Wanderlodge Wiki

Welcome to the Blue Box Wiki!

Dear Wanderlodge Owner:

Congratulations on being the owner of the finest and safest production motor coach in the world - the Blue Bird Wanderlodge.

We all work hard to keep our Wanderlodges the best ever built. At the same time, we also recognize your need for more and better information about your coach so you can enjoy it to the fullest. To that end, we have prepared this site for your information. The purpose of this site is to create an encyclopedia of all things Blue Bird Wanderlodge. We hope you find this helpful as you acquaint yourself with the many luxurious features of your coach.

I want to personally thank you for visiting, and we invite you to collaborate, participate, and contribute to this wiki. It takes all of use to make this a better resource for all owners.

Thank you again, and welcome to our Family of Friends!

- Braden & Rich

Top Resources

Reference Sites:

Buying and Selling:

Year and Model Information

Model History and Timeline

1960's

1963 - First unit manufactured
1965 - Actual production started.
1964-1973 - Thirty-one foot unit, only size available.
1964-1976 - Ford industrial gas engine factory installed as standard engine.
1969 - Produced 9 units that were a pusher type with a Ford gas engine, thirty-five feet in length.

1970's

1974 - Added 33 foot unit to product line. - Gas - 31' -- 33'
1975 - Added 35 foot unit to product line. - Gas - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1976 - Gas - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1977 - Factory installed engines Caterpillar 3208-NA (Naturally Asperated, meaning "non turbo"). Early 1977 still had gas engines. Gas & NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1978 - Gas & NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1979 - Fifteenth Anniversary unit produced. Forerunner to the pusher. Thirty-five foot with 3208 Caterpillar. Designated the XV. NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35' -- 35'

1980's

1980 - Added air suspension to standard equipment. Early 1980 units still had spring leaf suspension. - NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1981 - NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1982 - Added the PT 35 and PT 40 to product line. Added new bathroom and dash to forward control model. Pusher came with new dash.
- FC - NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
- PT - 35' -- 40' (PT had Detroit V6, 2 cycle Diesel - Designated "6V")
1983 - Forward Control came with factory installed 3208 Caterpillar with 225 HP turbo. Last 12 units of 1983 model year installed with 250 turbo. Introduced RB (Rear Bath) models.
- FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB
- PT - 35' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1983 - Forward Control came with factory installed 3208 Caterpillar with 225 HP turbo. Last 12 units of 1983 model year installed with 250 turbo. Introduced RB (Rear Bath) models.
- FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB
- PT - 35' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1984 - Forward Control installed with 3208- 250 turbo Cat engine. - Changed the floor plan of the PT 35. Became designated as PT-36.
- FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB
- PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1985 -
- FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB - 35' SB
- PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1986 - Added Detroit Diesel 8V92 (8V) engine to pusher line.
- FC - 31' - 33' -- 35' RB -- 35' SB
- PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 38' 8V -- 40' 6V -- 40' 8V
1987 - Re-designed Forward Control floor plan and added 300 HP Caterpillar Engine. Introduced walk-thru bath floor plan in pushers.
- FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB
- PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 38' 8V --40' 6V -- 40' 8V
1988 Introduced 102" Wide Body (WB) in 38' and 40'. Introduced Detroit 8V92TA 475 HP with DDEC in Pusher.
- FC - 35' RB -- 35' SB
- PT - 36' (96") -- 38' (96") -- 38' (WB) -- 40' (96") -- 40' (WB)
- 40' XXV - Commemorates 25th year of Wanderlodge.
1989 Introduced 36' Single Axle Pusher (SP) -300 Cat 3208 - Center Door - 96" width. End of Forward Control.
- FC - 35'
- SP - 36'
- PT - 38' (WB) -- 40' (WB).
- Also - Offered conversions by Royale.

