| Author |
Message |
Manfred Boden (Manfred) (205.188.199.49)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 7:48 pm: | |
I see lots of conversations about MCI's, Eagles etc. but very few about Prevost. Is there a reason? Which is the best bus to convert? I am restoring a 1968 Prevost Chanpion and was just wondering. Completely converting a bus is my next project. |
Greg Roberts (172.156.144.204)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 8:10 pm: | |
Well of course the Eagle is best!!! Really, it comes down to your own educated personal preference and you are in the right place for learning what matters most to you. I suggest researching the archives on this and other BBS and also consider going to some of the bus conventions such as the one coming up in October in Laughlin. Good luck in your projects. |
Bob Wood (63.212.149.127)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 9:06 pm: | |
I'll have to agree, If you are looking for style, I mean real class, then the Eagle is the only choice. Okay, that aside, they all have their pros and cons. It's really a personal choice. |
Scott Whitney (63.151.68.130)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:28 pm: | |
My guess is that since Prevosts tend to be higher end coaches, people who own them tend to pay 'professionals' to do the conversion. Hence less BB discourse on the ins and outs of converting them. Not trying to sterotype here, just forming a hypothosis. I have heard Prevosts are excellent coaches and parts are everywhere. If money were no object, I'd probably have one of those new fandagled Prevosts with the double factory slide outs. . . But which bus is best? Ones own bus, of course! I like my Flxi transit just fine! But, Eagles are excellent, MCIs are marvelous, and GMCs are just straight out groovey! |
Steve Fessenden (63.27.89.199)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 7:23 am: | |
Prevost sold Le Mirage motorhome shells in the early 80s with RV windows or Le Mirage tall curved windows or a combinations. You can do all RV windows and be updating to a later style. |
CoryD (4.17.253.191)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2001 - 7:33 pm: | |
I prefer the GMC RTSII, pre 80 seems to be the best, all stainless steel construction. The Eagles are all class, and that class is rust, a giant rust bucket, I 've see pictures where the entire frame structure has rusted apart. And this rust isnt located where it can be easily seen, no, its under the walls and sides of the bus and have to be disassembled to the frame and rebuilt completely. Yeah, I have time for that.
The RTS is a nice, low sleek looking bus, decent ceiling height and stainless steel. The large tinted graceful curved sliding windows give it that class look. The curvature of the body enhances the sleek look and the drive train comes in all configurations,, which of course is your most important concern. Of course the 80's or newer still have stainless metal in them but some of the support structure was made of mild metal so have to check for rust there. Ok, the Eagle does not have wheel wells to build around-big deal, you need a couch anyway and the bed won't cover that space?
All in all, the buses are pretty much a frame built on four wheels in a different configuration. Most people have a opinion of this or that and they will state reason why they hold that opinion. But when you come down to it, All buses have their pluses and minuses. I love the Prevost windows that curve over the ceiling, but all conversions I see have either taken them out or built cabinets over them. I don't prefer Eagles because I dont like the look, again, thats one opinion. I do prefer the RTS but I remember them from teen hood when they were new and I must have clicked back then.
It is dangerous to ask what is best because everyone has a best in their mind and it probably isnt what someone else thinks is best. Better to say what are the best qualities about this bus vs that bus. They all have great qualities and they all have bad ones.-just a nickles worth |
Greg Roberts (172.186.209.56)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 09, 2001 - 1:23 am: | |
Have to agree with you Cory, the RTSII is a good looking bus and I would love to convert one of those someday too. You are right about the Eagles and rust, however, my Eagle is a 20 model from the NJ Transit fleet and the frame is made of Core 10. Lower skin is Stainless Steel unlike the older Eagles that are Carbon steel frame and aluminum lower skin. Sure do like the Torsilastic suspension on my Eagle compared to those buses that have more complicated suspension systems. So many opinions and preferences!! It comes down to what is important to each person balanced with what appeals to your taste. |
FAST FRED (63.215.231.111)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 09, 2001 - 6:11 am: | |
The key factor for us was the need for bays.
We use our coach as seasonal shuttle between two homes and seem to have an awful load of stuff that travels with us.
