Author |
Message |
Robert J. Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 11:50 am: | |
Today's the day I close the deal on the MC5A I've been mulling over these last months. Fortunately it's a bus that's not been actively 'on the market' so I've had time to examine all the merits and demerits of the deal. However, down the road, I might run into a problem that I'm sure some of you might have had to confront or will in the future. My wife has a dibilitating problem with "Neuropathy" associated with Diabetes which might mean that one day in the future she'll be unable to climb the steps into the bus....which will mean some sort of a lift to get the job done. Has anyone come up with an answer that is practical? I don't want her to be denied the joy of traveling and meeting great people for whatever years she has left to be at least partially mobile. Any information offered will be archived, not only for my benefit, but for anyone else who might need it. Thanks, NCBob |
Marc Bourget
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 12:00 pm: | |
I recall a MCI 96A(?) at Bussin 2005 with a rear door and wheelchair lift setup. Intelligent layout for a handicapped person. Sure you want to go with the 5? If you're bound and determined to go with the 5, I'd look for one of the van's used in public transporation for handicapped, like the Calif. "Dial a Ride" I coulda picked up a lift for about $500. It'd be easy to modify the lift for the 5's room (narrow), but hard(er) to mount on the bus. |
captain ron (Captain_ron)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 12:22 pm: | |
Bob, You ever see that comercial for the lift for in your home that works on your stair rail? I bet some thing like that could be modified or biult to suit your specific need. Don't let these guys talk you out of what YOU want. |
tony bare
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 12:54 pm: | |
I saw ,on tv, a man who's wife had MS and was confined to a wheelchair. He changed all switches and controlls to places that she could reach. He put a rail over the bed with a lift and roller so that she could put wide straps under her body and lift herself out of bed and onto her chair. He put a hatch in the side of the coach that was big enough for her chair and a motorized arm that went from the floor to the ceiling. She could roll up to the door,hook her chair to the straps on the arm,lift the chair off the floor and the arm swings out and down and lowers her to the ground. The reverse when she goes inside. It didn't take up floorspace, sounds scarry but it looked safe. She said that she loved the way her RV was set up because she had the freedom to do what she wanted to without being dependent on him and it allowed him to go fishing or leave the campsite without worrying about her. They seemed to enjoy thier lifestyle and they were fulltimers. |
Robert J. Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 3:52 pm: | |
There's now a pic of the Bus we bought in my profile in any of y'all are interested in taking a look. Bob |
RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 3:55 pm: | |
Welcome to the crazy world of busnuts, Bob. Now you can change your profile from "Wannabe" to MC-5A, eh? RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA |
Craig (Ceieio)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 4:21 pm: | |
Nice looking bus! |
Robert J. Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 5:38 pm: | |
it didn't take 5 minutes from the time I hung up the phone (after committing to the deal) for me to change my profile RJ! Added the pic too. The downside is that, it being in IL, I won't take a chance on picking it up until the roads and the weather are perfect. Me take a chance on getting that treasure dirty or bent? Not on your life! Bob |
JR
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 6:01 pm: | |
Bus looks great! Need a larger pix and some interior views. Have you joined the Yahoo MCI Busnuts site? [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mci-bus-nuts/] May want to consider. I believe Franklin, NC is where we've played music on a big gazeebo right in the middle of town? They always seem to be having a rock (as in rocks and gems) gathering when we are there. All the good motels are usually booked. Maybe we'll meet one of these days! We play in late August or early September. |
Robert J. Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 6:25 pm: | |
JR, we have a Saturday night shindig during the summer called "Pickin' on the Square" and from time to time have some unbelievable talent pass through. It's a gas! Looking forward to meeting you if you're ever in our area. I pick a bit myself but noy good enough to tangle with the pro's! Bob |
1gent42
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 7:03 pm: | |
Franklin is a nice place in the fall...rock hound hehehe me one ...i use to get up to spruce pine but don't take your bus on the short cut to the main highway the grade is real steep and has 4 runaways going down and yes even in low gear and breaks don't help, that's steep |
motorcoach1
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 7:05 pm: | |
yes thats a nice looking bus have fun with it ,it will serve you well |
Brian Elfert
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 8:16 pm: | |
You've already bought a bus, but I've seen a number of MCIs with factory chairlifts. I think they were all 102A3 or 102C3s with maybe a 96A3. Most of them have the chair door at the back of the bus on the curb side. The chair lift folds up inside the bus. One did have the lift at the middle of the curb side and I think the lift stowed in the bay. Any of these buses would cost far more than a MC5 unless yours is already converted. I would kinda like one with the rear chair door so I could place long cargo inside the bus for transport. Brian Elfert |
Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 8:32 pm: | |
Very nice looking bus Robert. I have a full size chair lift that I will be removing this summer. It takes up almost all of the last bay on my 102A3. Looks heavy, very industrial. You or anyone else can have it no charge once I get it removed. |
Mike (Busone)
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 1:42 am: | |
I have no idea how you would go about installing it but most people that buy transits want to get rid of the lifts. You might check with the yahoo RTS group and see if anybody wants to give you one. |
Arthur J Griffith
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 12:59 pm: | |
ROBERT- Back in 2005 when I was at the bussin 2005 I was parked next to a nice gentleman that was wheelchair bound. He traveled alone in an older Prevost. He had a lift that was setup in the front door entrance that would bring him down from inside floor level to the ground where he would slip into his wheelchair. The lift would swing out of the way in the up position to allow others to use the entrance. I believe he had it installed in the s. Fla area near Arcadia. The bus was also setup with all hand controls. Really a neat setup. I didn't see any modifactions to the entrance other than the installation. I don't remember the gentlemans name but I think if you called Jack Conrad he may be able to you in touch with him or even tell you where the bus may have been equipped. GOOD LUCK with your adventure. ARTHUR |