RIV Report? - David Brady -  10-28-2008 01:55
 
 
 
Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
 
a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The  
 
buying public demands expandable rooms. There are  
 
many things that may have spelled the demise of Wanderlodge, 
 
but please, let's not single out the expandable room.  
 
 
 
David Brady 
 
'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
 
 
 
 
 
Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
 
 
John, 
 
 
 
I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have put too much  
 
blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot of M380 owners did  
 
give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you guys who have  
 
the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My father-in-law  
 
owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he said he wouldn't  
 
buy another one because they where going to start putting slide outs  
 
in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
RIV Report? - Lloyd Chaffin -  10-28-2008 02:59
 
 
Ernie, I am in Haslet (north edge of Fort Worth) which was in the 
country when we built our house here 30 years ago. Ross Perot Jr moved 
in and now we have an Airport, Cabela's, and a Nascar track in our back 
yard. Speaking of which, the Bird and I are fixen to go park at Texas 
Motor Speedway for a few days of Nascar racing fun. 
 
Lloyd Chaffin 
2004 M380 
> 
> LLoyd, I see that you have a Ft Worth phone number. Where are you 
located? 
> 
> Ernie  Ekberg 
> 83PT40 
> Weatherford, Texas 
> 
> **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your 
favorites, 
> no registration required and great graphics ââ¬" check it out! 
> (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol? 
redir= 
> http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) 
>
 
 
 
RIV Report? - David Brady -  10-28-2008 03:24
 
 
 
But one could also argue that someone invented electronics which 
 
resulted in a demand for dvd players, televisions, computers, 
 
electric refrigerators, gps units, hi-fidelity sound systems, etc. The 
 
customer then demanded all of these features in their motorhome 
 
which unfortunately required heavy batteries and heavy generators,  
 
which then resulted in heavy chassis, axles and tires; culminating in  
 
a coach which overloads it's suspension. The list goes on. People  
 
invent things which are cool, the buying public demands cool things 
 
in their motorhomes, and manufacturers scramble to accommodate 
 
these cool things. If the manufacturers delay, they lose market share. 
 
Slides are in this category.  
 
 
 
It's not the demand for features that damaged/ruined the  
 
motorhome manufacturer, it's the manufacturer's rush to  
 
accommodate these features without first doing the necessary  
 
engineering. 
 
 
 
BB actually stands out amongst these manufacturers by their insistence 
 
on doing the necessary engineering. Every slide equipped BB was 
 
designed from the ground up to accommodate a slide. Never did BB 
 
simply take an existing bus and chop a hole in the side of it. In all 
 
cases the overall superstructure from basement triangulation, to 
 
subframes, to side and roof construction was designed to support 
 
slide technology. This can not be said of every manufacturer. By 
 
providing slides in their coaches, BB brought it's product line into 
 
the 2000's and sustained (for a few additional years) it's Wanderlodge  
 
business. This is what I mean by "slide-outs saved 'em". 
 
 
 
 
 
David Brady 
 
'02 LXi, NC 
 
 
 
Don Bradner wrote: 
David, as someone who moved from slides to no-slides deliberately, 
I would say there is a big difference between demise and ruin in this 
instance.
 
A lot of manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming into the 
slide business because they had to (because demise was the other 
choice). Slides did a lot of damage (ruin) to many coach models, and it 
is likely an M450 wouldn't have weight problems without them. We would 
all have been better off (in my opinion) if the slide had not been 
invented so the public wouldn't have insisted on them.
 
Don Bradner
 
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
 
My location:  www.bbirdmaps. com/user2.cfm?user=1 
 
 
 
On 10/28/2008 at 7:55 AM David Brady wrote: 
 
 
 
>Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
 
>a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The 
 
>buying public demands expandable rooms. There are 
 
>many things that may have spelled the demise of Wanderlodge, 
 
>but please, let's not single out the expandable room. 
 
> 
 
>David Brady 
 
>'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
 
> 
 
> 
 
>Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
 
>> 
 
>> John, 
 
>> 
 
>> I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have put too 
much 
 
>> blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot of M380 
owners did 
 
>> give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you guys who 
have 
 
>> the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My 
father-in-law 
 
>> owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he said he 
wouldn't 
 
>> buy another one because they where going to start putting 
slide outs 
 
>> in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
 
>> 
 
>> 
 
>> 
 
>>  
 
>> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 
>> 
 
>> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 10/9/2008 12:00 AM  
 
 
 
