| Author | Message | ||
| Jack.In.KC (24.94.180.65)
Rating: N/A |
I am thinking about buying a 1986 Royal converted Prevost. I know this does not qualify me as a true shirtsleeve bus nut but if you experienced guys could lend me some help it will be appreciated. I have only looked at pictures so far but it is represented to be in pretty good shape. I have been window shopping for over ten years while I drive a 72 Newell. The coach is: 8V92 turbo; Jake brake; dash air plus three cruse airs. They live in the south and have not used the heat but they say it has “a webasto”. However, they thought that it was propane heat. Webasto has not made propane heaters, have they? I know that a dynamo test is the best way to check the engine. Is that a good idea? How much does it cost. Is it best to take it to Prevost, DD, or someplace else? How about testing the oil? Is that a good idea and how much does it cost? What else can be looked at on the drive train? How about steering and suspension? Who can look at it for me? Prevost suggested a DOT inspection. The coach is going from Washington DC to Florida during July. I can meet them along the way if anyone has a good suggestion for a mechanic. Thanks in advance for the help. Jack.In.KC | ||
| Jayjay (65.134.220.25) Rating: N/A |
An oil analysis is good (as long as they haven't done a recent oil change)Skip the DOT inspection though. Try to find a shop or truck stop and pay a mechanic to check the brakes, compression, etc, and look at the frame and body seams for signs of rust or (worse) signs that the rust has recently been repaired or painted over. Look for water leakage around the window seals (common on Prevost) if so, then be careful of floor rot, and rust around the window frames. G'Luck ...JJ | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.88.14)
Rating: N/A |
Jayjay...why skip the DOT inspection? One of the best shops in our area recommended it as knowing what the bus is all about (cost is $42)and the owner also susggested a steam clean prior to the inspection (cost, around an hour of time for a complete, squeaky clean job). Certified by their shop as road ready for the state. Seems like a pretty reasonable inspection to me. (cost here about a century bill.) Cheaper than an oil change and lube. I intend to do it. Comments? Thanx, RCB | ||
| Jayjay (65.134.221.192) Rating: N/A |
If the inspection is done by a private shop, then I'm all for it, but if the State Patrol does it, they seem to ask strange questions that aren't related to the safety side of the issue. (How did it get here if you don't have a CDL?, is one of them.) Until it is retitled as a motorhome, most cops want to see a CDL, since they won't believe that you are'nt going to continue with a charter business. G'Luck, and Cheers...JJ | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (170.215.36.155)
Rating: N/A |
JJ, according to the California Highway Patrol at Needles Ca, if you remove the company name and ID lettering decals from the bus and you are driving it on a temporary tag, and you have bought it as a private individual, it is not considered a commercial vehicle. Only when it has a commercial registration and it has company names written on it and the ID decals, then it becomes a commercial vehicle again. The Officer was very insistant on it being on a temporary tag and that the company name was removed. Since the temporary tag is the same as the one you get for any vehicle, perhaps it removes the normal status of the vehicle whilst driving under it. Peter. | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.92) Rating: N/A |
The mention of cruiseairs and dash air leads me to believe this is an already converted coach. Why all the discussion about the CDL requirements and worrying about overly-zealous cops? IMHO, wherever u live, find yourself a shop that does DOT passenger bus certifications for the state. They will at least give u a thorough road safety check of all systems, add a few $$ and they will check out the non-safety mechanical systems generally. The more sophisticated u want this inspection to be, the more it will cost u. | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.92) Rating: N/A |
The mention of cruiseairs and dash air leads me to believe this is an already converted coach. Why all the discussion about the CDL requirements and worrying about overly-zealous cops? IMHO, wherever u live, find yourself a shop that does DOT passenger bus certifications for the state. They will at least give u a thorough road safety check of all systems, add a few $$ and they will check out the non-safety mechanical systems generally. The more sophisticated u want this inspection to be, the more it will cost u. | ||
| FAST FRED (65.56.27.9) Rating: N/A |
A DOT inspection will tell you if its in roadworthy condition , BUT nothing about the condition of the drive gear. ONLY a chasis dynomometer at a DD or other big truck place can tell engine condition. If its a slushpump ONLY the use of test gages while operating on that chasis dynomometer can tell if its in reasonable condirtion. None of these tests will replace a TEST ride by someone that can tell you if the steering has slop , or if it pulls to one side or other operational problems. Checking a coach out is more than just a quickie process , esp if you need to have someone attempt to tell how good the conversion inside is. A good long talk with the owner should give a peak into his conversion style (what he attempted to have the conversion actually DO)and you can figure if it suits you. One example of this would be tank capacity. About 50 gal works for about a week (with practice) so if your boondockin desires are similar 50G or 400G installed gives an idea of design desires.As does solar , # of air cond , size of genset ect. FAST FRED | ||
| Don KS/TX (64.24.4.88)
Rating: N/A |
I used to have my Kenworth DOT inspection just mailed to me! You are not going to get a shop to give you much of an inspection for that kind of money, mostly a quick walk-by looking for something quick and profitable to sell. Ask for and pay for a "Pre purchase inspection" from a reputable shop, and you will have something for your money, and don't be afraid to pay them for their time, it takes time to check things out properly. I would consider less than an hour to probably be a waste of time. Often, a "free" DOT sticker will be included, since they have already checked the minor stuff required for it. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.88.40)
Rating: N/A |
I am not sure anyone ever knows exactly what he is buying in used equipment of any kind, much less automotive or commercial vehicles. I have always been skeptical of purchasing a used vehicle unless I did not care what I had to do to make the vehicle into what I personally wanted. I purchased a 65 Riviera and restored it, as well as a 51 M38A1 Army Jeep for kicking around the hills of Colorado. Total investment at purchase, $1000 for both, but think of the years of great fun and work. Doubt the Riv brought more than whatI put into it when it was sold. As for the Jeep, well it is still being used regularly, albeit it doesn't look like much. Such is the case I should think in buying a used coach. At least it was in my case. So far, so good and yes, I do expect a 38 year old bus to need some work, here and there, but with a recent in frame (52,000 miles ago), new Michelins, less than 10,000 miles since put on, complete service records since new, and the help of the good Lord, I hope the major expenses to bring it up to snuff will be minimal and disappointments few. One can do all the checking that one can afford, having all manner of inspections, road tests, systems checks and precautionary things to get the right vehicle, but in the end, seems to me it all comes down to...."you pays your money, and you takes your chances..."... But then, that's life, right?  FWIW | ||
| DaveD (207.236.51.240)
Rating: N/A |
A DOT for $42.00? A proper inspection should take about 8 hrs. to complete. Whenever buying a used vehicle I've always worked on the principle if it looks scruffy (I'm not talking about normal wear and aging) it's probably not been well cared for. That should at least be a warning sign. A road test will likely reveal a lot of things that an in-the-shop inspection might not. FWIW DaveD | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.88.7)
Rating: N/A |
The DOTs that I am familiar with are not comprehensive, take it apart inspections, but rather the kind of inspection that would reveal roadability problems. I mentioned to the owner of our local shop that I wanted to have a front to back inspection done as this is a new vehicle to me. He already had told me the shop rate and what all they could do in the shop. It is a complete Diesel facility, with pit and the whole nine yards. It was his suggestion that we begin with the steam clean and the DOT. Seems right to me. BTW, they came recommended to me by the largest transportation facility in the area, as well as a school bus company. As for a road test, I have a thousand miles of road under my fanny in this vehicle. Like a new wife, One day at a time. RCB |