| Author | Message | ||
| Dave Knight (Dax)
Registered Member Username: Dax Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 198.60.114.188 Rating: N/A |
Please bear with me and my dumb questions guys and let me know if I step out of forum boundaries, not my intention. I'm rather terrified and possibly irrationally of on the road breakdowns. These things are not like a car that you can push or tow to a regular garage. In my lurking it seems to me that breakdowns occur more frequently than maybe I originally thought. Towing insurance seems to be a real issue that I've been reading up on but what is it that seems to really cause most breakdowns? Is it something that can usually be avoided with proper maintenance and knowing your coach or is it more random? I'm pretty handy with my tools but new to diesels and totally new to buses! I'm also wondering how much money people keep handy for such an incident when they travel. Not many people go out on the road with a spare $5000 in their wallet and the idea of being stuck along the road or in a strange town with a broken bus with all my possessions is not all that enticing although I'm sure an adventure. Wish I could sit down with everyone, buy a round and pick brains for an evening. Thanks! | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 179 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.141 Rating: |
Whew. I think it'd be safe to say, that your fears about breaking down are no different than every busnut here. "You're not paranoid, they're really out to get you!" (HAR) It cost me over $200 to get winched out of a parking spot at the storage place where the bus is parked. I had backed into the designated spot, only to have the rear duals sink into the soft sand. Any attempt to move, just made it sink deeper. It took the tow guy longer to get there, than to get me out. (I didn't have insurance) I never got stuck when I drove these things for a living, and I never worried about the cost of breaking down.. Now that I own one... well... your fears are real! This has been said before, but probably worth re-typing: When you buy a used bus, you're buying a used commercial vehicle that the commercial operator feels can no longer produce a satisfactory profit (i.e.: can no longer be trusted to last the day without breakdown). No matter if it's extensive rust, or just too many parts to replace, if it's not good enough to make money with, the operator is going to get rid of it. Sooo..... the first thing you would want to do prior to buying a bus (or even making an offer ($$) to buy), is to take it to a competent -bus garage- for a total and complete inspection. You'd want an itemized list with prices, if possible. If the owner won't let you take it to a -bus garage-, walk away from it. There is no "cheap bus"; that $3k "deal" could end up being hooked to the salvage yard where it should have gone years prior..... If the bus garage gives you a list of their charges to fix everything that needs repair to make it road worthy, you'll know better what you have to look forward to. If it still fits your budget, then buy it and get that work done. That list with prices will also help you negotiate the best price to buy it at. I bought my bus for a decent price, but I could have bought it for $4k less than I offered, had I got it inspected prior to making an offer. The Church operator was asking $9k more than I offered, and no other operator wanted it! The operator knew what was needed (I took it to the same garage he took it to, after buying it), but he did not disclose that information to me prior to sale. As far as worrying about breaking down? Well.... a lot has changed in my life since I bought the bus and began the transformation.... I didn't worry too much about the bus "breaking down" before, and although it'd whoop the hell out of our bank account, I still don't fear it enough to not want a bus. Why? Well.... We once had a Winnebago that had to have it's 454 gas engine replaced. It was covered by the dealers insurance (they ruined it), and the work done at another shop. The cost? A bit over $12,000. They had to remove the front axle and take it out through the bottom. It was replaced with a long block, complete with carburetor, wiring harness, etc.... Finding a used engine to fit into a bus, and having it swapped at any shop, would cost less than 1/2 of that Winnebago job. I once had to replace a tire on a 37' "Georgie-Boy" while on a trip... $275... I bought two tires for the bus (take-offs) at a truck shop for $100 each, plus $25 each for mounting.... To tell you the truth? I now worry about -me- lasting the trip, rather than the bus lasting the trip. So Dave.... If you don't fear your own health giving out mid-trip, more than the bus's health giving out mid-trip... don't be overly optimistic about either... but do what you want to with all the knowledge you can get... Life can change in an instant. If you would love to own a bus, go for it. If either you, or the bus doesn't make it, at least you can say you tried........ But get the blasted thing inspected before you buy it! | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 652 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
knowledge is just wonderful,a busnut in your area could help alot,the bus garages I've been to,kinda don't want ya' around,find somebody in your area that knows about two-cycle diesels & buses & pay him to inspect it with you. buy the best running bus you can afford,then, all you have to worry about is changeing it to a motorhome,or,buy an already converted bus, | ||
