| Author | Message | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.60 Rating: N/A |
Hey busnut crew although I have grown up with buses I am a newby when it comes to getting my own. The wife and I have narrowed our choices down to a nicely converted Flx and a used 35' F/C Wanderlodge. I have read many times that people with bus conversions have trouble finding a campground that will take them for the night....is this REALLY a big problem. The intent of us investing in one of these is to tour the country with our kids so they can have some great learning experiences but if finding a campground to take a bus is a big issue then I will lean toward the Wanderlodge. Tell it to me like it is Tim | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_liebler Post Number: 286 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 67.141.38.141 Rating: N/A |
If you are not a wealthy celebrity you simply don't want to stay with the snobs at the very few campgrounds that won't take a good looking flat nosed bus conversion. When you call ahead for reservations simply call it a 35 foot or 40 foot class a motorhome. I've never had a problem, but some posters have. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 68 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.60 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Jerry. I am not the snob type and I suspected it was less of a problem than it's made out to be as long as you avoid the B word  | ||
| Amy E. Riley (Familycoach)
Registered Member Username: Familycoach Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 130.76.96.17 Rating: N/A |
We just came back from a vacation all along the West Coast, and back to Oklahoma, and since we were looking for a bus we asked along the way if it would be a problem to park a bus. There was only one place in California that wouldn't except one. Even the RV park in Malibu would take us in a 40 ft. bus. | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 192 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 69.77.155.72 Rating: N/A |
You can't always blame some parks for saying NO to the B word. We have all seen VW buses bolted to the top of a retired yellow schoolie. (Sometimes a purple or rusty schoolie.) This is what the campground guy sees when he hears the B word. We usually say "coach" because there are roads & spots where a 35' camper can get in/through but a coach has real trouble because of turning radius. We have also seen a couple of camp grounds where it was literally all our bus could do to get up the road to leave because of a very steep climb from a standing start. We have never had a hassle on the phone or when we arrived about actually being a converted bus. Jim-Bob | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Registered Member Username: Cowlitzcoach Post Number: 168 Registered: 4-2001 Posted From: 204.245.228.220 Rating: N/A |
If you are serious about traveling the country, you will not be very satisfied with a "bus" with the engine in front, particularly if it is a Cat 3208. Not only does a front engine add a lot of heat into the driver's compartment but a front engine also contributes a lot of noise into the same area as well. About the only engine that would make more noise up front than a 3208 would be a DD 6V-53. Get the Flx and have some great learning experiences with your kids. Mark O. Castle Rock, WA | ||
| Kenneth Hintermeister (Barbwire)
Registered Member Username: Barbwire Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 64.12.117.73 Rating: N/A |
We just got back to Minnesota from a 10,000 mile trip thru Canada to Alaska. Never called ahead, Just stopped wherever we wanted to spend a couple days. Not once did any campground snivel about our MC9. They all seemed pleased to accomodate us. | ||
| John Kikta (Eznuff)
Registered Member Username: Eznuff Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 12.4.141.8 Rating: N/A |
I am an RVer and I was told that you should just ask if they have any "big rig" sites. This usually means a pull-thru that is capable of handling a bus-sized motorhome. | ||
| Jim & Linda Callaghan (Jimc)
Registered Member Username: Jimc Post Number: 40 Registered: 2-2004 Posted From: 66.175.206.159 Rating: N/A |
I have found that most campgrounds will take a bus, the only one's that I had a problem with were the fancy RV RESORTS as they are referred to in places like Phoenix, or Miami. Those people have their noses in the air, and most of them will not accept anything more than 10 years old. OK by me, because their daily rate is $40-50 per day. Jim | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 789 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 72.91.168.92 Rating: N/A |
Kenneth has it right - If your traveling to truly "interesting" sights you will have no problem finding accommodatians - HTH | ||
| J.C.B. (Eagle)
Registered Member Username: Eagle Post Number: 131 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 166.214.204.106 Rating: N/A |
We need to reprogram ourselves to use the word COACH rather than BUS. Back in the 40's and 50's Greyhound and Trailways used Buses now Greyhound uses Coaches. Just use the word coach and you will not have a problem unless the paint is peeling and the sides are rusty and etc. | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 183 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 142.46.199.30 Rating: N/A |
We've never had a problem. I never refer to it as a bus, when I call for a reservation. If the outside of the coach is grubby from travelling, I stop and clean it up somewhat before we arrive at the campground. DaveD | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 712 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 66.38.120.219 Rating: N/A |
Front Engine Bluebirds have very low resale value also. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 745 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.117.21 Rating: N/A |
Most Blue Birds were school busses, then they started making motorhomes also. Don't have the storage of coaches, are heavy, and a lot of steel in them. Adored mostly by other Blue Bird owners. But hey, if you like it, go for it. Newell also made something similar. Both were expensive compared to SandS, but were nice inside. Check FMCA magazine also for used ones. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 69 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.211.51.248 Rating: N/A |
I would actually prefer the Flx to the bluebird. I'll keep everyone posted as we go along. Can anybody recommend somewhere to get an inspection done in the Birmingham AL area? | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 716 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 66.38.120.219 Rating: N/A |
Is Flx a motorhome brand or do you mean Flxible. If you are willing to consider a Flxible, I would add GM highway buses to the list to, as well as MCI. There are some great conversions in GMs at reasonable prices and there were lots of them made so parts will not be so difficult. No GM highway coaches were made since 1980. If you were looking to buy a used airplane a lot of the good choices would be older than that. Comparing buses and airplanes is probably a fair comparison, except that it is easy to pull off the road and get help when you need it in a bus. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 746 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.117.21 Rating: N/A |