1990's

1990 -
- SP - 36'
- PT - 40' (WB)
1991 Changed exteriors appearance of Wide Body & SP. Made major equipment changes.
- SP - 36'
- PT - 40' WB -- 40' WBSA
1992 - End of SP.
- SP - 36'
- PT - 40' WB -- 40' WBSA
1993 -
- 40' WLWB -- 40' WBSA -- 40' WBDA
1994 Introduced BMC (Bluebird Motor Coach).
- 37' BMC
- 40' WLWB -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WBSD -- 40' WBDA
1995 Added 42' Wanderlodge with 60 Series Detroit, 6 speed Allison and Aqua Hot heat. Redesigned BMC 37'.
- 37' BMC
- 40' -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WBSD -- 40' WBDA
- 42' -- 42' WLWB -- 42' WTOS -- 42' WBSD -- 42' WBDA
1996 Introduced the 40' BMC with m11 Cummins 400 HP, 6 speed Allison, Tag Axle.
- 37' BMC
- 40' BMC
- 40' -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WTSD -- 40' WBDA
- 42' WTOS -- 42' WBSD -- 42' WBDA
1997 Lowered engine in Wanderlodge to allow for Walk-in closet. Redesigned 42' as 43'. 40' became 41' with 60 series, 6 speed and walk-in rear closet.
- 37' BMC
- 40' BMC
- 41' WLWB
- 43' WLWB
1998 - Introduction of WB-41 LXi and WB-43 LXi w/500 HP Series 60 and restyled exteriors. Introduction of WB-40 LX w/450 HP M11 Cummins.
- 40' LX
- 41' LXi
- 43' LXi
1999 -
- 40' LX
- 41' LXi
- 43' LXi

2000's

2000
- 40' LX
- 40' LXi - Millennium Limited Edition
- 43' LXi
2001 thru 2003 -
- LX-M11 engine went from 450 H.P. to 500 H.P. New body style. Otherwise its the same as 98 - 2000. In 2001,some LX's were non-slide some were single slides. 2002 and 2003 were all slides , either single or double.
- LXi After about the first 15 units were built, the effort to lighten the units began. Front axle rating went from 14,400 to 15,500 and eventually to 16,000 #'s Fuel capacity went down to 260 from 300 gal. The exterior roof skin was changed to stretched aircraft aluminum, bulk oil fill was eliminated as well as tile floors. An optional cummins M11 500 H.P. engine was offered but only a few were built.
2003 thru 2004 -
- M380 production began. All 2003's were single slide with one exception , it was a double. 2004's were 1 or 2 slide. No non-slide M380's were offered.No other models were built for 2004.

