hi all
do I get kicked off the board if I buy a bluebird wanderlodge ;)
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It as much as bus as mine. Looks nice to me. Bob
Going to be a learning experience, generator runs great, makes no volts, only 1 of the 3 cruise airs works, but the all important ice-maker works ;D
I would have went for the PT model that FC model is a little rough riding and very noisy and you need a set of walkies talkies to talk to the co-pilot come to think of it the noise may be a good thing lol
good luck
I always wanted a Blue Bird but I could never afford one. Everything turned out OK though.
They let me on here and I have an All-American!
Yup jump on it the water is warm and we even allow schoolies! (@ least we did ................
don't know if the new management will allow it or not! LOL! ;D )
;D BK ;D
I like the Wanderlodges, and believe them to be well made. Although the FC may be noisier on the road, most of your time is probably spent parked anyway. There are several specific Boards for them also that will be excellent resources.
I got one too.... although I still have my MCI.. ;D
You really should join the www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com (http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com)
There is a lot of wanderlodge specific information there.
TOM
The FC wanderinglodge is also short on storage space.>>>Dan
I really like the wanderlodges also. Really cool buses I looked at one one the e-place a couple years ago really thought long and hard on that one. What model genny has it got? Someone on here probably has some good ideas or mabe at least a manual or something. (Surely someone hasn't just flipped the breakers on the genny off ???) Good luck with it.
Billy
Wanderlodge is what first got me interested in the whole bus idea. I think they look cool, dated and funky with their distinctive paint scheme. After learning a lot more I think I am happy with my MCI, but I do have a soft spot for the Wanderlodge. I think of them every time I drive by the Bluebird factory outside Montreal.
Brian
What engine 3208 ? looks like someone took good care of it
We were looking at them. You could land helicopters on the roofs of the ones I viewed they were so solid.
I love the dash boards, the layout and thoroughness of the instrumentation, many had waterbeds (could be good or bad but different for sure :-\) I liked the twin rearends and 8 rear tires on the bigger ones (although IMHO very unnecessary but much better looking). :-[
I love our U-line Ice maker too!!
Does your bus have the electronic odor control for the holding tank?
You have created a project for yourself with that purchase
Like others, my first exposure to a Bluebird coach whet my appetite for a motorhome built on a bus type chassis. In our case, it was at a campground, at least 35 years ago. This big beautiful Wanderlodge from Texas pulled into the campground with "the Yellow Rose of Texas" blaring from speakers in the front.
In 2004, we did a Bluebird rally in Perry, GA. There were hundreds of Bluebirds and I was like a kid in a candy store. A huge number showed up early and were parked in the staging area. I spent about a half of day talking to the owners of the "classic" units and they had done an amazing job of restoring them. They were such an enthusiastic bunch.
Later we toured the factory and saw the latest wis-bang model. Based on a bit of research this morning, I think that the coach we saw on the line was the first 450 LXi being made. It was very fancy and had all complexities of the leading coaches of the time. By that time, the Wanderlodge had lost all of its "roots" and was just a super expensive clone of all the other coaches in that category. Here is link to a review of the 450 LXi:
http://www.fmcmagazine.com/back-issues/2005/december/6294-blue-bird-wanderlodge-450-lxi (http://www.fmcmagazine.com/back-issues/2005/december/6294-blue-bird-wanderlodge-450-lxi)
At the rally, the new management put on a rousing presentation that would have you believe that they were going to put the rest of the market out of business. Instead, the stopped all production in 2009.
A few years ago, the owner of the Datastorm Users Group website (Don Bradner) hosted a users group meeting in Quartzsite. The weather was terrible, so not many folks showed up. Don held the meeting in his amazing 1990 Wanderlodge. The features and quality just blew me away. Here is his page describing that coach:
http://www.arcatapet.net/travel/wanderlodge.cfm (http://www.arcatapet.net/travel/wanderlodge.cfm)
Sorry for rambling, but the wonderful memories just started to flow this morning. That and the fact that we have another huge snow storm :D
Jim
Me too Jim.
Every time the topic come up reminds me of a fellow who I met on the internet but never had the opportunity to meet in person.
It was obvius to me based on the content of his corrispondence on line he was a true enthusiast in every way. He had a Bluebird and moved into a Prevo. He frequented many discussion forums like this on the topic, lifesyle and hobbie.
Jim Scoggins. He has passed away now but I am bringing up his memory.
Here was a fellow who was very very very mechanicly inclined who was killed by being crushed under his coach.
Never be too careful. God Bless the family and loved ones he left behind.
One more quick story about the Bluebird rally.
