Complete newbie seeking advice

[one_dusty_hoot]

Hello Ryan,
Err...yeah!, hope I don't offend you here.

First, there is a rear bath FC (Front Coach)coach
'70-80's models where you would not be claustrophobic,
but it would have twin beds, sorry!

Second, if $50K is going to be a stretch for you
as you say, you are not going to find a PT (Pusher Tag)
it in the '90's models.

The coach on Ebay seems to be an excellent entry
level Blue Bird with repairs and current maintenace,
however, if it's not what you want, it won't work
ever.

My suggestion for you is to read the posts on this
and other Wanderlodge Forums, keep an eye on the
Vintagebirds.com, Birdconnection.com, and search
the web using "Wanderlodge. Become as familiar as
you possibly can with all the features, prices, etc.

Lastly, unless you do your own maintenance, you need
to be prepared with a "substantial" budget to cover
things that just happen with any RV, Blue Bird not
excluded.

Welcome to this forum, hope I haven't shattered any
of you enthusiasm for a Blue Bird.

Bob Janes, '87 FC35, Greenville, SC







--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I'm looking to buy a nice coach and stumbled across an '83
Wanderlodge
> on eBay (item #140017325224). I was incredibly impressed with the
list
> of features and the huge capacities! The "modern" RVs we've looked
at
> don't come close! I mean, 200+ gallon fuel tanks; 12+kw generators;
3
> A/C units and 50 amp electrical service; remote door locking, heated
> waste tanks, etc, etc. I am very, very impressed.
>
> However, I don't like the layout of this particular coach - my wife
> and I don't sleep in separate beds and I'm not fond of the bathroom
> taking up the center area (seems claustrophobic to me) - but this
> really got me looking at the Wanderlodge coaches. From looking at
> other ads, I think I want a PT 40. My budget is modest: I prefer to
> spend around $30k, though I can stretch to $50k for the right coach.
>
> As you can guess, I have a lot of questions.
>
> 1. Can someone orient me a bit? Tell me the ups and downs of buying
an
> early eighties Wanderlodge. What should I expect? Do the various
> systems hold up? Seems like a lot of parts to go wrong; do these
> coaches tend to be money pits, or can the old parts be expected to,
by
> and large, last for another 20 plus years? Should I expect to do a
lot
> of work on an old coach like this, or can I simply enjoy it with
only
> the occasional maintenance and repair item?
>
> 2. Do most of the models in this era have such an extensive list of
> features as indicated in that eBay auction?
>
> 3. I've noticed many of the ads are showing rebuilt engines at ~100k
> miles. What's with that? I thought these diesels ran "forever"?
>
> 4. How do these drive? I have a '66 Dodge Travco 27' I'll be getting
> rid of if I buy a newer coach. It's a great rig but I get real tired
> after traveling for a few hours, which isn't fun. I can drive my SUV
> for a dozen or more hours virtually non-stop; I ought to be able to
do
> the same with an RV, right? Local RV dealers tell me I'll have the
> same problem with any coach made before about 1999. Of course, they
> may just want to sell me a new rig.
>
> Thank you all for your time. Perhaps I will become a proud new
> Bluebird owner one of these days.
>
> -Ryan
>