season.

Young or old these things can be expensive toys!
You learn quickly Frank - some of us still haven't
figured it out and have owned some type of motor home
continuously since 1966 (about dozen non-birds and 3
birds since 1986).

> How about extended warranties? The owner plunked
> down almost $4,000
> for two years of warranty, and did not have a single
> claim. Are these
> warranties worth the price?

Only if you have a claim in excess of the cost, and
you luck out and the claim is covered!

> Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?

There are several lurking hereabout that spend
freetime masquerading as Car Parking Attendants,
specialists in Cleaning Pressing and Alterations, or
Constant Pains (in the) A.

> I would love to hear from everyone!
>
> Frank


John Suter (Ph.D., CPA but keep it to yourself)
Vintage Bird 2000LXi


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[Bryan Altier]

Frank, Don't get me wrong there are things that cost a good sum of money,
however that is what this forum is about. There are a lot that can show us how
to make these repairs and save a lot of money in the long run. I own a 88 WB40
and before that I had a 77 31FC. If you are looking to say that you can justify
the initial cost and the cost of normal repairs and maintenance go get a room at
the Holiday Inn. But you can justify the joy and fun that we all have going
anywhere we want and staying as long as we desire.

In other words don't let the money get in your eye and forget what it's all
about.

Bryan Altier
Greenville, SC
88WB40 "Xanadu"
----- Original Message -----
From: braemaroh
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 4:34 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] ownership costs - 1989 to 1991 vintage Bluebird
Wanderlodge



could I get some feedback on the annual maintenance and repair costs
for a bluebird about 15 years old?

I looked at a 15 year old unit, very good condition, average miles.
The annual bills were a shock. They averaged 3,000 to handle routine
maintenance. Items needing repair ran four times what I would expect.
$200 oil changes, $1,800 tuneups were common. Replacing AC units or
inop refrigerator ran $1,500 to 2,000. Tires ran 1,800 for four, with
two more to go! troubleshooting a rough running engine socked the
owner for $2,000 and resulted in the replacement of two fuel filters.
This ritual repeated itself the following year. If the motorhome was a
gift, it looks like it would still cost $500 per month to keep it
running. Isn't this a little high? After paying for it, and the
additional $500 to keep it on the road, you still have not bought
insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the campsite for the
night, or storage in the off season.

How about extended warranties? The owner plunked down almost $4,000
for two years of warranty, and did not have a single claim. Are these
warranties worth the price?

Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?

I would love to hear from everyone!

Frank





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

[braemaroh]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, John Suter
wrote:
> Hi Frank,
>
> Welcome to the "hobby" of owning a coach; any coach.
>
> --- braemaroh wrote:
> >
> > The annual bills were a shock... you still
> > have not bought
> > insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the
> > campsite for the
> > night, or storage in the off season.
>
> Young or old these things can be expensive toys!
> You learn quickly Frank - some of us still haven't
> figured it out and have owned some type of motor home
> continuously since 1966 (about dozen non-birds and 3
> birds since 1986).
>
> > How about extended warranties? The owner plunked
> > down almost $4,000
> > for two years of warranty, and did not have a single
> > claim. Are these
> > warranties worth the price?
>
> Only if you have a claim in excess of the cost, and
> you luck out and the claim is covered!
>
> > Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?
>
> There are several lurking hereabout that spend
> freetime masquerading as Car Parking Attendants,
> specialists in Cleaning Pressing and Alterations, or
> Constant Pains (in the) A.
>
> > I would love to hear from everyone!
> >
> > Frank
>
>
> John Suter (Ph.D., CPA but keep it to yourself)
> Vintage Bird 2000LXi
>
> John,

Thanks for the response. Major question is, average annual upkeek and
repairs of $6,000 seems high. I expected around 2-3,000 annually. Is
that closer to a number I can expect? A $12,000 bill for one recent
visit was a shocker. I got the impression that this unit was
'pampered' and more money went into it then I would expect.

Frank, (CPA also)
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com

[George Lowry]

Hi Frank,

You didn't specify where this was but it sounds a bit outrageous even
for the Republic of Kalifornia where I have had complete oil and
filter change plus lube for $110 at a regular truck stop. In the US,
things run considerably cheaper. "Tune-ups" shouldn't be needed very
often. Those were Detroit two stroke diesels in that vintage of bird
and should not need a "tune-up" for 100,000 or more miles. And the
price sounds like about twice what I have seen. Price for tires sounds
about right though some here pay more. I think that the owner was
going to a place that had NO knowledge of the Detroit engine if it
took them $2,000 to figure out that the fuel filters needed replacing.
Fuel filter replacement is a common for the Detroits. I usually
carried a spare set but they only cost around $10 - 20.

I have an idea that the owner did not use the coach very much AND
failed to treat the diesel fuel with an Algaecide. This is a very
common mistake with new diesel owners and some NEVER learn. There is
always some water in a fuel tank, sitting at the bottom. Algae will
tend to grow at the junction of the water and the diesel and that
algae will clog the filters. Those clogged filters will result in a
rough running engine and finally in a "NOT running" engine. I learned
this by experience about 15 years ago. One of the reasons I carry the
spare filters. Any time the coach is going to be sitting for two weeks
or longer, I recommend treating the fuel. As long as you are traveling
and putting fresh fuel into it, you will probably not have problems.
I use Howe's diesel treatment available at most truck stops.

