Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are newbies
moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated with
finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners are
unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and expect
buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country based on
little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even fewer
detailed photos. Now this would be understandable if the unit is
trashed but I have been very specific regarding our desires up front
and just can't seem to obtain co-operative sellers. Maybe what we want
just does not exist in the RV world (I am used to boats after all).
We are looking for pristine examples of 1987-1991 Birds without the
walkthru bath, original paint(sorry,no browns),low (but not too low)
miles, few non-operable issues, extemely clean in and out, no rust,
and complete maintenance records. I'm willing to pay top dollar if the
rig can pass a stringent survey. I'm prepared to do some reuphostering
and replace the mattress and carpet but mostly for our decor
satisfaction and not out of need due to stains and dirt. The
fewer "upgrades" and "improvements" (from stock) the better! Is this a
realistic dream or should I stick to yachts?

---George:
Check out my cherry 1990SP36 on the....http://www.birdconnection.c o
m.......it is #607.......I just don't use it enough as we stay in
Australia 6 months each year.
You will not get a nicer coach! 42000 miles..650 hrs on
generator....lcd tv satelite ready and a new washer
/dryer. take a look and ask around about it. LOL
Hank Hannigan..in Illinois for now
1990 SP 36 (For SALE)
1980FC31








In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michigangeorge1"
wrote:
>
> Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are
newbies
> moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated with
> finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners are
> unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and
expect
> buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country based
on
> little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even fewer
> detailed photos. Now this would be understandable if the unit is
> trashed but I have been very specific regarding our desires up
front
> and just can't seem to obtain co-operative sellers. Maybe what we
want
> just does not exist in the RV world (I am used to boats after all).
> We are looking for pristine examples of 1987-1991 Birds without
the
> walkthru bath, original paint(sorry,no browns),low (but not too
low)
> miles, few non-operable issues, extemely clean in and out, no
rust,
> and complete maintenance records. I'm willing to pay top dollar if
the
> rig can pass a stringent survey. I'm prepared to do some
reuphostering
> and replace the mattress and carpet but mostly for our decor
> satisfaction and not out of need due to stains and dirt. The
> fewer "upgrades" and "improvements" (from stock) the better! Is
this a
> realistic dream or should I stick to yachts?
>

On Jun 5, 2006, at 2:27 PM, michigangeorge1 wrote:

> Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are newbies
> moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated with
> finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners are
> unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and expect
> buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country based on
> little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even fewer
> detailed photos. <snip>

The starting place is http://www.vintagebirds.com and http://
http://www.birdconnection.com

I just bought a 1995 coach through eBay from Mr. Olivers. One factor
was the very thorough photographic documentation. Service records
weren't available (directly) but I subsequently have received most of
what's available from the previous owner (a member of this forum).
Mr. Oliver's has a 97 BB listed, but it might not quite fit your
parameters. You can see it at
http://www.mrolivers.com/Web_03_Diesel.htm Note that it is
particularly well documented photographically --- it would be a good
example for other would-be 'bird sellers to emulate in their
photography.

This 'bird, http://www.vintagebirds.com/random/BBBrochure.pdf is a
particularly clean example of an '88 and might be worth considering.

The "without the walk-through" bath requirement might prove to be a
little hard to come by. During my search, nearly all the units had
walk-through baths. It is an efficient use of the space ... and doors
do close it off for privacy ... I ended up with a "diagonal aisle"
floor plan that has the aisle past the bathroom to one side, making
an enclosed bath. I like many aspects of this arrangement, but the
shower ends up a rather odd, and somewhat inefficient shape (almost
triangular) -- I would have preferred the shape and size of the
showers in the walk through arrangement better... (but, like most
things, there are compromises and trade offs...). However, the
diagonal aisle arrangement makes the kitchen area seem a little more
efficient -- the refrigerator is closer to the counter/work area (and
its weight is on the centerline of the vehicle) -- a plus.

Realize that it can take some time to find an exact fit... and it's
always best, when looking at used Wanderlodges to retain some budget
for repairs and refurbishment, since there will be items that a
previous owner might have been satisfied with -- or allowed to let
slide once the coach was up for sale -- that you will feel will need
to be fixed..

