Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hi!
We are taking delivery of a 2000 Wanderlodge LXI next week and have
been trying to find out the steering angle of this bus. It has a
steerable tag which we think rotates up to 7%. Bluebird won't return
our emails so we are hoping there is someone out there that has a
similar rig. What is the turning angle of the front axle and what is
the effective turning angle with the rear stearing tag? If you have
one like this, what do you use for a reference point when making your
turn? (Bumper, hips or some other point....) We haven't driven it yet
and want to be prepared.
Thanks!
Conny & Allen
2000 Wanderlodge LXI (Soon!)

Conny and Allen,
We got our 2000 LXi back in March. I don't have hard numbers, but estimates.
And I'll be surprised if someone doesn't come up with the numbers for you soon.
The 2000 is a NON-independent front suspension coach, so it doesn't have quite
the wheel cut newer coaches have, but I believe it's close to 48 degrees. I was
told the tag axles turn 5 degrees either way. It is not a steerable tag, but
rather a "following" tag that casters opposite of your steering wheels at under
7 mph. Above that speed, a locking pin engages and keeps the tag straight. I
was told by Blue Bird that the following tag worked fine, but due to cost
considerations, they went back to a standard tag that needs to be raised when
negotiating tight turns (especially when backing). I suppose the new ones, like
Newells and Prevosts, now have full steerable tags.
I've put fewer than 1000 miles on it so far, but it handles very well. My
previous coach was a 1986 38' Newell with no tag. I have to drive down a
one-lane alley with a fairly sharp 90 degree corner to park behind my house. At
43' feet, the Blue Bird turns just as short, if not shorter than the Newell. It
makes the corner very easily, only there's more swing in the back and a little
less space to make the inside of the corner because of the extra length. And
going down the road at highway speed, the tag makes it easy to handle crosswinds
and hold the road. I talked to one of the three factory sales reps at Blue
Bird. They're great to talk with if they don't have a customer or some other
pressing business. Call for sales and see what they can tell you.
Congratulations on your new coach. We are thrilled with ours, although
nothing's gone wrong yet. We're just trying to get rid of a kind of chirping,
scraping sound under the floor near the refrigerator. Just to bring you up to
date. We also had the shocks tightened to full tight in the front and 3/4 tight
in the rear..and adjusted the air valve on the driver's seat to cut down on the
vertical movement. David Brady is more experienced with his coach..a 2001 Lxi.
(Wish I was 3/4 tight). Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...


To: WanderlodgeForum@...: gulfquest@...: Tue, 15 May
2007 12:01:48 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Steering angle on 2000
Wanderlodge LXI




Hi!We are taking delivery of a 2000 Wanderlodge LXI next week and have been
trying to find out the steering angle of this bus. It has a steerable tag which
we think rotates up to 7%. Bluebird won't return our emails so we are hoping
there is someone out there that has a similar rig. What is the turning angle of
the front axle and what is the effective turning angle with the rear stearing
tag? If you have one like this, what do you use for a reference point when
making your turn? (Bumper, hips or some other point....) We haven't driven it
yet and want to be prepared.Thanks!Conny & Allen2000 Wanderlodge LXI (Soon!)


_________________________________________________________________
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Conny and Allen, where are you to pick your new coach up at? Perhaps a forum
member could meet you.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Mt




************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Conny and Allen,
> We got our 2000 LXi back in March. I don't have hard numbers, but
estimates.

Thanks for your thoughts Brad. According to the 2000 brochure, the
tag axle was supposed to turn 7 degrees bi-directional under 15 mph.
We still don't understand what the effective steering angle will be
with a steerable tag. During our driving lessions, we drove a coach
that had a 55 degree steering angle which meant we had to initiate the
turn after our hips had cleared the obstacle. When do you start your
turns assuming a 48 degree steering angle with a steerable tag??
Conny & Allen
2000 Wanderlodge LXI (in 8 days and we are still working on how to
drive this beast!)

Hi Conny & Allen,

Welcome to the Wanderlodge community. I'm always glad
to see a fellow LXi owner join the list. I was feeling a bit
lonely here for a while... You've chosen a great coach and
I'm sure it will give you many years of happy and trouble
free service. The LXi is unique in many ways, but it still has
much in common with all the vintage birds, being yet another
evolution of a proven design. Feel free to ask our help as
needed; we all enjoy sharing our experiences and can usually
recommend quick fixes and worthwhile upgrades. I wish I
could help you understand your rear steer coach, but I have
no experience with a steerable tag. I don't usually turn by
reference, the way you describe. I tend to use as much road
as I can and take it slow in tight spots. Our coaches have a
bit of a rear overhang, so I'm always watchful of dips when
entering or leaving driveways. I always try to hit these dips
at an angle and try to avoid them if at all possible. Before I
drive the bus, I always do a walk around just so that I can
wrap my brain around the size of the beast. This helps when
sitting in the drivers seat; i.e., I can then imagine just how huge
it is and act accordingly. Take her slow, use as much road as you
can, watch uneven pavement (driveway entrances etc), and I
think you'll be fine.

