Another great video. I just wanted to talk to you about your tire dolly. I recently purchased the same model for changing my 12 year old Michelin tires. They still looked great by the way. Always covered and coated with 303 Aerospace protectant. Anyway the dolly just didn't work like I expected and come to find out I assembled it wrong. I just noticed the same thing with yours, the angle brackets that hold the rollers should be over the top of the tube frame. Anyway simple fix just remount the handle and you get much better leverage under the tire.
Hey Scott, that water inlet is both a check valve and pressure regulator. If you have any marine supply shops near you they will have that in stock usually. Made by a company called Jabsco.
I'm glad I have a 22 foot travel trailer. It's easy enough for me to do most of the maintenance items. One of the biggest factors I like is that it has no slides. Some RV parks spaces are so limited that many can't even put their slides out all the way.
Seeing all of that damage caused by a blown tire sure brings back memories. My late wife (21+ years) and I had bought and refurbished on old Allegro motor home and were on our way to a family reunion when the right inside dual blew out, taking a lot of the plumbing for the tanks and the generator exhaust with it. We had a big impact wrench on board but the moron that changed the tires last must have thought that if a little tight is good a LOT of tight is much better. After an hour of working with it we still had not managed to get the lug nuts free so we could put the spare tire on. By this time a cousin came looking for us and saw us pulled into a closed food store. He tried for another forty five minutes before the lug nuts finally broke loose and the tire could be changed. That poor Onan generator got a real workout that night. All went fine until the next time we made along trip with the coach and on the way back we were within sight of the County line and the left front tire exploded! This time it ripped the leveling jack off of that side. It took a while but finally got the tire changed and the next day I took the coach down and had every tire on it replaced and the lug nuts torqued to specs, not having them "welded" on as had been done before. The Allegro had all Generals on it but I made sure that would be the last time that brand would ever be put on anything I owned. We finally sold the coach shortly before my wife was diagnosed with cancer. I sure miss that thing and all the adventured we had with it.
Wanderlodge. The stuff nightmares are made of. Once my dream RV but turned into a huge nightmare! I bought a 1983 35FCSB in 2006 for $20K invested $12K more and she was STILL not able to make it two miles! It too he set for years. The air cleaner had a huge rats nest inside it that it’s a wonder it even ran. I had always dreamed of a Wanderlodge of this vintage as a kid in the 80’s. Well I got my dream. Handed to me on a silver spray painted cardboard platter that was falling apart haha. Of course had I known you back in 2006 I bet you could have had her road ready in a day! ( It kept getting air in the fuel system and stalling at stops) RVStevetravels had one at the same time back then and we both enjoyed messing with our Bird’s!
Wanderkodge used 1/2" od tubing, which is a refrigeration size. Refrigeration supply houses have both flare and sweat fittings. For sure pex is the product to use for RV repair. 1/2" od is the only refrigeration size that does not have a match with the plumbing sizes which are ID, rather than OD.
Good job guys. before I got my bus I looked at a few WL and they where all in similar condition as this one... lack of use and needing much. Knowing that I would have to put a ton of time and money into any bus I bought, I chose to go older and do total rebuild. Great Channel Thanks!
I've been squeezed under my 91 wanderlodge a bunch. Front end, all new shocks, shoes, drums, air bags, bearings, seals, generator hoses, rear shocks, drums, shoes, seals, air bvb ags, brake hoses, etc.... lot of work!
Note to those who don't know what they are doing or THINK they know what they are doing: Have the RV dealer do the winterizing/dewinterizing. If they screw it up, it's THEIR dime. Same for all the other regular service--go to the dealer or go to BusGreaseMonkey. It costs way more to have to go and fix everything because you neglected it or id it wrong. This is heavy truck service, not your Ford econobox.
Years ago I bought a 74 Airstream. Hadn’t been winterized - the seller lied and said it was. Hooked it up to water and leaks everywhere. I tried to find copper fittings to fix the leaks and couldn’t find any. I thought the copper pipes were a special size even though that made no sense. Why would Airstream do that? Turns out copper expands before it bursts and may not even burst at that spot. So the copper was standard size but expanded by freezing. Bet that is what you have.
Love to see you all working on an old Wanderlodge, especially since we got a 1988 wb for full timing during the pandemic last year. Eventually we'll be headed from FL to the West Coast and Mexico when it's more responsible to travel. Would love to get a systems safety check before leaving the States :) (Thankfully, we already put on all new Michelins). Leroy on the way to the vet is a study in stoic resolve- he's adorable!
Good job guys.. I have done pretty much all that work over time on my bus and its a bunch of work. The leak up front could also be the hydraulic line to the power steering, if its engine oil then that's what is is.. could be the generator fuel line though.. mine had a leak on both of those. Glad to see a mini Wanderlodge rally...
Yep, that's a first! I've never seen a slide-out on a Wanderlodge before. According to a family member and former employee, Wanderlodge seemed to think they were too heavy and not worth the complexity. Ask anyone who has ever had one that wouldn't retract and you'll understand. They're built much better nowadays. A real shame such a gorgeous Wanderlodge was so neglected by it's previous owner(s) ...
to get "all" the cones on the axle to come out without pulling, beat the axle in and the rebound will push the cones out far enough so you can spilt them with a screwdriver and they come off the stud wa-la!
I like watching fixing up of these buses/Wanderlodges. Love the one with the speaker system. This video and the repairs on your truck help me with my car. I switched my bell to ring as it was not like that. But your video;s populate a lot on my page. :) Koni they use those on hte trians and have a loose strap so if it brakes it does not fall and hit the third rail! For sideways train car movement. Also love hte milwaukee tools.