| steve gaines (Kysteve)
Registered Member Username: Kysteve Post Number: 38 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 74.140.165.225 Rating: N/A |
Dave, Ive just been readin in and catching up on the board and thought Id throw my 2 cents in. My advice to you would be to look for the uglyist bus (in the make and model you desire). Keep in mind you most likely will be filling in the window areas and completly painting the outside of the bus. With this in mind a little body damage can make a big discount on the price. And the interior, well lets just imagine what it would do to bring the price down if the interior stinks of smoke and age and is ratted out with torn seats and the such that make it useless. Again it brings down the price dramaticaly. It dont matter though, imagine all the stinking torn ratted interior laying in the driveway next to the bus, cause thats where its going anyway, right guys??? I would be highly concerned with the mechanics of the bus itself. Dont worry yourself about tires, you just need enough tire to get the bus to the destination of the place you will be doing your conversion. Lets say for instance you find a bus with brand new tires for instance. I hope you get them inside because the sun is going to dryrot them pretty bad in the 4 or 5 years it takes to do your conversion, you get the drift??? Not all of us have the luxery of a nice building big enough to get our bus in (not me anyway). So then (if your bus is outside) say its been 5 years and youve got your bus done and your ready to head out for your first 500 mile trip, Are you goin on those tires?? All Im sayin is enphasis, on what you need. Dont buy whats not any good to you and really think about what bus fits your needs. Maybe three of the side windows were broke out (who cares they are goin in the dumpster anyway). Just put the good ones in the holes you dont want to cover. Again all these things bring down the value of the bus, but are no good to you anyway. Id try to make sure I get the major mechanical things in your bus, ie power steering, auto trans ect. Just my 2 cents.......Steve | ||
| Muddog16 (Muddog16)
Registered Member Username: Muddog16 Post Number: 319 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 4.224.189.139 Rating: N/A |
I'm sure that most of us when we leave the house don't inspect the car or truck before we leave on a trip other than to change the oil, wash it, maybe check the tire pressures. These buses need way more than that. Like John said most of us own a bus that is 25 or more years old! Check for oil leaks, grease on wheels, coolant level, hoses, belts, tire pressure, make a complete list and check it every time you take a trip, it might not catch everything but if you see an air line that is cracking or a oil leak something isn't right! Check it out and save yourself some money! | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 657 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
You CAN take a college course in diesel mechanics | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
Registered Member Username: Drdave Post Number: 730 Registered: 5-2005 Posted From: 67.78.176.54 Rating: N/A |
Parts falling off is an acceptable way of life when dealing with bus conversions, Sure you don't want that to happen too often or the parts to be too big or costly. Yet it does happen a little to just about everyone sometime. The excitement begins and ends when you get back home. or IF you get back home and didn't have any issues. That's the scary part !! Getting there and back and not haveing some irritating problem. Get CoachNet insurance for towing, Have a charge card with enough room left for those small to medium gotcha's and go for it. Carry at least $500 for "extra unthinkables" and as long as you don't make a big mess you will survive. Every Trip IS an Adventure..... | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 658 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
and the adventure is in the trip,not the destination | ||
| james dean boggs (Jd_boggs)
Registered Member Username: Jd_boggs Post Number: 106 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 75.80.240.25 Rating: N/A |
I pay $194/year for insurance including towing on my bus. If you can get this insurance in your state, get it. Second, I always take with me every tool I possibly can and some spare parts. Last 4 trips I've had a break down. Mostly simple things but one major hydraulic steering hose blew. I got lucky and found a NAPA parts store that makes hoses. I replaced it in 3 hours. Ran out of fuel once cost me $175 for the tow and 30 gallons of fuel. Point is you never know what's going to blow. Be ready for the small things. Also there's a list of bus nuts who will help you out in case of emergency. So, should you break down near me. I'll give you a hand. Good luck. | ||
| Roy M Strickland (Rstrick182)
Registered Member Username: Rstrick182 Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 70.144.232.133 Rating: N/A |