We have a '95 bird and when purchased we found a lot of maintenance
items including new exhaust, tires, and other items which ran us about
$6,000 to get it into shape. I did add some things like a reusable air
filter. After that, an filter and oil change once a year is all we
have had to spend.

Perhaps this gives a better perspective...

George Lowry
'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
Spearfish, SD

braemaroh wrote:

>
> could I get some feedback on the annual maintenance and repair costs
> for a bluebird about 15 years old?
>
> I looked at a 15 year old unit, very good condition, average miles.
> The annual bills were a shock. They averaged 3,000 to handle routine
> maintenance. Items needing repair ran four times what I would expect.
> $200 oil changes, $1,800 tuneups were common. Replacing AC units or
> inop refrigerator ran $1,500 to 2,000. Tires ran 1,800 for four, with
> two more to go! troubleshooting a rough running engine socked the
> owner for $2,000 and resulted in the replacement of two fuel filters.
> This ritual repeated itself the following year. If the motorhome was a
> gift, it looks like it would still cost $500 per month to keep it
> running. Isn't this a little high? After paying for it, and the
> additional $500 to keep it on the road, you still have not bought
> insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the campsite for the
> night, or storage in the off season.
>
> How about extended warranties? The owner plunked down almost $4,000
> for two years of warranty, and did not have a single claim. Are these
> warranties worth the price?
>
> Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?
>
> I would love to hear from everyone!
>
> Frank
>
>

[Jeff Miller]

Six tires and '90, sounds like an SP.

The maintenance sounds a little high, but there are high and low
years during coach ownership. All tires age together, the correct
Michelins will run around $500/ea., the refrigerator might need
replacing by now so it is around $1400 plus installation (or more), a
tune-up could be due depending on mileage, will include valve
adjustment and possibly "running the rack" which on the tightly
packed Cat 3208 in that rig is a lot of labor, ... the fuel filter
replacement item would have sent me through the roof for $25 worth of
filters and the 10minutes it would take a blind one-armed man to
replace.

The list implies to me that the owner(s) knew little or nothing about
its care and maintenance and would take it in when it broke, pay what
it cost. It will need a thorough once-over to determine what the
first-year ownership will cost, I'll guess my normal $10,000 on this
one, could be substantially more or possibly even less.

Normal maintenance I'd expect for a rig such as this in good
condition would be closer to $3,000 including tires and normal
maintenance with an occasional problem. If you touch nothing yourself
and trust all of your work/maintenance to shops you meet on the way,
$6,000 is likely low and a mechanically-inclined individual who isn't
afraid to dig in and troubleshoot should spend less.

- Jeff Miller
http://www.wanderlodge.net
http://www.millercoachworks.com




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "braemaroh"
wrote:
>
> could I get some feedback on the annual maintenance and repair costs
> for a bluebird about 15 years old?
>
> I looked at a 15 year old unit, very good condition, average miles.
> The annual bills were a shock. They averaged 3,000 to handle routine
> maintenance. Items needing repair ran four times what I would
expect.
> $200 oil changes, $1,800 tuneups were common. Replacing AC units or
> inop refrigerator ran $1,500 to 2,000. Tires ran 1,800 for four,
with
> two more to go! troubleshooting a rough running engine socked the
> owner for $2,000 and resulted in the replacement of two fuel
filters.
> This ritual repeated itself the following year. If the motorhome
was a
> gift, it looks like it would still cost $500 per month to keep it
> running. Isn't this a little high? After paying for it, and the
> additional $500 to keep it on the road, you still have not bought
> insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the campsite for the
> night, or storage in the off season.
>
> How about extended warranties? The owner plunked down almost $4,000
> for two years of warranty, and did not have a single claim. Are
these
> warranties worth the price?
>
> Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?
>
> I would love to hear from everyone!
>
> Frank

[Mike Hohnstein]

Seriously, just buy a new gas type C and it will all be good.
Not every one is handy with tools or has the mental stamina to deal with the
extremely frustrating situations an old motor vehicle can subject one to. A
vintage Wanderlodge WILL cause one to question:" why did I buy this thing?" If
you ain't ready, don't get started.
Extended warrantees have proved to be a bad business model for the provider and
the customer. Stay away.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, WI
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: braemaroh
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 3:34 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] ownership costs - 1989 to 1991 vintage Bluebird
Wanderlodge



could I get some feedback on the annual maintenance and repair costs
for a bluebird about 15 years old?