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 WBDA 4203
Formerly "George's coach"
El Sobrante CA

George, great post. You absolutly deserve the information you demand
within reason. It is YOUR money. I know about selling boats (I have
sold ALOT OF EM) but there are some sales guys that will "qualify
you" (being realistic or not) and will make assumptions. Well shame
on them, I have sold several six figure boats to guys in dirty
overalls. (making a point NOT inferring)

But you seem to have a definative idea of what you are looking for,
maybe they do not have that. FOR EXAMPLE: It is my opinion (I know
that joke) that many of the coaches do not have a maintenance log
that goes back to the beginning. I do not. I have one from the time
we bought the coach. So does that kick me out? Is that reasonable, to
expect the current owner to have records from say the first owner??
You have to make that decision. RUBY is no where near the condition
it was when we bought it. We have spent almost as much for
repairs,upgrades, maintenance as the purchase price (documented). It
is much more road worthy today than the day we bought it.

I have seen plenty of pristine coaches out there, the problem is the
owners are STILL ENJOYING THEM. They have a lot of sweat, money,
grief tied up getting and keeping them that way. I have been told
many times that our coach is beautiful, nicest for the year, model
etc,etc..but it still has some flaws. If you know old ChrisCrafts, or
an old Grand Banks, they can be beautiful, but someone brought them
to that level, or is keeping them that way. Why would someone sell
their coach if they love it, there are reasons I know.

In so far as "helping you find" a great bird, whew open the flood
gates buddy. Everyone's coach is pristine, maybe got a little classic
brown, but still top notch. Then the question why did you, or better
yet, why are you selling. Those must be some interesting
answers. "Stringent survey" careful here, there are only a FEW that
could administer that..most techs do not even know what they are
looking at when they look at a BB, and even less insurance guys can
fathom the redundancy of systems, complexity etc....make sure you
employ a person qualified to administer such a survey. I see you are
from Mich. there is 1 guy in Mich. that is exceptional. Most owners
watch the tech while working on their coach, I do, if I can't well my
money is green and I will find one that understands. For example
recently, while having the "underside" (air bags, u-joints, king
pins, panhard bolts etc) checked the power steering pump made a noise
while trying to get it on the alignment rack. They suggested that the
pump was failing, sorry guys, it is known that the pump is somewhat
undersized on an FC and will make a noise, hell it is 20 yrs old and
is trying to move almost 14,000 pounds around while sitting still..I
would groan too. You get my point.

Good luck in your search. You will not be disappointed. These vintage
coaches are second to none. Enjoy the experience of looking. Now if
you would like to send the finders fee for some "help" ...JUST KIDDIN.

Scott B
86FC35 "RUBY"
Murrells Inlet SC "right next to heaven"


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michigangeorge1"
wrote:
>
> Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are newbies
> moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated with
> finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners are
> unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and
expect
> buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country based on
> little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even fewer
> detailed photos. Now this would be understandable if the unit is
> trashed but I have been very specific regarding our desires up
front
> and just can't seem to obtain co-operative sellers. Maybe what we
want
> just does not exist in the RV world (I am used to boats after all).
> We are looking for pristine examples of 1987-1991 Birds without the
> walkthru bath, original paint(sorry,no browns),low (but not too low)
> miles, few non-operable issues, extemely clean in and out, no rust,
> and complete maintenance records. I'm willing to pay top dollar if
the
> rig can pass a stringent survey. I'm prepared to do some
reuphostering
> and replace the mattress and carpet but mostly for our decor
> satisfaction and not out of need due to stains and dirt. The
> fewer "upgrades" and "improvements" (from stock) the better! Is
this a
> realistic dream or should I stick to yachts?
>

