1997 Bluebird 43'

[Jeff Miller]

... and there is a HUGE difference between a dumpable tag and a
liftable one, ... you can drive with the tag lifted, but unless you
want to skid the tag tires every time you touch the brakes, you can't
drive with it dumped. You can manuever slowly with the tag dumped.

The steerable tag is an active system, unlike the one you see on
cement trucks et al, and I believe it deactivates at highway speeds.
It also has different angle parameters at parking/backing speeds than
at slow driving speeds.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "p_a_lazar"
wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
> wrote:
> >
> > Ernie, Lift not steer. I am sure you know if you turn on the
drive or
>
> Greg,
>
> I hate to correct you, but BB *DID* have steerable tag axles for a
> year or two. Also, as of the 97 model, the tag is liftable not just
> dump and drag.
>
> Paul
> 97wb43
>

[Jeff Miller]

Interesting story, do you know the names of anyone who's tag was
replaced without their consent?

Some of the steerable tags were replaced (at no cost), some not.
Owners whom I've met who elected to keep the steerable tag say they
like them. A walk around RIV and you'll see several.

I've not heard of a capacity issue, was under the understanding that
it was a reliability issue early, as it was with the early slideout
seals, ... but most people decided to retain their slideouts on
their '99s also ;~) There was a capacity issue with some of the steer-
axles at that time, perhaps this is the confusion?

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
wrote:
>
> I believe all of the steerable tags were recalled and replaced with
> fixed tags. I was at the Birds Nest when the recall was going on.
> Turns out the steerable tags were not designed for the BB weight.
> There were 4-5 coaches there at the Birds nest and the owners were
> not happy. The first couple were replaced without the owners
consent.
>
> tom warner
> Vernon center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
> At 10:30 AM 7/23/2006, you wrote:
>
> >--- In
> > 40yahoogroups.com>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> >erniecarpet@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Paul, when did the '"steerable tag" come into play?
> >
> >Not sure on that one Ernie, but I believe it was only used for one
> >year and had to be on the LX series.
> >
> >Paul
> >97wb43
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Both axles are dumped. the liftable is just dumped and lifted. Lift
axles are mainly designed to save tread when there is no
payload.There is never lack of load on a lodge. I cant believe that
BB ever intended you to drive down the road with it lifted. . The
raidal sidewalls do not give enough play to keep from skidding in a
tamden axle set with tight parkinglot manuvers .These manuvers at
low speed are easier on the tire tread and asphalt with a dumped bag
skidding tag. It is not a good Idea to drive fast with the Tag dumped
because a high speed bump may cause tire blow out. Dumping the tag
bags still keeps quite a bit of weight on the tag tires. Since RV's
hardly weare out tread it is better to drag 2 treads with dumped load
then stress all 6 sidewalls fully loaded. The Antilock braking will
prevent a dumped or damaged tag from locking up .
Gregory O'Connor
pdt40 not pdlt40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
wrote:
>
> ... and there is a HUGE difference between a dumpable tag and a
> liftable one, ... you can drive with the tag lifted, but unless you
> want to skid the tag tires every time you touch the brakes, you
can't
> drive with it dumped. >
> - Jeff Miller
> in Holland, MI
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "p_a_lazar"
> wrote:
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Ernie, Lift not steer. I am sure you know if you turn on the
> drive or
> >
> > Greg,
> >
> > I hate to correct you, but BB *DID* have steerable tag axles for a
> > year or two. Also, as of the 97 model, the tag is liftable not
just
> > dump and drag.
> >
> > Paul
> > 97wb43
> >
>

[Michael Brody]

For a $100k less, one could buy a 40' BMC with a non-steerable, tag releasing
(but not lifting) Spartan Chassis!

Mike
Currently in Los Gatos, CA
'97 BMC 40'

Michael Brody, CEO
Capital Progress, Inc.
P.O. Box 281
Dresher, PA 19025
capitalprogress.com
(V) 215-572-0663
(F) 215-572-6992

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Michael Brody]

I knew of one in Vermont. Owner was invited back to the Valley to have the axle
weldeed straight.

Mike
Currently in Los GAtos, CA
'97 BMC 40'

Michael Brody, CEO
Capital Progress, Inc.
P.O. Box 281
Dresher, PA 19025
capitalprogress.com
(V) 215-572-0663
(F) 215-572-6992

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]