Drool-Worthy Announcement(s)
UPDATE: THIS BEAUTY IS SOLD!! Wave “hello” to her if you see her down the road.
I’m still slowly (but surely) getting back into the swing of things here. Good days and less good days, as I’m sure many of you folks that have been through this life change know all too well. While I continue to wrap my head around all this I thought I’d help out some buddies by announcing the sale of their drool-worthy rig.
Those of you that have followed the blog for a while already know about the Wanderlodge boys. We first met them last winter in Borrego Springs and ended up loosely caravaning together with them for ~5-6 months thereafter all the way from San Diego, up Hwy 395 and into Portland, OR. Not only are they great guys, but their vintage 1986 PT40 Bluebird Wanderlodge is an absolutely drool-worthy rig and we’ve always felt rather stylin’ parking next to them.
Well, the big news is that they’re selling it! The main reason is that they’re moving back to Atlanta for a while and (eventually) want to downsize.
When Paul and I found out about this we were very (very, very, very) tempted to buy the rig and swap out “the beast” for something much more stylin’. This rig is so very sweet it’s hard to resist, but our long-term plans are likely going to take us in a very different direction.
All I can say is that if you’ve ever wanted to own a vintage icon this is quite the prize. She’s built like a brick, works beautifully, looks gorgeous and has fabulous boondocking tanks (can you say 100 Gallon Fresh Water, Gray Water & Black Water?). Plus the interior is simply stunning and the boys (being men of style) have kept her in beautiful shape. This is a vintage bus, so it has it’s quirks like any older vehicle, but the Wanderlodge forums are very active (super support group) and the coolness factor is off the rocks.
We’ve spent many, many evenings inside this rig and I can personally vouch for how exquisite it is, both inside and out (to see a complete set of interior & exterior pictures click HERE).
I’m sure Todd & Russ will have no problem finding a buyer, but I do think it would be fun if one of my blog readers picked it up. If you’re interested contact Todd at tbrunsvold@gmail.com. Asking price is $32,500 (a total steal IMHO) and the rig is currently in WA, but they are (for the moment) planning to drive it East to Atlanta starting this month.
Some Specs For the Rig:
1986 Wanderlodge PT 40 (40 feet long)
8V92 Detroit Deisel Engine with Rebuilt Allison Transmission
152,392 Miles
Large Zip Dee Awning and Individual Awnings over all Windows
Clothes Washer/Dryer
Original Propane/Electric Dometic Refrigerator
12.5 KW Koehler Generator (2,485 Hours)
Basement Dometic Freezer/Refrigerator 120 and 12 Volt (Newer?)
2 Burner Gas Cooktop
New Microwave
300 Gallon Deisel Fuel Tank
100 Gallon Fresh Water
100 Gallon Gray Water
100 Gallon Black Water
New (3) 8D Batteries Installed February 2015
Leveling Jacks
Backup camera system
10,000 LBS Hitch with Motorcycle Hitch Mounts
All Service up to Date
In a separate, passing announcement those of you that are Escapee (SKP) members might have noticed I got my first article published in Escapees Magazine last month. Wheeee! It’s a re-print of a blog post I wrote in Dec, 2014 on Caravaning with Friends, and I feel pretty darn honored to be in there. Plus it’s kinda cool to see something you’ve written in print (somehow it feels very different than on the blog). We’re long-term SKP members and will be staying with their Boomers group at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in Oct. If you have the magazine, check it out.
That’s it for today. If any of you DO end up buying the Wanderlodge, please do let us know. It’d be a total blast to see it passed on.
P.S. I have no affiliation at all with this sale other than passing the info on, although I may force Todd to make me a VERY nice cocktail next time I see him 🙂
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That sure is one incredibly gorgeous rig! I bet it will get snatched up quickly!
Congrats on the article!
I love that you did a post about Russ & Todd’s incredibly stylish rig. I’m so sad that they’re selling it, but hopefully its next owners are just as rad. Bob Martel? 😉
We saw a WanderLodge a few years ago at a Good Sam Rally and what impressed me most was the dash board and all the bells and whistles…….
Yeah, the dashboard is very cool and looks like the inside of an airplane cockpit. Amazing the number of dials and whiz bangs they have in there. There’s even an altimeter!
Nina
Can you have the guys that have this coach for sale contact me if they haven’t sold it already? I live outside of Chattanooga and would like to discuss purchasing it.
Thanks
Chuck
Go ahead and send an email to Todd (tbrunsvold@gmail.com). It’s just been announced recently so it’s not been sold yet.
Nina
Hi Chuck! This is Todd. Just wanted to let you know I replied to your email! Thanks for reaching out to us and look forward to talking more!