George,
Don't know how long you have looked for a bird to call your
own. It took me over 1 1/2 years to locate the one we have and its
not for sale. LOL Just kidding, for the right price, anything is
for sale. :> Ok to the subject. In our quest to locate the perfect
bird, we started looking at 90 model pushers 40'. But quickly
realized that we are weekend warriors who enjoy State park camping.
Not knocking KOA but we are not interested in camping in a parking
lot. So we moved on to the SP model which was 36' but was not
considered a wide body which is 102". Then by chance, we located a
dealer with a BMC that was several years younger for the same money
as a SP or Wanderlodge. We were trying to excape a hurricane so we
went on a venture to go have a look. When we got there, we loved
most of the things about this BMC but dealer had an offer so it was
a done deal. Of course the dealer did not tell us before our trip.
But thats another story. Anyway, the wife and I had looked at
several birds and attended a Rally in the Valley so we by now had
narrowed down what we wanted. So out of frustration, we posted to
the forum what we wanted which went something like this:

BMC 36'
Light Interiors
Overhead storage
Wanderlodge Dash
Goat Rails
Latter

A week or so and I got an email from an owner in California who said
he had my bird. We exchanged several emails with pics and the owner
got real on the price and priced it in the ball park to peak my
interest. So we planned a trip to California with money in hand
just in case. When we got there it was better than I had wished
for. Of course we checked it out mechanically and everything seemed
in order. The owner had just changed out the rear axle ( blue bird
silent recall ) so we got new brakes. He had another set for the
front due to the fact that the shop said front did not need to be
changed yet. Just spent money fixing the front A/C and a bunch of
other little stuff. Tires were just replaced He had some
receipts, but what we wanted to see was the major stuff. So we
purchased this bird and the only thing that did not work was top
spot light, a couple of clearance lights, and left front landing
light. We spent the night in the bird at the owners house to make
sure we tested all things before we finalized the deal. The aguahot
unit would not come on so owner discounted price by $1000 to cover
what service that would be needed. But to be honest, he did not
know how to work it and we did not either. He used it to go to
local casino for camping. We got the book at the blue box and
figured it out and it worked fine. We drove the bird back from
California with no problems at all. We did break the air bag
leveler by lowering the bird off the jacks too fast but that was our
fault. We used duct tape to get us out of the national park and on
the way home where it has been replaced as soon as we had access to
the part.
We have since then added an outside TV, a joey bed and fixed all
the lights including the spot light. But now our left front is
out... Its always something. LOL But if you owned boats, you know
the uphill battle. But that is the fun of this hobby.
So if you are just getting started settle in and enjoy looking
for that special bird to call your own. I promise, it's out there
with your name on it waiting for you to find. But make sure you
know what you want so you don't get dissapointed and end up with one
not quite what you wanted.

Al & Kathy Johnson
'96 BMC B20
'93 Dodge Diesel B100
'03 Dodge Diesel B100
Looking for late model mercedes diesel and a jeep liberty diesel
Mandeville, Louisiana

