Fulltiming

[tumble_weed_ft]

Are there any forum members who are fulltiming in a Bird?

If so, what year and model Bird are you fulltiming in? What type
of "campground" do you primarily stay in? Rv resort, BLM land, state
parks, etc. Do you like fulltiming in a Bird. If you were to start over
would you still choose the rig you have?

Thanks for the info.

Dave

[Pete Masterson]

As noted below, I have a '95 BB with the Series 60 engine. I'm not
100% fulltiming, but this trip is scheduled to last 6 months -- and
several previous trips have each been 3 to 4 months duration.

I primarily stay in RV parks and some state or local parks with full
hookups -- or electricity at a minimum. My coach is all-electric (no
propane) and is therefore not a good choice for extensive
boondocking. The coach's length is also a problem with some parks
(many won't accept coaches over 30-32 ft. or so).

The coach is very comfortable (even with no slides) for lengthy
stays. (Although we rarely stay more than 3 or 4 weeks at any one
location.) I especially like the AquaHot system. It provides
continuous hot water, so you never run out.

If I were to start over, yes, I'd get the rig I have (or one very
similar to it)... It's a great size for long-term stays. Very
comfortable. The only "do over" factor would be that I might get a
coach that wasn't all-electric as that would allow more flexibility
in staying at less-developed locations. If I were to "fix" anything
on the coach (not part of normal maintenance) I'd probably want to
change out the refrigerator as it's a big power hog (sucks the
batteries down very quickly). A modern design that's more
electrically efficient would be a real plus. However, having a 22
cu.ft. home-style refrigerator is a major benefit for longer-term
(full time or nearly full time) use.


Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Mercer PA



On Sep 15, 2008, at 9:32 PM, tumble_weed_ft wrote:

> Are there any forum members who are fulltiming in a Bird?
>
> If so, what year and model Bird are you fulltiming in? What type
> of "campground" do you primarily stay in? Rv resort, BLM land, state
> parks, etc. Do you like fulltiming in a Bird. If you were to start
> over
> would you still choose the rig you have?
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Dave

[Jack and Liz Pearce]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "tumble_weed_ft"
wrote:
>
> Are there any forum members who are fulltiming in a Bird?
>
> If so, what year and model Bird are you fulltiming in? What type
> of "campground" do you primarily stay in? Rv resort, BLM land, state
> parks, etc. Do you like fulltiming in a Bird. If you were to start over
> would you still choose the rig you have?
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Dave
>

Howdy, Dave.
We are fulltiming in our 1993 Wanderlodge WB coach. We started this
lifestyle in 1994 in a Safari 38' Serengeti. We were pretty satisfied
with that coach. It was not a plastic palace but was a metal-sided
coach. We went to a Bluebird rally as guests of friends who had a BB.
We were very impressed with the BB coaches and decided that we would
look for one when it became financially feasible. We bought our 1993
BB in 2004.

We have cut our traveling because of the increased price of diesel. We
spend our winters in Hondo, TX and our summers in Buena Vista, CO.
We usually stay in private campgrounds and/or Corps of Engineer parks.

We feel very comfortable and safe in our BB. It is built like a tank
with a lot of quality components. I.E., 3/4" plywood walls. Galvanized
riveted sidewalls, two water pumps, three air conditioners, two
alternators, hydronic heating system,very good quality carpeting that
still looks good after 15 years, cabinets that are made with hardwood
plywood, etc, etc, etc.

Would we still choose the rig we have? Well, that is where Jack and I
have a slight disagreement. I would like to have a slide out in the
living room but Jack is absolutely opposed to slideouts in a
motorhome. Would we choose a Bluebird Wanderlodge again? ABSOLUTELY. I
only wish we could have bought one sooner.

Regards,
Jack and Liz Pearce
Fulltiming in a 1993 Wanderlodge WB40
D'Hanis, TX
Buena Vista, CO

[luckyron1]

We've been full-timing in a 2000 LXI with a front slide since
9/2003. We've wintered pretty much everywhere on the Gulf Coast,
fish camps, state parks, now mostly in RV Parks/Resorts in Texas. We
tend to dry-dock when traveling. Ours is an all electric coach but
we can still dry-dock 2 to 16 hrs before the generator will auto-
start and that depends upon the age/condition of our batteries.
Running the generator for 2 hrs brings us right back to the 2 to 16
hrs. In between we'll run the generator for cooking and the like.
There have been some minor house type issues with the coach but
nothing of any real consequence mechanical. They still built them
quite well in 2000. We still enjoy the life style and if we had to
do it over again it would probably be in another Bird. If we were
less mobile it would be in a 5th wheel.

