| Author | Message | ||
| Wayne Ellenburg (Wlnburg)
Registered Member Username: Wlnburg Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2008 Posted From: 12.206.59.115  Rating: N/A |
Hello Guys, I am a new bus nut. I have wanted an Eagle for a good while. I finally found my dream bus, a shell on Craigslist. Went and looked at it and drove it home. My first attempt at drive one of these bohemoths. When I got home I realized there must be a technique to driving one of these. I searched out a operator to find out the secret to driving a 4 speed 8V71 only to find out his Dad had one for sale already converted. The parts were worth the price even without the bus. So, I have 2 now. I have not decided what to do with the first one yet. I am sort of attached to it. So enough about me, now my question. I plan a 40 mile trip this weekend for my first outing. Do any of you veterans have any tips or advice. Thanks for your help. | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 129 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 70.10.48.235 Rating: N/A |
Buy towing insurance befor starting out!! | ||
| Tim (Timkar)
Registered Member Username: Timkar Post Number: 102 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.64.223.203 Rating: N/A |
Congratulations. Now the fun begins !!!! A good thing to do is to check the "articles of interest" for many good tips eg: http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/12262/16204.html?1167073154 | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 276 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 70.167.209.179  Rating: N/A |
Welcome, Find a big parking lot and practice, practice, practice. I know it's sounds stupid but if you have no experience it might help. Know your clearances, especially on the passenger side when turning. Just take that four speed and shift slow after reaching the governed speed. It will take some practice. Most of all have fun and be safe. What year are your Eagles? Where are you from? Paul | ||
| Wayne Ellenburg (Wlnburg)
Registered Member Username: Wlnburg Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2008 Posted From: 128.158.122.21 Rating: N/A |
I have a '64 and a '72. I live in Hazel Green, Alabama. Just north of Huntsville. Any recommendations on towing insurance? Thanks | ||
| Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Registered Member Username: Cowlitzcoach Post Number: 195 Registered: 4-2001 Posted From: 70.1.8.31 Rating: N/A |
When you are in the parking lot practicing, practice going backwards as well as forward. You most likely won't be doing a lot of backing but learning your reference points is very important when going backwards. Also, as you back, have your spouse/significant other out on the ground spotting for you. It is a good time to learn hand signals in the daylight when it isn't raining with lots of clearnce than in the dark and in the rain and trying to thread a needle. Good luck and have fun. | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 130 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 99.202.149.4 Rating: N/A |
Good Sam has towing, also you may be able to get an emergency road service ryder on your insurance policy for $12, I use state Farm. There are many others but I do not know them. Towing a bus is expnsive, so do not leave home without it. Then go have fun Good time to start out is Sun morning, not so much traffic. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 277 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 70.167.209.179 Rating: N/A |
Wayne, If you have the time come to TBR 2008. It will be held just north of Dallas TX at Eisenhower State Park. Bring one or both of your Eagles. LOL Always good to find another Eagle Owner. You might consider joining Eagles International. If you would like more information let me know. Email addy in profile. Paul | ||
| john grazier (Johngrazier)
Registered Member Username: Johngrazier Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2008 Posted From: 74.47.114.254 Rating: N/A |
I owned 2 '48 3751 Silversides about 20 years ago. I was so ignorant about owning and driving a coach, I was dangerous. Young, free, and foolish. I just drove by instinct. It was fun, although my ex-wife was terrified. The guy who sold it to me told me to drive it like I hated it. --Meaning, to keep the rpms high and use it hard. What frightened me were the brakes, --not d.o.t. or maxibrakes. If you lost your air pressure, forget about stopping the coach.To the new owner of 2 Eagles, I suggest having everything thoroughly checked by a mechanic before driving the coaches, from tires to brakes, to engine, everything. Enjoy your self! John | ||
| Richard Bell (Richardkan)
Registered Member Username: Richardkan Post Number: 56 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 12.163.111.168 Rating: N/A |
Winburg, Contratulations on your new hobby. Looks like you have an 01 and a 05. My advice would be to get a couple of two-way radios that you and your helper can communicate while you practice the backing-up thing. I managed to back into a tree on one of my first outings. What a jolt! Dreamscape and the rest of us Eagle owners in the Eagles club welcome you to the craziness. | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 242 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.183.242.250  Rating: N/A |
Holy cow look at the Eagles coming out of the wood work!!! Nice work Wayne, got 2 already! Make sure you have spare fuel filters and know how to change them. Some folks carry 2-5 gallons of diesel for priming. Make sure your charging system is good and you have some extra oil. Find out where you starter and batteries are of course,get a good set of jumper cables,12v touble lite or flashlites,multi meter and plenty of tools and rags on board. It never hurts to have 5-10 gallons of water and maybe a funnel to get it in the radiator. Get a good trucker air guage and air up those tires. Check out and grease all your fittings underneath and fluid levels in the differential and trans as well as wheel bearings up front. Learn how to adjust your brakes and keep a healthy following distance when on the road. Take your time. 40 miles is a great first trip. Attitude is the difference between adventure and ordeal. (Are you married?)Have fun and good luck Wayne. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 281 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 70.167.209.179 Rating: N/A |
Wayne, I forgot to ask, do you have manuals from Eagle, DD and Allison? If you do great, if not I would advise you to do so. Silver Eagle has them available for the coaches. I bought our DD mnanual from another busnut. They are available on eBay sometimes. Just crawl around and get dirty, that way you will be familiar with what you have. Trust you received the Eagles International information OK. Good Luck, Paul | ||
| Wayne Ellenburg (Wlnburg)
Registered Member Username: Wlnburg Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2008 Posted From: 128.158.122.21 Rating: N/A |
I do not have any manuals. So is any one has extras let me know. I check ebay daily looking for Eagle emblems and what ever else. Paul I got the email, Thanks. Just to ease your minds, I do have a CDL w/o air brakes and less than 26,000 lbs and passenger cert. I appreciate all the help because it is different. I am married to Dawn for 27 years. I have 3 girls 23, 21, 18 and have recently taken in my niece and nephew after my mother in law passed. They are both special needs kids. Looking forward to my first outing. Please keep the sugestions coming. What may seem second nature to you will be new to me. Thanks |