| Author | Message | ||
| JW Smythe (Jwsmythe)
Rating: N/A |
I went down to Transit Sales International today. Damn, that's a big lot. You can get a real feel of what the various buses are, and look for particular differences in them. My girlfriend likes the squarer transits, like the Gillig or Neoplan. I like the curves of the GMC RTS. It appeals more to me as a sporty vehicle. We'll work through that, and come to a comfortable compromise. I kinda liked the Neoplan's too, but I won't admit it quite yet.  You can check their site for the list of buses that they stock. transitsales.com. The majority of their stock is, or at least the ones that we boarded, measured, walked, molested, and otherwise inspected: MCI 12 GMC/TMC RTS Flxible 870 Gillig Phantom Neoplan Flyer Cool shit. They let us just wander the lot at our own leasure without escort, which was very pleasing. Their prices run from $7,900 to $29,000. That's more dependant on year on condition than on model. Generally, you're looking at $20k for either a RTS or a MCI 12. The pricing is higher than I've seen stuff going for on eBay. Of course, I have a better choice at TSI, but when it comes down to it, I'd rather pay $3k than $20k. The branch manager of the Murrieta yard is Arthur Quinones. His number is (951) 672-1453. This is the guy you want to talk to, if you want to buy a bus for conversion. Last week, we only made it as far as Riverside, because traffic absolutely sucked. It was a good thing, the Murrieta yard had a fire, which destroyed 32 buses. That was a very small part of their stock. We talked to David Cole in Riverside, who was very nice to us, and showed us the buses he had there. He had made it very clear to us, the Riverside location is just for bus sales fully equipped for companies planning on putting a bus on the road to transport passengers. He stayed late, and showed us everything though. Great guy. So, what did we learn today? MCI 12's are freakin' tall. They have big bays, and no wheel wells inside the passenger area. That's the only real advantage that they have. The negatives are that the passenger area is vertically shorter by a few inches, and narrower by several inches. MCI 12's have 5 steps up to the passenger area, and those steps are fairly narrow. Transits are generally wider and taller in the passenger area. They have 3 steps up into the passenger area, with wider stairwells (even wider for buses equipped with front wheelchair lifts). Transits are not geared for highway speeds, but we already knew that. Otherwise, they have the same engines (give or take rotation direction). Changing the rear end gearing (priced at $1200 by on reader here) fixes that. Transits overall height is lower, which will save you from low bridges in off-interstate areas, and other low hanging obsticals (namely branches). But, the obvious problem. Transits don't have the same storage areas underneath. *BUT* every one I got under *DOES* have space underneath. My girlfriend thought I was nuts, getting on the ground in the mud to look under them. Driving out there, I noticed California doesn't mark it's bridges for vertical clearance. Most other states where I paid attention do on every bridge. Here's some measurements (from memory, my apologies if they're a bit off) These are measurements INSIDE the passenger area, with trim still installed. Width is from window to window. Height is from the center isle to the roof, which is generally not covered in much trim. The trim is almost exclusively on the sides of the roof (air ducts, lights, or overhead storage). Ya, I brought a tape measure with me. MCI 12: Vertical height: 6'6" in the front, 6'3" in the back Cabin width: 7' 10" Transits: Vertical height: just about 6'8 across the board. Cabin width: 7' 10" to 8' 4" depending on the specific vehicle. In the end, my girlfriend told me that she liked the transit buses better. She was displeased with the stairwell width, the number of steps up, and the smaller passenger cabin area. We're both fairly young (30-something) and skinny, so stairwell size isn't a big deal to us as individuals, but it will make a big difference when we're trying to bring things on board. I took some photos. The page isn't beautiful, but the pics aren't bad. http://diary.illusions.gen.fl.us/01-Mar-2006%20TSI/ | ||
| David (Davidinwilmnc)
Rating: N/A |
There are a couple extra points I can make from my limited bus experience. A lot of the transits have speed-limited tires that will require replacement to handle highway speeds. From what I remember, transits don't ride as nicely as the highway coaches. You can add storage underneath, but it generally won't be as much as on the highway models. In addition to that nice stairwell on the transits, they generally have split/ bifold doors. These are inconvenient, noisy when driving, and don't seem to seal as well. I'm sure the 3rd set of tires & wheels on the highway coaches will add significantly to load capacity. I seriously considered RTS's initially. On one trip to look at a couple, I also looked at an MCI. I saw all that storage space underneath and was sold; I later bought an MC-8. Good luck on your searches and have fun. | ||
| Geoff (Geoff)
Rating: N/A |
JW The RTS makes an excellent RV conversion. There is plenty of room for storage and conversion necessities underneath, and you have the higher ceiling without a roof raise. All body parts to cover the rear door, install a one piece front door, bay doors and window panels are available from R&M Fiberglass. RTS's are rated at 36,900 GVW, and can go 80 mph with a 4:10 gear change. They also corner and handle better than a taller highway bus due to their lower center of gravity and short turning radius. For some nice pics of RTS's and correct information visit the Yahoo RTS Group: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/RTS-bus-nuts/ --Geoff '82 RTS AZ | ||
| Chris 85 RTS
Rating: N/A |
If you are seriously considering an RTS please stop by and visit us at: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/RTS-bus-nuts/ Lots of good info there in the FAQ and messages. In the past, the general feeling I get is that a converter would not buy anything from TSI, way overpriced and not the friendliest. A good RTS should be had for less than 5k, unless it is a very late model or in awesome condition. YMMY | ||
| Chris 85 RTS Rating: N/A |
My thoughts exactly Geoff. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A |
Many people remove a windshield when moving in the larger appliances and cabinets. Richard | ||
| Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A |
When I was looking for my coach, I briefly looked at TSI. I found them so overpriced and seemingly non negotiable for what they had, I never gave them a second look. Of course, I was not looking at transits. I wanted high bays for toys, and ended up with a coach that has 44" clearance all the way through each bay. My ceiling height is only about 77", but I have no problems at all, only my buddy who is 6'5" does, and he just ducks a little until he sits. I'd rather have the space underneath than up above. My side windows all tilt out, and that is how I loaded the stuff that won't fit through the front door such as the couch and refrigerator and even my bathroom vanity cabinet. | ||
| Craig (Ceieio)
Rating: N/A |
JW - if it were me shopping for transits, I would go for a RTS II. They look great and have a timeless yet modern looking design. I started out looking for one to convert, but ended up with a MCI instead. If you are concerned that the curved sides of an RTS will make it hard to convert, I say I doubt it. Buses have all kinds of things to work around like sloped floors, dropped isles, wheel well intrusions, curved roof sections, and so on. Each model has something to be dealt with and making simple patterns and templates along with creative floorplan design will get you around most of that. Like most other similarly afflicted busnuts, I can't stop shopping and frequently look at RTS buses for sale for that "next" project. My wife thinks I should put the various hobby projects I have to rights before I buy another bus, but... :-) Craig - MC7 Oregon | ||
| Brian Elfert
Rating: N/A |
Colonial Bus in Chicago has a number of the MC12s stored on their lot for Transit Sales. I would say they are overcharging at $20k if that is the price. Someone at Colonial said they had 2 to 3 million miles on them, but that seems high to me. I have no interest in a former hound, but I walked by them for the heck of it. The exteriors are in horrid shape for 1993s. The luggage doors wouldn't close on some and they had various dents and such all over them. I know the drivetrain is what really matters, but if they treated the exterior so poorly, how good could the rest be? Brian Elfert |