I feel compelled to share my story too.... LOL Let's wind back the clock a bit shall we? The date is: 08/05... I was 24 yrs of age... I saw a "1980" RTS in the AutoTrader online. It is in San Antonio, TX. I call the guy and talk with him a while about things like AC, Reliability, will I make it back to GA, stuff like that. He said he felt sure it would and I took him at his word, bought a 1 way plane ticket to San Antonio and went and checked it out. It started right up just as fast as any diesel I've ever seen. I thought to myself: "this is encouraging". So, with the bus running, I anxiously make my way up to the front to get in and check it out.... Ah, it wasn't in the best shape, and I don't guess it was in the worst either. My first test was the A/C. I turned it on, and the air handler kicked in but the air never got cold, or even cool for that matter. Guy says yea, it sure worked better than that last time I used it. (Sure it did) So, I take a test drive... my initial impression: Bus drove nice bus was really slow accelerating and topped out at 57 on the speedo. (Seems to be about 55 in actuality) I kinda dismissed the slow acceleration because I up until this point had only ridden on buses... I wasn't really happy about the speed, but hey, I figured it was just governed that way and thought no more about it. So dummy me, I buy the dang thing and off I go... Guy says: yea' it should be about full, so I wouldn't worry about fuel for a while. (Ok I thought, this probably will fall in line with the AC... ) So, I say heck, I'll just stop and see what she takes.... about 90 gallons... Boy was she ever full... Glad I checked needless to say... So, I'm making my way back and no problem so far... I get to Houston and I check in the driver's side mirror and look back to see the rear of the panel going around the tire flapping in the breeze... oh boy... here we go.... So I stop at a little convenience store and buy a bungee cord to rig it up. (Still rigged up to this day...) Cool I thought, that was easy enough. I continue through Houston rubbing the occasional curb on the right side because this thing is SO wide. I am not used to all of this, but it sure is fun. So, the trip continues, quite a ways without anything noteworthy, just fuel stops... I get to Florida around Pensacola and my fun really begins. I had been up since the day before when I flew to San Antonio and have been driving pretty much non stop (other than fuel and food). There are two FL State Troopers sitting in the median. I laughed to myself thinking, well, I ain't gonna get stopped unless I'm going too slow. I go on by and here he comes.... I say surely not for me... Sure enough... So I pull on over. By this time, I hadn't eaten in quite sometime and haven't slept. So, I'm pale white and shaking a little (I guess cause I smoke). The cop tells me he don't like the way I look (pale and shaking) and that I'm making him nervous. (I thought: I'm making you nervous......... OK) So, I told him I just bought the bus and I'm on my back to GA with it. He asks me if I have anything on the bus that he needs to know about. I said no, I just bought the thing. Blah blah, so here comes the drug dog. Do you mind if we take a look? No, I don't suppose I do. So, I'm at the back of the bus talking to the backup officer and we were having a nice chat about the bus and what I was gonna do with it. Blah blah, nothing on the bus. (Duh, I just told you that) Anyway, the guys were really friendly and told me to have a safe trip and let me go. (He said he stopped me for failure to maintain a single lane.... yea ok. You saw me drift from the median, you are good!) Blah blah... So, cops gone, I fire the ole' bus back up and take off.... I go about 3 miles and the turd just quit, I mean just quit. So, I coast of the road and get off and go to the back to check it out. I checked the oil, NOT A DROP on the stick. I thought to myself, hunkey dorey. So, I pick up my cell phone and dial *FHP. I said "Hi this is the narcotics bus, I just got pulled over Eastbound mile marker XX and I took off went about 3 miles and broke down. Could you please send the officers that were just here back and let them know I'm about 3 miles up the road. Sure, so about 10 min. later, the one with the dog came back and asked me what the prob was. I told him I didn't know, but I thought the bus had shut down because it was low on oil. I asked him if he could go pick me up a few gallons of oil. I gave him the money and off he went to get my oil. He got back and I filled up the oil and tried to start it up. No dice. I said "sh*t, I just knew it was the oil." Well it wasn't. So, the nice officer went and called me some roadside mechanic there out of Milton, FL (and no it wasn't Larry Ward). While I'm waiting for the mech. to come I call the seller and thank him for his blessing and ask him if he has any thought on the problem. He directed me immediately to the breakers behind the driver seat. Told me to look and see if any of the "little buttons" had popped up. One had. He said push it back down and try it out. I pushed it down, went to try it and boom, we had a whole 2 seconds of run time. Breaker pops again. DANG So I push it down and it doesn't stay, doesn't stay and doesn't stay. So we let the mech know by phone we had located the problem and that we needed a breaker. I am pale, weak and HOT!! I mean HOT. So, the officer is there waiting with me, the mech. is taking forever and I get sick... oh boy. So, back to how awful I'm looking and this and that. So he goes to his Explorer and gets his own personal snack and gives them to me and insists that I eat them. (He was a really nice guy!!) Well mech goes shopping for parts, charges me whatever ungodly hourly rate while shopping and then shows up with the wrong kind of breaker... sweet. So, turns out the little