m380

[John Suter]

Hi Tom,

What little I personally observed about the early
M380's indicated Ft Valley eliminated/reduced many
standard items/features as compared to previous LXi's,
with the "saving grace" that they also moderated the
price; so any other changes wouldn't surprise me one
bit.

As for M450, I thought there was no longer any such
model and they had gone back to the LXI/LX
designations and most features, along with recent
price increase, but I could be wrong.

We spent Mon night and yesterday at the Bird's nest,
but little was happening except a couple of owners
getting service and numerous seated busses in the
parking lot.

John
2000LXi


--- Tom Warner wrote:

> John are you commenting on the older LXI or the M450
> which I believe is
> also designated as the LXI? I was told by an owner
> of a 2003 M450 at Ft.
> Valley in February that his coach did not have the
> capability to heat hot
> water other then the diesel. No electric element and
> no engine heating. I
> was told that it was an option. I still wonder if
> the man was correct?
>
> Tom
> 1982 FC35
> \Vernon Center,NY
>
> At 06:33 AM 6/1/2005 -0700, you wrote:
> >Hi Jim,
> >
> >--- scoggins_jim <scoggins.j@...> wrote:
> > > 04 M380
> > >
> > > How does one do
> > > the hot water without having the whole hurricane
> > > heating system on,
> > > i.e. heating hot water with just electric
> without
> > > burning diesel? I
> > > thought I had it figured out by having two of
> the
> > > hot water circuit
> > > breakers on but was only able to get about 10
> > > seconds of hot water.
> >
> > > How does LX/LXI do it?
> >
> > I would guess the M380 would be similar to the
> LXi.
> >The LXi Aqua-Hot system electric portion has a
> circuit
> >breaker in the main panel and a diesel master
> control
> >switch on the dash (generally labeled
> "hydronic...").
> >When the coach engine in not running, and all
> switches
> >are on, electric is the primary heating source,
> next,
> >diesel - meaning the diesel will fire to a certain
> >temp (along with the elect) and the elect will "top
> it
> >off," if necessary. Said another way, if hot water
> >consumption reduces the temp below the elect temp
> >maintenance level, the diesel unit will fire.
> >
> > During winter heating months, one way to reduce
> the
> >chance of running out of hot water during a shower,
> is
> >to use both diesel and elect to heat the water; and
> >turn off the main coach heating control switch
> located
> >in the kitchen wall thermostat. Trying to heat
> both
> >the coach and the shower water for those few shower
> >minutes using a 50,000 max BTU burner is "pushing
> >string uphill."
> >
> >John Suter
> >2000 LXi
> >
> >
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Do You Yahoo!?
> >Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around
> >http://mail.yahoo.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>


__________________________________________________
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Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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[Jeff Miller]

M540? 2003?

Would have to be an M380 titled as a 2003.

The 450 pilot-build vehicles were on tour early '04, but I don't
believe that a production 45 was ever designated M450, all are Lxi.

The 380 should be re-entering production soon but with some
improvements.

- Jeff Miller


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, John Suter
wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> What little I personally observed about the early
> M380's indicated Ft Valley eliminated/reduced many
> standard items/features as compared to previous LXi's,
> with the "saving grace" that they also moderated the
> price; so any other changes wouldn't surprise me one
> bit.
>
> As for M450, I thought there was no longer any such
> model and they had gone back to the LXI/LX
> designations and most features, along with recent
> price increase, but I could be wrong.
>
> We spent Mon night and yesterday at the Bird's nest,
> but little was happening except a couple of owners
> getting service and numerous seated busses in the
> parking lot.
>
> John
> 2000LXi
>
>
> --- Tom Warner wrote:
>
> > John are you commenting on the older LXI or the M450
> > which I believe is
> > also designated as the LXI? I was told by an owner
> > of a 2003 M450 <<snip>>

