mbulriss
05-28-2008, 05:54
Bruce,
Congrats on the new Monaco. Sorry the search for your additional BB
didn't work out. I know it so tough to only have one... LOL! Your
on-going comments between the two coaches should be interesting.
I found your comments on the build quality that you saw on the mid
2000's BBs to be very enlightening. I've not really inspected the
newer ones that closely.
I think all of us are highly hopeful and optimistic that the new
engaged ownership group will restore the quality that we have all come
to enjoy in our older models. An enthusiastic and engaged ownership
with pride in their work can bring it back to where the Luce family
left off. So far, they seem off to a good start on that.
Stop and see us if you get near San Antonio on your SW swing.
Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" - a high quality model
San Antonio, TX
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> Mike:
>
> I dont think I have ever been so disappointed . My road trip to
> find " The Right Bird" did not go well. 2 of the units I went to see
> were real rough. I saw 4 units at Bleakely's and one 2003 was
> gorgeous. But it had 2 slides and a horrible drop down Plasma TV. Of
> course the price was ridiculous. I think the asking was over $450. I
> liked it so much I was offered $350 even though it was too much. I
> guess it is still there. I also saw a similar unit at the factory. I
> understand from talking to anothr forum member it can be had for
> $250. It needed a little loving and it has been there so long they
> have been robbing parts to fix other units. While looking at these
> units I came to realize that something about these BB's was
> different. I know that Brad and David are not going to like what I
> am about to say. They seemed to lack that "BB" feel that I got while
> looking at the units @ Q. These were all built when BB started to
> become concerned about weight. None had tile floors. 2 of them had
> this cheap compressed paper with a veneer and one had some sort of
> composite tile. Reminded me of those self sticking ones. @ of the
> units I looked at had a decorative ceiling panel in the bathroom
> similar to what they use in the living room. In both cases they
> partially covered the fantastic fan. That is the kind of design
> error you expect in one of the plastic MH's not a BB. Every unit I
> saw needed upgrades to the audio video systems. By 2001 a CD , DVD
> and a satellite system should have been standard eqpt. Only one had
> this equipment. Somehow a cassette player does not cut it! There is
> an upright steel member in the engine compartment. I dont remember
> which side. All of them had rusting problems. Hard to explain but
> this piece is a steel tube with a cap on top. The cap has a raised
> lip that holds water and maybe snow in the winter. The drawer
> construction on these units was no different than any entry level
> motorhome. I dont know what type of plwood they use but it is very
> light. The joints were some type of half lap. Even our Monaco has
> dovetial joints. The drawer catches on our FC are the bulletproof
> aircraft type. These BB's all use the same plastic latches you see
> on every MH. I would have looked at at some earlier 90's units but
> really wanted a DD60 engine. Of course I am an impatient person and
> perhaps if I was willing to wait another 6 months the right BB might
> have appeared. A renowkned BB expert told me he thinks the 97's are
> the best. I also did not want to do any "fixing". One BB that
> requires more than maintenace is all I can handle. To make he rest
> of this long story short. We bought an 08 Monaco Dyansty. Certainly
> not a BB buit it is very nice. We still have our 88 FC and will
> continue to use it for Mexico travel and maybe to Q in 09.
>
> Bruce
> 1988 FC35
>
Congrats on the new Monaco. Sorry the search for your additional BB
didn't work out. I know it so tough to only have one... LOL! Your
on-going comments between the two coaches should be interesting.
I found your comments on the build quality that you saw on the mid
2000's BBs to be very enlightening. I've not really inspected the
newer ones that closely.
I think all of us are highly hopeful and optimistic that the new
engaged ownership group will restore the quality that we have all come
to enjoy in our older models. An enthusiastic and engaged ownership
with pride in their work can bring it back to where the Luce family
left off. So far, they seem off to a good start on that.
Stop and see us if you get near San Antonio on your SW swing.
Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" - a high quality model
San Antonio, TX
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
>
> Mike:
>
> I dont think I have ever been so disappointed . My road trip to
> find " The Right Bird" did not go well. 2 of the units I went to see
> were real rough. I saw 4 units at Bleakely's and one 2003 was
> gorgeous. But it had 2 slides and a horrible drop down Plasma TV. Of
> course the price was ridiculous. I think the asking was over $450. I
> liked it so much I was offered $350 even though it was too much. I
> guess it is still there. I also saw a similar unit at the factory. I
> understand from talking to anothr forum member it can be had for
> $250. It needed a little loving and it has been there so long they
> have been robbing parts to fix other units. While looking at these
> units I came to realize that something about these BB's was
> different. I know that Brad and David are not going to like what I
> am about to say. They seemed to lack that "BB" feel that I got while
> looking at the units @ Q. These were all built when BB started to
> become concerned about weight. None had tile floors. 2 of them had
> this cheap compressed paper with a veneer and one had some sort of
> composite tile. Reminded me of those self sticking ones. @ of the
> units I looked at had a decorative ceiling panel in the bathroom
> similar to what they use in the living room. In both cases they
> partially covered the fantastic fan. That is the kind of design
> error you expect in one of the plastic MH's not a BB. Every unit I
> saw needed upgrades to the audio video systems. By 2001 a CD , DVD
> and a satellite system should have been standard eqpt. Only one had
> this equipment. Somehow a cassette player does not cut it! There is
> an upright steel member in the engine compartment. I dont remember
> which side. All of them had rusting problems. Hard to explain but
> this piece is a steel tube with a cap on top. The cap has a raised
> lip that holds water and maybe snow in the winter. The drawer
> construction on these units was no different than any entry level
> motorhome. I dont know what type of plwood they use but it is very
> light. The joints were some type of half lap. Even our Monaco has
> dovetial joints. The drawer catches on our FC are the bulletproof
> aircraft type. These BB's all use the same plastic latches you see
> on every MH. I would have looked at at some earlier 90's units but
> really wanted a DD60 engine. Of course I am an impatient person and
> perhaps if I was willing to wait another 6 months the right BB might
> have appeared. A renowkned BB expert told me he thinks the 97's are
> the best. I also did not want to do any "fixing". One BB that
> requires more than maintenace is all I can handle. To make he rest
> of this long story short. We bought an 08 Monaco Dyansty. Certainly
> not a BB buit it is very nice. We still have our 88 FC and will
> continue to use it for Mexico travel and maybe to Q in 09.
>
> Bruce
> 1988 FC35
>