fuel cutoff solenoid is the problem and has frozen in the off position. (I actually can't remember if it was the little solenoid itself or a short in the line... In any case, he either swapped the fast idle solenoid with the fuel cutoff or just swapped the wires. I can't remember for sure which. But whatever it runs, I'm ready to go. FINALLY, YES... ON THE ROAD.... So, I'm feeling better now to be back on the road... I go about 15 miles and I pull off for fuel and to check out my oil status. There is flippin oil ALL OVER the back of the bus... the bumper is COVERED. By this time I'm really starting to get annoyed with the whole affair. I called the seller again to see what his thoughts were on this most recent development and of course, I don't remember what he had to say, but I know it wasn't much help. So heck with it, I got some more oil and replaced what was missing. (Not too much yet...) So I drove on and did make it back without any further incident. (Other than oil spewage) So, here's where we are so far. Bus: $2495, Batteries that were supposed to be included with purchase: $320 about 3.5 - 4 mpg: PRICELESS So say about $500 in fuel (pre-Katrina prices) and about $100 in oil. Not long after this disaster did I stumble onto this forum (very luckily) and started posting. (Always posted under RStrick182) I think my first post was about the terrible oil slick dispenser and where to start looking. Then I can remember an issue with my rear-door interlock. (I guess that turned out to be a cold issue as it went away on its own and hasn't returned since.) Then there was the time I run out of fuel. (I ran out on Sunday afternoon on a short little dirt road cut-through. I never dreamed I was out of fuel. So, I stayed and tinkered until dark. I went home flustered and of course turned to none other than BNO for advice. Got plenty of good advice. Got up first thing Mon. morning and called big towing co. to come tow my bus. They say: "Oh, we've already got it, it's been impounded and is on its way". I said: Oh hell to the no. I drove up to the Sheriff's Dept. and chewed on some butt. I mean, it was off to the side, it wasn't hurting anyone and it hasn't even been 24 hours. Turd heads. So, I haul tater' over to the towing place and they are just rolling up with my bus which really pissed me off because I could have intercepted them on-site had I known they were still there. So I asked the wrecker guy how it tows and he said: "That thing is heavy" So, they go ahead and fix me up, prime er' up, new fuel filters and 20 gallons of fuel. $350 Impound and $500 labor. Lucky me, bet I don't run my happy ass out of gas again! (... or not) So then we have the next incident where I'm backing in my driveway in the dark and land the drivers side set of rear wheels in the ditch. Put it in drive and they were just a spinnin'. YEEEHAW, the fun just continues right on. So, I call the same lovely towing company and tell them I have a city bus, I was backing in the driveway and one set of wheels went in a ditch, I need someone to come pull me out. Ok they say, we'll get someone right out. SO here comes this POS little sissy roll-back truck. HAHA He gets there and says I can't pull that with this. So I asked him what part of city bus they didn't understand.... BLAH BLAH BLAH, "YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD US IT WAS A "DIESEL PUSHER"". Gee, aren't most city buses? The local transit service uses little Ford Vans with little shuttle bus bodies and we thought that's what you meant by city bus. Did I say Shuttle Van, no I did not, I said city BUS. Key frickin' word BUS. Not car, not truck, not van... BUS So, I gotta pay for the wrong wrecker they sent $50. Then $275 to winch me 12 inches forward with a bigger truck. Thanks (I almost ended up with a free tow because Mr. Slick original rollback wrecker man insisted he be behind the wheel when they pulled it out... ok big boy, you handle it. He almost ass-ended the wrecker spare about 6 inches. I just laughed and got off the bus. Dummy has like a foot long air brake pedal and hes got his foot on the VERY BOTTOM of it... like maybe the first 2" so when he goes to stop, not too much happens the first time or two. HAHA) Enough is enough, I have had it with this little endeavor let me tell you. So the bus sat in my driveway for 9 mos. without being moved, but started and run occasionally. Well, I run out of fuel again.... Well, since I am in my driveway I am gonna fix it myself this time come hell or high water. So once again, I turn to the BNO forum. Someone mentions getting a little electric fuel pump and connect it at the fuel filters and run it to 2 gallon container of diesel and the bus should run and prime itself. BOY OH BOY, that has got to be the WORLD'S GREATEST TRICK. So, 1st time out of fuel $850, 2nd time out of fuel $40. Finally, a break. So anyway, I discussed on this forum options of getting the old 8v71 rebuilt. I almost did but then... here comes Larry Ward with one of his buses for sale out of Milton, FL. (HAHA all I could think about was my previously mentioned Milton, FL road-side service!!) Well, I went and checked out that bus and now she sits just as pretty in my driveway as ever. I got the old one parked up at my dad's cabinet shop and it is soon to find a new home somewhere. I decided against rebuilding the old one since I got the new one. I guess it has just the motor in the newer one has just been rebuilt. It was just as nice looking