[brystal9]

i am about to plunk down some hard earned cash on a 04 m380. any pros and cons
would
greatly appreciated. Had heard front axel was close to overload , also very
limited in
weght carrying capacity when topped off with all fluids.

jim oneil, va

[richardfriedkin]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "brystal9" wrote:
>
> i am about to plunk down some hard earned cash on a 04 m380. any
pros and cons would
> greatly appreciated. Had heard front axel was close to overload ,
also very limited in
> weght carrying capacity when topped off with all fluids.
>
> jim oneil, va
>

I've used my 04 M380 for 9000 miles. The weight as I have it set up
is very close to maximum. We weighed it with a full fuel tank, full
fresh water tank, half empty holding tanks, 3 people, 3 dogs, full
closets. We also have a one piece washer/dryer, outside TV, a joey
bed etc.Front axle actual 14380(maximum 14600), rear actual 21460
(maximum
21500). We've never had a problem and the coach drives and handles
beautifully. I wonder how the weights compare to other M380's and to
late model LXi's.

Dick & Sandy Friedkin
04 M380

[David Brady]

With full fresh water, full fuel, empty black and
grey tanks, outfitted to travel for 2, my single
slide '02 LXi weighs (in lbs):

Steer axle: 14500
Drive axle: 22000
Tax axle: 11500

Max capacity for the axles is:

Steer axle: 16000
Drive axle: 23000
Tax axle: 13000


David Brady
'02 LXi, Smokey, Va



richardfriedkin wrote:

>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "brystal9" wrote:
>
>
>>i am about to plunk down some hard earned cash on a 04 m380. any
>>
>>
>pros and cons would
>
>
>>greatly appreciated. Had heard front axel was close to overload ,
>>
>>
>also very limited in
>
>
>>weght carrying capacity when topped off with all fluids.
>>
>>jim oneil, va
>>
>>
>>
>
>I've used my 04 M380 for 9000 miles. The weight as I have it set up
>is very close to maximum. We weighed it with a full fuel tank, full
>fresh water tank, half empty holding tanks, 3 people, 3 dogs, full
>closets. We also have a one piece washer/dryer, outside TV, a joey
>bed etc.Front axle actual 14380(maximum 14600), rear actual 21460
>(maximum
>21500). We've never had a problem and the coach drives and handles
>beautifully. I wonder how the weights compare to other M380's and to
>late model LXi's.
>
>Dick & Sandy Friedkin
>04 M380
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>



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No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.6/152 - Release Date: 10/31/2005

[James ONeil]

Dick and Sandy,

Do you have a single or double slide..your weights don¹t leave much for a
trailer toad.

Jim oneil, va


On 11/1/05 5:25 PM, "richardfriedkin" wrote:

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "brystal9" wrote:
>> >
>> > i am about to plunk down some hard earned cash on a 04 m380. any
> pros and cons would
>> > greatly appreciated. Had heard front axel was close to overload ,
> also very limited in
>> > weght carrying capacity when topped off with all fluids.
>> >
>> > jim oneil, va
>> >
>
> I've used my 04 M380 for 9000 miles. The weight as I have it set up
> is very close to maximum. We weighed it with a full fuel tank, full
> fresh water tank, half empty holding tanks, 3 people, 3 dogs, full
> closets. We also have a one piece washer/dryer, outside TV, a joey
> bed etc.Front axle actual 14380(maximum 14600), rear actual 21460
> (maximum
> 21500). We've never had a problem and the coach drives and handles
> beautifully. I wonder how the weights compare to other M380's and to
> late model LXi's.
>
> Dick & Sandy Friedkin
> 04 M380
>
>
>
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS
>
> Recreational vehicles
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recreational+vehicles&w1=Recreational+veh
> icles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&
> w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=DAUkCKkU7
> Dzhn_ObWmSYTw> Wanderlodge
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Wanderlodge&w1=Recreational+vehicles&w2=W
> anderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w5=Used+re
> creational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=Z-8HJdysB3QLPj9U0Jv
> qYQ> Automotive maintenance
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Automotive+maintenance&w1=Recreational+ve
> hicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer
> &w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=IF4u_5wI
> 8Pmy34cC1O9CxA>
> Recreational vehicle dealer
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w1=Recreation
> al+vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+d
> ealer&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=z6_
> XahaeYHfELr6o72IW1A> Used recreational vehicles
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Used+recreational+vehicles&w1=Recreationa
> l+vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+de
> aler&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=UGEY
> 5km4L-kXbDI4ZSadEw> Automotive radiators
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Automotive+radiators&w1=Recreational+vehi
> cles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w
> 5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=ePNVMmISsC
> WgTnMq_4GlXA>
>
>
>
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>
>