Loved the videos new subscriber just going through back catalogue. Brings back so many memories working on my dads lorry he was an owner operator but sadly passed in 2000 great memories working on my dads lorry as a 14 yr old. I’m in my 60’s now but would still love to pop over the pond from England and help you on the busses. 😂👍
I saw this 'Bird for sale on BBBB. Really sad to know that so much had been put into it, and then it was just left to sit. I was really confused for a while because the front of the bus *looked* like an 88, but the headlight surround is completely different. Looks nice! That will be a fantastic Wanderlodge one she's all cleaned up. Great work, and thanks Michael for keeping her going.
I remember an uncle that had his St. Bernard ride in the back seat of his car. In Kansas. In the summer(90-100). The dog dreuled in the heat everywhere in the car, particularly on the top of the front seat. I cringed getting in the car to go work the fields for him.
The easiest way to pull tires from a bus or TT is to get an old aluminum street sign, pour a little old motor oil on the middle of the sign, slide it under the wheel, lower appropriately to minimal touch and the tire will slide straight out with minimal pull...........Used to do this when pulling axle, drum and all without any disassembly except axle brg to get to brakes..........don't need a tire dolly !
That mixing of high voltage and low voltage electric really stood out for me too. I get that the rules are looser for RVs, but it still made me cringe.
Wanderlodge tags do one of three things. Most just let off the air bags and scrub in a turn. A few will lift, rare. Very few will steer. Bluebird nuked the steering tag (way too complicated) and had a recall. They welded the linkage and made them like the first type, just air off and scrub. Too many had been turning the wheels different direction etc. They didn't work very well. Many owners who own steer tags will get them working again. I wish I had a set. Jeff will correct me if I missed anything. I think I right.
What did you set the Koni shocks to for firmness, 1-5 where 5 is the firmest setting. Also, the mounting nuts should be tightened to no more than 1-3/4" between inside of washers. From Koni: TIGHTEN THE SHOCK NUTS UNTIL A DEMENSION OF 1-3/4" INSIDE OF WASHERS IS ATTAINED AND NO MORE…. Also, the tag axle should have the Euclid E5554-L and E5554-R nuts with the nipples or you will be having to tighten them often before they break off studs or a wheel comes loose.
Hey Scott, I really appreciate you making the videos . I understand most of this stuff because of my background in trucking . I really enjoy learning from you. I really want to find a bus to rescue on day in a field . Maybe that will be my lucky day video together.
It’s amazing that people buy a high end bus like this,invest tons of money into upgrades,use it a little then park it and let it degrade. Then the next owner buys it,and has to spend more big bucks to fix all the problems. Do these people have a pre-purchase inspection done on them,or just buy it and pray there’s no big issues hiding? These Wanderlodges are gorgeous busses.
Haven't seen that style jack in many years. The block underneath is the same four wire screw terminals that were used for many, many years with the old rotary dial phones. They just changed the cover when the modular phone was introduced.
Don't know why anybody would drive with the tires in that shape. Cost him a pretty penny to fix what tore up with blowout. $50,000 another $20,000 and looks like that is just a start. Glad He has you to work on it.
Thats probably 5/8 tubing sized copper. You can swage it to proper hard copper size, but changing to pex is the way to go. Survives bad winterization much better...
I noticed the camshaft for the front axel was over 48% meaning the brakeshoes are should be replaced as well as the brake drums. I know there not cheap but consider what they are protecting ( you and your Daughter ). Food for thought.
Did you consider putting a work pit in when you were planning the slab for the shop? It sure would be handy,rather than crawling around under the busses.
Wheel studs are fine thread & will gall if mistreated. Particularly with cheap nuts. Wire brush & clean - grease/nevr seeze & the problem evaporates. And three times a year- squirt spray lube du jour ⚓️
I see this wonderlodge is as fun to work on as my 86 fleetwood limited.... Its easier to go to the dentist for a root canal then work on it.... You have to have the patience of Jobe to work on these coaches.... Doc
Leroy said,dad I've got a doctor's appt. to go to.I'll be back to check w/ you & Tyler to see about the work done. Ma and I gotta' leave now.Which way do we go??I'll be back, save my regular spot for me when I come home. Gotta' check out that Wanderlodge when I get back.
I tested the parking brake holding ability and the drive axle tire dug gravel out from under it. Brake held tire spun. Parking Brake is on the tag axle not many buses are like that
Not sure if you have them in stores but using Pex there`s a fitting that`s quite forgivable with many older and newer water systems called sharkbite it accepts the Pex or blue Aluma flex water hose or the white interior lines even use it with copper , Geez this things Tag sure was fussy hey ?
Greasemonkey you didn't show the proper adjustment of the front koni shocks on that wanderlodge xxv , the reason for that shock on those old BB is anti porposing
Cool that Koni's are OEM on there. Worlds better than any Monroe, or Gabriel junk. I love my Koni's and Bilstein's. I use them on plenty of track cars and they rock. Shame this bus sat so long. 'Lot Rot' is the worst thing for any vehicle.
interesting. At my work I inherited a bunch of tools. Now I know what they are used for. The previous person must have bought out a truck/RV/ Trailer repairman.
Get some "pool noodles" from your local dollar store, slit them down one side and slip them on the edges of the slide outs. Saves damage to your head and body!
Spray N' Wash does a fantastic job of getting black grease stains out of white T shirts. Spray it on the grease. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes and wash!!
I so want a pit. I have a friend that has a shop with a pit. I go use his shop when I am servicing the bus. Watching you all struggling under these creatures makes me realize what a headache. I am about the same size as you Scott.
You may find an issue with building code and I wouldn't be surprised if your homeowners insurance co has a hard time with it since they seem to not like everything. I'd also be mindful of groundwater, you may need a sump crock and pump. I'm trying not to be a buzz-kill..
