Soon to be owner of an older BlueBird '78-'83

[M. Hanys]

Hey everyone-

Hope this finds everyone well. I have just general questions about
owning a BlueBird. I grew up with standard motorhomes so I wonder how
much better are the BlueBirds? I think they are beautiful and I can't
wait to have one of my own. So here are some questions I have at this
time.

1. Are they easy to drive?
2. Are they usually trouble free?
3. Is maintenance costly?
4. Are the control panels easy to read and to understand?
5. What's a good preventive maintenance suggestion?

I'm sure I will have more questions later but I just wanted to get a
feel for things with owning a BlueBird. I have heard nothing but good
things about them and I'm really excited about finding the perfect
one.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Have a great day!
Mo

[bubblerboy64]

Hi Mo and welcome, I am pretty much brand new at this so take what I
say with that in consideration.
1) easy to drive. Boy that's a little tuff to answer. As
compared to what? I have driven my 1973 FC for about 1000 miles and
I am getting reasonably comfortable with it but it takes some
experience due mostly to the fact that the front wheels are about 3
ft behind the drivers seat. This makes a difference and they are
BIG. I would say a person who has never driven anything but a small
car is going to be challenged but if you have towed cars and driven
trucks etc and you are just careful you will do OK.
2) You must be kidding. They're vehicles. You can expect
anything and everything. At least when you are finished spending
money you have something worth owning
3) yes
4) yes
5) I have no experience to draw on.

Motor Homes and RV's in general are like boats. Holes in the water
in which you pour money. And you can buy a row boat or the queen
mary and anything in between. Bluebirds are the same. I was given a
great deal of help by the other owners on this forum. I can tell you
a couple things, which I think most would agree to. Budget at least
20% beyond the purchase price for immediate repairs and improvements
the first year and maybe more.
I purchased my BB because it was what I wanted. I wanted and old BB
which is not comparable to much of anything else. I would think that
people would either love or hate what I own. I did not pay a lot for
my 1973 coach and I have not had to do a lot to make it the way I
wanted it. But I also know that if I have major engine or
transmission repairs I can expect to spend a bunch of money. I like
the BB because it is a bus based RV with some real heavy construction
there. The only thing I would change on my bus is I do wish the
shower was about 50% larger. Other then that I am very happy.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC "The Big Napper"
>
> Hey everyone-
>
> Hope this finds everyone well. I have just general questions about
> owning a BlueBird. I grew up with standard motorhomes so I wonder
how
> much better are the BlueBirds? I think they are beautiful and I
can't
> wait to have one of my own. So here are some questions I have at
this
> time.
>
> 1. Are they easy to drive?
> 2. Are they usually trouble free?
> 3. Is maintenance costly?
> 4. Are the control panels easy to read and to understand?
> 5. What's a good preventive maintenance suggestion?
>
> I'm sure I will have more questions later but I just wanted to get
a
> feel for things with owning a BlueBird. I have heard nothing but
good
> things about them and I'm really excited about finding the perfect
> one.
>
> Thanks for your time and I look forward to getting to know everyone!
>
> Have a great day!
> Mo
>

[davidkerryedwards]

>
> 1. Are they easy to drive?--for a vehicle this size, if all components are
working
correctly, I think yes. I like the fact that they have a relatively short
wheelbase which
makes them a little easier to handle on narrow city streets, which is where I
live.

> 2. Are they usually trouble free?--No. They are a mechanical device. They
need
preventive maintenance and regular upkeep. They are mechanically as trouble
free as
other motorhomes I have owned and from a structural standpoint they are a
quantum leap
above many other designs.

> 3. Is maintenance costly?--If you pay someone to do it, it could be. If you
do it yourself,
not really.


> 4. Are the control panels easy to read and to understand?--I still have have
no idea what
my Digitell does but I don't have much interest in learning. Apart from that, I
can
understand oil pressure and water temperature along with air pressure.


> 5. What's a good preventive maintenance suggestion?--Grease, oil, change
fluids. Crawl
around underneath and look closely.
>

Be prepared, my wife does not like the fact that we get stares wherever we
drive.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

[Hugh Turner]

Mo
Number one you have found one of the best sources of information on
birds in this group. It took me two and half years to find "my bird".
Like you I first looked at the FC's, went to the Rally Across The Street
(RATS) last year just for the tour of birds and to meet in person the
people here that had answered many of my questions. When everything
was right money,timing etc I was able to get an 84 Pt40 for the cost of
some of the FCs. You also need to check out vintagebirdes.com there is a
wealth of information on different years and changes. Now for your
questions from a another new owner

> > 1. Are they easy to drive?--for a vehicle this size, if all
components are working
> correctly, I think yes. I like the fact that they have a relatively
short wheelbase which
> makes them a little easier to handle on narrow city streets, which is
where I live.I agree with David and everyone else you have to get use to
driving a bus. I christened mine here at the house trying to get turned
around in close quarters without a spotter (stupid light pole) Find a
vacant lot to practice driving. Get your wife use to being your spotter
our cell phones work great no shouting from 40 feet over a diesel.
>
> > 2. Are they usually trouble free?--No. They are a mechanical
device. They need
> preventive maintenance and regular upkeep. They are mechanically as
trouble free as
> other motorhomes I have owned and from a structural standpoint they
are a quantum leap
> above many other designs. Got to our campsite could not put 50 amp ac
on hot to neutral short. Call to tech support free all day getting to
possible problem still not 50 amp
>
> > 3. Is maintenance costly?--If you pay someone to do it, it could be.
If you do it yourself,
> not really. new tires $325.00 x 9 spare wheel $75.00 front end
alignment $155.00 new batteries 4 12 volt truck 1 deep cycle for
genset , filters , oil, transmission fluid, all about $900.00 at
O'Rielies. Have a service call to repair brake airline under bus at
campground $220.00 Since I live close to the plant there is a former
employee that charges $40.00/hour at his place.

4. Are the control panels easy to read and to understand?--I still have
have no idea what
my Digitell does but I don't have much interest in learning. Apart
from that, I can
understand oil pressure and water temperature along with air pressure.
My digetell does not work told by former Bluebird employee do not worry
about it it is only a voice system for what you can look at or have
another form of warning. Our 5 year old granddaughter helped me find the
hot water heater switch when I was showing her the bird. The dash
take a little bit of time to learn what switch does what. I agree with
on gauges.

5. What's a good preventive maintenance suggestion?--Grease, oil,
change fluids. Crawl
around underneath and look closely. PLEASE MAKE SURE THE BUS IS BLOCKED
SO IT CAN NOT FALL ON YOU

Be prepared, my wife does not like the fact that we get stares wherever
we drive. Yes you will get stares and comments hopefully all good. On
our way home when that new Prevost blew by us at about 80 with toad, my
wife made the comment "let's see what you look and act like when you are
23"

Hugh Turner
84 PT 40 "Our Dream"
Thomaston, Ga



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