By doing an "all the guts inside" style conversion the bays stay empty , and we get hundreds of cubic ft of transport ability.
The joy of an all inside conversion is its much easier to NOT freeze the water and have broken fittings , in the late fall.
Downside is some slight loss of space under some cabinets , and somewhat smaller cap {55 G fresh and black water} than some coaches choose.
Although 4 tanks and 110G of each capacity would only cost a bout $300 more.
WE seldom go camping for over 6 weeks ,usually only one solid week of boondocking, so it works just fine for us.
IF antiques are a hobby , or other BIG stuff has to be moves , bays are easier than a trailer.
I tried a trailer , 7000lb. 4 wheel , but was not able to see it well enough to back into a parking spot, and we refuse to use the "pull thrus" sitting in a bare field , no trees , no view!
RTS look great and with the correct gears can go very well , but the lack of bays ,ended our interest.
Just as the need to strip to the frame and inspect / replace framing ended the looking at any Eagle.
For each a different style ,
a different choice to solve a problem.
There IS NO "best coach" just one that fits your desires best.
FAST FRED |
Ol jim, hisself (163.205.18.138)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 9:29 am: | |
The "BEST" Coach is the one you just sold, or the one you are about to buy - never the one you have (unless you are talking to a prospective purchaser).
Actually, the best coach is a 1971 GMC 4905, which, coincidently, I have for sale.
Ol' Jim, hisself |
john (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 - 12:19 am: | |
So Fast Fred, which coach do you have?
Like you, I want the bays, and don't want the Eagle rust problems. For that reason I'm looking for an MCI.
NJ Transits are very tempting... but growing up in Boston, it's HARD to forget what 20 years of slush and road salt can do. |
RJ Long (66.74.169.186)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 - 1:28 am: | |
FF drives "The Sports Car of Buses" - a GMC 4106.
In fact, FF's '06 is an East Coast unit - worked airport shuttles around NYC back in it's younger days. . .
Mostly aluminum construction, GMCs.
NJT's Eagles are less prone to rust than others, due to the use of Corten (sp?) steel, rather than mild. True of most late model Eagles - learned their lesson late. . .
MCI's may be stainless from the floor down, but can still have some corrosion problems.
Late model Prevosts also have lots of stainless, pre-Mirages less so. . .
Isn't this hobby fun!!
RJ
PD4106-2784
"The Giant Greenbrier"
Fresno CA |
CoryDaneRTSII-NE_IL (198.29.191.148)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 7:00 am: | |
Hey FF
How high is the black water tank i your coach? Is your capacity 50 gal? is that enough? So if you have the potty chair on top of the black tank, something I am seriously thinking about, do you have a step in front of the potty or is it at a comfortable height?
Sorry if I pulled this off the subject a little but FF had mentioned this before and caught my interest.-cd |
FAST FRED (63.208.83.247)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 9:17 am: | |
The tank is 11 inches high .
I found a genuine Sealand RV toilet at a flea market and unfortunately it is the tall model.
All it needed was the lime deposits cleaned with CLR and it works great.
They have a lower , still porcelain bowl model that would work even easier.
For boys the extra height is great , less chance of missing at midnight.
The bride is only 5ft so she has to use the top of the tank as a step to get up.
No complaints though , as this is an RV toilet she doesn't have to do any pumping when done , as is usual on our boat.
50 gal is fine for us , as living on a boat has taught us to be very conservative with water use.
WE can easily go a week , so there is no hardship , just no hour long showers.
The top of the tank is 2 layers of 1/2 in ply so the toilet is bolted to something strong, the bolts go thru to inside the black tank.
One hassle is the dump valve is now inside at floor level, so to dump I open a door in coach side, hook up hose , then have to go inside to open dump valve , wait , close valve , go back outside and disconnect.
This tiny hassle keeps from needing to have an insulated and heated bay ,just to carry black water.
Works for me.
The fresh water is also about 55gal , so both get serviced at same time.
AS the water quality varies at campsites , we only use on board water, and only fill when the water is OK.
FAST FRED |
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