| Author | Message | ||
| Alex Alexander (Doctor_al)
Registered Member Username: Doctor_al Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 72.161.87.96 Rating: N/A |
Ok guys and gals... I posted this on another board the other day and found lots of interesting stories. I'm sitting here listening to my favorite Harry Chapin song "GreyHound" and got to thinking, what set everyone on the path to busnut heaven? For me, I rode the greyhound all across this country a bunch of times. Loved the way a bus seemed to float over the pavement. (air ride don't you know) Knew on the first ride that there would be a time when I'd own one. Little did I know it would take me into my 50's to finally create my dream bus. Circumstance forced me to sell the old girl, but now the circle has come back around and I'll have another. No way to get it out of your blood I guess. | ||
| Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.235.190 Rating: N/A |
Is the best way I could manage to explore the planet and sleep in my own bed every night while living with a family of three dogs. Ok I admit I first became a bus nut at 8, doing a first greyhound trip to visit grandpa 35 years back, all by my little self. It was shortly afterward that first trip that I decided I had to get one some day, with the intent to make it into a mobile house. All good things come to those that keep trying, perhpas. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 651 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 64.241.37.140 Rating: N/A |
Spent hundreds of nights in hotels/motels eating trash , while working for a living. A Shasta with Dodge 318 was great for traveling , but the roof lifting like a convertible was interesting. Did the Wanderlodge 31 bit (lousey interior) and then graduated to a Superior (at least made by a skool bus co) for a trip to AK. The empty bays of a real bus was far too appealing to pass.Plus the relaxation of driving a drivers machine. So now we have a Sportscar of Coaches , with loads and loads of bay storage , even use 2/3 of the luggage racks . For Western travel were readying (if I can locate the brain box for a 5 HT 600 ZF) an Angola conversion 1956 Flxible VL 100 with retarder and Jake , and about 1100ft lbs of Ser 50 DD to get up hills. Will have to pull a trailer to do our annual snowbird bit , the "price" of progress. FF | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 260 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
Growing up my parents always had some sort of RV but when I was about 8 they boght a converted VL100 froma company in the midwest somewhere. We had many memorable outings in that and then they sold that and bought a converted AMC Brill. A little step down but made good money on the trade. I remember many a birthday party or trip to the beach with my friends done via the bus. I guess the Flx is my midlife crisis. I turned 40 and got the urge to make some of those same memories for my kids. (Message edited by timb on January 23, 2009) | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 41 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.78.155.174 Rating: N/A |
Just as I am NOT a Ford, Chevy, or anything else man - - - I drive the best car I can find for the least money. Same with the Bus - - - I am not really a Busnut. I just happen to have one because turns out its the most Bang for the buck. I'm also not vane and put the least amount of money in the rig while still affording me the basic needs - - I painted my bus for a couple of hundred bucks . . .with a brush! The most I've spent on my rig is for solar - but I'm full time boondocker and power is the lifeblood, not some noisy damn generator. Just read this over, I shoiuld not post it! Here it is anyway. Ed | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 57 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Remember commenting to our mailman how his delivery truck would make a nice camper-at 7 years old! Took Crown buses to middle school (7-9 grade then). One had a 220 Cummins the other a 250 Hall-Scott gasoline-which kicked but on the Diesels (2-3mpg). In High school made hundreds of floor plans for various sizes of motorhomes. As a family growing up took 4 rented motorhome trips across county. In 1988 bought a Kenworth 90" cabover truck with a 96" drom box that I converted to a sleeper with shower, toilet, reefer, microwave, sink and double bed (used elec hot plate) and drove the for 755,000mi. Converted my first transit bus from '94, done in 2000. Now starting on converting my '85 Kenworth into a motorhome. Will have a 32ft box made with a beaver tail rear ramp for a garage with the bedroom over so I can carry my car and pull a trailerable trawler behind to explore many of the wonderful inland waterways. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Alex (Doctor_al)
Registered Member Username: Doctor_al Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 72.161.87.96 Rating: N/A |