974 - Added 33 foot unit to product line. - Gas - 31' -- 33'
1975 - Added 35 foot unit to product line. - Gas - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1976 - Gas - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1977 - Factory installed engines Caterpillar 3208-NA (Naturally Asperated, meaning "non turbo"). Early 1977 still had gas engines. - Gas & NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1978 - Gas & NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1979 - - Fifteenth Anniversary unit produced. Forerunner to the pusher. Thirty-five foot with 3208 Caterpillar. Designated the XV. '''NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35' -- 35' XV
1980 - Added air suspension to standard equipment. Early 1980 units still had spring leaf suspension. - 'NA Diesel' - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
'1981 - 'NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'
1982 - Added the PT 35 and PT 40 to product line. Added new bathroom and dash to forward control model. Pusher came with new dash. FC - NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35' PT - 35' -- 40' (PT had Detroit V6, 2 cycle Diesel - Designated "6V")
1983 - Forward Control came with factory installed 3208 Caterpillar with 225 HP turbo. Last 12 units of 1983 model year installed with 250 turbo. Introduced RB (Rear Bath) models. FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB PT - 35' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1983 - Forward Control came with factory installed 3208 Caterpillar with 225 HP turbo. Last 12 units of 1983 model year installed with 250 turbo. Introduced RB (Rear Bath) models. FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB PT - 35' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1984 - Forward Control installed with 3208- 250 turbo Cat engine. - Changed the floor plan of the PT 35. Became designated as PT-36. FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1985 - FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB - 35' SB PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V
1986 - Added Detroit Diesel 8V92 (8V) engine to pusher line. FC - 31' - 33' -- 35' RB -- 35' SB PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 38' 8V -- 40' 6V -- 40' 8V
1987 - Re-designed Forward Control floor plan and added 300 HP Caterpillar Engine. Introduced walk-thru bath floor plan in pushers. FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 38' 8V --40' 6V -- 40' 8V
1988 Introduced 102" Wide Body (WB) in 38' and 40'. Introduced Detroit 8V92TA 475 HP with DDEC in Pusher. FC - 35' RB -- 35' SB PT - 36' (96") -- 38' (96") -- 38' (WB) -- 40' (96") -- 40' (WB)40' XXV - Commemorates 25th year of Wanderlodge.
1989 Introduced 36' Single Axle Pusher (SP) -300 Cat 3208 - Center Door - 96" width. End of Forward Control. FC - 35' SP - 36' PT - 38' (WB) -- 40' (WB). Also - Offered conversions by Royale.
1990 - SP - 36' PT - 40' (WB)
1991 Changed exteriors appearance of Wide Body & SP. Made major equipment changes. SP - 36' PT - 40' WB -- 40' WBSA
1992 - End of SP. SP - 36' PT - 40' WB -- 40' WBSA
1993 - 40' WLWB -- 40' WBSA -- 40' WBDA
1994 Introduced BMC (Bluebird Motor Coach). 37' BMC 40' WLWB -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WBSD -- 40' WBDA
1995 Added 42' Wanderlodge with 60 Series Detroit, 6 speed Allison and Aqua Hot heat. Redesigned BMC 37'. 37' BMC 40' -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WBSD -- 40' WBDA42' -- 42' WLWB -- 42' WTOS -- 42' WBSD -- 42' WBDA
1996 Introduced the 40' BMC with m11 Cummins 400 HP, 6 speed Allison, Tag Axle. 37' BMC 40' BMC40' -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WTSD -- 40' WBDA42' WTOS -- 42' WBSD -- 42' WBDA
1997 Lowered engine in Wanderlodge to allow for Walk-in closet. Redesigned 42' as 43'. 40' became 41' with 60 series, 6 speed and walk-in rear closet. 37' BMC 40' BMC41' WLWB43' WLWB
1998 - Introduction of WB-41 LXi and WB-43 LXi w/500 HP Series 60 and resytled exteriors. Introduction of WB-40 LX w/450 HP M11 Cummins. 40' LX 41' LXi43' LXi
1999 - 40' LX 41' LXi43' LXi
2000 - 40' LX 40' LXi - Mellennium Limited Edition 43' LXi
2001 thru 2003 - LX-M11 engine went from 450 H.P. to 500 H.P. New body style. Otherwise its the same as 98 - 2000. In 2001,some LX's were non-slide some were single slides. 2002 and 2003 were all slides , either single or double. LXi After about the first 15 units were built, the effort to lighten the units began. Front axle rating went from 14,400 to 15,500 and eventually to 16,000 #'s Fuel capacity went down to 260 from 300 gal. The exterior roof skin was changed to streched aircraft aluminum, bulk oil fill was eliminated as well as tile floors. An optional cummins M11 500 H.P. engine was offered but only a few were built.
2003 thru 2004 - M380 production began. All 2003's were single slide with one exception , it was a double. 2004's were 1 or 2 slide. No non-slide M380's were offered.No other models were built for 2004.