Ron & Ruth
currently in MN

WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "tumble_weed_ft"
wrote:
>
> Are there any forum members who are fulltiming in a Bird?
>
> If so, what year and model Bird are you fulltiming in? What type
> of "campground" do you primarily stay in? Rv resort, BLM land,
state
> parks, etc. Do you like fulltiming in a Bird. If you were to start
over
> would you still choose the rig you have?
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Dave
>

[Ryan Wright]

Dave, I lived in my coach for several months last year, and would do
so again in a heartbeat (and probably will some day). Few things,

1. PT-40 or bigger for me. Couldn't imagine living in anything
smaller. The PT-40 is nice, though, plenty of room for one person. I
personally feel it would be somewhat crowded with two, but to each his
own.

2. I love my '86. There is more storage in my coach than any coach
I've seen yet. I have storage in overhead bins up front and in back,
countless drawers and cabinets, etc. I'll probably upgrade to a newer
coach one day (only another Wanderlodge... likely a 43' LXI), but I
doubt I'll be able to find one with as much storage, even if it is 3
feet longer.

3. When I travel, I boondock whenever and wherever I feel like it.
Parking lots, rest areas, truck stops, side of the road, you name it.
It's more convenient (no reservations, no driving around looking for
my camping spot, etc), allows me to live "on the go" and as I please
without schedules, and significantly cheaper (every time I've stayed
at a campground, it's been $30 - $50 a night. I'd rather burn a gallon
of diesel running the genset for electricity as needed). That's the
beauty of a Bird, especially this PT-40: It's the ultimate boondocking
rig.

-Ryan

On Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 7:32 PM, tumble_weed_ft
wrote:
> Are there any forum members who are fulltiming in a Bird?
>
> If so, what year and model Bird are you fulltiming in? What type
> of "campground" do you primarily stay in? Rv resort, BLM land, state
> parks, etc. Do you like fulltiming in a Bird. If you were to start over
> would you still choose the rig you have?
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Dave

[Kurt Horvath]

Ryan,

This exactly how we have traveled for years. Ocassionaly a campgroung
but it's rare.

> 3. When I travel, I boondock whenever and wherever I feel like it.
> Parking lots, rest areas, truck stops, side of the road, you name it.
> It's more convenient (no reservations, no driving around looking for
> my camping spot, etc), allows me to live "on the go" and as I please
> without schedules, and significantly cheaper (every time I've stayed
> at a campground, it's been $30 - $50 a night. I'd rather burn a gallon
> of diesel running the genset for electricity as needed). That's the
> beauty of a Bird.

Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC

[Bob Lawrence]

Well Dave, here is our take on this.
We got our bird 4 years ago. Sold our home to live fulltime in it
getting ready to retire last Nov.
We took numerous small trips when work would allow it. This allowed
us to address any issues we might have before we left the Seattle
area.
We have been traveling fulltime since then and are presently
workcamping in Branson, Mo. with the job ending in Nov.
We will head for Texas for wood floors then on to Brownsville for our
next workcamping gig.
Bottom line, wife loves our 35/36 footer, so it has been the right
decision for us.
Would we like a bigger one? I don't know..it would have to be better
than ours.
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36
Branson, Mo.

> Are there any forum members who are fulltiming in a Bird?
>
> If so, what year and model Bird are you fulltiming in? What type
> of "campground" do you primarily stay in? Rv resort, BLM land,
state
> parks, etc. Do you like fulltiming in a Bird. If you were to start
over
> would you still choose the rig you have?
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Dave
>

[Leroy Eckert]

This is just my opinion so don't get bent out of shape. You can get a CDL, sell the coach and keep the money, go to work for J.B Hunt and see the same thing you are seeing parking at the truck stop, rest area or road shoulder and get paid to do it. They maintain the truck. Great return on your investment. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40 Smoke N mirrors Dahlonega, GA Royale Conversion --- On Fri, 9/26/08, Kurt Horvath wrote: From: Kurt Horvath Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Fulltiming To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, September 26, 2008, 9:25 PM Ryan, This exactly how we have traveled for years. Ocassionaly a campgroung but it's rare. > 3. When I travel, I boondock whenever and wherever I feel like it. > Parking lots, rest areas, truck stops, side of the road, you name it. > It's more convenient (no reservations, no driving around looking for > my camping spot, etc), allows me to live "on the go" and as I please > without schedules, and significantly cheaper (every time I've stayed > at a campground, it's been $30 - $50 a night. I'd rather burn a gallon > of diesel running the genset for electricity as needed). That's the > beauty of a Bird. Kurt Horvath 95 PT 42 10AC

