Had a couple. This one is a 76 bluebird.(Mine is blue this is the same one pic for illustrations) Sold for around 150 new, I got it for $17,500. Has a Cart pusher diesel (only way to fly, gas will eat you alive at 5 mpg) this one gets around 14 on the hiway, Konan Generator. Plenty of room. Get an older one in good shape. They depreciate to 10-15% of their original value. Be patient, look around. Be willing to fly to another state to pick up a deal. Rentals will cost you a fortune. Better to drive around in a vehicle and grab a hotel. Be prepared on an older vehicle to add some dollars for upfitting. Tires alone for this are 5 grand (new). This is an older coach obviously, but they were built like the proverbial brik **********. Strong and heavy, also inefficient. Cons, obviously storage, and the fact that it gets used very little. Typicall of RVs of this size for the most part. Its amazing how many folks buy these and actually tool around and live in them full time. It is understandable. Insurance is around 150-200 year. Registration around 80. and thats it. No property taxes. If you dont like your neighbors move on. RV sites are availalble for long term renatals are 200-450 a month and a lot of them have really nice community kitchens, outdoor areas, really nice bathrooms, laudry rooms, and full hookups that include cable, internet and trash. Of course these are self contained and you have this while you are on the road. Can be a lot of fun, but like a boat they require constant and consistent upkeep. Its NOT optional. Its a fix me now or cost you way more later. Ours it kept up in KIngsbury Texas under a shed roof. Gets fired up monthly, for the motor and generator.....cant just let these things set. Yes this thing is 40 years old but still works and runs excellent. I would go anyway tomorrow in it and know I will get there an back with no issues. Its not registered or insured now as it has been pretty much in the same place the last five years. I spent the weekend in it a couple months ago and do this a couple times a year. Water and power are hooked up to it so I shower, run the ac etc...Not using the storage tanks as I have the hookups where its at.The one before this one was an Airstream motor home with a 454 Chevy. Yes airstream used to make the motor homes. Well made, last forever. and light. The chevy gave around 12-13 on the hiway which is pretty good.
@Ray:
I absolutely want to live in it for 9 months a year. I won't kid myself into thinking it's not cold.
I rented a friends 5th wheel small one for a bit and they get as hot as cold when not careful.
I love the older ones and would love a retro one but do like some of the new features.
To be smart I do want to start smaller and used.
I tried sitting in the big one like your sweet ride. They scare me as I never drove a bus. Tractor trailor yes.
I've been reading and trying to learn and all the advice is the same. Look look and look some more. Do not fall in love with cosmetics.
When my company was here this weekend, she too has her eye on a fifth wheel. I wanna pack up and roll not tow. Anyway I mentioned tires alone can run $6,000. Stopped the old man dead in his tracks with a no way. So thank you for confirming that and that we need to learn a lot more. I'll do more research on the mechanics too as far as maintenance. I'm more for keepin it up rather than rebuilding it.
My plan is to get camping. A lot! Pare life down to what we actually use, need and want to carry.
We look around and yes we like our things, however if it was an evacuation most would be left behind with little sorrow.
More and more they feel like anchors.
Funny thing dh and I were good friends and started dating after I moved into the fifth wheel. After 20 yrs of buying, upgrading and selling of few homes, we are lookin to go back to a simpler time.
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