Ed. no need to apologize.After the usual assortment of campers, class c, class A, fivers, and even some skoolies, I came to realize that a coach definately had the most bang for my buck too. I also spent the biggest share of my $$$ on some 125 watt panels and 8 golf cart batts with a 3000watt inverter. still could have used more panels | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 306 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
Music.... The bus is used primarily for the band gigs. Now that I have a bus I don't think I'll ever be without it. Even if I never do another gig. . | ||
| David B. Sweet (Sweets4104)
Registered Member Username: Sweets4104 Post Number: 17 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 71.195.101.200  Rating: N/A |
We needed an RV with storage space for tools, etc. so we could travel with Mobile Missionary Assistance Program. Building, remodeling and repairing Churches, Christian Schools and Camp grounds. | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 166.217.240.188 Rating: N/A |
Having been raised in a family which owned a trucking company, growing up I was always fascinated with big trucks and buses - favorite trucks are Kenworths and Volvos, buses - MCIs. When I was a sophomore in Art School and as one of those 'crazy art school kids,' I had this half-cocked idea about buying an old tour bus to gut and use as a traveling art studio. I just so happened to stumble across an old MCI 5A (the exact coach I always wanted) on the internet one day and thought 'That's it! This is the perfect one.' Long story short, I couldn't swing it at the time, and I stowed that dream away in the back of my mind, never really letting go of the possibility. Surely enough, 8 or 9 months ago, I was surfing the web again, and of all things to stumble across was the same bus nearly 9 years later. As serendipitous as that was, I knew she was meant to be mine. After a few weeks of thinking about it, I called the guy, haggled over the price and now she's all mine!!! As 'hokie' (sp) as that sounds, it's the 'Honest-to-Pete Truth!!!' | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 167 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 75.208.69.16 Rating: |
Two years ago I decided that you don't own things, they own you. I started a 6 month process of selling everything. A friend saw Charlie Brown's bus for sale at Quartzsite and I've been on the road since June of 2007. Everything I own is in the bus or trailer and Coffee and I are having a blast! I've met so many great folks (in person and on the boards). I can't imagine doing anything else! dg | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1305 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
Grew up with motor homes. My father bought a 1948 Chevrolet school bus and converted it into a house car. Added all the amenities expected in the early 50's. Full size refrigerator that used blocks of ice, water tanks under rear behind duals on each side, Used a little air compressor run off the engine to pressurize tanks. Studio couch convert a bed in back mounted sideways. fold down tables and rear benches for meals, pair of bunk beds, propane stove/ oven, toilet, small couch up front behind driver. 235 cu. inch 6 cylinder, 4 speed transmission with 3 speed auxiliary. Our family was 7 with 5 boys, ages 4 to 15. Painted dark green with a couple of small yellow stripes and looked pretty nice for those days. We traveled all over the United States one summer and went to Fla. keys at Xmases and Rehoboth Beach- Indian River inlet several times every summer. | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 120 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.179.147.233  Rating: N/A |
I've been an over-the-road truck driver all my life and in my spare time the wife and I (and our dogs) still love to spend time on the road. We have had a succession of motorhomes and a bus is the logical "step up" from the world of sticks and staples. | ||
| Nellie Wilson (Vivianellie)
Registered Member Username: Vivianellie Post Number: 189 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 70.49.115.85  Rating: N/A |
I ditto Austin (Zimtok) and Uncle Fred. Tough to haul all that music gear from motel to motel. Expensive too. And though I've done next to nothing with the bus (travel-wise) I can see it opens up a whole new world. I tried motor homes... liked them fine, but not the same feeling. Nellie Wilson | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 220 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38 Rating: N/A |
I drove bus all my working years and what better way to retire then to have your own bus. I bought the bus in 1984 and retired in 1997. I still have the same bus 25 years later. Great way to see the country and meet so many wonderful people. It may be mine for 25 years but still working on changing things. Like they say in the Converted Coach Owners club. Its never finished til you hand the new owner the keys. Bill | ||
| Jack Campbell (Blue_goose)
Registered Member Username: Blue_goose Post Number: 120 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 71.100.201.35  Rating: N/A |