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
>
> George, great post. You absolutly deserve the information you
demand
> within reason. It is YOUR money. I know about selling boats (I
have
> sold ALOT OF EM) but there are some sales guys that will "qualify
> you" (being realistic or not) and will make assumptions. Well
shame
> on them, I have sold several six figure boats to guys in dirty
> overalls. (making a point NOT inferring)
>
> But you seem to have a definative idea of what you are looking
for,
> maybe they do not have that. FOR EXAMPLE: It is my opinion (I know
> that joke) that many of the coaches do not have a maintenance log
> that goes back to the beginning. I do not. I have one from the
time
> we bought the coach. So does that kick me out? Is that reasonable,
to
> expect the current owner to have records from say the first
owner??
> You have to make that decision. RUBY is no where near the
condition
> it was when we bought it. We have spent almost as much for
> repairs,upgrades, maintenance as the purchase price (documented).
It
> is much more road worthy today than the day we bought it.
>
> I have seen plenty of pristine coaches out there, the problem is
the
> owners are STILL ENJOYING THEM. They have a lot of sweat, money,
> grief tied up getting and keeping them that way. I have been told
> many times that our coach is beautiful, nicest for the year, model
> etc,etc..but it still has some flaws. If you know old ChrisCrafts,
or
> an old Grand Banks, they can be beautiful, but someone brought
them
> to that level, or is keeping them that way. Why would someone sell
> their coach if they love it, there are reasons I know.
>
> In so far as "helping you find" a great bird, whew open the flood
> gates buddy. Everyone's coach is pristine, maybe got a little
classic
> brown, but still top notch. Then the question why did you, or
better
> yet, why are you selling. Those must be some interesting
> answers. "Stringent survey" careful here, there are only a FEW
that
> could administer that..most techs do not even know what they are
> looking at when they look at a BB, and even less insurance guys
can
> fathom the redundancy of systems, complexity etc....make sure you
> employ a person qualified to administer such a survey. I see you
are
> from Mich. there is 1 guy in Mich. that is exceptional. Most
owners
> watch the tech while working on their coach, I do, if I can't well
my
> money is green and I will find one that understands. For example
> recently, while having the "underside" (air bags, u-joints, king
> pins, panhard bolts etc) checked the power steering pump made a
noise
> while trying to get it on the alignment rack. They suggested that
the
> pump was failing, sorry guys, it is known that the pump is
somewhat
> undersized on an FC and will make a noise, hell it is 20 yrs old
and
> is trying to move almost 14,000 pounds around while sitting
still..I
> would groan too. You get my point.
>
> Good luck in your search. You will not be disappointed. These
vintage
> coaches are second to none. Enjoy the experience of looking. Now
if
> you would like to send the finders fee for some "help" ...JUST
KIDDIN.
>
> Scott B
> 86FC35 "RUBY"
> Murrells Inlet SC "right next to heaven"
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michigangeorge1"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are
newbies
> > moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated with
> > finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners
are
> > unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and
> expect
> > buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country based
on
> > little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even
fewer
> > detailed photos. Now this would be understandable if the unit is
> > trashed but I have been very specific regarding our desires up
> front
> > and just can't seem to obtain co-operative sellers. Maybe what
we
> want
> > just does not exist in the RV world (I am used to boats after
all).
> > We are looking for pristine examples of 1987-1991 Birds without
the
> > walkthru bath, original paint(sorry,no browns),low (but not too
low)
> > miles, few non-operable issues, extemely clean in and out, no
rust,
> > and complete maintenance records. I'm willing to pay top dollar
if
> the
> > rig can pass a stringent survey. I'm prepared to do some
> reuphostering
> > and replace the mattress and carpet but mostly for our decor
> > satisfaction and not out of need due to stains and dirt. The
> > fewer "upgrades" and "improvements" (from stock) the better! Is
> this a
> > realistic dream or should I stick to yachts?
> >
>

---AL:
My friend Chuck has a near new liberty diesel for sale..red
color....2172327808.

Also, I have a 1990SP36 for sale.
Regards,
Hank Hannigan
90SP36(FOR SALE)
80FC31(National Park Model)