painted silver and clean. What, NO SMOKE, wow. This is a first. What POWER, dang another first. What, I can do 60+ now, oh I'm liking this. What, I drove all the way back and didn't have to add a drop of oil and no complimentary oil bath. WHOA. Dang, I almost doubled my fuel mileage. I am on a roll. So, sorry about the book everyone, but it just goes to show you the range of what to expect. It might be the worst, it might be a winner. I can tell you this much: Ask Larry Ward if I was a smarter buyer on the 2nd go-round (thanks to all of you guys here and at RTS Bus Nuts group). GOSH, hind sight is always 20-20. If I had known then (1st time) what I know now. :-) By the way, just as a little side note. I have both buses insured through State Farm as motorhome for Liability and Towing only. Each bus costs me $87/yr. NOT TOO SHABBY THERE. Another little side note: When I was referring to power earlier in my "book" above, here a little reference for you guys. There is an overpass going over some R/R Tracks here in town. Nothing special just your run of the mill overpass... Old Bus 78' RTS Series 01 w/ 8v71N, from bottom of hill to right at top, pedal to the floor... 23 mph. Newer Bus 88' RTS Series 06 w/6v92T, from bottom of hill to right at top, pedal to the floor... 51 mph. (EVEN WITH TALLER GEARS) WHAT A BARGAIN. Now in slight defense of the old bus it has more initial torque... say side by side at the light, the old bus would definitely jump out in front to start but would be eaten up fairly quickly. I run next to a loaded school bus with the new bus and it ate me up off the line, the kids were waving bye bye to me and all. But once the ole' 6v92 wound up good, it was me waving bye bye. I know I gotta have some of that EPA crap because I have the characteristic slow rolling start. She's pretty mean once she winds up good, especially if it is cold out. Funny, when the engine is cold and its cold outside, the bus will barely roll itself out of the driveway. Let er' warm up though. I love the truck drivers. I had one the other day I thought he was gonna blow the truck up trying to keep up. Although he initially got me off the line too. Seems like I always come back in 2nd gear. Anyway, I really enjoyed writing this, I hope at least 1 person will read it. LOL RS | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 661 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
yes...a million storys,some of them fun...tho... i was driveing south for the winter,went thru this small town,really,kinda quiet,not much going on....get to the outskirts of town, and, HUNDREDS of people...all lined up on the side of the road...WAVEING....got them little triangles...& COW BELLS...& everybody smileing...waveing...ringing bells & more waveing...&...me waveing back... &....wondering ...& I look in my rear view mirror... &.. there are two buses behind me & I realize...it's the town high school football team,they are going off to play a neighboring town... & ME.... I'M IN A PARADE....& ... I'M the leader...then, I really get into it...YEAHHHH...I'M IN A PARADE WEEEEEEEEEEEEE | ||
| Roy M Strickland (Rstrick182)
Registered Member Username: Rstrick182 Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 70.144.232.133 Rating: N/A |
Well Bob, I have been reading old posts since I wrote the post above your last one in this thread. I've read all kinds of stories including your home invasion. I am sorry for that happening to you, but I feel inspired to "carry" now myself.... cause like you guys say... It only takes that once without it and its all over with. By the way, you got some funny posts on this board. I've been cracking up all night. I love the ones about neighbor disputes. I had one of those I posted about before... LOL Glad those people finally moved. They liked to rev their motorcycle, so I like to rev my bus. LOL Only at the time, my revs included free mosquito control... I love it. They even sent the police to see me once. RS | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 662 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
REALLY..UNBELIEVEABLE...some of the things that "happen" ..in life...like I said...the adventure is in the trip..not, the destination..another time, was driveing along, kept seeing these signs...RAY'S BAR-B-QUE..30 miles....RAY'S BAR-B-QUE 26 miles...so on & so on, by the time I started getting close..thought'heck, bar-b-que sounds good... so.. I pull off the interstate & there's this little building,maybe 30x30 & I park the bus,set the air brakes,comb my hair, flip the airswitch & my door opens, & I walk around & toward the entrance...the waitress AND the cashier...are holding the door open..I walk thru...& look back...& they are just standing there......?........then...they say .."we thought it was a busload of people".. yeah...the home invasion..a bad experience...but...could have been LOTS worse..LOTS...if the pistol had not been taped to the underside of the drawer... "LIFE" is what happens...while you are waiting | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 663 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
hours of boredom.....followed by moments of shear terror  | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 145 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.125.9.251 Rating: N/A |
Nice story Roy! If i knew then what i dont know know i wouldent have bought our bus! They are like boats. You can buy an old one cheep, its just costs you to keep it. |
