| Author |
Message |
Kevin Wilson (63.31.52.80)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 11:12 am: | |
HI, My name is Kevin, and I'm a busnut, THERE, I said it! I'm a wannabee and like other wannabees I have tons of questions. I am really glad theres a site like this one, to bring us former rvers up to speed. I'm just starting to explore the idea of doin' a conversion. My first question is; I live in no.MN. and I visit some smaller CG. Are 40' buses tough to manuver and would I be better off with a 35? I don't really want to stand out in a campground full of tents. The biggest Rv I'v owned is a 30' & had no problems, but I'm not sure about a 40'. I would really like to find a conversion thats already started, but then theres' the COST. What about parts? I've read that some parts aren't being manufactured anymore for some of the older buses. I prefer function to fashion, don't like glitz. I want to only buy one bus, and I would be working towards being a fulltimer someday. These are just a few questions I have & I really appreciate any opinions! |
Terrance A.Haag (Mrbus) (152.163.195.202)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 5:38 pm: | |
Hi Kevin,
Welcome from another Minnesotan, I live just north of Minneapolis, and we are in the process of converting an Eagle O-5. Like you, we owned several commercial motorhomes ranging up to 34 ft. and knew that eventually we would do a bus. I have worked many years for a charter and tourbus company here in the "cities" and so had a head start on buses.
The fourty footers will bring along some problems with certain campgrounds, mainly state and federal parks. The commercial camp grounds have basically adapted to the larger units, and a lot of them are upgrading. You will always stand out in a camp full of tenters, but that is not all bad. The thirty five footers are all getting quite old, and if you are talking about parts availability, the GMCs are starting to offer some problems as far as drive axels are concerned, but everything else is still pretty readily available.
There are some really great 35 foot GMCs still being used every day, and we have several friends who have done some great things with them. They are by far the low dollar way to get into a real bus. If cost is the primary factor,(and for most of us it is)you might consider a transit type, you can get involved cheaper there than anywhere.
You can check elsewhere on this site for Dave Galeys, and George Meyers books on conversions, they both have some good insight into most of your questions.
Have fun, Gus Haag |
Dave Wheat (206.11.237.109)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 9:27 pm: | |
Kevin & Gus:
Welcome from Duluth. Kevin I like the 35' idea. I drive 35', 40',& 45' charter motorcoaches here and find the 40' and 45' coaches more challenging in the city environments. Mostly tight corner turns. I have 26' motorhome and think I could live nicely in 35' with good manuverability. The MC5 with 8V71 makes a good unit. Good Luck and enjoy!!! Dave |
John Jewett (Jayjay) (152.163.197.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 1:22 am: | |
Kevin, there are a lot of choices upcoming for you, and all I can say is stay on the 'Board, since it will make your final selection much easier. I have a 40' GM4905, that I love, but have been driving a friends 35' 4104, and have found that for the most part if I can't stuff the 40 in a hole I probably can't get the 35 in either. If you plan to do a LOT of state/fed parks, then 35 is the way to go. If you want to spend more time in RV parks ( a "post" bus) then the added 25% more bay storage space will be most appreciated. Especially by your "significant other." Pay attention to Gus, since he has probably forgotten more about Coaches than you and I will ever learn. When you make the final decision, and have shelled out your hard earned cash, then get back on the 'Board and crow about it to all who have helped you. We would be pleased to know what you choose. Cheers...JJ |
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