What are the hallmarks of a great RV?
A straight forward question.
Yet, there doesn’t seem to be a straight forward answer.
When you come across a captivating RV, do you struggle to look away.
And, do you find yourself sneaking another peak for curiosities sake?
I sure do and I find myself obsessing over the details.
So, I wondered … What is it about the Wanderlodge PT that captivates our attention.
A proven design is the foundation of a great RV
A great RV begins with a solid structure.
A structure built to stand the test of time.
Every Wanderlodge PT began with a structure designed to protect our most valuable assets.
Our children.
That’s right, the Wanderlodge PT is a direct descendent of the Blue Bird school bus.
A structure designed to hold the contents inside in the unlikely event of an accident.
Constructed upon a steel frame, steel cage and steel skin.
And the Pusher Tag (PT) is all an all steel body, tip to tail.
Reminds me of a quip my grandfather used to say. He claimed to have an all steel body. A claim he brought back from World War II. Where he was awarded multiple Purple Hearts.
Maybe he had an all steel body, I don’t know but I do know he experienced some brutal events and survived.
When I think about what makes a great RV I immediately think about a sturdy body that will withstand brutal abuse.
The type of abuse an RV experiences traveling the highways, byways and backroads of our world.
Probably why the phrase “Built like a tank” is often used to describe the Wanderlodge PT.
So what makes the Wanderlodge PT so great?
Where do I begin…
First let me clarify that the Wanderlodge PT model identified here is also known as the Narrow Body.
The narrow body width is 96” wide.
Why is the Wanderlodge PT so sought after?
If you’ve spent anytime around RVs you’ve probably heard about, read about or ran into someone with a horror story about an RV.
Sometimes it’s about an RV they owned and lived through the ordeal.
And, sometimes its a story they heard through the grape vine.
Common problems revolve around build quality, craftsmanship and support.
Many of the Vintage RVs were built for profit only.
And when profit is the only motivation corners are cut and compromises are made.
There are a handful of RV builders who put quality first.
Quality that comes at a cost.
Cost as in dollars, deneros, jing or whatever phrase is popular today.
The Wanderlodge PT series were built in the 1980’s and at that time the prices were in the six figures.
Invoices have been passed on with some of these sturdy machines and it’s common to see prices in the $300,000 and beyond.
There were over 100 available options.
Consider that the average home in 1985 was just $82,800.
And the base price for a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado began at $19,334.
You could have gotten 4 houses, 15 Cadillacs or 68 Honda Helix mopeds.
Thats alotta coin.
And the best part.
A Wanderlodge PT can be purchased today for a fraction of the original price.
And my favorite part.
When you buy a Wanderlodge PT today not only are you getting an RV built by experienced designers and technicians.
You are getting all the upgrades previous owners have completed.
It’s been my experience that when someone makes a high dollar investment they take very good care of it.
At least the original owner does.
They are usually stored indoors and serviced regularly.
Washed, waxed and pampered frequently.
Owners that show pride in their new baby.
And that’s just a few of the reasons why the Wanderlodge PT is after.
They were designed to travel with confidence in total comfort.
Built in small quantities by technicians that who loved their jobs.
With a company that prided itself in quality.
A quality that is visible yet today, 30+ years later.
And the Wanderlodge PT is still traveling the roads today.
And with proper care will be traveling the roads of the future.
What clouds the future of the Wanderlodge PT?
Although built like a tank there are some things that may deter would-be-owners from acquiring a Vintage RV like the Wanderlodge PT.
Technology has changed the world, mostly for the better.
Air bags are standard in modern vehicles and have saved thousands of lives.
And, regrettably retrofitting air bags into a 30 year old RV is difficult at best.
Maintaining and upgrading the old and non-functioning components can be challenging as support for these RVs is limited.
The Wanderlodge division of the Blue Bird Corporation ceased production in 2009 and has been closed.
The tooling, parts and technical drawings have been auctioned off.
The factory support is gone.
Fortunately there is support for owners on the World Wide Web.
There are forums like Wanderlodge Owners Group that are dedicated to helping owners keep these wondrous machines rolling.
The support these groups provide are an invaluable resource for current and future owners.
The open exchange of ideas from experienced owners is exceptional.
And the knowledge is stored in the “cloud” of the information highway.
The future is promising for Wanderlodge owners.
And, who knows, just maybe with continued demand the brand will be reborn again.
What are some common upgrades?
As you can imagine with any RV that of this Vintage there are improvements available.
Many of these upgrades are simple, low cost and easy for the average DIY owner to complete.
Some examples are replacing the vintage tube TV with modern flat panel models. Upgrading the inefficient fluorescent lighting to LED. Replacing rear view cameras with modern hi resolution units.
Solar charging, smart battery chargers, power inverters, GPS navigation, power awnings, tire pressure monitoring, electronic locking doors, water conditioning systems, in-floor heat and the list goes on.
The Vintage RV hobby is very similar to the Vintage car hobby. The possibilities are nearly endless and the creative solutions and upgrades are exciting to see.