1965-1989	1990-2009
1965 1966 FC 31 - Ford 391 xxhp 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 FC 35 - Cat 3208 250hp 1982 PT 40 - DD 6v92 350hp 1982 PT 36 - DD 6V92 325hp 1983 SP 33 - Cat 3208 250hp 1984 FC 35 - Cat 3208 250hp 1985 PT 40 - DD 6v92 ??hp 1985 FC 31 - Cat 3208 250hp 1985 FC 33 - Cat 3208 250hp 1985 FC 35 - Cat 3208 250hp 1985 FC 31,33,35 - Cat 3208 250hp 1986 FC 35 - Cat 3208 250hp 1987 FC 35 - Cat 3208 300hp 1988 WB 40 - DD 8V92 450hp 1989 SP 36 - Cat 3208 300hp 1989 WB 38 - DD 8v92 475hp 1989 WB 40 - DD 8v92 475hp	1990 WB 40 - DD 8v92 450hp 1991 SP 36 - Cat 3208 300hp 1991 WB 40 - DD 8v92 450hp 1992 WB 40 - DD 8v92 500hp 1993 WB 1994 WB 40 - DD 8v92 500hp 1995 BMC 37 - Cu 8.3 ISC 330hp 1995 WB 42 - DD S60 xxxhp 1996 WB 42 - DD S60 470hp 1997 WB 41 - DD S60 1997 WB 42 - DD S60 470hp 1997 BMC37 - Cu 8.3 325hp 1998 LXI 43 - S60 500hp 1999 LX 40 - Cu ISM 450hp 1999 LXI 41 - DD S60 500hp 1999 LXI 43 - DD S60 500hp 2000 LX 40 - Cu ISM 450hp 2000 LXI 43 - DD S60 500hp 2001 2001 LXI 43 - DD S60 500hp 2002 2002 LX 40 - Cu ISM 500hp 2003 M380 - Cu ISL 400hp 2004 M380 - Cu ISL 400hp 2005 2006 M450 - Cat C13 535hp 2007 2008 M450 LXI - Cat C12 xxxhp 2009 M450 XL - Cu ISX 600hp

Added for quick reference while building the list:

       Highlights of 
       Blue Bird Wanderlodge Model Changes

       Including list of all models for each 
       year

1963 - First unit manufactured

1965 - Actual production started.

             

             1964-1973 - Thirty-one foot unit, only size available. 
             

             1964-1976 - Ford industrial gas engine factory installed

as standard engine.

1969 - Produced 9 units that were

             a pusher type with a Ford gas engine, thirty-five feet in length.

Very rare

1974 - Added 33 foot unit to product

             line.   -

Gas - 31' -- 33'

1975 - Added 35 foot unit to product line. -
Gas - 31' -- 33' -- 35'

1976 - Gas - 31' -- 33' -- 35'

1977 - Factory installed engines Caterpillar

             3208-NA (Naturally Asperated, meaning "non turbo"). Early 
             1977 still had gas engines. -

Gas & NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'

1978 - Gas & NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'

1979 - - Fifteenth Anniversary unit

             produced. Forerunner to the pusher. Thirty-five foot with 3208 Caterpillar. Designated 
             the XV.

NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35' -- 35' XV

1980 - Added air suspension to standard equipment. Early 1980 units still had spring leaf suspension. -
NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'

1981 - NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35'

1982 - Added the PT 35 and PT 40 to

             product line.  Added new bathroom and dash to forward control 
             model. Pusher came with new dash.

             FC - NA Diesel - 31' -- 33' -- 35' 

             PT - 35' -- 40' (PT had Detroit V6, 2 cycle Diesel - Designated

"6V")

1983 - Forward Control came with factory

             installed 3208 Caterpillar with 225 HP turbo. Last 12 
             units of 1983 model year installed with 250 turbo.  Introduced 
             RB (Rear Bath) models.  

             FC  - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB

PT - 35' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V

1983 - Forward Control came with factory

             installed 3208 Caterpillar with 225 HP turbo. Last 12 
             units of 1983 model year installed with 250 turbo.  Introduced 
             RB (Rear Bath) models.  

             FC  - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB

PT - 35' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V

1984 - Forward Control installed with

             3208- 250 turbo Cat engine. - Changed the floor plan of the PT 35. 
             Became designated as PT-36.   

             FC  - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB

PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V

1985 -

             FC  - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB - 35' SB

PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 40' 6V

1986 - Added Detroit Diesel 8V92 (8V)

             engine to pusher line.   

             FC  - 31' - 33' -- 35' RB -- 35' SB

PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 38' 8V -- 40' 6V -- 40' 8V

1987 - Re-designed Forward Control

             floor plan and added 300 HP Caterpillar Engine. Introduced walk-thru 
             bath floor plan in pushers. 

             FC - 31' -- 33' RB -- 33' SB -- 35' RB -- 35' SB

PT - 36' 6V -- 38' 6V -- 38' 8V --40' 6V -- 40' 8V

1988 Introduced 102" Wide Body (WB)

             in 38' and 40'. Introduced Detroit 8V92TA 475 HP with DDEC in Pusher. 

