Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Pages: 1 2

Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes
the 7th factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was
really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million
coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the
frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these
small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape,
no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that
hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of
foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood
in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot
of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was
rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for
work. As for me, I will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and
shut my door.
Marty Gregg
95BMC37
Kennewick WA

Just the tape holding the walls??? Say it ain't so--

Ernie Ekberg

83PT40

Wanderlodge

Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair

--- On Wed, 7/29/09, martingregg598 wrote:

From: martingregg598
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Newell Factory
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 4:59 PM

Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes the 7th factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape, no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for work. As for me, I
will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and shut my door.
Marty Gregg
95BMC37
Kennewick WA

Thanks for the info Marty. Baffles me that Wanderlodge couldn't compete effectively against them. Newell won the Nascar business. I toured the factory and test drove their '08 coach (new at the time). I wasn't impressed.

David Brady
'02 LXi NC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

From: "martingregg598"
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:59:52 -0000
To:
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Newell Factory

Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes the 7th factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape, no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for work. As for me, I will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and shut my door.
Marty Gregg
95BMC37
Kennewick WA

The problem was the Newell had several years of production going which was able
to carry them through this downturn. Where else can you go for service for your
Newell? Much of their building is done in house, so you have to go back to them
for servicing. BB was a "new" company as far as production was concerned. They
also outsourced much of the chassis, so us owners could get our parts outside of
the factory. They didn't stand a chance given what the economy did, in spite of
building a superior coach, imho.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, dmb993@... wrote:
>
> Thanks for the info Marty. Baffles me that Wanderlodge couldn't compete
effectively against them. Newell won the Nascar business. I toured the factory
and test drove their '08 coach (new at the time). I wasn't impressed.
>
> David Brady
> '02 LXi NC
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "martingregg598"
>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:59:52
> To:
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Newell Factory
>
>
> Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes
the 7th factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was
really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million
coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the
frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these
small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape,
no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that
hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of
foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood
in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot
of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was
rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for
work. As for me, I will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and
shut my door.
> Marty Gregg
> 95BMC37
> Kennewick WA
>

Thanks for the insight. I was referring to Wanderlodge over the past ten years. CCW played only a small part.

David Brady
'02 LXi NC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

From: "jcmace59"
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:41:42 -0000
To:
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Newell Factory

The problem was the Newell had several years of production going which was able to carry them through this downturn. Where else can you go for service for your Newell? Much of their building is done in house, so you have to go back to them for servicing. BB was a "new" company as far as production was concerned. They also outsourced much of the chassis, so us owners could get our parts outside of the factory. They didn't stand a chance given what the economy did, in spite of building a superior coach, imho.

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", dmb993@... wrote:
>
> Thanks for the info Marty. Baffles me that Wanderlodge couldn't compete effectively against them. Newell won the Nascar business. I toured the factory and test drove their '08 coach (new at the time). I wasn't impressed.
>
> David Brady
> '02 LXi NC
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "martingregg598" ...>
>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:59:52
> To: <"WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com">
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Newell Factory
>
>
> Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes the 7th factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape, no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for work. As for me, I will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and shut my door.
> Marty Gregg
> 95BMC37
> Kennewick WA
>

I was surprised ccw dropped the wanderlodge gig. they are always busy in Riverside. I wonder who ownes the firesale proceeds. might be a llc from socal?
I noticed that CCW even restocked their used transit bus yard to max.

Macie always signd out as a sales man so you cant complain about his snow job . I would be pissed if they didnt refund the yearly and lifetime memberships to wl owners for the birdsnest. proud owners purchased those rights, I hope they were made whole

airial view of busyard

Gregory O'Connor
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, dmb993@... wrote:
>
> Thanks for the insight. I was referring to Wanderlodge over the past ten years. CCW played only a small part.

>
> David Brady

> '02 LXi NC

>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

>
> -----Original Message-----

> From: "jcmace59" jcmace@...

>
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:41:42
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Newell Factory

>
>
> The problem was the Newell had several years of production going which was able to carry them through this downturn. Where else can you go for service for your Newell? Much of their building is done in house, so you have to go back to them for servicing. BB was a "new" company as far as production was concerned. They also outsourced much of the chassis, so us owners could get our parts outside of the factory. They didn't stand a chance given what the economy did, in spite of building a superior coach, imho.

>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, dmb993@ wrote:

> >

> > Thanks for the info Marty. Baffles me that Wanderlodge couldn't compete effectively against them. Newell won the Nascar business. I toured the factory and test drove their '08 coach (new at the time). I wasn't impressed.

> >
> > David Brady

> > '02 LXi NC

> >
> >
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

> >
> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: "martingregg598" martingregg598@

> >
> > Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:59:52
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Newell Factory

> >
> >
> > Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes the 7th factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape, no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for work. As for me, I will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and shut my door.

> > Marty Gregg

> > 95BMC37

> > Kennewick WA

> >
>

I agree. I doubt CCW paid much for Wanderlodge. Cerberus
was just happy to get rid of it. CCW probably got it mostly for
free. But then there were so many other factors: Macy's health,
Dale's brother, bank's withdrawing credit, who knows what the
final straw was. Dale probably gave Macy X number of months
to be profitable. It's sad to think that maybe one or two more
RV sales could have done it. In good times that can be done
by simply restocking the channels. The 450LXi could have
been a great bus.