RIV Report? - Lloyd Chaffin -  10-28-2008 03:56
 
 
David, I know we are getting off subject here for this RIV thread but I 
must respond to your slide comments. I agree with everything you are 
saying. Once everybody went to slides Bluebird had to or they would have 
never sold any coaches. And they did do what you just explained to a 
point. They desinged a great slide structure into the coach but a slide 
is only as good as it's weakest link. No matter how strong it's 
structure is if it won't slide in and out or leaks like a water falls 
when it rains then it would be best not to have it. If  I'm not mistaken 
doesn't your 02 LXI have the air seal on your slide. How many times have 
you had it replaced because it leaks? The air seals and the electronics 
were a very weak link on the LXI and M380 and since they never worked 
right the slide was a major pain. I don't no about the LXI owners but 
alot of M380 owners actually got rid of it because of the slides and 
some other issues. If you had a 80 thousand dollar Lexus that ran like a 
swiss watch but the driver door would not stay shut and leaked when it 
rains would you say you had a great car? The differance in my example is 
that I bet Lexus would have fixed my drivers door the 1st time I took it 
to them. I know people who have had their air seals replaced 5 or 6 
times. The 1st time I drove my coach all the way to Georgia to have my 
air seals fixed they put some supper glue on them and gave it back to 
me. Said it was fixed. Lasted about 2 weeks before they started leaking 
again. But, the good news is I have worked on my slides so much now that 
I just about know how to fix them myself if I could just get the parts. 
Some of the electronics are real hard to fix but the air seals are made 
by HWH and the newer seals are lasting must longer now,,,knock on wood. 
 
I hope you have a great day, I'm fixen to get the Bird ready to go to 
the Nascar races at Texas Motor Speedway, 
 
Lloyd Chaffin 
 
2004 M380 
 
 
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady  wrote: 
> 
> But one could also argue that someone invented electronics which 
> resulted in a demand for dvd players, televisions, computers, 
> electric refrigerators, gps units, hi-fidelity sound systems, etc. The 
> customer then demanded all of these features in their motorhome 
> which unfortunately required heavy batteries and heavy generators, 
> which then resulted in heavy chassis, axles and tires; culminating in 
> a coach which overloads it's suspension. The list goes on. People 
> invent things which are cool, the buying public demands cool things 
> in their motorhomes, and manufacturers scramble to accommodate 
> these cool things. If the manufacturers delay, they lose market share. 
> Slides are in this category. 
> 
> It's not the demand for features that damaged/ruined the 
> motorhome manufacturer, it's the manufacturer's rush to 
> accommodate these features without first doing the necessary 
> engineering. 
> 
> BB actually stands out amongst these manufacturers by their insistence 
> on doing the necessary engineering. Every slide equipped BB was 
> designed from the ground up to accommodate a slide. Never did BB 
> simply take an existing bus and chop a hole in the side of it. In all 
> cases the overall superstructure from basement triangulation, to 
> subframes, to side and roof construction was designed to support 
> slide technology. This can not be said of every manufacturer. By 
> providing slides in their coaches, BB brought it's product line into 
> the 2000's and sustained (for a few additional years) it's Wanderlodge 
> business. This is what I mean by "slide-outs saved 'em". 
> 
> 
> David Brady 
> '02 LXi, NC 
> 
> Don Bradner wrote: 
> > 
> > David, as someone who moved from slides to no-slides deliberately, I 
> > would say there is a big difference between demise and ruin in this 
> > instance. 
> > 
> > A lot of manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming into the 
> > slide business because they had to (because demise was the other 
> > choice). Slides did a lot of damage (ruin) to many coach models, and 
> > it is likely an M450 wouldn't have weight problems without them. We 
> > would all have been better off (in my opinion) if the slide had not 
> > been invented so the public wouldn't have insisted on them. 
> > 
> > Don Bradner 
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" 
> > My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1 
> > 
> > On 10/28/2008 at 7:55 AM David Brady wrote: 
> > 
> > >Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
> > >a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The 
> > >buying public demands expandable rooms. There are 
> > >many things that may have spelled the demise of Wanderlodge, 
> > >but please, let's not single out the expandable room. 
> > > 
> > >David Brady 
> > >'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
> > > 
> > > 
> > >Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
> > >> 
> > >> John, 
> > >> 
> > >> I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have put too much 
> > >> blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot of M380 owners 
did 
> > >> give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you guys who 
have 
> > >> the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My father-in-law 
> > >> owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he said he 
wouldn't 
> > >> buy another one because they where going to start putting slide 
outs 
> > >> in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > 
> > 
> > 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
> > 
> > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
> > Checked by AVG. 
> > Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 
10/9/2008 12:00 AM 
> > 
>
 
 
 
RIV Report? - Kurt Horvath -  10-28-2008 04:09
 
 
David, 
 
I'd be surprised if Ross doesn't go ballistic over your post. 
 
From what I've heard and read about the 450's is even after the fix 
they have a cargo capacity of maybe a case of beer. That's not ground 
up engineering. That a screw up! 
 
