Hello to all
I have been watching from a distance for a while and have found it very interesting. It is now time to possibly take the proverbial leap. Hear is my problem. I found a disabled bus on the east coast and I am north of Chicago. I am looking for advice on moving it, any input on possible cost, so I may try to determine if it is worth it.
Thank You Tom
My guess, is to try to find one closer. The two options I can think of are either on a hook or on a double drop deck truck. Both would be quite expensive. But then again that's just my guess.
Have Fun
Grant
I realise this may be a costly endevor but just how extreamly costly is what I hope to learn (not the hard way). It would not only help me with my desire to get my Dream Bus, but would also save a Scenicruiser from the crusher.
Unless you are really attached to this disabled coach, you would in all likelihood be able to find a running coach closer to you that you wouldnt have to tow, for less money when all is considered.
The market is in the tank at the moment, and there are lots of deals to be had out there.
JMHO
Mark
Suggest you contact ABC bus in Chicago or Faribault, MN and ask for references for trucking companies they use. They bring them in all the time.
craig
So, you're looking at a Scenicruiser, 8) 8)
What is the number? Might be able to help with the history of it. . . .
Well, I guess logical discussions on finding a better bus are useless. ;) There ain't no better bus! & not much to choose from when it comes to that quality of style & history. ;D
That said, driving one under it's own power is cheapest - provided it doesn't generate any major issues while on the road.
How long has it been out of service?
Are the tires good?
Brakes?
Air system, lines, bags, regulators, etc.
I have used a Landoll to move 5 Scenicruisers. This method works great & you KNOW what it is going to cost before you commit to the task.
If you are having one hauled on a landoll, actual charges are usually based on truck time away from the shop, but after 5 landoll trips, expect a budget price of ~$4 per loaded mile.
Another thing is height of the bus. The landoll deck height is 3'2" & anything over 13'6" overall height will require over height permits. The scenic sitting on the stops on the landoll will be right at 13'6", so over height permits won't be an issue.
Another thing is the truck & trailer take up an awful lot of space in front of the bus when it comes to loading/ unloading.
Send me a pm if you want to discuss the various options with someone who has saved a scenic or 2 from the crusher. ::)
Good luck! ;D
tpboj,
keep quite about where those 5 abandoned orphans are that I am offering you cheap! Oppps Kyle is already 0nto us! LOL!
Jes kid'n Kyle not really! ;D
;D BK ;D
They ain't abandoned, I don't care what the county says! :P
They may be derelict relics tho. ;)
At least they ain't Setra :-*
Kyle
Thank you for your input, it is #805. Has been parked for about 5-6 years. I have been told it runs with little work but I don't think I could get the kind of time off it would take to prep it for a trip of this length. I also don't think I have the experience to handle it yet. I have 40 years experience in the auto body trades, but little to no larger vehicle repair other than paint and body.
Any leads to a company that could handle this would be appreciated.
Thank You
Tom
Tom,
You could call O'Hare Towing. Maybe they'll do it for the tv show and save you a few bucks. ;)
On a more serious note: the wrecker service we use in Atlanta charges $250.00 to load the bus and $3.00 per mile to haul it.
Bob
Any chance it is in the Southeastern PA area. I met a guy with a Scenic two summers ago and took a walk through. I think I heard he ran into health problems later. Could this be the one?
You may try McNeals Towing. Pat has several Scenicruisers for parts and 1 he uses. The shop number is 410-391-4485. His son runs the towing business. I hope this helps!
Steve
Hello
I'm located in Peoria, IL. 3+ hours from you. I have two Scenics and a 4104. I have a local guy here that has a Landoll I have used lots of times. I agree with Kyle, a Landoll trailer is the very best way to move a Scenic. Send me a private email for his contact info. He may be able to do a reduced rate if your haul is a back haul headed west toward Chicago for him. That 805 seems like a decent bus, you won't find one better for less $. I would strongly consider driving it home. This bus is still in Conn. right? Why is it disabled? McNeals towing is from Baltimore by the way.
Tom McNally
PD4501-771
PD4501-1001
PD4104-3462
Since you are looking at $3-4K to get it home, it might be better to pay someone to get it roadworthy where it sits.
Quote from: Len Silva on June 22, 2009, 01:47:46 PM
Since you are looking at $3-4K to get it home, it might be better to pay someone to get it roadworthy where it sits.
I nhave to agree. 3-4 grand will pay for a lot of repairs.
Good Luck and take lots of pictures! We are counting on you!
Getting it road worthy where it sits is a great idea. You guys come up with some good plans. Now does anyone know of some place near where the bus is that could take a look at it for Tom and give him an idea of what needs to be done. That's kind of standard procedure even for a road worthy bus and would kill 2 birds with 1 stone.If there is a time problem hire someone to drive it back. Later
Where is the bus located?