             FC - 35' RB -- 35' SB

             PT - 36' (96") -- 38' (96") -- 38' (WB) -- 
             40' (96") -- 40' (WB)

40' XXV - Commemorates 25th year of Wanderlodge.

1989 Introduced 36' Single Axle Pusher (SP) -300 Cat 3208 - Center Door - 96" width. End of Forward Control.
FC - 35'
SP - 36'
PT - 38' (WB) -- 40' (WB).

Also - Offered conversions by Royale.

1990 -

             SP - 36'

PT - 40' (WB)

1991 Changed exteriors appearance

             of Wide Body & SP.  Made major equipment changes.  
             

             SP - 36'

PT - 40' WB -- 40' WBSA

1992 - End of SP.

             SP - 36'

PT - 40' WB -- 40' WBSA

1993 -
40' WLWB -- 40' WBSA -- 40' WBDA

1994 Introduced BMC (Bluebird Motor

             Coach).  

             37' BMC

40' WLWB -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WBSD -- 40' WBDA

1995 Added 42' Wanderlodge with 60

             Series Detroit, 6 speed Allison and Aqua Hot heat. Redesigned 
             BMC 37'.  

             37' BMC

             40' -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WBSD -- 40' WBDA

42' -- 42' WLWB -- 42' WTOS -- 42' WBSD -- 42' WBDA

1996 Introduced the 40' BMC with m11

             Cummins 400 HP, 6 speed Allison, Tag Axle.    

             37' BMC

             40' BMC

             40' -- 40' WTOS -- 40' WTSD -- 40' WBDA

42' WTOS -- 42' WBSD -- 42' WBDA

1997

             Lowered engine in Wanderlodge to allow for Walk-in closet.  
             Redesigned 42' as 43'.  40' became 41' with 60 series, 
             6 speed and walk-in rear closet.    

             37' BMC

             40' BMC

             41' WLWB

43' WLWB

1998 - Introduction of WB-41 LXi and

             WB-43 LXi w/500 HP Series 60 and resytled exteriors. Introduction 
             of WB-40 LX w/450 HP M11 Cummins.

             40' LX

             41' LXi

43' LXi

1999 -

             40' LX

             41' LXi

43' LXi

2000 -
40' LX
40' LXi - Mellennium Limited Edition
43' LXi

2001 thru 2003 -

LX-M11 engine went from 450 H.P. to 500 H.P. New body style. Otherwise its the same as 98 - 2000. In 2001,some LX's were non-slide some were single slides. 2002 and 2003 were all slides , either single or double.
LXi After about the first 15 units were built, the effort to lighten the units began. Front axle rating went from 14,400 to 15,500 and eventually to 16,000 #'s Fuel capacity went down to 260 from 300 gal. The exterior roof skin was changed to streched aircraft aluminum, bulk oil fill was eliminated as well as tile floors. An optional cummins M11 500 H.P. engine was offered but only a few were built.

2003 thru 2004 -

M380 production began. All 2003's were single slide with one exception , it was a double. 2004's were 1 or 2 slide. No non-slide M380's were offered.No other models were built for 2004.

Terms & Abbreviations for Blue Bird Motor Homes

Terms & Abbreviations for Blue Bird Motor Homes

BMC

FC - Forward Control which designates the engine is mounted in the front of the unit. All Blue Bird Wanderlodges are rear axle drive.

31-FC - Thirty-one foot Forward Control

33-FC - Thirty-three foot Forward Control

35-FC - Thirty-Five foot Forward Control

PT - Pusher with a tag axle

PT-35 - Thirty-Five foot Pusher

PT-36 - Thirty-six foot Pusher

PT-38 - Thirty-eight foot Pusher

PT-40 - Forty foot Pusher

RB - Rear Bath

SB - Side Bath

SP - Single Axle Pusher

WB - Wide Body

WL - Wanderlodge

XV - 15th Anniversary unit built in 1978/1979

XXV - 25th Anniversary unit built in 1988/1989

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