Today I jump in! '84 Wonderlodge

[gypsyb]

Ok, I'm new...so pat me on the head and smile now
Events over the last couple of years have pushed me to this decision. (hurt on the job, no longer making the $ I did, lesser job, no longer making the house payments....sold the house)...I'm sure there are lots out there in the same boat.
I drove long haul a few years back, so anything bigger than a sleeper is a luxury in my book, lol!
I've been looking for a pickup and 5th wheel for months, and very disappointed in quality... THEN I saw a 1984 BlueBird for sale for $8500! This has totally changed my opinion about what to get.
I don't mind the VINTAGE year as being built right and to last is better than new, throw away, fall apart any day.
I do have concerns though. It has LOW MILES! They replaced the wheels and tires, but I'm wondering what else I should be looking for (it's not like looking for a Pittman on an International). It's a 31 foot with a 3208 Cat. (In its day top of the line with 3 intercom phones, etc...)
Of course the seller says everything works great...need the knob replaced for the warm-up throttle...says it's harder to make right turns than left.
Any advice appreciated.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1&l=bbbf25e929

[bubblerboy64]

How long ago were the tires replaced? Over ten years is too old. Fluids, belts,hoses tires and batteries.

Take some short trips to get a feel for how she drives and handles. You need to get insurance (blue sky is who a lot of us use because they offer agreed value coverage) You also want to get some type of road side assistance coverage as well. Coach net is a popular one.

Have your cell phone ready and a credit card.

Try to get to a BB rally and the owners of similar coaches can assist you.

[DTW1086@cox.net]

Welcome Gypsy.
John Heckman covered the important things to check out. Try to get to a rally where you can check out more Birds and talk to people that drive them and keep them running. Don't know if there is anything coming up in the PNW in the hear future, but there is always the big Quartzsite Rally in January, Quartzsite, AZ. Lots of Birds there and lots of knowledge and help to fix things.

[jyclegg]

Welcome to the zoo.

[Crit Bliss]

Do all 3 furnaces work? AC units? I rebuilt my pittman arm so parts do exist , Turbo CAT? How does the transmission shift? Brakes? How old is the refrigerator? Original hot water heater? Make the seller put city water (hose) to it and hunt for leaks from hose connection to where the lines end. And then all the regular stuff, belts, all fluids, radiator, hoses, on and on.

[KingBiscuit]

Welcome to the WOG! Congrats on the new Bird

[Bill Pape]

Welcome you found us, we like to answer question,

[curtsprenger]

Welcome to WOG and congrats. on purchasing the coach. Several Blue Bird owners in the PNW know that Bird. Actually more than 70 Bird owners in WA state. I'm sure a few will be along soon.

As Dave pointed out. The Q rally is a great place to learn and fix things. At this time 11 WA owners plan to attend the rally. Hope to see you there. To read about the rally click on https://birdsofafeather1.shutterfly.com/ and enter flocktogether as pass word. The information is on the left side of the first page.

[Bluebird Bob]

Did you buy that rig from Stu?
Know the rig when owned by him and his wife....she died about 5 plus years ago.
He was going to get something bigger as I remember it.
He came to the Q rally about 3 years ago and a bunch of us NWB birders when out to eat with him.
He had the money to fix anything, but don't know if he did much after wife died.

[curtsprenger]

Originally Posted by Bluebird Bob

Did you buy that rig from Stu?
Know the rig when owned by him and his wife....she died about 5 plus years ago.
He was going to get something bigger as I remember it.
He came to the Q rally about 3 years ago and a bunch of us NWB birders when out to eat with him.
He had the money to fix anything, but don't know if he did much after wife died.

I believe there is some confusion...My understanding is...Stu purchased his Prevost about three years ago, trading in the FC at that time. He has attended BoF January Q rallies while owning the FC and since acquiring the Prevost. It's not Stu sell the FC...it's someone else selling the FC. HTH