Wanderlodge Structural Questions...

[Jeff Miller]

The roof structure is the same, with an added corregated steel roof
deck (pre '82 I believe) or diamond-plate aluminum ('82-'91ish) or
extruded aluminum.

With your height and intended useage I would recommend a central-air
coach, not sure of your budget but I have a friend with one for sale
at:
http://www.millercoachworks.com/Coach02.html

Anyway, the central A/C is three cruise-air units mounted under the
floor, each ducted to near ceiling height but not through the
ceiling, the advantage being clear walking roof-height interior and
an almost unobstructed roof deck on top.

Maintenance of the Cruise-air units is not difficult, however repair
can be more expensive as a compressor failure will be around $500
installed compared with a complete new roof A/C unit for less. Three
A/Cs are standard in most Wanderlodges, and in most conditions two
healthy ones will chill the unit well, three don't have to work very
hard (unless they need maintenance).

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Hello Wanderlodgers,
>
> I just joined your list and I'm very excited! A friend of mine just
> turned me on to the Wanderlodge - which might be the perfect vehicle
> for me!
>
> I just spent the last 6 months shopping for another school bus to
> customize into an RV.
>
> I have an old Dodge bus that I bought in college in the late 80s.
> Since that time I customized it and built a very nice aluminum
> platform (with ladder) on its roof. The platform, as it turns out,
is
> my favorite part of the bus.
>
> Now in my late 30s, I'm ready to step up to a larger, more fuel
> efficient and reliable diesel platform. I've been shopping for rear
> engine Thomas and Blue Bird All American buses to convert. Both
have
> strong frames to support another (possibly larger) roof rack.
>
> My question is, since the Wanderlodge is based on the All American
> body, will it be able to support the weight of a rack with people on
> it? Maybe over 3,000+ lbs? The All American School bus by law is
> required to handle 1.5 times its weight on the roof in the event of
a
> roll over.
>
> Also, does the Wanderlodge have the same interior and exterior
height
> as the All American bus? I'm 6' 4" tall. My head nearly touches
the
> ceiling in the All American School buses.
>
> Finally, by studying all the fantastic information posted by your
> group, I have learned that some of the 80's Wanderlodges had Central
> Air - without the individual AC units on the roof (less obstructions
> for a rack). Is the Central air a good option? Do the vents blow
air
> near the ceiling of the bus? Is it difficult to maintain?
>
> Thank you so much everyone! The Wanderlodge just might be the
vehicle
> I have been searching for - and it might save me much time and money
> over converting a school bus! I look forward to being a part of
your
> group!
>
> Andy Coleman, Central New Jersey
>