| Author | Message | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 405 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
The previous post below got me thinking when mike said "starter coach". I allready mentioned that the one he is considering i would not put in that catagory. Many here have gone from a 35footer to something larger but are there any here that after having gone through that excercise and having lived with the larger unit would consider downsizing back to the smaller coach for whatever reasons? | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 110 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 174.48.6.180  Rating: N/A |
great post Joe I am starting with mine a 40" bare shell. I am looking forward to your replies | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 526 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
There is a gentleman on the Flx board that sold his prevost and went back to a classic 35' Flx | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1132 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.73.12  Rating: N/A |
Once you've driven a bus for awhile, it really doesn't matter if it's 35, 40 or 45 foot, the turning radius can be less for a 40' bus than it is for a 35'... Go HERE and click on the "all about buses" tab, then do it again for the make/model you want. (Original thread here) | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 660 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 153.2.247.30  Rating: N/A |
For me, it is about going where the longer/taller 40', and taller 4107/4108 buses, cannot. Even the 35' 4106 has kept me out of a few places I wanted to go. It just depends on what you want to do. I tend to like more of a back road wilderness trip, away from the crowds. | ||
| JC Alacoque (Jc_alacoque)
Registered Member Username: Jc_alacoque Post Number: 89 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 207.34.166.7 Rating: N/A |
There are 2 buses in my life the last few years: my '57 Courier 96 (35 foot, 96" wide) with manual steering, (I can't imagine driving it when I'm 80 years old), and the '95 MCI 102D3 of the hockey team's, 40 foot. Although bigger, it is a lot easier to get into tight places with it: shopping mall parking lots for instance, because of the power steering and tighter turning radius. Like JohnMC9 says: if you've been driving for a while, you know by looking at a corner or tight spot wether you can get into it or not before you get there. I'd say if you can get an older 35 footer someplace, 99% of the time, you can get a more modern 40 footer into the same spot. Now 45 footers I don't have any experience with, they came out after my time... JC | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1133 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.73.12 Rating: N/A |
Just about anyplace...... Bus U-turn on a bridge Would've been a good time to empty the toilet...... | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 277 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 72.102.124.189 Rating: N/A |
Since we fulltime and don't own any property anywhere there are times when i would like to have 3 bays instead of only the 2 our 5A has. Other than that i have no desire to have a 40 or 45. The PO built this bus and used it for 20 years and the only reason he sold it was he decided that at his age he should downsize to a smaller motorhome. We are very happy with it and if i ever have to get another bus it will be another 5A.......or maybe a 35' Flx. | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 891 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.153.91  Rating: N/A |
He either be on drugs or he be CRAZZZZZZZZZZZZZY. I have done some ??? things but nothing like that would I attempt. My hat is off to him,It is actually covering my eyes. Gomer | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 537 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 149.168.204.4  Rating: N/A |
Hey, Gomer, he must have a linked-diff pair of rear axles on that thing. If the forward axle was just a "tag", he'd still be stuck there! I wonder what the dimensions of that bus are - the standard in England for many years was 30 feet (it was considered that a longer bus wouldn't make it around corners) but my bus is 33 feet. | ||
| John Zabrocki (John_z)
Registered Member Username: John_z Post Number: 75 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 75.221.247.226 Rating: N/A |
On the 45 footers with the steering rear axle, the corners are pretty easy... it does turn sharp. I am sure their turn radius is less than my 35' 4104. But it is still 45' long! | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 661 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 151.199.92.45 Rating: |
It's not about turning radius. It is the physical size of the bus. Here is a place you will never see a 40' bus. Camping on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  | ||
| Bill Holstein (Billmoocow)
Registered Member Username: Billmoocow Post Number: 94 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 98.232.207.25  Rating: N/A |
If he can do it, i can do it. Just kiddin, | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1161 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.137.210.65  Rating: N/A |
From the folks I meet the difference is lifestyle. The big bus folks tour as if they were trailer folk. Drive to a site , set up and use the toad to go see the sights. The handy bus folks simply use the bus as their vehicle for the touring. Our motto is " if UPS goes there so do we". The hardest part downtown ,is usually finding two parking spaces in a row , and having a big stash of quarters to feed the meters. FF | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 662 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 151.199.92.45 Rating: N/A |
I agree with Fast Fred. When we plan to set up camp for extended periods we sometimes have a toad. It is a pain to set up a big spread and then take it down and pack it up several times. But when we are touring around like last year, we see the attraction and move on to our next destination. One night, or two at the most. In that case a toad would be a huge unnecessary PIA. When on the move like that, I love having my own personal kitchen, bed and bath within walking distance. When it's time to hit the road there is no going back to wherever and hooking up, breaking camp etc. But all of those reasons are still secondary for me. There are many awesome places to overnight that restrict size, either because they say so, or physically it is impossible to go there. I live out in the middle of nowhere, and I cannot see a neighbor, so I feel like I am camping in a house everyday. When I do go "camping" I am closer to others than I am accustomed to. I know there are many who like pull through style campgrounds and to each his own, but I have been in campgrounds that I could see through my neighbors trailer and into their neighbors rig! It's just doesn't work for me. | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 413 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 209.156.24.114  Rating: |
There are two aspects of having smaller/larger bus as I see it. The vehicle aspect which include the driving, parking, and maintenance. and The living aspect which include floor space, storage, and overall comfort. As for the driving aspect putting aside the "will it fit" factor. I have driven larger vehicles and much smaller vehicles and found that I can get used to any size vehicle. Fast, slow, big, or small, I love to drive them all. When it comes to the Living aspect I find that I can only reference to the different size houses I have lived in. I find that if I have a larger house I have more space to collect stuff, and then more stuff to clean and take care of. I do not require a lot of space to live comfortably. . | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1162 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.248.144.216 Rating: |