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

[richardfriedkin]

Single slide. There is an additional 10000# available for the toad.
My PT Cruiser is 3420, so there's no problem there.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, James ONeil
wrote:
>
> Dick and Sandy,
>
> Do you have a single or double slide..your weights don¹t leave
much for a
> trailer toad.
>
> Jim oneil, va
>
>
> On 11/1/05 5:25 PM, "richardfriedkin" wrote:
>
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "brystal9"
wrote:
> >> >
> >> > i am about to plunk down some hard earned cash on a 04 m380.
any
> > pros and cons would
> >> > greatly appreciated. Had heard front axel was close to
overload ,
> > also very limited in
> >> > weght carrying capacity when topped off with all fluids.
> >> >
> >> > jim oneil, va
> >> >
> >
> > I've used my 04 M380 for 9000 miles. The weight as I have it set
up
> > is very close to maximum. We weighed it with a full fuel tank,
full
> > fresh water tank, half empty holding tanks, 3 people, 3 dogs,
full
> > closets. We also have a one piece washer/dryer, outside TV, a
joey
> > bed etc.Front axle actual 14380(maximum 14600), rear actual 21460
> > (maximum
> > 21500). We've never had a problem and the coach drives and
handles
> > beautifully. I wonder how the weights compare to other M380's
and to
> > late model LXi's.
> >
> > Dick & Sandy Friedkin
> > 04 M380
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > SPONSORED LINKS
> >
> > Recreational vehicles
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?
t=ms&k=Recreational+vehicles&w1=Recreational+veh
> >
icles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicl
e+dealer&
> >
w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=
DAUkCKkU7
> > Dzhn_ObWmSYTw> Wanderlodge
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?
t=ms&k=Wanderlodge&w1=Recreational+vehicles&w2=W
> >
anderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w
5=Used+re
> > creational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=Z-
8HJdysB3QLPj9U0Jv
> > qYQ> Automotive maintenance
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?
t=ms&k=Automotive+maintenance&w1=Recreational+ve
> >
hicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehic
le+dealer
> >
&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig
=IF4u_5wI
> > 8Pmy34cC1O9CxA>
> > Recreational vehicle dealer
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?
t=ms&k=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w1=Recreation
> >
al+vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+
vehicle+d
> >
ealer&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163
&.sig=z6_
> > XahaeYHfELr6o72IW1A> Used recreational vehicles
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?
t=ms&k=Used+recreational+vehicles&w1=Recreationa
> >
l+vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+v
ehicle+de
> >
aler&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&
.sig=UGEY
> > 5km4L-kXbDI4ZSadEw> Automotive radiators
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?
t=ms&k=Automotive+radiators&w1=Recreational+vehi
> >
cles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle
+dealer&w
> >
5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=e
PNVMmISsC
> > WgTnMq_4GlXA>
> >
> >
> >
> > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
> >
> > * Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum> " on the web.
> > *
> > * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > * WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > subject=Unsubscribe>
> > *
> > * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service
> > <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Tom Warner]

David you are already 2000# over the Federally mandated maximum for
your drive axel of 20,000 # per axel. Hope you are never stopped and
checked. That was one of the problems with the BB...to heavy!