I looked at a 15 year old unit, very good condition, average miles.
The annual bills were a shock. They averaged 3,000 to handle routine
maintenance. Items needing repair ran four times what I would expect.
$200 oil changes, $1,800 tuneups were common. Replacing AC units or
inop refrigerator ran $1,500 to 2,000. Tires ran 1,800 for four, with
two more to go! troubleshooting a rough running engine socked the
owner for $2,000 and resulted in the replacement of two fuel filters.
This ritual repeated itself the following year. If the motorhome was a
gift, it looks like it would still cost $500 per month to keep it
running. Isn't this a little high? After paying for it, and the
additional $500 to keep it on the road, you still have not bought
insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the campsite for the
night, or storage in the off season.

How about extended warranties? The owner plunked down almost $4,000
for two years of warranty, and did not have a single claim. Are these
warranties worth the price?

Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?

I would love to hear from everyone!

Frank





------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/

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WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

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

[Jack & Donna Smith]

Hey Mike: Enough of that about a Class 'C'! After checking the
price for new tires and the gas mileage of the 391, I hear enough
about a Class C from my Wife:-(
She likes the Cl C Toyota we had before the Bird.. She comments that
she could drive it, and I could even change the tires, and it got
12mpg!!! If you dont mind, I'll just delete your post...
Jack Smith


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@w...> wrote:
> Seriously, just buy a new gas type C and it will all be good.
> Not every one is handy with tools or has the mental stamina to deal
with the extremely frustrating situations an old motor vehicle can
subject one to. A vintage Wanderlodge WILL cause one to question:"
why did I buy this thing?" If you ain't ready, don't get started.
> Extended warrantees have proved to be a bad business model for the
provider and the customer. Stay away.
> Mike Hohnstein
> Germantown, WI
> 83FC35
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: braemaroh
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 3:34 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] ownership costs - 1989 to 1991 vintage
Bluebird Wanderlodge
>
>
>
> could I get some feedback on the annual maintenance and repair costs
> for a bluebird about 15 years old?
>
> I looked at a 15 year old unit, very good condition, average miles.
> The annual bills were a shock. They averaged 3,000 to handle routine
> maintenance. Items needing repair ran four times what I would expect.
> $200 oil changes, $1,800 tuneups were common. Replacing AC units or
> inop refrigerator ran $1,500 to 2,000. Tires ran 1,800 for four, with
> two more to go! troubleshooting a rough running engine socked the
> owner for $2,000 and resulted in the replacement of two fuel filters.
> This ritual repeated itself the following year. If the motorhome was a
> gift, it looks like it would still cost $500 per month to keep it
> running. Isn't this a little high? After paying for it, and the
> additional $500 to keep it on the road, you still have not bought
> insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the campsite for the
> night, or storage in the off season.
>
> How about extended warranties? The owner plunked down almost $4,000
> for two years of warranty, and did not have a single claim. Are these
> warranties worth the price?
>
> Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?
>
> I would love to hear from everyone!
>
> Frank
>
>
>
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Mike Hohnstein]

Yeah right, you might as well get into the act too. You had to be there. So
what up with the 75 NA for 11 grand?
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack & Donna Smith
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 10:37 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: ownership costs - 1989 to 1991 vintage
Bluebird Wanderlodge



Hey Mike: Enough of that about a Class 'C'! After checking the
price for new tires and the gas mileage of the 391, I hear enough
about a Class C from my Wife:-(
She likes the Cl C Toyota we had before the Bird.. She comments that
she could drive it, and I could even change the tires, and it got
12mpg!!! If you dont mind, I'll just delete your post...
Jack Smith


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@w...> wrote:
> Seriously, just buy a new gas type C and it will all be good.
> Not every one is handy with tools or has the mental stamina to deal
with the extremely frustrating situations an old motor vehicle can
subject one to. A vintage Wanderlodge WILL cause one to question:"
why did I buy this thing?" If you ain't ready, don't get started.
> Extended warrantees have proved to be a bad business model for the
provider and the customer. Stay away.
> Mike Hohnstein
> Germantown, WI
> 83FC35
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: braemaroh
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 3:34 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] ownership costs - 1989 to 1991 vintage
Bluebird Wanderlodge
>
>
>
> could I get some feedback on the annual maintenance and repair costs
> for a bluebird about 15 years old?
>
> I looked at a 15 year old unit, very good condition, average miles.
> The annual bills were a shock. They averaged 3,000 to handle routine
> maintenance. Items needing repair ran four times what I would expect.
> $200 oil changes, $1,800 tuneups were common. Replacing AC units or
> inop refrigerator ran $1,500 to 2,000. Tires ran 1,800 for four, with
> two more to go! troubleshooting a rough running engine socked the
> owner for $2,000 and resulted in the replacement of two fuel filters.
> This ritual repeated itself the following year. If the motorhome was a
> gift, it looks like it would still cost $500 per month to keep it
> running. Isn't this a little high? After paying for it, and the
> additional $500 to keep it on the road, you still have not bought
> insurance, or paid for the wear and tear or the campsite for the
> night, or storage in the off season.
>
> How about extended warranties? The owner plunked down almost $4,000
> for two years of warranty, and did not have a single claim. Are these
> warranties worth the price?
>
> Any accountants out there owning a vintage bird?
>
> I would love to hear from everyone!
>
> Frank
>
>
>
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



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