So if you are considering joining this hobby the Wanderlodge PT is one of the great RVs ever built.
The Wanderlodge is built upon a sturdy steel chassis and structure.
Each Wanderlodge left the factory with blue prints for systems onboard including electrical and plumbing prints.
All wires are numbered from the factory to aid when troubleshooting and tracing electrical gremlins.
Plumbing systems are designed to be easily winterized with low point drain valves and a built-in system to force air thru the pipes to blow out any remaining water.
And for Wanderlodge owners where the blue prints disappeared there are digital versions available from other owners.
Factory support is great but in many cases the support of the online community exceeds expectations.
There is no substitute for experience when it comes to maintaining a Vintage RV.
Further Reading: New flooring for the Wanderlodge
Wanderlodge PT Specifications
- Production Period (1983 -1988)
- Model Designations
- PT35 (1983 only)
- PT36 (1984-1988)
- PT38 (1983-1988)
- PT40 (1983-1988)
- Floorpans
- Center island queen
- Split single beds
- Double bed
- Chassis specifications
- Diesel pusher design
- Blue Bird All American Chassis
- Detroit 6V92TA-330HP mated with the Allison 654-CR 5 speed automatic transmission
- Standard all models 1983-1985
- Standard PT36, PT38 (1986-1988)
- Detroit 8V92TA-475HP mated with Allison MTB 741 4 speed automatic transmission
- optional PT40 (1986-1988)
- 10,000 pound towing capacit
- Standard features
- Jake Brake (1983 only)
- Transmission retarder (1984-1988)
- Kohler 12.5 kW generator driven by the Perkins 4 cylinder Diesel engine
- Electroluminescent dash
- Power lift and rotating rooftop TV antenna
- Copper air and fuel lines
- Full air brakes
- Bendix cruise control
- Central air conditioning
- Ridewell Air ride suspension
- Leather driver and Co-pilot seats
- Gas spring operated cabinet doors
- Positive latches on drawers
- Central Vacuum
- Back up monitor
- Exterior patio lights
- Interior reading lights
- Heated windshield wipers
- Rear ignition start
- HWH Leveling jacks
- Water purifier
- Electric heat, LP heat and chassis heat
- Docking lights
- Twin Spot lights (1984-1988)
- Awnings all the way around
- Aluminum roof deck
- Steel rooftop railing
- Rooftop access ladder
- Talking monitor system
- Outside water faucet
- Escort radar detector
- 40 Channel CB radio
- Altimeter
- Dash mounted fuel vacuum gauge
- AC electrical monitoring gauges
- DC electrical monitoring gauges
- Generator temperature, oil pressure, hour meter and battery charge gauges
- Cockpit controls for coach air conditioning
- Independent radio volume controls for passenger seating
- Nutone food center
- Power curtains
- Corian counters (1986-1988)
- Deep tint side windows
- Telescopic steering column (1986-1988)
- 13” Remote control TV above dash (1986-1988)
- Dual burner gas cooktop
- 3 way refrigerator (LP, AC, DC)
- Combination Microwave Convection oven
- Walk thru bath (1986-1988)
- Pass thru storage bay (PT40)
- Entrance step cover
- Lighted entrance
- Power retracting step
- 10 Gallon electric and chassis heated water heater
- Rediline electric generator
- Dual battery chargers
- Air powered windshield wipers
- Gas assisted lifts on bay doors and rear engine door
- Independent electric hookups for 30/50 amps
- Fresh water tank 136 gallons (1983-1985)
- Fresh water tank 116 gallons (1986-1988)
- Gray water tank 72 gallons (1983-1985)
- Gray water tank 100 gallons (1986-1988)
- Waste water tank 82 gallons (1983-1985)
- Waste water tank 100 gallons (1986-1988)
- LP tank 45 gallons
- Fuel capacity 300 gallons
- Michelin 11R22.5 tires
- Optional features
- Over 100 options available
- Roof top air conditioning (1983-1985)
- Central air (1986-1988)
- Corian countertops
- 6 Interior styles available (1986-1988)
- Side bath (1986-1988)
- Built-in Modern Maid toaster
- Instant Hot water dispenser
- Uline ice maker
- Kool-matic rooftop fan with thermostat control
- Electronic alarm system for doors and windows
- Door bell
- Musical horn
- Power opening roof vents
- Dual couches
- Barrel chairs
- Heated storage tanks
- Heated water lines
- Auxiliary electric heaters
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Patio awning assist steps
Is the Wanderlodge a Time Machine?
An RV is an investment.
An investment in your future.
A future to follow your dreams.
To pursue your passions.
And to explore the world.
And with your very own All Steel Body you will be prepared for the wild and exciting adventures that lay ahead.
Time waits for no one so what are you waiting for?
Take the risk. Take the chance. Put your heart and soul into it, because when you put your soul into it, you will become what you’ve always dreamed. You yourself will become a legend.
Jamie Brewer
I need to help with a 1996 RV Blue Bird, aqua heater, control box location. I cannot find it. Can you guide me or help me? Don Welty, 640 446 6537 / weltydon@ gmail. Com