David Brady
'02 LXi, NC

-----Original Message-----

From: Gregory OConnor

Sent: Jul 30, 2009 10:11 PM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Newell Factory

I was surprised ccw dropped the wanderlodge gig. they are always busy in Riverside. I wonder who ownes the firesale proceeds. might be a llc from socal?
I noticed that CCW even restocked their used transit bus yard to max.

Macie always signd out as a sales man so you cant complain about his snow job . I would be pissed if they didnt refund the yearly and lifetime memberships to wl owners for the birdsnest. proud owners purchased those rights, I hope they were made whole

airial view of busyard

Gregory O'Connor
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, dmb993@... wrote:
>
> Thanks for the insight. I was referring to Wanderlodge over the past ten years. CCW played only a small part.

>
> David Brady

> '02 LXi NC

>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

>
> -----Original Message-----

> From: "jcmace59" jcmace@...

>
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:41:42
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Newell Factory

>
>
> The problem was the Newell had several years of production going which was able to carry them through this downturn. Where else can you go for service for your Newell? Much of their building is done in house, so you have to go back to them for servicing. BB was a "new" company as far as production was concerned. They also outsourced much of the chassis, so us owners could get our parts outside of the factory. They didn't stand a chance given what the economy did, in spite of building a superior coach, imho.

>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, dmb993@ wrote:

> >

> > Thanks for the info Marty. Baffles me that Wanderlodge couldn't compete effectively against them. Newell won the Nascar business. I toured the factory and test drove their '08 coach (new at the time). I wasn't impressed.

> >
> > David Brady

> > '02 LXi NC

> >
> >
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

> >
> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: "martingregg598" martingregg598@

> >
> > Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:59:52
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Newell Factory

> >
> >
> > Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes the 7th factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape, no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for work. As for me, I will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and shut my door.

> > Marty Gregg

> > 95BMC37

> > Kennewick WA

> >
>

Holy cow! There may be a thousandunits in that yard!

From: Gregory OConnor
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 9:11:28 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Newell Factory

I was surprised ccw dropped the wanderlodge gig. they are always busy in Riverside. I wonder who ownes the firesale proceeds. might be a llc from socal?
I noticed that CCW even restocked their used transit bus yard to max.

Macie always signd out as a sales man so you cant complain about his snow job . I would be pissed if they didnt refund the yearly and lifetime memberships to wl owners for the birdsnest. proud owners purchased those rights, I hope they were made whole

airial view of busyard

Gregory O'Connor
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, dmb993@...
wrote:
>
> Thanks for the insight. I was referring to Wanderlodge over the past ten years. CCW played only a small part.
>
> David Brady
> '02 LXi NC
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "jcmace59" jcmace@...
>
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:41:42
> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Newell Factory
>
>
> The problem was the Newell had several years of production going which was able to carry them through this downturn. Where else can you go for service for your Newell? Much of their building is done in house, so you have to go back to them for servicing. BB was a "new" company as far as production was concerned. They also outsourced much of the chassis, so us owners could get our parts outside of the factory. They didn't stand a chance given what the economy
did, in spite of building a superior coach, imho.
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, dmb993@ wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for the info Marty. Baffles me that Wanderlodge couldn't compete effectively against them. Newell won the Nascar business. I toured the factory and test drove their '08 coach (new at the time). I wasn't impressed.
> >
> > David Brady
> > '02 LXi NC
> >
> >
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: "martingregg598" martingregg598@
> >
> > Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:59:52
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Newell Factory
> >
> >
> > Hi all, I had the opportunity to tour the Newell factory yesterday (that makes the 7th
factory I have toured) and they are still making a few coaches. I was really surprised to see some of the basic components of there $1.5 million coach. They do use a rib construction; however the ribs being aluminum and the frame being steel means no welding the rib to the substructure, they use these small tabs. How do they attach the aluminum siding to the rib? They use 3M tape, no space age adhesive, no welding, no rivets, just the tape, wonder how that hold in a rollover? The floor is OBS wood, not marine grade, with 6" or so of foam sandwich between. The lower compartments have a lot of quarter inch plywood in them, not marine grade. They do still spray foam for the insulation and alot of the wiring is embedded in the foam. The only part of the factory that was rally busy was the repair shop, there must have been 10 new style coaches in for work. As for me, I will be sticking with BB even if I have to manually open and shut my door.
> >
Marty Gregg
> > 95BMC37
> > Kennewick WA
> >
>

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Rick Davis wrote:
>
> Holy cow! There may be a thousand units in that yard!
>
>
> We don't know when this picture was taken.
>
> ________________________________
>
>

>It's sad to think that maybe one or two more
>RV sales could have done it. In good times that can be done
>by simply restocking the channels. The 450LXi could have
>been a great bus.

I agree that it is sad, but as I read this over, I kept thinking that it is hard
to "stuff the channel" when you have run the channel off....
The channel (Bleakley especially) had helped BB more than once in the past
during tough times by buying inventory, but a factory direct sales approach does
not engender channel loyalty.

FWIW.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

Pages: 1 2

Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

martingregg598

Ernie Ekberg

dmb993@earthlink.net

jcmace59

dmb993@earthlink.net

Gregory OConnor

David Brady

Rick Davis

Morey Zuber

mbulriss