Need an experienced wingman for vehicle inspection near Bowling Green, Ohio

[a_short_round_1]

I currently own a 1985 26' Wilderness towable trailer (TT). My wife and I have talked about getting a motorhome. I found a 1986 (1986?) Wanderlodge PT-40 (I think). 120k miles. I was so overwhelmed by all the gauges, switches, systems and such I don't remember if it was a 6 or 8 cyclinder! Pretty embarassing for a mechanical guy like myself. I know it was turbo, as I remember seeing the turbo pyro gauge. The owner is widowed and she doesn't know much about it. I have zero experience with motorhomes and diesels for that matter. I was looking up info on Wanderlodges and came accross this forum.

I was hoping that one or more friendly owners could help this newbie wannabe evaluate this coach?

The coach is located near Bowling Green, Ohio, and I am about 25 minutes away from there in the tiny village of Liberty Center, Ohio.

It looks very similar to this link:
http://www.rvclearinghouse.com/index...s/page5286.htm
in which it calls it a 1985 Silver Anniversary Edition PT40

The interior layout looks similar, except it is blonde wood. The exterior is kinda rough. Clear coat on the rounded sides is peeling badly. Some of the access panels are tweaked here & there, but everything looks solid. Barn stored. Built in microwave hood, toaster oven, ice maker, three roof AC's, generator (kohler? maybe? didn't get a look at hour meter). Didn't do a test drive. I gotta talk the wife into it first.

I found the link to vintage 'birds buyer checklist at:
http://www.vintagebirds.com/bcl.htm
I should take this and look at her again to get the particulars. I had my camera phone with me but forgot to take pictures. Sorry.

Are there any known problems with this year/model that I need to look for? Any tips, help etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Phil Krueger
wannabe
(home) 419 533-1013

[gcyeaw]

Are there any maintenance records? That can be the single most usefull tool in evaluating a coach. From there on it is all about age, condition, how long it has ben sitting, etc. As far as known problems, it is 25 years old, there are lots of known maintenance items that need to be inspected (hoses, batteries, generator, etc, etc.). They are not show stoppers, but it can get expensive unless you are able to do the work yourself.

As you have read here, expect to spend $10,000 on anything but a pristine coach, and then you will pay 10k more.

[Randy Dupree]

the silver editon bird is a 1988,the link didnt work for me.
Are the pics of the coach you are looking to buy?
And is there anyone near this coach that can look it over with Phil?

[Surplushound]

Hi Phil,
I live in Lexington,Oh. I have a 1985 PT-40. Be glad to help if we can work out a mutual time skedule.

419-543-1640
surplushound@gmail.com

[jks_les]

Hi Phil,

I live in Belle Center, Ohio and offer help if needed.
Blue box and service records will be needed. Records of driving/trips.

keep'n rolling & happy trails,

Gene Sharp 93' WL 8v92 40'
9329 Breezy Way Dr.
Belle Center, Oh
937 843-4711
jks_les@yahoo.com

[a_short_round_1]

The widowed lady selling this coach is still looking for maintenance records but she provided me with the following information:

1985 Bluebird Wanderlodge
40' 6 V92 330 HP Detroit Diesel 120,000 Miles
5 speed Allison Transmission with retarder
12 1/2 KVA Generator with Perkins Diesel Engine
New norcold refridgerator
new hot waterheater
2800 watt inverter
3 roof air conditioners w/ electric heat strips
3 electric heaters
3 propane furnaces

$25,000 upgrades on interior
new burbor carpet
pickled hardwood floor in kitchen
newly upholstered pilot & co-pilot & recliner seats in beige leather
newly upholsered convertible couch
oak cabinet in living room
built in television in living room area
13" tv in bedrrom
queen island bed with built in oak cabinets
ceramic tile countertops in kitchen
2 person dinette
built in coffee maker, toaster oven, & convection microwave oven
all pleated shades framed around windows
double closet with built in drawers & sliding glass mirrored doors


Outside entertainment center with TV
new norcold freezer on slide out

She was not available for me to look inside today, that is why I took one through the windshields.

She wants me to make an offer first before she names a price.

[Randy Dupree]

if they just spent $25k on it shes going to be asking $50k or more.
thats too much IMO.

[odbwedge]

before you buy it hook water to it make sure it's has no water problems.i would have someone inside looking and listening and someone outside to cut water off if leaking. this is what happen to me after i bought the bird FROZEN pipe.check everything and ask questions now not later because you maybe working on it not enjoying it.GREAT INFO ON THIS SITE has helped me alot.

[Jeff Huffman]

Phil, let us know if you and Sam,Gene or whoever,decide to inspect the coach and when. I am also a wannabe. If nothing else I can look, listen, and feel for leaks. I'm only 1 hr. north of Bowling Green inside Michigan. If the timing is right I would enjoy lending a hand. I could learn a few things from the pros. Jeffery

[curtsprenger]

Originally Posted by odbwedge

before you buy it hook water to it make sure it's has no water problems.i would have someone inside looking and listening and someone outside to cut water off if leaking. this is what happen to me after i bought the bird FROZEN pipe.check everything and ask questions now not later because you maybe working on it not enjoying it.GREAT INFO ON THIS SITE has helped me alot.

SIGNATURE??? You have a Name, City, State?