Tim, be careful even with the purchase of the Flxible, as parts now are getting harder to find. Is it an over the road coach, or a city model? What year is it? City models usually have limited storage areas, which will be desired as you get into it. Also, you need to really check out the rust issues in these units, as they had a lot of steel in their rear engine and suspension areas which by now could be like swiss cheese, and a nightmare to repair...$$$$$. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 70 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221 Rating: N/A |
It's over the road, a 1964 Flxliner. I am going over to inspect it this week and see what kind of a shape it's in. The story I got was that it belonged to a preacher who traveled from church to church and has now retired. He is selling it for what he owes. Although it looks like a possible good deal I won't know till I get over to Alabama. I want to spend $18-20K and I figuerd with this one if it's mechanically and structurally sound it gives me some leftover to upgrade a few systems and perform a few repairs. Here is the ad http://www.thebusman.com/buses-details.aspx?BusNo=44 | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Registered Member Username: Cowlitzcoach Post Number: 170 Registered: 4-2001 Posted From: 204.245.250.149 Rating: N/A |
A Flxliner is a great choice for a 35' coach. The downside of owning a Flx is that they haven't been made in a long time so some of the OEM only parts and pieces are getting a little hard to find. In particular the windshields are really hard to find. Be careful with the drop box. They are fairly indestructible if used properly but they can be stripped out if misused. Replacement of a drop box can be a bit of a problem. The 6-71 has plenty of power in a coach of that size, particularly with a 5-speed. If you need a little more go, adding a turbo is not that big of a problem. With the torsion bar suspension the Flxliner ride is really smooth. The down side as all of the Eagle owners know is finding someone who really knows how to set up a torsion bar suspension is getting difficult. IMHO, between a good Flx and a BB Wanderlodge there is no choice. I would take the Flx any day. And the price is very attractive. Mark O. Castle Rock, WA | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 71 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.60 Rating: N/A |
Mark, Thanks for the feedback on the drop box. I am more familiar with boats than buses and in the marine industry we would get an oil analysis done on a gear box or V drive to get an idea of the condition. Would the same apply for a drop box? | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Registered Member Username: Cowlitzcoach Post Number: 172 Registered: 4-2001 Posted From: 204.245.250.9 Rating: N/A |
The same would apply. The thing to remember is drop boxes, rear ends, and manual transmissions in buses are nearly indestructible. The components used by most coach manufacturers were the same as those theat were used in Class 7 & 8 trucks. The components were designed and built for twice to three times as much load as what most buses would ever experience. Consequently most never failed. If when you pull the drain pllug out to test the oil in the drop box and nothing but oil comes out the odds are very good the drop box is fine. The only caution I would have about a Flx with a 6-71/5-speed is 210 HP is not a lot of HP when you get into the mountains. Out on the flat most Flx's would keep up or pass just about anything else on the road. But get them into the mountains and they do tend to slow down. You wouldn't have to worry about most MC-7's or MC-8's passing you, particularly if they have automatics. While they are slowing down or stoppping to cool off you will be able to keep right on climbing. And with a set of Jakes to help you slow you down on the other side the MC's will have real hard time keeping up. Good luck and enjoy the view from a Flx. Mark O. Castle Rock, WA | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 505 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.42 Rating: N/A |
I have no problems in the Rockies with my 671 four speed 4104-it just goes slow uphill, but who cares? Shifting keeps you busy, no time to get drowsy driving one of these! Five speeds would be a dream! | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 257 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.59.75.212 Rating: N/A |
Both the Flxliners we restroed had serious rust issues in the bulkheads of the front suspension. serious to the point of iminent catostrophic failure | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.60 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the warning Doug I'll have a close look at that area. Tim | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 506 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.21 Rating: N/A |
Tim, If the Flx doesn't work out look at 4104s, no steel structure to rust out. I do admit to being biased though. Doug can tell you all you ever want to know about 4104s since he had about the nicest one ever. I've never been turned away because I drive a bus, never been turned away for any reason for that matter. A bunch of times the park owner even came out to look at the bus when we were leaving. The owner of a park in TX said the bus is "Cool". They are almost always amazed when I tell them it is a '54. One owner recently thought it was a mid '70s model. Of course I usually avoid any RV park with "Resort" in the name. As another post said, I always say Coach when I call for reservations. | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 718 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 66.38.120.219 Rating: N/A |
I would think you would buy a Flex because you loved that model bus, like you would buy a Packard because you loved that model car. If you buy a GM, MCI, or Eagle you will probably have an easier time with maintenance because of greater numbers, parts availability and being able to find a mechanic who knows the bus. Speaking of maintenance, you said it is a preachers bus. I hope he was a well off preacher who believed in maintenance. You find a lot of warnings about church buses on this board. Some preacher conversions were only enough to get the job done. There are enough buses out there for you to find just what you want, so don't rush. To someone who doesn't have a bus, they all can look good when you first look at them. If you have the money, you are in a good position to buy what you want. In 35 ft coaches I would look at a GM 4106, one of the best, or a 4108 (more bay space). Be sure you get automatic transmission and power steering if you want them. It will cost a lot to convert to automatic transmission. Power steering is an affordable add on. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 73 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Stephen, I spent a long time talking with the former owner. It was not a "church" bus but one that belonged to a pastor. He owned it for 18 years and fulltimed with his wife for 12 in it. From speaking with him I am confident that he did maintain it well as he gave me a list of all he did in the last 5 years including an inframe on the 6-71 all with documentation. If it looks like something we are interested in I plan on getting a good bus mechanic to inspect it along with an oil analysis of engine and gear. I really apreciate all the feedback as I know you are trying to save me some heartache Tim |