Best of luck,
David Brady
'02 LXi, Smokey
NC

Allen & Conny wrote:
>
> Hi!
> We are taking delivery of a 2000 Wanderlodge LXI next week and have
> been trying to find out the steering angle of this bus. It has a
> steerable tag which we think rotates up to 7%. Bluebird won't return
> our emails so we are hoping there is someone out there that has a
> similar rig. What is the turning angle of the front axle and what is
> the effective turning angle with the rear stearing tag? If you have
> one like this, what do you use for a reference point when making your
> turn? (Bumper, hips or some other point....) We haven't driven it yet
> and want to be prepared.
> Thanks!
> Conny & Allen
> 2000 Wanderlodge LXI (Soon!)
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date: 5/13/2007 12:17
PM
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I took a driving course with the RV School headquartered in
Applegate, CA last fall. My coach is estimated to have about a 45
degree turning angle (it could be 48...). In any event, the turns
start about the same place ... you sit in front of the steer wheels,
so you basically want most of your body to be past the corner when
you start the turn. This will quickly become a natural feeling aspect
of driving the coach. (I once owned a VW Bus in my youth ... where
you sit directly above the steering wheels .. it's the same basic
approach, but you turn a little sooner.)

Take it slow and track yourself on right turns (in particular) by
using the right mirrors -- it really won't be that long before you
get the hang of it.

I doubt that the tag axle turning will have an enormous effect on the
turning radius. On the older PTs, the advice is to dump the tag air
(to relieve the friction) for "tight maneuvers" -- to tell the truth,
I haven't notice much advantage to that... but it probably takes a
few feet off a turn.

The 55 degree (or greater) steering angle of many newer coaches do
make those seem _much_ more maneuverable -- and U-turns or other
tight maneuvers can be made in significantly shorter space. Just
forget about that convenience and be aware that you'll simply need to
always plan ahead...

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at



On May 15, 2007, at 8:51 PM, Allen & Conny wrote:

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@...>
> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Conny and Allen,
>> We got our 2000 LXi back in March. I don't have hard numbers, but
> estimates.
>
> Thanks for your thoughts Brad. According to the 2000 brochure, the
> tag axle was supposed to turn 7 degrees bi-directional under 15 mph.
> We still don't understand what the effective steering angle will be
> with a steerable tag. During our driving lessions, we drove a coach
> that had a 55 degree steering angle which meant we had to initiate the
> turn after our hips had cleared the obstacle. When do you start your
> turns assuming a 48 degree steering angle with a steerable tag??
> Conny & Allen
> 2000 Wanderlodge LXI (in 8 days and we are still working on how to
> drive this beast!)

--- I'm always glad
> to see a fellow LXi owner join the list. I was feeling a bit
> lonely here for a while...

Hi David!

Funny you should say that, we were wondering where all the LXI owner
were hiding!! We even contacted Bluebird about it....apparently we
are the rarest birds of all!! (Are we protected?) I guess everyone
is working to pay off these rigs and doesn't have time to chat...
(As you can see, my husband doesn't have time to do any posting..)
Anyway, your advice is welcome. We take delivery next Friday so I
advise that everyone stays off of I75 southbound between Ocala and
New Port Richey that weekend!

At this point, we have nothing but questions regarding diesel
operating ranges (where the redlines are on all of those gauges),
toads, basic maintenance issues and how best to store in Florida's
humidity. It's a case of we don't know what we don't know...
But thank goodness for this forum, we have already learned more by
reading the threads than any of the dealers we have visited so far!
Thanks!
Conny & Allen
2000 Wanderlodge LXi(8 days to go!)

Conny and Allen:

The steerable tag is basically designed to save tire wear (scrub) in
not-so-tight turns. The tags will still scrub in a tight turn unless you
"dump" them (retract). Obviously, if the tag could turn with the same
degree as the steer tires, there would be no scrubbing. The reference
point (fulcrum) is the drive axle wheels.

A simple exercise to get used to mirror references is to find a place
(empty parking lot etc) where you can place different-sized objects for
reference. Use your Toad as a "traffic item" to help you judge size; and
how much of your flat-mirror it occupies.

You can have a person stand at a location that would signify a reference
to begin a turn. Have that person give you a hand signal - or radio -
when the drive axle is at your "leverage point." Use low-sun shadows to
help mark the location of your coach - especially helpful when backing
(always best to have someone guiding you during backing maneuvers,
observing ov - and tight vertical clearance situations). One more
point, don't forget those big mirrors out there, they are extensions of
your coach.

