| Author |
Message |
Marti Lee (205.188.209.8)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 12:47 pm: | |
I'm looking at a 1986 Vanhool with a 6cyl mid engine mann, what's That? what is the skinny on Vanhools, I don't see very many people trying to convert them. Are parts hard to find?? or too expensive??. This is a first time for me and I can't afford too many mistakes. any information would be greatly appreciated.
Marti.. |
Doug (12.76.79.136)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 6:17 pm: | |
not many Manns in the US, mid engine makes for poor access= high maint costs.
prob not the best choice |
Ear-8-Ky (207.162.163.19)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 7:45 pm: | |
I have been to several rallys. I have only seen one Van Hool. This should tell you something.I would stick to the ones you can get parts for. MCI,Prevost,Eagle,GM There are a lot of RTS buses out there. But they don't have much storage space. |
Phil Dumpster (12.230.214.167)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 2:46 am: | |
Mid engine MAN means the engine is between the axles and is laid over on its side.
The MAN diesel is probably the best designed diesel engine for its time. With proper care, it will probably outlive you.
Getting parts for them, however, is not as simple as going to your local truck parts outfit. MAN left the over-the-road engine business in this country back in the 80s. All they make for North American consumption are the axles and hubs for low floor transit busses.
Their engines, however, are still marketed to the maritime industry and parts are easily available through those channels. They are the same engines (MLUH and MLUT 2566) as their on-road counterparts.
If you live in Oklahoma, getting parts may be a bit of a challenge - you'll have to mail order them and pay for shipping. If you live near either coast, such as in Florida, or in Seattle, getting parts should be a simple matter. |
Joel NCal (64.142.48.67)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 9:39 am: | |
Marti,
I own a MAN Transit which I am converting, it has all MAN components. Please feel free to contact me, using "MAN" in the subject line. |
Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.10)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 11:04 am: | |
I beg to differ with Earl-- there is lots of room underneath an RTS for storage. My fully accessible storage bays have 120 gal of holding tanks, 8ea Grp 31 batteries, electrical boxes, shore hook-ups, Webasto heater, propane tank, etc., plus I have two empty bays for storage. Bay space may be a little shorter than a taller bus, but there is plenty of room.
--Geoff
'82 RTS CA |
jmaxwell (66.81.54.65)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 3:00 pm: | |
Many of the transits offer areas for large storage spaces, just limited in hieght. My Grumman 870 has a full pass thru space of 6'x8'x16", which I enclosed, plus all the rv system components are located under the bus, except for fresh water, which I chose to put above the freeze line. On the other hand, my Neoplan has (or had) a massive cargo area, which is now about 40% gone for system components. Saw a 35' Eagle 15 the other day on e-bay that had NO cargo area left, with the exception of what appeared to be a 20" Joey Bed tray. You want storage; buy a 4905. |
Jayjay (205.188.209.8)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 12:58 am: | |
Most Vanhools are too expensive for all but the well-heeled. An acquaintance in New Orleans has converted over to them for his charter service, and gets a million miles before the first overhaul on the engine/tranny. Why not buy my GM4905, and tell me where the Vanhool is. ...JJ |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.11.210)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 5:42 am: | |
Van Hool used galvanized siding, so the siding can eventually rust. ABC Bus sells Van Hool. Ask them some questions. I bet there were not many of the model you are looking at sold in this country. But if you want it badly enough, love will make it worth the extra trouble. |
Phil Dumpster (67.2.25.138)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 6:43 am: | |
No, no, you want storage bays get yourself a Scenicruiser. The rear bays have got to be at least 4 feet tall. |