In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Al" wrote:
>
> George,
> Don't know how long you have looked for a bird to call your
> own. It took me over 1 1/2 years to locate the one we have and
its
> not for sale. LOL Just kidding, for the right price, anything
is
> for sale. :> Ok to the subject. In our quest to locate the
perfect
> bird, we started looking at 90 model pushers 40'. But quickly
> realized that we are weekend warriors who enjoy State park
camping.
> Not knocking KOA but we are not interested in camping in a parking
> lot. So we moved on to the SP model which was 36' but was not
> considered a wide body which is 102". Then by chance, we located
a
> dealer with a BMC that was several years younger for the same
money
> as a SP or Wanderlodge. We were trying to excape a hurricane so
we
> went on a venture to go have a look. When we got there, we loved
> most of the things about this BMC but dealer had an offer so it
was
> a done deal. Of course the dealer did not tell us before our
trip.
> But thats another story. Anyway, the wife and I had looked at
> several birds and attended a Rally in the Valley so we by now had
> narrowed down what we wanted. So out of frustration, we posted to
> the forum what we wanted which went something like this:
>
> BMC 36'
> Light Interiors
> Overhead storage
> Wanderlodge Dash
> Goat Rails
> Latter
>
> A week or so and I got an email from an owner in California who
said
> he had my bird. We exchanged several emails with pics and the
owner
> got real on the price and priced it in the ball park to peak my
> interest. So we planned a trip to California with money in hand
> just in case. When we got there it was better than I had wished
> for. Of course we checked it out mechanically and everything
seemed
> in order. The owner had just changed out the rear axle ( blue
bird
> silent recall ) so we got new brakes. He had another set for the
> front due to the fact that the shop said front did not need to be
> changed yet. Just spent money fixing the front A/C and a bunch of
> other little stuff. Tires were just replaced He had some
> receipts, but what we wanted to see was the major stuff. So we
> purchased this bird and the only thing that did not work was top
> spot light, a couple of clearance lights, and left front landing
> light. We spent the night in the bird at the owners house to make
> sure we tested all things before we finalized the deal. The
aguahot
> unit would not come on so owner discounted price by $1000 to cover
> what service that would be needed. But to be honest, he did not
> know how to work it and we did not either. He used it to go to
> local casino for camping. We got the book at the blue box and
> figured it out and it worked fine. We drove the bird back from
> California with no problems at all. We did break the air bag
> leveler by lowering the bird off the jacks too fast but that was
our
> fault. We used duct tape to get us out of the national park and
on
> the way home where it has been replaced as soon as we had access
to
> the part.
> We have since then added an outside TV, a joey bed and fixed
all
> the lights including the spot light. But now our left front is
> out... Its always something. LOL But if you owned boats, you
know
> the uphill battle. But that is the fun of this hobby.
> So if you are just getting started settle in and enjoy looking
> for that special bird to call your own. I promise, it's out there
> with your name on it waiting for you to find. But make sure you
> know what you want so you don't get dissapointed and end up with
one
> not quite what you wanted.
>
> Al & Kathy Johnson
> '96 BMC B20
> '93 Dodge Diesel B100
> '03 Dodge Diesel B100
> Looking for late model mercedes diesel and a jeep liberty diesel
> Mandeville, Louisiana
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> wrote:
> >
> > George, great post. You absolutly deserve the information you
> demand
> > within reason. It is YOUR money. I know about selling boats (I
> have
> > sold ALOT OF EM) but there are some sales guys that
will "qualify
> > you" (being realistic or not) and will make assumptions. Well
> shame
> > on them, I have sold several six figure boats to guys in dirty
> > overalls. (making a point NOT inferring)
> >
> > But you seem to have a definative idea of what you are looking
> for,
> > maybe they do not have that. FOR EXAMPLE: It is my opinion (I
know
> > that joke) that many of the coaches do not have a maintenance
log
> > that goes back to the beginning. I do not. I have one from the
> time
> > we bought the coach. So does that kick me out? Is that
reasonable,
> to
> > expect the current owner to have records from say the first
> owner??
> > You have to make that decision. RUBY is no where near the
> condition
> > it was when we bought it. We have spent almost as much for
> > repairs,upgrades, maintenance as the purchase price
(documented).
> It
> > is much more road worthy today than the day we bought it.
> >
> > I have seen plenty of pristine coaches out there, the problem is
> the
> > owners are STILL ENJOYING THEM. They have a lot of sweat, money,
> > grief tied up getting and keeping them that way. I have been
told
> > many times that our coach is beautiful, nicest for the year,
model
> > etc,etc..but it still has some flaws. If you know old
ChrisCrafts,
> or
> > an old Grand Banks, they can be beautiful, but someone brought
> them
> > to that level, or is keeping them that way. Why would someone
sell
> > their coach if they love it, there are reasons I know.
> >
> > In so far as "helping you find" a great bird, whew open the
flood
> > gates buddy. Everyone's coach is pristine, maybe got a little
> classic
> > brown, but still top notch. Then the question why did you, or
> better
> > yet, why are you selling. Those must be some interesting
> > answers. "Stringent survey" careful here, there are only a FEW
> that
> > could administer that..most techs do not even know what they are
> > looking at when they look at a BB, and even less insurance guys
> can
> > fathom the redundancy of systems, complexity etc....make sure
you
> > employ a person qualified to administer such a survey. I see you
> are
> > from Mich. there is 1 guy in Mich. that is exceptional. Most
> owners
> > watch the tech while working on their coach, I do, if I can't
well
> my
> > money is green and I will find one that understands. For example
> > recently, while having the "underside" (air bags, u-joints, king
> > pins, panhard bolts etc) checked the power steering pump made a
> noise
> > while trying to get it on the alignment rack. They suggested
that
> the
> > pump was failing, sorry guys, it is known that the pump is
> somewhat
> > undersized on an FC and will make a noise, hell it is 20 yrs old
> and
> > is trying to move almost 14,000 pounds around while sitting
> still..I
> > would groan too. You get my point.
> >
> > Good luck in your search. You will not be disappointed. These
> vintage
> > coaches are second to none. Enjoy the experience of looking. Now
> if
> > you would like to send the finders fee for some "help" ...JUST
> KIDDIN.
> >
> > Scott B
> > 86FC35 "RUBY"
> > Murrells Inlet SC "right next to heaven"
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michigangeorge1"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are
> newbies
> > > moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated
with
> > > finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners
> are
> > > unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and
> > expect
> > > buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country
based
> on
> > > little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even
> fewer
> > > detailed photos. Now this would be understandable if the unit
is
> > > trashed but I have been very specific regarding our desires up
> > front
> > > and just can't seem to obtain co-operative sellers. Maybe what
> we
> > want
> > > just does not exist in the RV world (I am used to boats after
> all).
> > > We are looking for pristine examples of 1987-1991 Birds
without
> the
> > > walkthru bath, original paint(sorry,no browns),low (but not
too
> low)
> > > miles, few non-operable issues, extemely clean in and out, no
> rust,
> > > and complete maintenance records. I'm willing to pay top
dollar
> if
> > the
> > > rig can pass a stringent survey. I'm prepared to do some
> > reuphostering
> > > and replace the mattress and carpet but mostly for our decor
> > > satisfaction and not out of need due to stains and dirt. The
> > > fewer "upgrades" and "improvements" (from stock) the better!
Is
> > this a
> > > realistic dream or should I stick to yachts?
> > >
> >
>