Enjoy your LXi - safe travels.

Joe (Pappy) Hagan
St. George, UT
Wannabe




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Allen & Conny"
wrote:
>
> --- I'm always glad
> > to see a fellow LXi owner join the list. I was feeling a bit
> > lonely here for a while...
>
> Hi David!
>
> Funny you should say that, we were wondering where all the LXI owner
> were hiding!! We even contacted Bluebird about it....apparently we
> are the rarest birds of all!! (Are we protected?) I guess everyone
> is working to pay off these rigs and doesn't have time to chat...
> (As you can see, my husband doesn't have time to do any posting..)
> Anyway, your advice is welcome. We take delivery next Friday so I
> advise that everyone stays off of I75 southbound between Ocala and
> New Port Richey that weekend!
>
> At this point, we have nothing but questions regarding diesel
> operating ranges (where the redlines are on all of those gauges),
> toads, basic maintenance issues and how best to store in Florida's
> humidity. It's a case of we don't know what we don't know...
> But thank goodness for this forum, we have already learned more by
> reading the threads than any of the dealers we have visited so far!
> Thanks!
> Conny & Allen
> 2000 Wanderlodge LXi(8 days to go!)
>

Conny and Allen,
Dave is more experienced than I am with the LXi, but this is our third coach.
We are glad to be back in a Bird. You have very little to worry about in terms
of operating ranges. The engines are governed to keep them from exceeding rpm
limits. They also have numerous alarms and even automatic cutoffs to keep from
exceeding temperature and other limitations on the road. Unlike airplanes,
they're very forgiving. Common sense and reasonable caution are usually enough.
And while a coach like yours can be intimidating at first, don't forget to enjoy
yourself.
As to rarity. I believe Blue Bird said they made about 40 single-slide and
about a dozen double-slides in 2000. Again, I'm just repeating what I heard
from one of the factory reps, but the 2000 and early 2001 coaches had been in
the design pipeline of the old hands (family and management) before the British
LBO that many believe lowered the quality of the newer coaches. Not to take
anything away from the mid 80's coaches which are legendary, but considering the
brief overlapping of original quality values and newer technology, the Millenium
coaches made be some of the finest made. I sure hope so. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
bbartonwx@...


To: WanderlodgeForum@...: gulfquest@...: Thu, 17 May
2007 01:31:55 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Steering angle on 2000
Wanderlodge LXI




--- I'm always glad> to see a fellow LXi owner join the list. I was feeling a
bit> lonely here for a while... Hi David!Funny you should say that, we were
wondering where all the LXI owner were hiding!! We even contacted Bluebird about
it....apparently we are the rarest birds of all!! (Are we protected?) I guess
everyone is working to pay off these rigs and doesn't have time to chat... (As
you can see, my husband doesn't have time to do any posting..)Anyway, your
advice is welcome. We take delivery next Friday so I advise that everyone stays
off of I75 southbound between Ocala and New Port Richey that weekend!At this
point, we have nothing but questions regarding diesel operating ranges (where
the redlines are on all of those gauges), toads, basic maintenance issues and
how best to store in Florida's humidity. It's a case of we don't know what we
don't know...But thank goodness for this forum, we have already learned more by
reading the threads than any of the dealers we have visited so far!Thanks!Conny
& Allen2000 Wanderlodge LXi(8 days to go!)


_________________________________________________________________
Download Messenger. Start an i’m conversation. Support a cause. Join now.
http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?so...AGWL_MAY07

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

** CORRECTED **

Conny and Allen:

The steerable tag is basically designed to save tire wear (scrub) in
not-so-tight turns. The tags will still scrub in a tight turn unless you
"dump" them (retract). Obviously, if the tag could turn with the same
degree as the steer tires, there would be no scrubbing. The reference
point (fulcrum) is the drive axle wheels.

A simple exercise to get used to mirror references is to find a place
(empty parking lot etc) where you can place different-sized objects for
reference. Use your Toad as a "traffic item" to help you judge size; and
how much of your flat-mirror it occupies.

You can have a person stand at a location that would signify a reference
to begin a turn. Have that person give you a hand signal - or radio -
when the drive axle is at your "leverage point." Use low-sun shadows to
help mark the location of your coach - especially helpful when backing
(always best to have someone guiding you during backing maneuvers,
observing overhang swing, and tight vertical clearance situations). One
more
point, don't forget those big mirrors out there, they are extensions of
your coach.

Enjoy your LXi - safe travels.

Joe (Pappy) Hagan
St. George, UT
Wannabe