[Kurt Horvath]

Leroy,
No problem, to each his own. The wife and I lived in a campground our
first 5 years together A 28' Terry Taurus and then a 34' Avion. We
traveled for work quite a bit and it was great. Campgrounds are fine
if you like them, I don't always feel like sharing my life story
every night with my newest neighbor. This is a unique problem in a
Bird. Most campers assume, well who knows what they assume but I get
a bit weary being the center of attention every time I set up in a
new campground. We travel three ways. First we have a destination,
point A to point B. When I travel alone this is generally my method
of operation. I go, I sleep, I eat, I go, I'm trying to get
somewhere. When I get there I camp at whatever venue I'm at. The
second is touring. Mom wants to see and do stuff, when out west due
to the distances and limited time she wants to see 5 states in three
weeks there isn't a lot of time to go camping, so I'd call that
touring. Then there is camping, last X-mass we spent 9 days camping 3
days in Destin,3 days on Dauphin Is.,3 days in New Orleans. That's
more like slow motion touring. Several months ago I started a thread
about Private RV lots. Got lots of feedback, we even purchased a lot
in Cortez Fla. ½ mile from the beach. It had a boat slip with the lot
the whole 9 yards. We sold it. Mom wanted to know why we would need a
bus if we are going to sit on a RV lot. Well she's right we bought a
bird to tour in. So I guess if I were a camper I would get a huge
fifth wheeler with tip outs and all that. But the name is Horvath,
Horvath's are Roma's, Roma's are Gypsies, Gypsies aren't comfortable
in the same place for long. So if you got to go, go in the best. If
not buy a house. They're cheaper.
Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Leroy Eckert
wrote:
>
> This is just my opinion so don't get bent out of shape.
> You can get a CDL, sell the coach and keep the money, go to work
for J.B Hunt and see the same thing you are seeing parking at the
truck stop, rest area or road shoulder and get paid to do it. They
maintain the truck. Great return on your investment.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> --- On Fri, 9/26/08, Kurt Horvath wrote:
> From: Kurt Horvath
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Fulltiming
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Friday, September 26, 2008, 9:25 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Ryan,
>
>
>
> This exactly how we have traveled for years. Ocassionaly a
campgroung
>
> but it's rare.
>
>
>
> > 3. When I travel, I boondock whenever and wherever I feel like it.
>
> > Parking lots, rest areas, truck stops, side of the road, you name
it.
>
> > It's more convenient (no reservations, no driving around looking
for
>
> > my camping spot, etc), allows me to live "on the go" and as I
please
>
> > without schedules, and significantly cheaper (every time I've
stayed
>
> > at a campground, it's been $30 - $50 a night. I'd rather burn a
gallon
>
> > of diesel running the genset for electricity as needed). That's
the
>
> > beauty of a Bird.
>
>
>
> Kurt Horvath
>
> 95 PT 42
>
> 10AC
>

[Wallace Craig]

Bob, where around Brownsville will you be workcamping. We will be at KOA on SPI for January? Wallace Craig 95 WLWB 42 Azle, Texas --- On Fri, 9/26/08, Bob Lawrence wrote: From: Bob Lawrence Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Fulltiming To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, September 26, 2008, 9:01 PM Well Dave, here is our take on this. We got our bird 4 years ago. Sold our home to live fulltime in it getting ready to retire last Nov. We took numerous small trips when work would allow it. This allowed us to address any issues we might have before we left the Seattle area. We have been traveling fulltime since then and are presently workcamping in Branson, Mo. with the job ending in Nov. We will head for Texas for wood floors then on to Brownsville for our next workcamping gig. Bottom line, wife loves our 35/36 footer, so it has been the right decision for us. Would we like a bigger one? I don't know..it would have to be better than ours. Bob Lawrence 84 PT36 Branson, Mo. > Are there any forum members who are fulltiming in a Bird? > > If so, what year and model Bird are you fulltiming in? What type > of "campground" do you primarily stay in? Rv resort, BLM land, state > parks, etc. Do you like fulltiming in a Bird. If you were to start over > would you still choose the rig you have? > > Thanks for the info. > > Dave > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:WanderlodgeForum-digest@yahoogroups.com mailto:WanderlodgeForum-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/