Tom Warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY





At 05:57 PM 11/1/2005, you wrote:
>With full fresh water, full fuel, empty black and
>grey tanks, outfitted to travel for 2, my single
>slide '02 LXi weighs (in lbs):
>
>Steer axle: 14500
>Drive axle: 22000
>Tax axle: 11500
>
>Max capacity for the axles is:
>
>Steer axle: 16000
>Drive axle: 23000
>Tax axle: 13000
>
>
>David Brady
>'02 LXi, Smokey, Va
>
>
>
>richardfriedkin wrote:
>
> >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "brystal9" wrote:
> >
> >
> >>i am about to plunk down some hard earned cash on a 04 m380. any
> >>
> >>
> >pros and cons would
> >
> >
> >>greatly appreciated. Had heard front axel was close to overload ,
> >>
> >>
> >also very limited in
> >
> >
> >>weght carrying capacity when topped off with all fluids.
> >>
> >>jim oneil, va
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >I've used my 04 M380 for 9000 miles. The weight as I have it set up
> >is very close to maximum. We weighed it with a full fuel tank, full
> >fresh water tank, half empty holding tanks, 3 people, 3 dogs, full
> >closets. We also have a one piece washer/dryer, outside TV, a joey
> >bed etc.Front axle actual 14380(maximum 14600), rear actual 21460
> >(maximum
> >21500). We've never had a problem and the coach drives and handles
> >beautifully. I wonder how the weights compare to other M380's and to
> >late model LXi's.
> >
> >Dick & Sandy Friedkin
> >04 M380
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.6/152 - Release Date: 10/31/2005
>
>
>
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>----------

[Ross Rosano]

Will I be happy with an '04 M380 single slide. I own a '97 Country
Coach Intrigue. I hear the Company isn't making many new coaches.
Simply, is it a well made rig and if I do most of my work anyway should
ai be concerned about buying one.

[Pete Masterson]

Blue Bird is primarily a school bus manufacturer. They started making
RVs in 1964. Since then, there have been about 4000 built. That
averages less than 100 per year ... and the number in recent years
has tended to be rather less than the average (not hard to imagine
for a very high-end RV).

The M380 will be solid and durable as expected from an all-steel
vehicle based on a true bus chassis. Of course, all RVs (from all
manufacturers) have compromises, but Blue Bird tends to favor solid
technology. BBs are, however, very complex machines and they do not
respond well to ignored/deferred maintenance. If you're looking at a
used 'Bird, be sure that it has been well maintained -- or understand
what maintenance issues need to be given attention and that you're
prepared to remediate any problems.

Comparing an M380 to a Country Coach Intrigue is difficult -- mostly,
you'll need to consider the floor plan and features of each coach to
determine if they provide the livability for the use you expect. We
all have to accept trade offs (for example, I selected a non-slide
out unit because I didn't want the bother of having to deal with
slide outs and the related maintenance issues.) As for comparable
quality, the CC has an excellent reputation -- but so does BB.
Ultimately, many on this list choose BBs, in part, for the superior
safety that the school bus-like construction provides. Only the CC
Prevost models compare well on that basis.

Blue Bird was acquired by Cerberus Capital Management, a private
investment firm, last fall. The related investment in the company is
expected to give BB improved capitalization and a reduction in the
financial issues that hindered the company in the past -- giving BB
excellent prospects for improved company stability for the future.
With about 3000 employees, Blue Bird is a somewhat larger company
than Country Coach (which reported 1550 employees in 2004).

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Feb 1, 2007, at 11:05 AM, Ross Rosano wrote:

> Will I be happy with an '04 M380 single slide. I own a '97 Country
> Coach Intrigue. I hear the Company isn't making many new coaches.
> Simply, is it a well made rig and if I do most of my work anyway
> should
> ai be concerned about buying one.



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