If it's in Connecticut and needs to be inspected, let me know, I live in the Hartford area.
Thank You all for your help and info. I am an optimist and I believe I can save this old girl.
Thank You
Tom
Steve
Thanks for the offer I will keep it in mind, It is in the Danbury area. If I came out and get it running to move do you know of any storage near by until I can get it prepped for the longer move.
Thank You
Tom
You can't steal in slow motion.
Steve is a GREAT guy, so there is your wingman!
Just go get her & start out by driving her to a bus shop for a checkup & then head home. If she stops along the way, then call for a tow.
The the long wheel base makes things easier than you might think to drive, just look far enough forward & steer towards where you're looking. Leave plenty of room for stopping ;D
It will be a fun trip! Take notes & lots of pictures as they will make for a great story later! 8)
Danbury is about 50 miles from me so I really don't know off hand of any storage facilities. I84 goes right through Danbury and it is a large city so I would have to say that there are truck garages and storage facilities in the area. If you need me to go out there let me know.
:) :) :) :)
A deal has been struck PD4501-805 will be saved!
Now I just need to move it , THANK YOU all for your help and support.
TOM
Awesome! Please take lots of pictures and post them for us all to drool over!
Glenn
I always like to hear a Happy Ending! Good Job, now go have some fun. I have always liked the ole scenics, glad you saved her from the furnace!
Paul
Tom,
I suggest you sign up for towing/emergency road service insurance now. Then, if you do break down in a spot where you have to be towed, you will at least have some help toward a potentially expensive experience. I have Good Sam.
FWIW
Dennis
Quote from: Tenor on June 23, 2009, 07:46:16 PM
Awesome! Please take lots of pictures and post them for us all to drool over!
Glenn
Ditto!
Before pics are always cool!
Rick
Quote from: Hi yo silver on June 24, 2009, 05:19:43 PM
I suggest you sign up for towing/emergency road service insurance now. Then, if you do break down in a spot where you have to be towed, you will at least have some help toward a potentially expensive experience. I have Good Sam.
I agree!!! We have AAA RV. I have heard better things about good Sam though. Well worth the money.
God bless,
John
Tom,
If you can get someone local to get it roadworthy... And you'd like someone to drive it to you... I'd be willing to do it for a (small) fee as long as you would be willing to cover expenses up front (travel to the bus, fuel/oil/food/etc on the trip back to you and travel back home). ^.^ All I really need is the crate/shipping amount for the windows to put in my coach from JohnEd/Kevin... I don't know what that price would be right now though, but if you'd be interested in doing this, I can find out.
I'm going stir-crazy without my Phoenix (PD4905) right now and getting out of here for a few days and getting back behind the wheel again would be really nice about now.
It'd cost you far less to have one of us in the community who's has some experience drive it to you than it would to have it towed to you. Besides, I'd LOVE the opportunity to drive an SC. :)
Just an option for ya. I need my bus back on the road, and I'm willing to be a courier to get it done. :)
-Mac
Thank You all for your help and support. I was able to get additional time in it's current storage location, but her welcome there is limited. My current plan is to try to get more time off for the 4th of July weekend and head out with a load of tools, get her running and evaluate her road worthiness. I would prefer to drive her home. Towing home is last resort. As with my classic cars, I don't want a Trailer Queen I want to drive it.
Thanks Again
Tom
The start of a new project!!! Best of luck on your new adventure and keep us filled in. I'm looking forward to more pics as you progress. I'm sure you'll be a lot happier when it's sitting in front of your house! Later
If in fact it is road worthy and you get it started. A trip from Danbury, CT to Lukes in Vineland, I think, NJ is not a big deal.
Having Luke give it a once over could be way less expensive than driving a short distance then having to have it towed.
I brought both my busses home in similar but better looking condition. My 4106 in 1980 and my Eagle in 2000.
Both were great adventures that I would relish doing again. On the trip with the Eagle we had no gauges whatever. For the 1st 2 or 3 hundred miles I stopped every 20 or 30 minutes and stuck my finger in the surge tank to make sure the water was still on board. The 4106 had no headlights and it was winter so we had to have a place to stay no later than 4pm once we reached the east coast. Both trips took 3 days.
If its going to be driven do it your self. You will bond with the machine, it will one of your greatest adventures and after almost 30 yrs the memory will be fresh in your mind. It might even get a little better every time you tell it.
Good luck
Alan
Quote from: tpboj on June 23, 2009, 04:49:51 AM
Steve
Thanks for the offer I will keep it in mind, It is in the Danbury area. If I came out and get it running to move do you know of any storage near by until I can get it prepped for the longer move.
There's half of your solution right now.