For a short story about our 48 years of camping. Started with a rented tent with no floor and 3 kids. Campgrounds were not much back in those days. Second year got new Sears tent with floor. From there 2 popup, 2 trailers, 3 motor homes and one Bus. Took wife to look at a silverside in 1965 but she said she wanted a new trailer and not an old bus. At that time she had never seen a bus that had been converted. The silverside was just an open bus with all the seats gone. When we had our second motor home we joined the FMCA and went to one of there rallys. That was the first time that we saw a bus that was converted. Did take to long for us to start thinking about the bus, but my time would not allow for doing the conversion? One more motor home later I thought there would be time to do the conversion. There wasn't but I did it anyway. Bought the Eagle and started working on it. It has been almost 22 years now and I am still working one the same bus. Been married to the same woman for 56 years and still trying to change her, don't think there will be an end to either project. Jack | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 183 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 71.111.188.44  Rating: N/A |
We started showing Pug dogs about 18 yrs ago, Used a Toyota 4x4 and a small camper, worked pretty good but needed more room, put the camper on a trailer. Worked so good we bought a diesel Dodge p/u and small 5th wheel, then a bigger 5th wheel, then bigger and new Chev club cab. Chev and 5th wheel didn't work well bought SandS motorhome,worked great but started wearing out, bought a 40' BB Wonderlodge,loved it wife didn't. Sold it and looked for Bus to convert, found one already converted just the way we wanted for less than a third the cost of converting. Coach is 1975 GMC 4905, still showing dogs/ about 12 when we go and enyoying every day we travel and would like to full time. Don't know if we will but we can dream can't we. my wife also 5 yrs ago bought an 84 class C so she could travel to some shows by her self. What a long winded tail, up until the last three years we have put noless than 15 K on the mode we had at the time for dog shows Lynne and Larry | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 930 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.57.41.131 Rating: |
I started by traveling in a travel trailer with my grandparents, who raised me. Florida in the winters and Colorado in the summers. So, I quess I grew up with traveling in my blood. After getting married, my wife and I started our camping in a tent at water ski tournaments. We then moved up to a slide in camper for our pickup before converting a full size dodge van. This was followed by a couple travel trailers and a Winnebago Class A. That is when we discovered bus conversions and purchased a 4106 (Orange Blossom Special, which is still owned by the person we sold it to and is in NC). After converting it and using it for several years, we decided to move up to a 40', so we now have our MC-8 (Orange Blossom Special II) | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 229 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 142.46.199.30  Rating: N/A |
After having two motor homes, I wanted something that would be structurally sound and would not leak. DaveD (Message edited by DaveD on January 26, 2009) | ||
| John Lacey (Junkman42)
Registered Member Username: Junkman42 Post Number: 66 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 66.82.9.59  Rating: N/A |
I spent more than 20 years of My life flying in the military, banged around in old S&S motor homes, pulled all kinds of travel trailers and was never really happy with any of them. Then along came a MCI7, feels like the aluminum tubes I lived in in the military, feels safe on the road, is repairable by any real mechanic, and is a proven design. I love My bus and so does My Wife and funny so does our rat terrier. None of our six boys does, although our grandchildren think it is great. My friends think I am crazy and perhaps they are right. Did I mention it is also a great way to meet some great people even if they are nuts too. John | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 166.217.79.216 Rating: N/A |
Junkman42 - I'll second that old buses are a great way to meet people. I have met a ton of pretty cool people with mine. JM | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 450 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.212.223.228 Rating: N/A |
Great thread, Alex....I wouldn't know where to begin, so suffice it to say... I got the BUG decades ago.....got the bus 8 years ago. Thanx for starting it.  RCB | ||
| Rob A (Otto)
Registered Member Username: Otto Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 24.109.179.137 Rating: N/A |
2 words poor parenting !! lol Dad was an 18 y/o bus driver,Mom was a 17 y/o student...fast forward 50 years.. I'm running 3 coaches in commercial service just got out of the schoolbus biz so ya,Diesel in my veins... cowboy boots and a cup of Tim's coffee and a black 2000 el3 that's me |