Seen Your wanderlodge on the forum forsale, if you still have it can you contact me , I am interested and have a few questions.
Cheers
Eli
It’s not mine, but my buddies Todd and Russ that have it for sale. Feel free to send an email to Todd (see details in the above blog post) and he’ll get back to you.
Nina
Oh, how we love vintage! And oh, how we’ve wavered back and forth about entering the part-time RV world, once our current downsize gets settled. And oh, how I’ve loved their Wanderlodge from the first time you guys all met up last winter. I showed it to hubby last night, and he had the WOW response, as well. It’s bigger than either of us would want to learn with, but still, WOW, what a beaut! Can’t wait to see who the lucky new owners will be.
I have to admit that I’ve developed a whole new appreciation of vintage rigs since we’ve travelled with folks like Technomadia and the Wandertopia boys. Both have beautiful rigs, and they’re just so unique. Our rig feels so “run of the mill” in comparison LOL. If we were buying a “beast” today, I think we’d be very tempted to buy vintage.
Nina
Nice to see you back. Death of a parent is never easy; today marks the 22nd anniversary of my Dad’s passing. Time is your greatest friend. and hopefully as time helps you through the grieving process you will be consoled with fond memories that will live in your heart forever. Congratulations of getting your first article published. Neat! Keep up the good work.
Kind regards,
Bruce and Melissa
PS – On a totally different subject, what tool did you use to create the various maps you have on your site? We would like to include similar type maps on our blog as well.
Woo hoo! Nice to see you published in the SKPs magazine. As soon as our copy arrives we’ll check it out.
Great write-up Nina. I will sure miss that rig, maybe Todd & Russ should negotiate that whoever buys it has to arrange to meet up with us all somewhere down the road.
Kate
Good idea! I like it!
Nina
Kate, I will do my best to encourage that!!!! 🙂
Oh.. if only we didn’t already have a sweet vintage RV of our own. Hmmm… could we have two??
And congrats on the Escapee’s feature, love seeing the shadows of our caravanning living on. And have I mentioned lately how much we miss you guys?
We miss you guys too, and yeah your rig is pretty darn sexy too. We look good parked next to you 🙂
Nina
Pretty cool rig, and I thought that the tricked-out Airstream Skydeck motorhome in the RV park that we’re currently at (Saltwater Farm in Rockland, ME – we just HAD to attend the Maine Lobster Festival!) was rad. We’ve charted a course from Maine to Albuquerque, and will be at the ABQ International Balloon Fiesta from 9/28 thru 10/12. Maybe we’ll see you there.
Nice rig!! That’s the one with a roof-top terrace, right? What a cool party bus!
If you’re hanging with the Boomers in ABQ we’ll definitely see you there. Xscapers have got a group going too, and I know a bunch of cool cats that are joining them for the festival. We’ll be parked with Boomers, but we are definitely planning some happy hour evenings with Xscapers team.
Nina
That is one pimped out old bus. Awesome. Wish we could get it. It should sell in no time. Sweet!
The interior really is pimped…electric curtains, a personal phone (from bathroom to lounge), built-in pantry etc. Those old Wanderlodges knew how to do it right.
Nina
WOW wish we were in the market…it looks absolutely gorgeous…
That is a sweet looking rig, albeit a few feet too long for what my wife and I have talked about. I could probably have gone for it on my own, but we agreed to stay 35-36 feet. We managed to, finding a not quite as vintage 2005 Newmar Mountain Aire for our first coach. Not quite as head turning as this coach (it is a stunner) but very nice nonetheless. Based on the pictures, I agree with the others who say it will sell quickly. I love the light, airy looking interior.
Nice coach! And I like the size too. Our long-term plans likely involve downsizing too, although we’re probably going to miss the crazy luxury we have in our current “beast”. Good travels to you!
Nina
Thanks. Just sent Todd an email about the Wanderlodge.
Chuck
Is the $32,500 asking price missing a digit? Like, it should be $132,500?
It’s actually $32,500. The vintage rigs are a fabulous deal.
Nina
Congratulations on getting published! I’ve got the magazine, but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. Now I’ll make some time for it. And that Wanderlodge looks SPECTACULAR! The price is awesome, too. I am all set for now, but if I weren’t, I’d be sorely tempted.
Darn it Nina, I was pretty well settled and you had to post pics of the Wanderlodge.
We just downsized from our wonderful old ’87 Country Coach and I was beginning to accept my station in life. That Bird really rubs salt in my wounds.
We’ll be missing ABQ this year but hoping to get back there again next year.
Honk as you pass thru Denver heading south.
Jim
Those old Country Coaches are lovely too. I’m sure it was bitter-sweet to downsize.
Nina
That bus is so cool! It’s just gorgeous. Glad you’re back to writing. We’ve missed you.