It's time we faced it folks, the factory has run it`s course. It's 
over, CCW has bought a Brand name and they are running with it. 
That's fine, The son is not guilty of the fathers sins. It must be 
disheartening to have bought into this position. 
 
We are the people who will continue the Legacy.  It won't be the guy 
that drops 1.2 Million on a coach, because when he gets pissed he 
sells or sues and moves on,. 
 
Our time is now. The Wanderlodge is now a collectable, an antique, a 
classic vehicle, it will remain as such because of us. Why, because 
we want it to, not because of factory support. 
 
If you call waiting 5 to 10 weeks to get a few aluminized pipes for 
my exhaust factory support, then I can do with out it. I'll just 
build it myself, and if you want one I'll build one for you, now 
that's owner support! 
 
 
Kurt Horvath 
94 PT 42 
10AC 
 
PS. In our case we drive more than we camp so the slides are just in 
the way. Sooner or latter your going to have an argument with that 
slide 
 
 
 
 
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady  
wrote: 
> 
> But one could also argue that someone invented electronics which 
> resulted in a demand for dvd players, televisions, computers, 
> electric refrigerators, gps units, hi-fidelity sound systems, etc. 
The 
> customer then demanded all of these features in their motorhome 
> which unfortunately required heavy batteries and heavy generators, 
> which then resulted in heavy chassis, axles and tires; culminating 
in 
> a coach which overloads it's suspension. The list goes on. People 
> invent things which are cool, the buying public demands cool things 
> in their motorhomes, and manufacturers scramble to accommodate 
> these cool things. If the manufacturers delay, they lose market 
share. 
> Slides are in this category. 
> 
> It's not the demand for features that damaged/ruined the 
> motorhome manufacturer, it's the manufacturer's rush to 
> accommodate  these features without first doing the necessary 
> engineering. 
> 
> BB actually stands out amongst these manufacturers by their 
insistence 
> on doing the necessary engineering. Every slide equipped BB was 
> designed from the ground up to accommodate a slide. Never did BB 
> simply take an existing bus and chop a hole in the side of it. In 
all 
> cases the overall superstructure from basement triangulation, to 
> subframes, to side and roof construction was designed to support 
> slide technology. This can not be said of every manufacturer. By 
> providing slides in their coaches, BB brought it's product line into 
> the 2000's and sustained (for a few additional years) it's 
Wanderlodge 
> business. This is what I mean by "slide-outs saved 'em". 
> 
> 
> David Brady 
> '02 LXi, NC 
> 
> Don Bradner wrote: 
> > 
> > David, as someone who moved from slides to no-slides 
deliberately, I 
> > would say there is a big difference between demise and ruin in 
this 
> > instance. 
> > 
> > A lot of manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming into 
the 
> > slide business because they had to (because demise was the other 
> > choice). Slides did a lot of damage (ruin) to many coach models, 
and 
> > it is likely an M450 wouldn't have weight problems without them. 
We 
> > would all have been better off (in my opinion) if the slide had 
not 
> > been invented so the public wouldn't have insisted on them. 
> > 
> > Don Bradner 
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" 
> > My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1 
> > 
> > On 10/28/2008 at 7:55 AM David Brady wrote: 
> > 
> > >Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
> > >a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The 
> > >buying public demands expandable rooms. There are 
> > >many things that may have spelled the demise of Wanderlodge, 
> > >but please, let's not single out the expandable room. 
> > > 
> > >David Brady 
> > >'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
> > > 
> > > 
> > >Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
> > >> 
> > >> John, 
> > >> 
> > >> I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have put too 
much 
> > >> blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot of M380 
owners did 
> > >> give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you guys who 
have 
> > >> the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My father-in- 
law 
> > >> owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he said he 
wouldn't 
> > >> buy another one because they where going to start putting 
slide outs 
> > >> in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
------ 
> > 
> > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
> > Checked by AVG. 
> > Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 
10/9/2008 12:00 AM 
> > 
>
 
 
 
RIV Report? - John -  10-28-2008 06:11
 
 
 
As a new owner here is my thoughts. 
I just bought an 83 FC35 with only 58,000 miles on it. 
It needs allot of work 
Do I expect factory support....... No 
Do I expect that I will have to find another source for most everything....... YES 
I will depend on the support of this and other web boards and the new friends I am making along the way. 
I expect to keep this bird running a very long time. 
I know that I will have to substitue things that break with different equipment along the way. As an example I am replacing both vents with Fantastics. 
I know that the bird will not remain "Pure" as it was from the factory, but I expect that I will have a wonderfull coach that will last as long as I wish to maintain it. 
. 
Nothing last forever,  
But looking forward to many years with our NEW BIRD 
Thanks 
John & Pong 
Penryn Ca 
1983 FC35 Cat 3208t 
----- Original Message -----  
From: "kguns@hughes.net"  
To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"  
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 08:09 
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: RIV Report? 
 
