Roof Space on PT40

[Don Bradner]

I think we are very close to being serious shoppers for a Bird, so it is time to
start asking my own odd questions

We are thinking 1990-1994 PT40 (94 defined by budget limits, so not an exact age
limit).

My first question is: What is the typical available space on the roof? I know
there are a few Datastorm users on this group; any trouble mounting the dish?
Specifically, I have an XF-2, which has a stowed length of 65 inches and width
of 40 inches. The stowed outline is not rectangular, so not every bit of a 65x40
space would be needed, but the 65 inches is needed down the middle of the dish.

I also have an F1 and a MHDTV dish on the current coach, but the MHDTV's
requirements are not large and I probably won't keep the F1.


Don Bradner
Bird Wannabe
Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar

[jvredden@...]

I have a motosat executive on my 91 PT 40. Fits without a problem Do not
know the difference between sizes of Datastorm and the Exectutive. If you can
get the size differences between the Executive and the Datastorm that should
answer your questions

jvredden
91 PT40


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

[Don Bradner]

OK, let me try again. I may have inadvertently limited possible responses by
talking about the Datastorm. The question is whether there is, typically without
other after-market items being added (which could probably be removed), a 65 x
40 inch space on the roof of a 90-94 PT40?

65 inches must be in the front-back direction.


On 12/9/2006 at 3:47 PM Don Bradner wrote:

>I think we are very close to being serious shoppers for a Bird, so it is
>time to start asking my own odd questions
>
>We are thinking 1990-1994 PT40 (94 defined by budget limits, so not an
>exact age limit).
>
>My first question is: What is the typical available space on the roof? I
>know there are a few Datastorm users on this group; any trouble mounting
>the dish? Specifically, I have an XF-2, which has a stowed length of 65
>inches and width of 40 inches. The stowed outline is not rectangular, so
>not every bit of a 65x40 space would be needed, but the 65 inches is
>needed down the middle of the dish.
>
>I also have an F1 and a MHDTV dish on the current coach, but the MHDTV's
>requirements are not large and I probably won't keep the F1.

Don Bradner
Bird Wannabe
Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar

[Gregory OConnor]

Don, some pt40's have a/c's on top and some have cruise air. Some
have sun dome's and some don't. Most in-mo's have been replaced and
or aftermarket mounted. You will find few cookie cutter likeness
with the Wonderlodge bus except that the owners are all good people.
My bus has room for your appliance if I was to move the in-mo back 6
inches and or weld up the sun dome over the galley. Good luck with
your search
Gregory O'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> OK, let me try again. I may have inadvertently limited possible
responses by talking about the Datastorm. The question is whether
there is, typically without other after-market items being added
(which could probably be removed), a 65 x 40 inch space on the roof
of a 90-94 PT40?
>
> 65 inches must be in the front-back direction.
>
>
> On 12/9/2006 at 3:47 PM Don Bradner wrote:
>
> >I think we are very close to being serious shoppers for a Bird, so
it is
> >time to start asking my own odd questions
> >
> >We are thinking 1990-1994 PT40 (94 defined by budget limits, so
not an
> >exact age limit).
> >
> >My first question is: What is the typical available space on the
roof? I
> >know there are a few Datastorm users on this group; any trouble
mounting
> >the dish? Specifically, I have an XF-2, which has a stowed length
of 65
> >inches and width of 40 inches. The stowed outline is not
rectangular, so
> >not every bit of a 65x40 space would be needed, but the 65 inches
is
> >needed down the middle of the dish.
> >
> >I also have an F1 and a MHDTV dish on the current coach, but the
MHDTV's
> >requirements are not large and I probably won't keep the F1.
>
> Don Bradner
> Bird Wannabe
> Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar
>

[Don Bradner]

Ouch! Since the specs for all 5 years say "3 roof airs" (with the 91-94 being
ducted) I assumed that all had that. Haven't seen any reference to Cruise Air.

