Blue-Bird Corporation

Transit Home / Wanderlodge

Many RV enthusiasts consider The Blue-Bird Wanderlodge to be the safest motor home on the road even to this day. Whether by design or not, the Wanderlodge unites the best attributes of a bus with that of an RV and combines those with extremely high standards of build quality and innovation.

As development began, Blue Bird collaborated with Custom Coach and the American Coach Company on a prototype, called the “Transit Home” which was displayed at trailer shows in 1963. Priced at $16,000 ($98,947 in 2005 dollars), it did not attract a large audience.1

Frustrated with lackluster sales, Blue-Bird consulted several yacht builders who suggested changes to the interior arrangement. Blue-Birds marketing firm changed the name of the vehicle to 'Wanderlodge' and production of the revised vehicle began in 1965, now priced at at a slightly reduced $15,952.

Already well established in bus conversions, Custom Coach no doubt had a lot to offer Blue-Bird. Adept at producing extremely high quality conversions for affluent customers, they quite literally invented the bus conversion industry. It is unclear what the American Coach Company would have brought to the table but it is evident that yacht builders not only knew how to outfit and arrange interior layouts in confined spaces, they also knew how to source materials and hardware that would also be naturally well-suited to a bus conversion.

The early models were fitted with Ford gasoline industrial engines, leaf sprung suspension, and hydraulic brakes. A switch to diesel motive power, air bag suspension, and air brakes was complete by the early 1980's.

Interior appointments rank amongst the finest even by todays standards, along with many unique innovations introduced over the years. Furniture and cabinetry, skillfully executed to maximize available space, suggest the thoughful development effort was correct. Careful attention to detail is evident in fit and finish as is design and engineering excellence throughout. The solidity and security imparted inside the coach is astounding. In addition, Wanderlodge has a proven record of accomplishment for long lasting durability.

The Blue-Bird driver is provided an impressive array of switches, controls, and gauges. As a result, monitoring of vital information is a pleasure.

Wanderlodges are unique. Typically built at time of order, varying customer requirements resulted in no two units outfitted the same. Wanderlodge owners wanting to sell enjoy an exceptionally high resale value. Prospective owners are able to find financing on vintage units easier because of an established market.

1. White, Roger B., Home on the Road, Smithsonian Institution, 2000 | 2. Blue-Bird website, 2005 | 3. BB Marketing

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