George,
It is out there, you just need to find it.
The more details you require the longer it will take.
It took us almost two years, but we were in no hurry, and
probably overly cautious of these ole machines, ( no experience).
Look at as many Birds as you can find, even the bad ones. I learned
a lot from the Birds that needed a lot of attention.
Most Bird owners will gladly show you their coach.
Someone on the forums may volunteer to check it out for you before
you make a trip to see it.
Ralph in Oklahoma and Jeff in Michigan can help you, with a full
inspection, Both are on this forum and are very knowledgeable.


Try http://www.birdconnection.com/ I have seen #602 in Western
Pennsylvania, ( Very Clean).

http://www.vintagebirds.com http://www.rvonline.com http://www.rvtraderonline.com
Visit the dealer in Holland, Mi (first class coaches, first class
price to match)

Bill 88 FC Commerce, Michigan



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michigangeorge1"
wrote:
>
> Hoping you good folks can help me find a great Bird. We are
newbies
> moving from boats to land yachts and are totally frustrated with
> finding a really nice coach. Seems that RV dealers and owners are
> unwilling to provide detailed information via the internet and
expect
> buyers to just jump on planes and fly all over the country based
on
> little hard maintenance history and documentation, and even fewer
> detailed photos. Now this would be understandable if the unit is
> trashed but I have been very specific regarding our desires up
front
> and just can't seem to obtain co-operative sellers. Maybe what we
want
> just does not exist in the RV world (I am used to boats after all).
> We are looking for pristine examples of 1987-1991 Birds without
the
> walkthru bath, original paint(sorry,no browns),low (but not too
low)
> miles, few non-operable issues, extemely clean in and out, no
rust,
> and complete maintenance records. I'm willing to pay top dollar if
the
> rig can pass a stringent survey. I'm prepared to do some
reuphostering
> and replace the mattress and carpet but mostly for our decor
> satisfaction and not out of need due to stains and dirt. The
> fewer "upgrades" and "improvements" (from stock) the better! Is
this a
> realistic dream or should I stick to yachts?
>