It is rare for any ad online to show the roof, which makes it hard to tell. I'm
currently aware of 24 PT40s in the 90-94-year range on various internet sites,
and I don't think any of them show roof pictures. Hopefully as I narrow down my
choice of ones to pursue I can get people to go up and measure!

On 12/10/2006 at 6:52 PM Gregory OConnor wrote:

>Don, some pt40's have a/c's on top and some have cruise air. Some
>have sun dome's and some don't. Most in-mo's have been replaced and
>or aftermarket mounted. You will find few cookie cutter likeness
>with the Wonderlodge bus except that the owners are all good people.
>My bus has room for your appliance if I was to move the in-mo back 6
>inches and or weld up the sun dome over the galley. Good luck with
>your search
>Gregory O'Connor
>94ptRomolandCa

Don Bradner
Bird Wannabe
Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar

[Don Bradner]

Thanks for the reply. The executive is 35x19 stowed, just a bit smaller than my
MHDTV dish. For the F2 Datastorm, figure a space twice as long and twice as
wide.

On 12/10/2006 at 1:58 PM jvredden@... wrote:

>I have a motosat executive on my 91 PT 40. Fits without a problem Do
>not
>know the difference between sizes of Datastorm and the Exectutive. If
>you can
>get the size differences between the Executive and the Datastorm that
>should
>answer your questions
>
>jvredden
>91 PT40

Don Bradner
http://www.arcatapet.net

[Al]

I have a F1 Datastorm on my BMC. I think someone has already
responded that you will have to look at each Bluebird candidate and
make sure it will fit your needs on space.

Al, Kathy, Alfred & Daniel Johnson
'96 BMC B100
Mandeville, Louisiana

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, jvredden@... wrote:
>
> I have a motosat executive on my 91 PT 40. Fits without a
problem Do not
> know the difference between sizes of Datastorm and the
Exectutive. If you can
> get the size differences between the Executive and the Datastorm
that should
> answer your questions
>
> jvredden
> 91 PT40
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Tom Warner]

Don on my 1985 PT 40 you could mount my jeep on the roof if you
wanted and that is no joke its that strong.. It has a thick
aluminum diamond plate mounted over the steel roof and covers the
entire top between the goat rails. I have 3 cruise airs so the only
protrusions thru the plate is for the vents, the gally fan and a
couple of small wire antennas. It appears from the specifications on
http://www.vintagebirds.com that the cruise airs and the aluminum plate
were deleted in 1988 and the roof A/C became standard. I am sure
some customers got cruiseairs and the roof plate if they requested
them from BB.

Remember you can always remove one of the A/C, cover the hole and
have plenty of room to mount the antenna on any BB from 1988 on as
well as all of the 1981 thru 1987 with cruiseairs.

tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40

At 02:08 PM 12/10/2006, you wrote:
>Ouch! Since the specs for all 5 years say "3 roof airs" (with the
>91-94 being ducted) I assumed that all had that. Haven't seen any
>reference to Cruise Air.
>
>It is rare for any ad online to show the roof, which makes it hard
>to tell. I'm currently aware of 24 PT40s in the 90-94-year range on
>various internet sites, and I don't think any of them show roof
>pictures. Hopefully as I narrow down my choice of ones to pursue I
>can get people to go up and measure!
>
>On 12/10/2006 at 6:52 PM Gregory OConnor wrote:
>
> >Don, some pt40's have a/c's on top and some have cruise air. Some
> >have sun dome's and some don't. Most in-mo's have been replaced and
> >or aftermarket mounted. You will find few cookie cutter likeness
> >with the Wonderlodge bus except that the owners are all good people.
> >My bus has room for your appliance if I was to move the in-mo back 6
> >inches and or weld up the sun dome over the galley. Good luck with
> >your search
> >Gregory O'Connor
> >94ptRomolandCa
>
>Don Bradner
>Bird Wannabe
>Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

Looking at the roof of my 'bird (a '95), the centerline has (from the
front) the spotlight, a KingDome (after market) the front AC -- and
to the curb side is the "flying saucer" TV antenna. There is no clear
area of sufficient size in front of the first AC even if you removed
the King Dome.