David,
 
I'd be surprised if Ross doesn't go ballistic over your post.
 
From what I've heard and read about the 450's is even after the fix  
they have a cargo capacity of maybe a case of beer. That's not ground  
up engineering. That a screw up! 
 
It's time we faced it folks, the factory has run it`s course. It's  
over, CCW has bought a Brand name and they are running with it.  
That's fine, The son is not guilty of the fathers sins. It must be  
disheartening to have bought into this position. 
 
We are the people who will continue the Legacy. It won't be the guy  
that drops 1.2 Million on a coach, because when he gets pissed he  
sells or sues and moves on,.
 
Our time is now. The Wanderlodge is now a collectable, an antique, a  
classic vehicle, it will remain as such because of us. Why, because  
we want it to, not because of factory support. 
 
If you call waiting 5 to 10 weeks to get a few aluminized pipes for  
my exhaust factory support, then I can do with out it. I'll just  
build it myself, and if you want one I'll build one for you, now  
that's owner support!
 
Kurt Horvath 
94 PT 42 
10AC
 
PS. In our case we drive more than we camp so the slides are just in  
the way. Sooner or latter your going to have an argument with that  
slide
 
--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", David Brady    
wrote: 
> 
> But one could also argue that someone invented electronics which 
> resulted in a demand for dvd players, televisions, computers, 
> electric refrigerators, gps units, hi-fidelity sound systems, etc.  
The 
> customer then demanded all of these features in their motorhome 
> which unfortunately required heavy batteries and heavy generators, 
> which then resulted in heavy chassis, axles and tires; culminating  
in 
> a coach which overloads it's suspension. The list goes on. People 
> invent things which are cool, the buying public demands cool things 
> in their motorhomes, and manufacturers scramble to accommodate 
> these cool things. If the manufacturers delay, they lose market  
share. 
> Slides are in this category. 
>  
> It's not the demand for features that damaged/ruined the 
> motorhome manufacturer, it's the manufacturer's rush to 
> accommodate these features without first doing the necessary 
> engineering. 
>  
> BB actually stands out amongst these manufacturers by their  
insistence 
> on doing the necessary engineering. Every slide equipped BB was 
> designed from the ground up to accommodate a slide. Never did BB 
> simply take an existing bus and chop a hole in the side of it. In  
all 
> cases the overall superstructure from basement triangulation, to 
> subframes, to side and roof construction was designed to support 
> slide technology. This can not be said of every manufacturer. By 
> providing slides in their coaches, BB brought it's product line into 
> the 2000's and sustained (for a few additional years) it's  
Wanderlodge 
> business. This is what I mean by "slide-outs saved 'em". 
>  
>  
> David Brady 
> '02 LXi, NC 
>  
> Don Bradner wrote: 
> > 
> > David, as someone who moved from slides to no-slides  
deliberately, I  
> > would say there is a big difference between demise and ruin in  
this  
> > instance. 
> > 
> > A lot of manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming into  
the  
> > slide business because they had to (because demise was the other  
> > choice). Slides did a lot of damage (ruin) to many coach models,  
and  
> > it is likely an M450 wouldn't have weight problems without them.  
We  
> > would all have been better off (in my opinion) if the slide had  
not  
> > been invented so the public wouldn't have insisted on them. 
> > 
> > Don Bradner 
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" 
> > My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1 
> > 
> > On 10/28/2008 at 7:55 AM David Brady wrote: 
> > 
> > >Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
> > >a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The 
> > >buying public demands expandable rooms. There are 
> > >many things that may have spelled the demise of Wanderlodge, 
> > >but please, let's not single out the expandable room. 
> > > 
> > >David Brady 
> > >'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
> > > 
> > > 
> > >Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
> > >> 
> > >> John, 
> > >> 
> > >> I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have put too  
much 
> > >> blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot of M380  
owners did 
> > >> give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you guys who  
have 
> > >> the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My father-in- 
law 
> > >> owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he said he  
wouldn't 
> > >> buy another one because they where going to start putting  
slide outs 
> > >> in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > 
> >  
> > ---------------------------------------------------------- 
------ 
> > 
> > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
> > Checked by AVG.  
> > Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date:  
10/9/2008 12:00 AM 
> > 
> 
 
  
 
No virus found in this outgoing message 
Checked by PC Tools AntiVirus (4.0.0.26 - 10.100.048). 
http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/
 
 
 
RIV Report? - David Brady -  10-28-2008 06:22
 
 
 
I know... that 450 is loaded with heavy electronics!  
 
 
 
Kurt, I coundn't agree more with what you've said. 
 