Go out, try to get it running over a weekend -- if you can't, then tow it to storage, coming back when you have more time. It's a lot cheaper to big-rig tow a few miles than to Landoll it a few hundred miles. Putting it in storage will buy you time to get it running and happy.
Looking at the pic, I notice the square headlights and the window skins -- maybe it hasn't been sitting as long as you think. Someone has done some conversion work.
It has been sitting over 4 years. The conversion work that was done seems of good quality, but how complete was it? Will take time to determine that.
As soon as you know the date & time you'll be there, let others know so those whose schedules will allow can make plans to meet up with you & help evaluate her.
I didn't have much trouble getting help to move mine. There are lots of us just looking for a good vacation. ;D
You could pose it as a rally with the featured event being a hands-on workshop to get her road worthy. 8)
If you apply your car experience, there isn't much difference in the fundamentals. Air is used for springs & brake fluid, the rest is same ole same ole - Just BIGGER!
If she will air up, - if the air compressor can keep up, - if she retains fluids in an acceptable manner, - if the tires are up to the job,
-
-
-
- Try moving her in the yard - if that goes well, put her on the road & ease it up to speed - if that goes well, drive her home! ;D
Just don't flog it too hard untill you have established some history with her. . .
Take a cell phone so IF you need assistance, you won't have to walk as far. ;)
I've priced both hook/wheel lift & Landoll. The hook has always been higher. Also, you have to have a functioning air system in your bus & let's not forget the tires.
When you lift the front of a 4501, you put a LOT of pressure on the rear axle & can over load those tires. If you let the air off it, the tail drags.
You will also find that most hook drivers will refuse to connect to a bus that old that has been in storage so long. (They may say 'no problem' on the phone, but when they see it, they may refuse & still want to charge you for the service call. :o >:( BTDT
A fellow out west bought one & started out with it without realizing it didn't have water in the radiator. Lost the motor, so he called a tow. On the hook it went & down the road it went - Until a the drive shaft that was disconnected fell into the spinning axle pinion which damaged that & took out an air line which let the rear drop on the pavement. Road fix & back on the road until a tire failed which let the rear drop on the pavement, again. Finally decided to call in the Landoll.
So, focus on a landoll if you need a tow, much less risk & stress & usually cheaper in the long run.
SCENICRUISER PD4501-805 arrives at her new home!
What a BEAUTY!
And if ya don't mind us asking just how much did that nice extended RGN (removable goose neck) cost you to do the move? Oh yeah and from where to where? By the way even if you do mind we are a nosy bunch of helpers! LOL! ;D
;D BK ;D
This is for Kyle. Goodsons bus sales in Maiden NC has a super nice 4501 for sale.
It needs to live in the company of other 4501 and this one runs.
uncle ned
I don't mind.
It was moved almost 1000 miles @ roughly 4.50 per mile, a bit pricey but safest way. From Connecticut to North of Chicago. It was nowhere near roadworthy. Someone has bed cannibalizing the poor girl.
FWI if anyone needs to move a bus I would highly recommend O'Hare Towing, Friendly Knowledgeable Driver. Very Professional.
Tom
PD4501-805
Glad to hear you got it home safely! That wasn't too bad a rate either when you consider all that could have gone south during a drive.
When it comes to 4501 specific parts, post here & on the Scenicruiser Yahoo groups. You may find they aren't as impossible to get as some would have you believe.
Keep us posted & share more pictures!
Ned, I have one that runs.
I also have a wife who said no more buses. I can't afford to disobey her edict. :(
Quote from: tpboj on July 27, 2009, 08:20:15 AM
...
FWI if anyone needs to move a bus I would highly recommend O'Hare Towing, Friendly Knowledgeable Driver. Very Professional.
Tom
PD4501-805
Is this gonna make it on their TV show on Speedvision?
Kyle
mine said no more also but does that mean anything. only have room for 2 right now looking at a 40 footer. to full time in
She told me 45 years ago if i bought a motorcycle he was leaving. now about 100 bikes and 45 years she is still here.
uncle ned
ps did you check out that one its a entertainer but nice
Kyle and uncle Ned
It is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permition.
After 8, her forgiveness was all used up. :o
She callmed down after I sold 2. . . . . .
I don't have enough 'change' to get it anyways. :'(
I bought a dump truck once, used it to haul off debris from the house remodel & sold it for more than I paid for it. . . . . Still a sore spot with SWMBO (she who must be obeyed)
Ned, I believe you definitely got one of good ones ;) And she can cook too! 8)
BTW, I ain't worried about her leaving, its the staying with a bad mood that keeps me awake! (fear can be a powerful motivator) ::)
I see that you got it home. Good work!
I still believe that the 4501 is the most beautiful coach ever built.
Great Job! Now you get to have some fun getting to know her! She's a beaut, a well designed coach. Now go out and play bus driver! ;D
Vroom, Vroom, Vrooom!
Paul