"I do not require a lot of space to live comfortably." THIS!!! is the secret of LIFE!(at least on a boat or a bus camper) In order to be comfortable your BODY needs to be comfortable , good seats and things that feel OK next to your skin. Real upholstery (not a chunk of plastic wrapped foam on a board of plywood) for your butt. And your EYES need to be comfortable , lots of glass area , so your eyes are viewing as much outside as inside . Curtains ,blinds , steel glued over the windows for "privacy" reduce the interior to a tiny cave, Much Unfun. FF | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 1030 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 68.171.233.125  Rating: |
"Curtains ,blinds , steel glued over the windows for "privacy" reduce the interior to a tiny cave, Much Unfun." Fred why or how does having windows covered make it "un fun"? Almost every conversion made has one or all! Even the PROS do it! If you think about it, the only areas covered are the bath/shower area of a coach. Do you not draw curtains when you go to bed or how about when showering? Isn't that for "privacy"? We all know your bus has all the windows showing outside but how about inside? I'm sure they are covered somewhat, somewhere, maybe with a sheet or a blanket or maybe even a wall or a cabinet. You obviously have "fun" with your bus using it your personal car when you travel but for most others its not that way! We use ours to live in, camp in and travel in! Its all fun, windows or not! | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1281 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 173.150.69.215  Rating: N/A |
I guess it all comes down to how you use your bus. This includes how many people on board (we designed our coach for "Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, and Sleeps 2") and how you use the bus (week-end trips, short vacations, full-time, etc.). No one size will be right for everyone. You need to decide what will work for you and your use of the coach, not what works for someone else. Since we tend to stay in one place for at least a week with awnings out and outside chairs, it would be a hassle to "break camp" everytime we wanted to go someplace. On our current trip, we hope to be on the road for up to 8 months. We rely on our toad to haul our kayaks and misc. "gotta have" stuff. Jack | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 538 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 149.168.204.4 Rating: N/A |
Jack Conrad said 'we designed our coach for "Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, and Sleeps 2"' I have been working on this principle for years -- but I'd never expressed it this way. I'm going to frame this and hang it on the wall in my bus. Well said, Jack! | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 45 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 32.176.100.234 Rating: N/A |
My Ol Man's words came back while reading this thread. He had converted this old 51 Studebaker 48 passenger Schoolie and we had hauled from St.Paul to the east coast. He was about to start a fire in the Dutch Oven of the campsite we were at in the Blue Ridge Mtns. when a family in a 4106 pulled in. "Why on God's Earth would anyone want or need something THAT big...?" Those same words echoed in my ears when I paid the man cash for MY 4106, which was just for my wife & I to retire in....and we dint weigh 220 lbs total, no kids. I wish I had more bay space for toys that provide comfort or enjoyment, but life is nothing but an endless series of compromises ...no difference in the bussin' lifestyle I guess! | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1164 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.248.144.216 Rating: N/A |
If you think about it, the only areas covered are the bath/shower area of a coach. Do you not draw curtains when you go to bed or how about when showering? Isn't that for "privacy"? We all know your bus has all the windows showing outside but how about inside? I'm sure they are covered somewhat, somewhere, maybe with a sheet or a blanket or maybe even a wall or a cabinet. NOPE! The toilet room does have a towel next to the potti , but it is almost never needed for "privacy". The shower has a shower curtain that keeps the water in and eyes out , but that's only for 5 min a day while showering. There IS a need for curtains when parked in an area that has overhead lights like Stalag 17 , which is taken care of with another towel , hung on the rider STOP pull rope. During the day or night this works well to bring light and views into the coach, works for me. The "pro" converters are attempting to build a rolling house ,45ft, 4 or more slide outs , and marble floors and counter tops is fine , but would not be my choice to tour most cities. FF | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 1031 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.203.171.74 Rating: N/A |
Fred maybe I'm confused! You say your shower has a shower curtain that keeps the water IN and EYES out. Correct me if I'm wrong but if you have a shower curtain, that makes for ONE open side for sure but what about the others? Are there any of those remaining sides on windows or s your shower walls THE windows? That would mean that your shower is exposed and visible to the public thru the windows? Then again, your shower could be in the middle of the bus which would mean your windows are not covered but you would still have 3 closed walls surrounding the shower and one curtain! As for the pro converters? Don't think they have come out with more than 4 slides yet but I guess anything is possible. As you know my coach is 40 foot and I haven't been anywhere where I haven't been able to go yet and that includes pulling a 20 foot stacker trailer. Granted some places have been hairy but after you commit, it's not all that bad! My theory is if you can drive IN, you can always BACK out! | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 887 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.32.87.183 Rating: N/A |
Ace, I haven't seen 5 slides on Prevost yet but I don't think it will be far off I saw a new Monaco with 5 slides it has a slide in slide it was neat and probably not going to be trouble free lol.Out here in the west it can get tight for a 40ft coach we have a state highway 89A in AZ from Jerome to Prescott Valley that with a 40 ft is tough and with a trailer there is no way (Message edited by luvrbus on May 03, 2010) | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1166 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.248.144.216 Rating: N/A |
"That would mean that your shower is exposed and visible to the public thru the windows? " Only thru one window when in use,, but that's what the shower curtain is for. FF | ||
| Jim Rink (Fakeguy)
Registered Member Username: Fakeguy Post Number: 164 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 96.11.208.166  Rating: N/A |
my 35' PD4106 is one less axle and 4 tires cheaper. However, it is like Fast Fred said...its all what you are into...whether motorcoach, camper, automobile or personal computer...depends on individual needs and wants. For my wife and I doing mostly travels to bluegrass festivals, ours is plenty. |
