| Author |
Message |
bus-budget (66.167.79.121)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 10:34 am: | |
OK, I know this is blasphemy but if I don't do this I'll never get a bus done the way I need it.
I've got 3 kids and a wife and in a year we'd like to go full time for a couple years. I like to drive at night while everyone is asleep so an "entertainer" like arrangement with 6 bunks (figure a couple friends come along on various legs of the trip) midships is pretty attractive.
I've been on some new Wanderlodges and Liberty Prevosts and the noise is the back bedroom is still pretty loud with what is presumably excellent sound insulation. Just forward of the bedroom door, noise gets a lot less which may be why the entertainer coaches put the bunks there.
Forward I don't want couches. I'll have a dinette and small microwave and sink kitchen (We've never used the big stove). In addition to the driver's seat I'll put in 5 Flexsteel Integrated Seatbelt seats with electric footrests so that everybody has their own comfortable area. Each seat will have it's own screen, keyboard and game control plus a fold out desktop for schoolwork. Similarly the bunks will have individual screens attached to a bank of Tivo's.
We're not fans of fancy finishes and mirrored ceilings (the interior will be pretty banged up after 2 years with kids in it no matter how nice it was to start out). So, just a neat, non-ostentatious interior is all we need.
The electronics will cost about $20K. I'd like to spend $150,000 but could go a little farther if necessary. Here are my questions:
1) Do I start with a shell or a used entertainer, or a used executive, or a used motorhome conversion?
2) If I start with anything but a shell are their conversion companies that will still work with me on the partial conversion?
3) Does anybody have a conversion company that they think is reasonably priced and does solid, not fancy, work?
4) Anybody have different views about the noise in the aft compartment?
5) Anybody want to warn me off of this sketchy floor plan?
6) Is the budget reasonable for what I'm trying to do? (I don't care about resale value, I'll drive this thing till the wheels fall off).
7) General comments welcomed.
Thanks |
Jimmci9 (209.240.205.68)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 12:12 pm: | |
look at www.roadhousetransportation.com i have no financial interest in the company... but ive toured their facility... and they impresed me... |
Timnvt (64.91.162.181)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 1:44 pm: | |
I might be worth your time to check out the entertainer coachs. I was at ABC in Grand Prarie TX a few weeks ago and they have loads of them for sale. For the money your willing to invest you should be able to get a great bus ready to roll with minimal modification. It's my impression that it's a buyers market so there are deals to be had.
Tim. |
David Anderson (168.215.176.198)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 2:52 pm: | |
I agree with Tim. Go to the link below and find some coaches that are close to your requirement, then have it modified.
http://www.n6ecv.net/bus.htm
Unless someone corrects me, I don't think you can build what you want for $150k from an open shell if you hire it all done. If you have some woodworking skills, you could buy an entertainer and modify the galley and lounge area to your satisfaction. This would forgo changing all the mechanicals and stuff underneath in the bays. If you don't have the skills, at least you could remove what you can't use and make the platform ready for a conversion shop to do it. That would save some $$$.
Surf the web. It is a strong buyer's market on these buses. There are many coaches out there.
David |
FAST FRED (4.245.224.115)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 5:29 am: | |
I doubt your needs are SO specific SO special that there aren't a couple of hundred coaches built that way & that are for sale.
AS the thousands of hours in a backyard conversion are usually almost "free" , when purchasing a used coach there a real bargan.
When you figure most shops will be charging a buck a min to attempt to figure ouyt what you want , and build it , a Custom coach , can be very very pricy.
$60.00 times 2000 (minimum) comes to a large number that to justify that level of spending you would need to start with a new or 2 year old coach.
May not be your "dream" but many fine Marathon or Custom Coach conversions that are about 10 years old are under $200K , and most have no miles compared to an ex Hound.
Really superb 35 ft Custom Coach from the early 70's are under $75 , and may only need an interior upgrade to be more "modern".
The ONLY converter I know that does high quality work , and doesn't have a dozen law suits in Dick Lamb in Maine.
Caviat Emptor!
FAST FRED |
Rodger in WA. (64.70.24.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 9:42 am: | |
I agree that finding a good already converted entertainer coach as opposed to having one done will be much less costly. Safer too. In the past few years, several conversion companies bellyed up, leaving customers with conversions in progress or deposits on conversions, holding an empty bag.
As FF so wisely said, "caviat emptor". |
Finally had to look it up (65.80.64.106)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 10:32 am: | |
Advertisement
Topic: Latin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expert:
Date:3/23/2000
Subject:Could you do another translation...
From a website found on Google:
Question
Could you do another translation for me?...`caviat emptor`
Answer
The spelling should be: caveat emptor. It means, "Let the buyer beware." |
Rob Leight (Robleight) (205.188.116.135)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 3:29 pm: | |
Virginia Custom Coach does awesome work. They used to to put our Re-manufactured Prevosts with everything for 175K (does not include bus).
Evolution Custom Coach (White Haven, PA) will do everything...including the bus, and a first class conversion with in-motion sat., Kubota Gen., all the extras for 175K |
FAST FRED (4.245.230.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 5:32 pm: | |
Nashville is still the home of more entertainer coaches than elsewhere.
Call a dealer or put an add in the local rag.
Or subscribe to a Bus Traider from that area.
FAST FRED |