Oh, what we would give for 100 gallon tanks! That is one beautiful bus, but 40′ is just too long. With the help of your post I’m sure it probably already has a buyer.
She’s definitely a “beastly” beauty.
Nina
The 100 gallon tanks are pretty luxurious. We have spent a ridiculous amount of time without hookups because of those big tanks! Its the 300 gallon diesel tank that is the real show stopper!!!
If anyone is interested, we are going to sell our 1968 MCI 5A bus this year. It is 35 ft., has an 8v71 engine, 4 speed Allison automatic transmission, 144 gallon fuel tank, 100 gallon water tank, 100 gallon black/grey tank, 3 solar panels, 4 new drive tires in April, 2 new steer tires 2 years ago, new start batteries 1 year ago, 4 new house batteries in April, new household fridge in April, and the “biggie”, the engine was rebuilt last summer at the same shop that rebuilt Chris and Cherie’s. They have seen the bus inside and out and Nina has also seen the bus but not the inside. It does need some cosmetic work , (needs a paint job), and whatever updating the new owners would want to do, like we did when we got it 13 years ago. We have been fulltiming for 12 years and right now are in Montana and will be back in Yuma in October. Had planned on putting it up for sale when we got back there, but decided to start doing now, so that if anyone is interested in buying it we could swing by and show it to them if they are somewhere near our tentatively “planned” route. 🙂 We want $25,000 for it, the cost of just the rebuilt engine was $32,000 by itself. The reason we are selling is we have had a long term plan that is coming together this year. If anyone off of this site buys it we will send Nina and Paul a gift card to Red Lobster. 🙂 We can email recent photos of it to anybody that is interested if they will send their email address to us at westclearcreek2003@yahoo.com
That is an absolutely stunning coach and since I’m always late to the party it seems, it’s probably sold by now. Your recommendation is enough to sway any of your readers. I’m sticking with our soon to be vintage Winnona at the 35′ the National Parks will allow us to use in their campgrounds. Good thing too since we’ve spent the entire summer so far in Shenandoah.
That is a really cool vintage bus and I’m sure they’ll sell it without a problem. Nice of you to offer to help out this way.
Congrats on getting an article printed in the Escapees Magazine! That’s gotta be exciting for you. I hope you’ll be able to continue authoring new print material for them in the future.
We have recently signed up to follow your blog, and are getting a big kick out of it, and all the great info on your site. Wonderful resource, kudos!
We are grandparents, in our early 60s, who live in Berkeley, CA, and are are still “workin’ for the man”. But we are hoping in 2 years to pull up stakes, sell our home of 30 years, buy a less expensive house in Oregon, and get a 5th wheel for adventuring. We’re avid campers, hikers, and cyclists, but schlepping the tent and gear is getting to be too much. You’re never too old to have a dream and an adventure, right? We’re trying to leash-train our two cats, so they can join us…but we’ll see…
My Norwegian husband, who is a professor, is at the moment totally absorbed – reading your tips on boondocking. Your site has provided insight and inspiration, and for that we are grateful. Keep up the great work!
Take care,
Cindy
Congrats on the published article. That’s awesome. My daughter is a photojournalist that also blogs on social media. So I know how awesome that is to be published. Love your website and following your adventures. I learn so much from y’all, and check out your experiences and have applied your knowledge and so grateful for it too.
Beautiful article for your friends, Nina!
We may be wandering north on 395 in August (we hope), heading toward Lake Tahoe. If the trip works out for us, we’ll watch for you at campgrounds, etc.
Would love to finally meet you. On RVillage.com we are MoHobyDick (somewhat anonymous until our clients are comfortable with our home office on wheels). We’re also MIA members via Technomadia. Feel free to connect with us in RVillage. Would like to know more about the SKP Boomers event at the Balloon Fest, too.
Escapees actually has 2 groups going this year (that I know of), the Boomers and the Xscapers. You can contact the boomers here: https://www.escapees.com/boomer, and the Xscapers here: https://xscapers.com/xscapers-fun/convergences/balloon-fiesta-convergence
Nina
Thank you, Nina!
What a beautiful RV, hope they find a buyer and congratulations on your publication.
Hi Nina… Since both my husband and I are allergic, did they have pets or cigar/cigarette smoke in the Wanderlodge? Thanks!
Lindy
They are not smokers, but they do travel with one small dog (Frances).
Nina
would you have their phone number as I am very interested in this unit please……thanks!!
I can’t give out their phone number, but you’re welcome to send an email to Todd (see above in the post) and he’ll get back to you.
Nina
is this vintage bird still available…? if so how do I contact the owner>?
No, sorry…it’s finally been sold (just happened a few weeks ago). So, this gal is now off the market.
Nina