Blue Bird University

[birds_first]

I’d like to start an open thread called “Blue Bird University”. This would be where wannabees can ask questions about the Blue Bird and get serious answers. Questions like can you pull a stacker with an FC or is it possible to boon dock in a Wanderlodge for more than a week. Any question directed toward what you can or cannot do with a Blue Bird. Questions like what is the difference between a 85PT 40 footer & a 85PT36. No! “4 foot less” would not be an acceptable answer. The absence of a pass through storage compartment, shorter galley and salon or with fewer cabinets, would be more correct. Let’s not try to fix anything here let’s just have a continuous running open thread about what you can or cannot do in a Blue Bird, and what are the differences between specific models of the same year. Newbies’ keep asking your “how to” questions related to your specific bird on the open forum. KC... no you can’t ask where would be the best place to hide stuff from your wife I think another good question whoud be "How do I use the Google Search Feature on this forum?
Let's give it a shot and if Randy wants to shut it down it's his forum, but I think he understands what it is I'm trying to accomplish here.

[Randy Dupree]

I talk to people all day,everyday.
Its amazing how many people think the Wanderlodge is not a good boondocking coach.
When,in fact,its the best boondocker ever made!

Large water tanks,large waste tanks,large fuel and LPG tanks.

The problems i hear about are:
Battery charging
Electric water heater.

OK,lets think about that.
If you boondocking in a tent,you will not have hot water.
If your boondocking in a tent,you will not need electricity.
So,simply turn your batteries off and don't start the genny!

Personally,i like hot water,and lights,and fans,so if i have to run my genny for a few hours daily,i'm good with it!

Recently i heard someone say you can't boondock in an LXI.

Last summer we went to Alaska,a 5 month trip.
I think we stayed in RV parks for 70 nights.
That means we dry camped,boondocked for nearly 3 months,in a 2001 LXI.

[Jim Brookshire]

I agree with Randy. I kept a record on my calender and just during the months of June and July in Canada and Alaska we boondocked for 43 nights. Some beside the road, some in parking lots, some on the dirt looking out at the bay, but no power, water or dumps. Some of the best times we have ever had in our coach.

[birds_first]

One of the things I do while boon docking 30 miles from no where is I diconnect the two engine batteries from the rest of the coach. So if I forget to run the generator for a day or two I will always have enough power to fireup the bird in case of an emergency. The longest I ever boondocked in the bird was 12 days straight and being a lttle more conservative I think we could have gone 15.

[jyclegg]

Every winter for the last 10 years or so, I have boondocked for 28 nights. WINTER! Skiiing.

[birds_first]

Jon, Do you do anything to protect the pipes from freezing, how do you avoid freeze ups?

[jyclegg]

I have installed really nice heat tape everywhere, even in the frig. I buy the lowest wattage per foot, self regulating, shielded heat tape from McMaster Carr. It is like 4 watts/ft, 120 degree. On startup the whole bus will draw about 15 amps to warm the heat tape. After 5 minutes, I can't detect the amp draw.

PS, You know an gas frig will freeze. At about -10, the water in the coils will freeze, and stop the flow, then the inside of the frig get warm, and the freezer melts.

[Crit Bliss]

I can't count the amount of nights I have spent at race tracks with no hookups, what's the big deal? I have a generator and can make all the power I need.

[pairodice]

Are the bays and tanks heated on the different coaches?
Which are heated?
90wb 40: I know mine has heat tape under the tanks but not sure about the heat anywhere else...
Other model Birds?

[jyclegg]

Mine does not have heated bays, and the tanks are outside. The tanks had heat, but it didn't work. I added some of that heat tape.

I don't like the heat tape BB used. It is full power, with a thermostat at the end. The therrmostat might not be in a good place. The self reg type controls the temp along its length.