As I was walking around all the classic coaches, an older gentleman asked if I would like to see his FC. He told me it was for sale. Then he told me that he was 92 years old. I assumed he was hanging it up. Nope, he "wanted to own a PT (pusher) before he got to old to drive". :D :D
Jim
Quote from: Kubla on November 01, 2011, 06:36:47 PM
hi all
do I get kicked off the board if I buy a bluebird wanderlodge ;)
I hope not, these are my dream rv. I still regret not getting a wanderlodge. They are a nearly perfect setup for serious camping and recreation. I'm seriously jealous of the roof rack.
Post some interior pics so I can drool some more.
Chris
The Bluebirds, of course, gained their fame originally as one of the safest, best-built skoolies on the road. I have seen many of their Wanderlodges over the years, and always admired their looks.
Congrats!
We own a '74 Wanderlodge that we bought before we got the Eagle. Strictly for camping, the Wanderlodge is much better because of the excellent ground clearance, shorter length and tight turning radius.
They are absolutely built like a TANK! Remember those Bluebirds had to meet all safety regulations for school buses first... Ours is an FC31 gasser and Clifford is right, very noisy and rough riding going down the road. (You really can't sit at the dinette if it's over the rear axle without losing a couple fillings... lol) But forward of the front wheels, the overhang softens the ride. With the 391 Industrial Ford gas engine, ours can hardly get out of it's own way, but if you aren't in a hurry, who cares? they are very cool looking and have a very retro/classic appearance and feel. Wish we could keep both buses, but our Wanderlodge is for sale.
Marc
in 1980 they went to air ride, I know about the noise, so I will do what I did when I drove trucks OTR, wear ear plugs, I would like a PT also but I am getting this one for 8K and it has only 70 k miles on it and was re-engined with a 3208 cat turbo diesel (replacing the 3208 NA) 20k miles ago, it has a few issues but is mechanically sound and the plumbing works
Though not a fixture here, I have an '83 PT-35. The thing is great. Picked it up with rebuilt engine and trans for $23k and 140k miles on the chassis. the previous owner dropped some coin to make everything just right mechanically.
I was going to buy a bus and build one and didn't see how I could approach doing it as cheap if I built it myself. I've since put all new floors, extensive maintenance, new 3000W inverter, some new tires, belts, filters, reconfigured the back bedroom (to a King bed), etc. etc.
I'm really pleased with the choice. I'm into it about $33k and it is extremely reliable now. Will have to do batteries and some more new tires and fix the third cruisair. It leaks R-22.
good luck!
Doug
Picture on my '82 PT 40 right after I got it.
TOM
If you have air ride by Ridewell and ensure the sound insulation in the doghouse is in good shape you will be very happy. I have an 84FC and can drive down the road and talk to my wife in a whisper as well as have a smooth ride!
John
One of the projects that I have to do is re-insulate the Doghouse, the old deteriorating insulation has been removed but no new stuff put in, been on the wanderlodge owners group and found instructions on how and what to use, but that will be after I get it home, wearing earplugs
We looked at serial # 2010fc35 last year it was a good price real clean they were asking 25 it had a gutless 3208 250hp turbo Cat engine no storage space, I see why they have roof racks and you could not hear the radio at 35 mph the ride wasn't to bad but not great either after owning a Eagle lol I do like the PT models they are nice
good luck
I'll give you a short story on why BB went away as told to me by a`Vogue employee Peggy
.Volvo owned both Prevost and Blue Bird and the Prevost converters where complaining about competition from BB so Volvo sold it off or gave it away as some say knowing it could not survive without the Volvo and their partners backing.
The owner of Vogue Mitchel was opposed he had a soft spot for Blue Bird and still does he sold 40% of the Blue Birds ever sold in the US
good luck
Hi Kubla,
Welcome to the board. That is a very nice looking coach you have, and you will find lots of great advice here. The wealth of information here is amazing and the members offer the information freely, just be descriptive and include pics if you can, someone here is bound to know lots of what you are asking about.
Dave Siegel
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some more pictures, has chairs on right instead of second couch
The 3208 is a fair engine at best. It needs new rod and crank bearings every 75,000 mi and it will last a long time.
It stinks and smokes at start up in cool/cold weather but runs like scat and is good coupled to an Allison trans.
It is smooth but noisy.
It has a nice hand fuel primer on the engine.
tomorrow I leave to get it and drive it home, I hope it is an Uneventful trip ;D
Where at? coming near Evansville? Bob
I live in Cincinnati, ohio and it is south of atlanta GA, so straight down I 75 to south of atlanta before I turn off
Have fun. Should be nice weather.
the Wanderlodge and I made it home, ran great, now the fun stuff begins