 
 
David Brady 
 
'02 LXi, NC 
 
 
 
Kurt Horvath wrote: 
David,
 
I'd be surprised if Ross doesn't go ballistic over your post.
 
>From what I've heard and read about the 450's is even after the fix
 
they have a cargo capacity of maybe a case of beer. That's not ground 
 
up engineering. That a screw up! 
 
It's time we faced it folks, the factory has run it`s course. It's 
 
over, CCW has bought a Brand name and they are running with it. 
 
That's fine, The son is not guilty of the fathers sins. It must be 
 
disheartening to have bought into this position. 
 
We are the people who will continue the Legacy. It won't be the guy 
 
that drops 1.2 Million on a coach, because when he gets pissed he 
 
sells or sues and moves on,.
 
Our time is now. The Wanderlodge is now a collectable, an antique, a 
 
classic vehicle, it will remain as such because of us. Why, because 
 
we want it to, not because of factory support. 
 
If you call waiting 5 to 10 weeks to get a few aluminized pipes for 
 
my exhaust factory support, then I can do with out it. I'll just 
 
build it myself, and if you want one I'll build one for you, now 
 
that's owner support!
 
Kurt Horvath
 
94 PT 42
 
10AC
 
PS. In our case we drive more than we camp so the slides are just in 
 
the way. Sooner or latter your going to have an argument with that 
 
slide
 
--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", 
David Brady "dmb993@..." 
 
wrote:
 
>
 
> But one could also argue that someone invented electronics which
 
> resulted in a demand for dvd players, televisions, computers,
 
> electric refrigerators, gps units, hi-fidelity sound systems, etc.
 
The
 
> customer then demanded all of these features in their motorhome
 
> which unfortunately required heavy batteries and heavy generators,
 
> which then resulted in heavy chassis, axles and tires; culminating
 
in
 
> a coach which overloads it's suspension. The list goes on. People
 
> invent things which are cool, the buying public demands cool things
 
> in their motorhomes, and manufacturers scramble to accommodate
 
> these cool things. If the manufacturers delay, they lose market 
 
share.
 
> Slides are in this category.
 
> 
 
> It's not the demand for features that damaged/ruined the
 
> motorhome manufacturer, it's the manufacturer' s rush to 
 
> accommodate these features without first doing the necessary 
 
> engineering. 
 
>  
 
> BB actually stands out amongst these manufacturers by their  
 
insistence 
 
> on doing the necessary engineering. Every slide equipped BB was 
 
> designed from the ground up to accommodate a slide. Never did BB 
 
> simply take an existing bus and chop a hole in the side of it. In  
 
all 
 
> cases the overall superstructure from basement triangulation, to 
 
> subframes, to side and roof construction was designed to support 
 
> slide technology. This can not be said of every manufacturer. By 
 
> providing slides in their coaches, BB brought it's product line 
into 
 
> the 2000's and sustained (for a few additional years) it's  
 
Wanderlodge 
 
> business. This is what I mean by "slide-outs saved 'em". 
 
>  
 
>  
 
> David Brady 
 
> '02 LXi, NC 
 
>  
 
> Don Bradner wrote: 
 
> > 
 
> > David, as someone who moved from slides to no-slides  
 
deliberately, I  
 
> > would say there is a big difference between demise and ruin 
in  
 
this  
 
> > instance. 
 
> > 
 
> > A lot of manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming 
into  
 
the  
 
> > slide business because they had to (because demise was the 
other  
 
> > choice). Slides did a lot of damage (ruin) to many coach 
models,  
 
and  
 
> > it is likely an M450 wouldn't have weight problems without 
them.  
 
We  
 
> > would all have been better off (in my opinion) if the slide 
had  
 
not  
 
> > been invented so the public wouldn't have insisted on them. 
 
> > 
 
> > Don Bradner 
 
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" 
 
> > My location: www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1 
 
> > 
 
> > On 10/28/2008 at 7:55 AM David Brady wrote: 
 
> > 
 
> > >Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
 
> > >a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The 
 
> > >buying public demands expandable rooms. There are 
 
> > >many things that may have spelled the demise of 
Wanderlodge, 
 
> > >but please, let's not single out the expandable room. 
 
> > > 
 
> > >David Brady 
 
> > >'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
 
> > > 
 
> > > 
 
> > >Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> John, 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have 
put too  
 
much 
 
> > >> blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot 
of M380  
 
owners did 
 
> > >> give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you 
guys who  
 
have 
 
> > >> the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My 
father-in- 
 
law 
 
> > >> owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he 
said he  
 
wouldn't 
 
> > >> buy another one because they where going to start 
putting  
 
slide outs 
 
> > >> in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > 
 
> >  
 
> > ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 
------ 
 
> > 
 
> > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
 
> > Checked by AVG.  
 
> > Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release 
Date:  
 
10/9/2008 12:00 AM 
 
> > 
 
> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 10/9/2008 12:00 AM  
 
 
 
RIV Report? - Rob Robinson -  10-28-2008 06:45
 
 
Can't get a more frank and honest evaluation than that. For all the reasons you have detailed Lloyd I am truly thankfull I own a BB with rivets and without slides. 
 
 
2008/10/28 Lloyd Chaffin  <"lnchaffin@charter.net">
David, I know we are getting off subject here for this RIV thread but I 
must respond to your slide comments. I agree with everything you are 
saying. Once everybody went to slides Bluebird had to or they would have
 
never sold any coaches. And they did do what you just explained to a 
point. They desinged a great slide structure into the coach but a slide 
is only as good as it's weakest link. No matter how strong it's
 
structure is if it won't slide in and out or leaks like a water falls 
when it rains then it would be best not to have it. If I'm not mistaken 
doesn't your 02 LXI have the air seal on your slide. How many times have
 
you had it replaced because it leaks? The air seals and the electronics 
were a very weak link on the LXI and M380 and since they never worked 
right the slide was a major pain. I don't no about the LXI owners but
 
alot of M380 owners actually got rid of it because of the slides and 
some other issues. If you had a 80 thousand dollar Lexus that ran like a 
swiss watch but the driver door would not stay shut and leaked when it
 
rains would you say you had a great car? The differance in my example is 
that I bet Lexus would have fixed my drivers door the 1st time I took it 
to them. I know people who have had their air seals replaced 5 or 6
 
times. The 1st time I drove my coach all the way to Georgia to have my 
air seals fixed they put some supper glue on them and gave it back to 
me. Said it was fixed. Lasted about 2 weeks before they started leaking
 
again. But, the good news is I have worked on my slides so much now that 
I just about know how to fix them myself if I could just get the parts. 
Some of the electronics are real hard to fix but the air seals are made
 
by HWH and the newer seals are lasting must longer now,,,knock on wood.
 
I hope you have a great day, I'm fixen to get the Bird ready to go to 
the Nascar races at Texas Motor Speedway,
 
Lloyd Chaffin
 
2004 M380
 
--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", David Brady   wrote: 
> 
> But one could also argue that someone invented electronics which 
 
> resulted in a demand for dvd players, televisions, computers, 
> electric refrigerators, gps units, hi-fidelity sound systems, etc. The 
> customer then demanded all of these features in their motorhome 
 
> which unfortunately required heavy batteries and heavy generators, 
> which then resulted in heavy chassis, axles and tires; culminating in 
> a coach which overloads it's suspension. The list goes on. People 
 
> invent things which are cool, the buying public demands cool things 
> in their motorhomes, and manufacturers scramble to accommodate 
> these cool things. If the manufacturers delay, they lose market share. 
 
> Slides are in this category. 
> 
> It's not the demand for features that damaged/ruined the 
> motorhome manufacturer, it's the manufacturer's rush to 
> accommodate these features without first doing the necessary 
 
> engineering. 
> 
> BB actually stands out amongst these manufacturers by their insistence 
> on doing the necessary engineering. Every slide equipped BB was 
> designed from the ground up to accommodate a slide. Never did BB 
 
> simply take an existing bus and chop a hole in the side of it. In all 
> cases the overall superstructure from basement triangulation, to 
> subframes, to side and roof construction was designed to support 
 
> slide technology. This can not be said of every manufacturer. By 
> providing slides in their coaches, BB brought it's product line into 
> the 2000's and sustained (for a few additional years) it's Wanderlodge 
 
> business. This is what I mean by "slide-outs saved 'em". 
> 
> 
> David Brady 
> '02 LXi, NC 
> 
> Don Bradner wrote: 
> > 
> > David, as someone who moved from slides to no-slides deliberately, I 
 
> > would say there is a big difference between demise and ruin in this 
> > instance. 
> > 
> > A lot of manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming into the 
> > slide business because they had to (because demise was the other 
 
> > choice). Slides did a lot of damage (ruin) to many coach models, and 
> > it is likely an M450 wouldn't have weight problems without them. We 
> > would all have been better off (in my opinion) if the slide had not 
 
> > been invented so the public wouldn't have insisted on them. 
> > 
> > Don Bradner 
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" 
> > My location: www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1 
 
> > 
> > On 10/28/2008 at 7:55 AM David Brady wrote: 
> > 
> > >Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
> > >a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The 
 
> > >buying public demands expandable rooms. There are 
> > >many things that may have spelled the demise of Wanderlodge, 
> > >but please, let's not single out the expandable room. 
> > > 
 
> > >David Brady 
> > >'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
> > > 
> > > 
> > >Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
> > >> 
> > >> John, 
> > >> 
 
> > >> I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have put too much 
> > >> blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot of M380 owners 
did 
> > >> give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you guys who 
 
have 
> > >> the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My father-in-law 
> > >> owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he said he 
wouldn't 
> > >> buy another one because they where going to start putting slide 
 
outs 
> > >> in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > 
> > 
> > 
---------------------------------------------------------- 
> > 
> > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
> > Checked by AVG. 
 
> > Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 
10/9/2008 12:00 AM 
> > 
> 
 
       
  
--  
Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson 
 
94 WLWB
 
 
 
RIV Report? - David Brady -  10-28-2008 07:56
 
 
 
Hi Lloyd, 
 
 
 
When I first purchased my coach 4 years ago, the slide seal was 
 
replaced and I've had nothing but success since then. I always 
 
like to remind slide equipped LXi owners to never over inflate the 
 
seal. This is the primary reason for failures. My slide and the 
 
controls associated with it are HWH items. HWH is very clear 
 
that max pressure for the seal is 12 to 15 psi. Believe it or not, mine 
 
seals with as little as 8 to 10 psi, so that's what I do. I run 8 to 
 
10 psi in my slide seal. I'm a little confused by your statement 
 
that "the air seals and the electronics were a very weak link on 
 
the LXi". My slide is hydraulically powered, dirt simple, and built 
 
by HWH. I've had nothing but stellar performance from it during 
 
my 4 year ownership. Maybe you're referring to the 450LXi. The 
 
beauty of the air seal is that it's very forgiving of slide alignment - 
 
it just fills in the gap. Many owners put in a new seal and discover 
 
that there's a gap between the body and seal when the seal is  
 
inflated. This may occur if the slide/body gap exceeds 5/8". Don't 
 
over inflate to fill the gap. The new seals are stiff and will stretch. 
 
Sometimes stretching takes several weeks. Be patient. They will 
 
stretch to a great degree. 
 
 
 
Lloyd, is this your only complaint about the M380? Otherwise is 
 
it a good coach giving good service? I've heard great things about 
 
the 380. They ride and handle great. The maneuverability is unmatched. 
 
George Morris told me a story of one falling six feet off a set of those 
 
bus lifting jacks ( the type Prevost Car uses: one jack per wheel). 
There 
 
was some minor body damage. They sent it in for alignment and the 
 
bus was perfectly straight - a very strong structure.  
 
 
 
If that's it, just the slide, then hang out here and we'll get it 
fixed. If 
 
it's like my LXi slide, then it's infinitely adjustable on every axis. 
 
Be glad for the air seal. Many other manufacturers don't use it cause 
 
its expensive. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water! If the  
 
superstructure/chassis/frame is high quality, that's all that matters,  
 
everything else can be fixed. 
 
 
 
David Brady 
 
'02 LXi, NC 
 
 
 
Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
David, I know we are getting off subject here for this RIV thread but I
 
must respond to your slide comments. I agree with everything you are
 
saying. Once everybody went to slides Bluebird had to or they would have
 
never sold any coaches. And they did do what you just explained to a
 
point. They desinged a great slide structure into the coach but a slide
 
is only as good as it's weakest link. No matter how strong it's
 
structure is if it won't slide in and out or leaks like a water falls
 
when it rains then it would be best not to have it. If I'm not mistaken
 
doesn't your 02 LXI have the air seal on your slide. How many times have
 
you had it replaced because it leaks? The air seals and the electronics
 
were a very weak link on the LXI and M380 and since they never worked
 
right the slide was a major pain. I don't no about the LXI owners but
 
alot of M380 owners actually got rid of it because of the slides and
 
some other issues. If you had a 80 thousand dollar Lexus that ran like a
 
swiss watch but the driver door would not stay shut and leaked when it
 
rains would you say you had a great car? The differance in my example is
 
that I bet Lexus would have fixed my drivers door the 1st time I took it
 
to them. I know people who have had their air seals replaced 5 or 6
 
times. The 1st time I drove my coach all the way to Georgia to have my
 
air seals fixed they put some supper glue on them and gave it back to
 
me. Said it was fixed. Lasted about 2 weeks before they started leaking
 
again. But, the good news is I have worked on my slides so much now that
 
I just about know how to fix them myself if I could just get the parts.
 
Some of the electronics are real hard to fix but the air seals are made
 
by HWH and the newer seals are lasting must longer now,,,knock on wood.
 
I hope you have a great day, I'm fixen to get the Bird ready to go to
 
the Nascar races at Texas Motor Speedway,
 
Lloyd Chaffin
 
2004 M380
 
--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", 
David Brady "dmb993@..." wrote:
 
>
 
> But one could also argue that someone invented electronics which
 
> resulted in a demand for dvd players, televisions, computers,
 
> electric refrigerators, gps units, hi-fidelity sound systems, etc. 
The
 
> customer then demanded all of these features in their motorhome
 
> which unfortunately required heavy batteries and heavy generators,
 
> which then resulted in heavy chassis, axles and tires; culminating 
in
 
> a coach which overloads it's suspension. The list goes on. People
 
> invent things which are cool, the buying public demands cool things
 
> in their motorhomes, and manufacturers scramble to accommodate
 
> these cool things. If the manufacturers delay, they lose market 
share.
 
> Slides are in this category.
 
>
 
> It's not the demand for features that damaged/ruined the
 
> motorhome manufacturer, it's the manufacturer' s rush to 
 
> accommodate these features without first doing the necessary 
 
> engineering. 
 
> 
 
> BB actually stands out amongst these manufacturers by their 
insistence 
 
> on doing the necessary engineering. Every slide equipped BB was 
 
> designed from the ground up to accommodate a slide. Never did BB 
 
> simply take an existing bus and chop a hole in the side of it. In 
all 
 
> cases the overall superstructure from basement triangulation, to 
 
> subframes, to side and roof construction was designed to support 
 
> slide technology. This can not be said of every manufacturer. By 
 
> providing slides in their coaches, BB brought it's product line 
into 
 
> the 2000's and sustained (for a few additional years) it's 
Wanderlodge 
 
> business. This is what I mean by "slide-outs saved 'em". 
 
> 
 
> 
 
> David Brady 
 
> '02 LXi, NC 
 
> 
 
> Don Bradner wrote: 
 
> > 
 
> > David, as someone who moved from slides to no-slides 
deliberately, I 
 
> > would say there is a big difference between demise and ruin 
in this 
 
> > instance. 
 
> > 
 
> > A lot of manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming 
into the 
 
> > slide business because they had to (because demise was the 
other 
 
> > choice). Slides did a lot of damage (ruin) to many coach 
models, and 
 
> > it is likely an M450 wouldn't have weight problems without 
them. We 
 
> > would all have been better off (in my opinion) if the slide 
had not 
 
> > been invented so the public wouldn't have insisted on them. 
 
> > 
 
> > Don Bradner 
 
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" 
 
> > My location: www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1 
 
> > 
 
> > On 10/28/2008 at 7:55 AM David Brady wrote: 
 
> > 
 
> > >Actually, slide-outs saved 'em. Imagine trying to sell 
 
> > >a motorhome today w/o a slide out. Impossible. The 
 
> > >buying public demands expandable rooms. There are 
 
> > >many things that may have spelled the demise of 
Wanderlodge, 
 
> > >but please, let's not single out the expandable room. 
 
> > > 
 
> > >David Brady 
 
> > >'02 LXi, (Living room slide, works great) 
 
> > > 
 
> > > 
 
> > >Lloyd Chaffin wrote: 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> John, 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> I will keep my M380 because I do like it and I have 
put too much 
 
> > >> blood sweat and tears into it now to give up. Alot 
of M380 owners 
 
did 
 
> > >> give up and got rid of it. I enjoy reading about you 
guys who 
 
have 
 
> > >> the older "Real" Birds and I am kind of envious. My 
father-in-law 
 
> > >> owned 10 Birds in his life. His last was a 97 and he 
said he 
 
wouldn't 
 
> > >> buy another one because they where going to start 
putting slide 
 
outs 
 
> > >> in them and that would ruin em. Ha, he was so right! 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 
> > >> 
 
> > >> 
 
> > 
 
> > 
 
> > 
 
---------------------------------------------------------- 
 
> > 
 
> > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
 
> > Checked by AVG. 
 
> > Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release 
Date: 
 
10/9/2008 12:00 AM 
 
> > 
 
> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 10/9/2008 12:00 AM  
 
 
 
RIV Report? - Ross -  10-28-2008 07:58
 
 
Hydraulic slide??  Air seals??--Aqua-Hot ???  nice, but-- not in 
450LXi 
 
Ross 
 
 
> Hi Lloyd, 
> 
> W-------------. My slide is hydraulically powered, dirt simple, and 
built 
> by HWH. I've had nothing but stellar performance from it during 
> my 4 year ownership.------------------------ 
>--------------- If that's it, just the slide, then hang out here and 
we'll get it fixed. If 
> it's like my LXi slide, then it's infinitely adjustable on every 
axis. 
> Be glad for the air seal. Many other manufacturers don't use it 
cause 
> its expensive. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water! If the 
> superstructure/chassis/frame is high quality, that's all that 
matters, 
> everything else can be fixed. 
> 
> David Brady 
> '02 LXi, NC 
> 
>-
 
 
 
 |