Behind the first AC and in front of the second AC (approximately 1/2
way between) is the fan/vent cover. (Some 'birds have a skylight
here). So, your unit won't fit there.

Between the 2nd AC and the rear AC is a lengthy open space. There is
a plumbing vent pipe about 2/3 of the way back ... it looks like
there's at least 6 feet of clear space. To one side is a fantastic
fan vent, but on my coach, it's off center and may not interfere with
your needs. The location of the fantastic fan vent and the plumbing
vent pipe will vary on different 'birds by the bathroom layout -- but
usually they will be to one side or the other since the plumbing vent
pipe is positioned in relation to the toilet and holding tank and the
fantastic fan is usually located near the shower.

Finally, behind the third AC, there is, at least, 60" clear space ...
but I have a 42' model, so I don't know if that holds true for the PT40.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Dec 10, 2006, at 11:08 AM, Don Bradner wrote:

> Ouch! Since the specs for all 5 years say "3 roof airs" (with the
> 91-94 being ducted) I assumed that all had that. Haven't seen any
> reference to Cruise Air.
>
> It is rare for any ad online to show the roof, which makes it hard
> to tell. I'm currently aware of 24 PT40s in the 90-94-year range on
> various internet sites, and I don't think any of them show roof
> pictures. Hopefully as I narrow down my choice of ones to pursue I
> can get people to go up and measure!
>
> On 12/10/2006 at 6:52 PM Gregory OConnor wrote:
>
>> Don, some pt40's have a/c's on top and some have cruise air. Some
>> have sun dome's and some don't. Most in-mo's have been replaced and
>> or aftermarket mounted. You will find few cookie cutter likeness
>> with the Wonderlodge bus except that the owners are all good people.
>> My bus has room for your appliance if I was to move the in-mo back 6
>> inches and or weld up the sun dome over the galley. Good luck with
>> your search
>> Gregory O'Connor
>> 94ptRomolandCa
>
> Don Bradner
> Bird Wannabe
> Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar
>



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

[Don Bradner]

Thanks. From exterior views where the air conditioners are visible, that
wider-gap between second and third appears standard, although it is often
occupied by a dome or other things. Most of those I would hope I could remove if
necessary.

6 feet is plenty of room, as long as it is typically that on a WB40 also?
Anybody willing to measure theirs?

To give you a visual idea of why I need space, here is a photo of my current
rooftop:
http://www.datastormusers.com/image/xf2-01.jpg

Just saw Tom's post about removing the middle air conditioner. I think that's a
non-starter - I'm looking forward to having 3 instead of 2 and actually being
able to keep cool in 100+ temps!

On 12/10/2006 at 11:55 AM Pete Masterson wrote:

>Looking at the roof of my 'bird (a '95), the centerline has (from the
>front) the spotlight, a KingDome (after market) the front AC -- and
>to the curb side is the "flying saucer" TV antenna. There is no clear
>area of sufficient size in front of the first AC even if you removed
>the King Dome.
>
>Behind the first AC and in front of the second AC (approximately 1/2
>way between) is the fan/vent cover. (Some 'birds have a skylight
>here). So, your unit won't fit there.
>
>Between the 2nd AC and the rear AC is a lengthy open space. There is
>a plumbing vent pipe about 2/3 of the way back ... it looks like
>there's at least 6 feet of clear space. To one side is a fantastic
>fan vent, but on my coach, it's off center and may not interfere with
>your needs. The location of the fantastic fan vent and the plumbing
>vent pipe will vary on different 'birds by the bathroom layout -- but
>usually they will be to one side or the other since the plumbing vent
>pipe is positioned in relation to the toilet and holding tank and the
>fantastic fan is usually located near the shower.
>
>Finally, behind the third AC, there is, at least, 60" clear space ...
>but I have a 42' model, so I don't know if that holds true for the PT40.
>
>Pete Masterson
>aeonix1@...
>'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
>El Sobrante, CA

Don Bradner
Bird Wannabe
Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar