Hello everyone, and thanks to the BCM staff for approving my membership to this forum. I have been browsing here for several days, but I just got the ability to search and post to the forum this afternoon.
My wife and I are almost 50 years old. We have one 17 year old son left at home. We live in the Hot Springs, Arkansas area. We presently have a paid for, 41 foot long, 2003 Holiday Rambler Navigator, all electric with diesel powered Aquahot, two slides and a 500 HP Cummins turbo diesel. It has 48,000 miles. We have owned it for 3 years, and have wished for a couple of years that we had been more educated, and bought a Prevost. We travel as frequently as possible, and are sure that as long as there is diesel and we can afford it, we will continue the RV lifestyle (I am a bluegrass music fan, and we catch every festival that we can make).
Now, we are seriously considering trading into a 40-45 foot bus. I am not a mechanic or carpenter, and I don't want to do a conversion myself. I want a turn key, ready to roll rig, with an automatic transmission. I am used to the 500 HP engine, and we pull a full size short bed Chevy truck everywhere we go. I don't want to deal with propane. I just want to park it and plug it in, or turn on the generator.
I am not afraid of the $3K-$5K yearly maintenance (we already have that on our S&S rig). On the other hand, I don't want to run into any surprises and/or thousands of dollars of repair work soon after I purchase a bus. I want to buy a rig and not have to worry about it rattling into a heap/wearing out, and needing to be replaced in a few years. I want to buy one bus and keep it from here on (yeah, I know...famous last words). My wife isn't even too interested in getting a bus with slides, as slides seem to be one of the biggest repair headaches in the S&S world. We are not adverse to slides, if they are more dependable in buses than in S&S RV's, however.
I don't know what my Navigator is worth on the trade-in market, but I see the all electric rigs like ours occasionally up for sale in the $175-$200K range. I don't mind spending a few thousand dollars over my trade value on a bus, but I'm not looking to spend in excess of about $40-$50K over trade value (and then only if necessary).
So, with those preliminaries considered, it would seem that I need to be looking for a bus in the $150K-$250K price range. I see that many folks have buses with several hundred thousand miles on them. What is the maximum number of miles that I should get nervous about when purchasing? Lots of buses are out there for sale with 90-180K miles on them. Does this mean that they were traded in just before needing major engine or chassis work?
Are there dealers that I need to avoid, and certain dealers that are highly recommended?
Are there conversions that we should avoid?
Who can I trust to give me an honest assessment about the condition of a bus?
How does one go about finding fair market value on a bus?
If any one within a couple of hundred miles of Hot Springs, AR has a bus, where do you get it serviced?
Is there a place where I can find the changes that have been made to the Prevosts since about 1995 forward?
What are the pros and cons of the different Prevost models since about 1995?
How old does a bus need to be be before one should starts looking for rust and other structural problems?
I have been told that there are only about 10 (!) registered Prevost buses in the state of Arkansas, so we will probably need to do some fairly long distance driving to see several buses for sale. I did find this one, about 2 hours from my house, but it seems to be overpriced, based on other buses I have seen at dealers around the country:
http://www.campbellautosales.net/vehicledetails.aspx?VID=126241658 (http://www.campbellautosales.net/vehicledetails.aspx?VID=126241658)
Any advice is appreciated, and I certainly don't mind searching. But, with over 800 pages on this forum, that is a lot to weed through! Any threads that come to mind that might be helpful, or other forums that I should browse/join would be great, too.
Thanks in advance!
would probably refer you to the prevoststuff web site.. I have two prevost but not in the high end range you are looking for. Mileage on the 4 stroke Detroit can exceed 500,000 miles before a in frame and up to 1 million before a major. that's maximum.#'s. some don't make it 1 hundred thousand-mostly because of poor maintenance and uneducated drivers(my opinion) You can always look here for answers to your Questions. Welcome Bob
Trust me there is a lot more than 10 in the state of AR the reason for 10 registered is they are registered in Montana or Oregon,check with Browns RV in Rogers AR he does a lot of polishing on Prevost and always has a few for sale all I can tell you stay away from a 1996 model with independent front suspension those are a nightmare been there done that from 1996 to 2000 the IFS had problems big bucks to repair.
You do know that the largest Prevost club in the US is located in Searcy AR lol The Prevost Prouds drop them a pm and they will tell you what is for sale in your area
good luck
Give our resident Guru 'er I mean YODA time to put his words of wisdom in type and you'll find he knows just about all the answers you seek! (Now even though you may not think so at first mark my words he has an accuracy rating of about 99%!)
;D BK ;D
Opps I see he posted while I was typing! (ya beat me to it Clifford!)
The one you listed seems like a cream puff, I'm sure at $250k theres a bit of haggling room.
You might want to look at http://philcooper.com (http://philcooper.com)
This is run by Phil Cooper, and he has a lot of listings in your price range. You should be able to get a Series 60 conversion with what you're willing to spend.
Kevin Warnock
http://KevinWarnock.com (http://kevinwarnock.com) - my blog
You want a turn key rig just park it and turn the gen on.
GOOD LUCK
I am not saying they are not out there but those kind of buses are not found very often and when they do go up for sale they disapear very quickly.
Would you be interested in a 94 XLV a marathon. Its got the 60 series.
IMO it is the clostest thing I have come across so far that fits that requirement.
250 for a 2000 is out of whack. A friend of mine sold a 99 marathon XLV 2 years ago for 199
I
Cash in hand you will be surprised what you can get in the Prevost conversion even Marathon is cutting deals I have a friend that just bought a 2005 for less than you are asking for HR.
In his dealing try to do a trade in with his factory converted Eagle with Marathon he gave he gave less and kept his Eagle for cash,doesn't take rocket engineering to figure you cannot spend over a million on a 400 thou shell for years they have inflated the prices now they are paying big time just like the housing market,shop with rising fuel prices people are unloading
good luck
A 07 Legendary XLII-DS (on an 05 chassis) recently sold for 435
There is right now a bran new old stock 08 at Featherlite Fla, a XLII-DS, that could be had for 625.
As Prevo got to the end of that run of XL and XLV (from 84 when they went to 102 wide right up to 2000 when when the rivits went away and they changed to the XLII) little by little they made changes every year thicknesses of the air bag platform additional gussets. IMO by the time they got to 99 and 2000 they had got way way unbelievably Strong chaiisi and suspension sub Assemblies.
Take a peek at a 91 or 92 at the tag axle and compare that to a 99 the difference is significant.
The lines feeding the suspensions kept changing additional suspension air tanks were added. Its really almost endless the things they do from year to year. If you thought you were a good mechanic now just wait. One of these things to own are very challenging.
With all that said IMO or 85 as it was originally built is still perfect at 250000 I have no structural issues at all. The 2000s I know they are carring more weight but these years chassis are tanks, they will get you there.
I personally like the older stuff its easier to work on less complicated less expensive but I can not afford a 2000 now.
If I had a choice I would get a 95 thru 97 XLV non slide and be very very happy to get it for 150.
I have a friend at John Deere Credit they were the largest financiers of Prevost conversion for years they would finance with 10% down now it is 40% down with over a 650 credit score,they have a ton of repos ,there was people dumb enough to pay retail price for the conversion hard for me to believe but it happen
good luck
Thanks for all the replies, so far.
For those who have kindly private mailed me, I will get with you tonight or in the next couple of days, depending on my work schedule.
Hey Luvrbus, what kind of expenses and problems were encountered with the independent front suspensions from 96-2000? Was IFS common, rare, or standard on all Prevosts of that era?
Joe Camper, are you saying that a 2000 XLV is, in your opinion the best bus in that '96-2000 era, even though the bus is a little heavier, but be willing to settle for a 95-97 if the deal is right?
What would you all consider a good deal on the 2000 XLV that I posted in my opening thread? I am looking for a good deal, not a steal on a Prevost....Trying to find a steal requires insulting too many sellers, in my experience.
Before buying any model of a Prevost or any other brand is check for recalls on that model it will shock you and be sure the recall work was done by the manufacture.
I have friend going through that now costing him 10 grand as the PO decided not to have it done
good luck
I am a terrible negotiator and would starve if I had to do sales for a living. So the asking and giving are up to those individuals.
The dashes on the 99 and 2000 I like the best they have a nice "ledge" that goes around left to right. Other than that the 95 thru 98 are the same dern bus as 99 & 2000 but less money up front as well as down the road.
94 was the first year for the 60 series and the last year for the 5 speed alison only year they were configured like that.
OTR A/C
Long range fuel tanks
roof a/c's
trace inverters make sure there is some way to bypasses for the inverters
straight axle
20000 lb hitch
Manuall zip-dee awnings
this would be a few important components for me.
No prefferance basic webasto vrses aqua-hot
This is the stuff that I would be looking for but many hwo know me think Im nuts
I'll tell you best and strangest recall I saw on a Prevost not knocking it because it was a good bus was in 1999 Prevost installed heater hoses for brake lines on some buses sounds like China to me lol
good luck
Many of the steer axles on early 90s chassis did not have the capacity with the original air bags to correctly get them up to ride height much less past it when in level-low trying to level manually. I know charter bus drivers that tell me they do not dare "kneel" the bus with a full load. Some have a saftey and won't let you in drive till you achieve ride height and they have had to get all the pass. out to be able to "get it up". If ya know about it its o/k, its fixable. Nobodys perfect, they are very complex, some mistakes are expected. I aint sellin mine anytime soon.
Some had Howard active steering but very very few probably less than 10% This is very cool. Anybody have this?
You know how when you go into a tight turn and dump (raise the tag axle) it has a hard time quickly coming up. That is because when that extra 10000lb immediately transfers to the drives those bags cant react quickly enough. So as the tag is going up the drive axle is going down. NO GOOD Mr Bus driver.
Well some of these little gems.........There is a limit switch attached to the drag link and any time you turn the wheel hard enough to the left or right it automatically dumps the tag.
That also had, incorporated into that accessory, they put 2 additional electric over hydraulic shocks inboard on the drive axle that get that same signal from the limit switch on the drag link and they lock out holding the drive axle from squatting with the additional weight. So tag goes up, reacts way quicker.
Very cool very complicated very challenging to own and maintain.
I have talked with Phil Cooper before. Phil keeps good notes and he has been around a long time.
I just clicked it, he has a few mid 90s XLs with what have IMO a good reflection of the current market, looking at the asking prices.
The closer you get to 2000 the fewer the straight axles. 96 97 98 buch of straight axles in those years. 2000 very few.
Would it be a deal buster if I really found a bus I liked and it had IFS? No. But it sure would be disappointing unnecessary and an additional maintenance consideration.
Anyone who can feel the difference must have a softer tush than me cus I really feel no significant difference. The straight axle is just so much simpler and adequate.
Joe,
Wasn't the IFS based in the VIN such that all 98 and 99 Prevost chassis were IFS? Prevost started the IFS on 1997 chassis. Conversion year may be later.
You are right that it is very hard to distinguish the ride between straight axle and IFS. However, the IFS has a tighter turning radius.
Ed Roelle
Flint, MI
1996 was the first IFS buses I had the very first one in a Vogue what a joke Prevost worked on it all the time and took me almost 4 years but they gave me my money back.
They redesign the IFS in 2000 because of problems and it was funny Eagle used the IFS since 1957 without problems straight axle is the only way to go on a Prevost till 2000 IMO
good luck
Ed I will assume you have more correct data I often get a bit general.
As for the IFS here is how I see it.
For the most part it is like the rest of the chassis built like a tank. There were a few weak links. 1 main issue is the upper a-arm bushings. Part of the issue is the service centers remedy for that repair.
IMO what is going on is the upper a-arm is only about 1/2 as big as the lower so it has twice the travel combined a smaller bushing than the lower. The other force working on it is its very stiff and although designed to twist it really needs to rest at ride height to keep it out of a bind. Well most of these campers go down over time and many folks dump the front all the way down when camping. This is what is chewing the uppers out.
In 04 they finally enlarged the upper bushings to the same as the larger lowers and turned them 90 degree.
These IFS on Prevo incorporate BOTH ball joints AND king pins. Tru to form baby lets over engineer it.
The only other shortcoming up there is the grease boots on the tie rod and drag link and the dust covers on the ball joints. If not completely gone they will be crumbling to bits before 10yr old.
Additionally another large part of the problem was the service centers recommended fix for it. Buy 2 new complete upper a-arm assemblies . If you have ever paid a bill at one of these places you will not be wondering what that might set you back.
If you are still undaunted and want this fear not. The bushings are available individually for 75 a piece you have 4 total and the dust boot for the upper Ball joint is 8 bucks. Any decent truck or bus mechanic should be able to do it with no problem in 8 or 10 hr. If we had this I would expect a service lifespan for the upper bushings of 10yr I have replaced More than a few with less than 100000 I have seen entertainer coaches with 200000 and the originals still in with the rubber completely gone and the bus still handling very very well.
Dick Kaiser at Kaiser Alignment in Eugene OR helped Prevost solve most of the problems on the IFS he worked with Marathon, Country Coach and Monaco for years on the problem.
Best Prevost front end repair in the US Prevost owners line up and make appointments months in advance to get in his shop for front end work on a Prevost owners come from all over the US to him
good luck
Beardog -
Others have been talking about Prevost "the chassis", let me talk a little about Prevost "the house."
The "Big Boys" in the bus conversion industry are, in alphabetical order:
Angola
Custom Coach
Liberty
Marathon
Royale
Vantare
Custom Coach is the granddaddy of all the conversion outfits, having been around since the mid-50s. Good solid construction that, altho maybe not as glitzy as the others, withstands the test of time. The son of the founder is still involved with the company today. Not uncommon to find an old Flxible, GMC, MCI, Eagle or Prevost with a CC conversion, as they will build on anyone's chassis. I know of an MCI CC available right now that would be a good buy for someone, as the current owner is a long-time bus industry veteran who understands the importance of proper maintenance.
Marathon started out converting MC-9s, then switched to Prevosts when they got a better flooring deal from them. The most expensive of the big boys, with rolling bordello interiors. I believe they have a fiercely loyal owner's group - heard a bunch had their coaches shipped to Europe so they could tour together a couple of years ago!
Angola is one of the older converters, as is Liberty. I believe Angola has halted production, but Liberty's still hanging on by a thread. Both build a good unit.
Vantare took over production from somebody who's name escapes me for the moment. I'm not sure if they've survived this economic downturn or not.
Remember that every one of these beasts are customized to the original purchaser's tastes. Nothing's permanent, anything can be changed. 99% all have basically the same layout as your S&S: Living area, galley, head, bedroom. It's just the details that differ in the "big picture" scheme of things.
Another consideration that hasn't been mentioned - Length.
You've currently got a 41-footer, so you know basically where you can and cannot go. If you move up to one of the 45-foot monsters, you'll be restricting your access to a lot more places, especially if you like to visit the older, out of the way, campsites. If you prefer the power pole to power pole type of RV lifestyle, then the newer "resorts" geared to the high-end market with 60' pull-thru sites, 50 amp hookups, wifi, cable and tree-less shade will happily take your "camping" fees. Unhook the toad, and off you go to visit the nearby national park you couldn't get into because of your coach's length, only to find a little old 35-foot GMC 4104 parked happily among the giant Redwoods. . .
The Class A RV market is in the toilet right now, and it's getting worse as the price of diesel continues to rise. If you can purchase a bus conversion without selling your S&S first, it's a buyer's market. If you have to sell the S&S first, be prepared to take a bath, probably less than half of what is was worth just 18 months ago. Attempting to trade will be worse. You have one point of strength, tho, and that is your current rig is paid for, so you're not dealing with those monthly strokes on a rapidly depreciating asset.
That being said, the link to that dealership in your original post is a good example of somebody who's totally out of touch with today's market. You need to do a LOT more homework, not to mention actually kick the tires on some real bus conversions until you find the one that "speaks" to you (no, wait, "speaks" to Mama!!) Don't be surprised if it takes you a year or more, either.
Make sense?
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
RJ although I am unfamiliar with custom conversions Everything else you mentioned Id agree with and or is what I have experienced. Angola's are nice many many around. Many nice Vogue too I like those. At this point in these buses service( 90's) most of the interiors are getting tired and outdated and some are tasteless but the craftsmanship and components and the construction of the house stuff in every aspect are usually pretty exceptional.
For gettin around, in and out, funny thing I think the size issue is not as much a factor as the Paint job issues are. I can get my old 85 40ftr in very small spaces but not without scraping some brush here or there sometime. The paint jobs from Prevo are so gorgeous many are not willing to brush up against anything. The 45ers are only 3 ft more wheelbase and IFS turns real tight. Many nice shady spots I have been in I know my friends would never even consider.
The Trade-In.............. sell it outrite and finance it for the buyer. There is a fare amount of this going on and with good reason it is a Win WIn. There are plenty of honest working people with money to spend right now that dint have 40% down.
Barter its tax free LOL
Well Beardog, how is that for information overload? Had enough yet?! Everything that has been written so far is all good stuff and I didn't smell any BS in there at all...that is what these sites are all about, right?!
Good luck and keep us posted.
RJ look what I found
http://prevostmotorhomes.ning.com/forum/topics/84-custom-coach-xl (http://prevostmotorhomes.ning.com/forum/topics/84-custom-coach-xl)
Wow!
Thanks for the many thoughtful replies.
Yes, I am definitely on information overload.
I thought that I would for sure get a non-slide unit, but now my wife is sending me links from her computer, of buses with slides. I have talked to some folks who say only go with slides, others who say only go non-slide.....
A well-known, reputable dealer told me earlier today that after 1995, all you could get on a Prevost was the IFS suspension. So far, I haven't found a post-1995 with a solid axle (for whatever that is worth).
As others have noted, a lot of this depends on what the wife likes. I probably get to pick out the body style, but I won't get much say on color scheme/interior, etc. So far, I like the XL body better, and my wife seems to lean toward the H3 look. The bottom line is if the wife thinks the interior is ugly, IT DON"T MATTER WHAT I THINK.
Like Joe said, many of the mid to late '90's interiors are getting to be very dated. The S&S that we have at present has a beautiful, warm cherry wood interior, with earth tone colors, and is much more visually appealing to my wife than the old green, pink, mauve, blue/purple stuff.
Another dealer told me that several conversion companies, have their own proprietary OTR AC systems, and about the only company that still uses the original bus air system is Liberty. What say you all?
There is a Prevost (At least I think it is a Prevost. I didn't look closely because I just bought a 4107!) for sale on Hwy 64 just a couple of miles west of Beebe. AR, Exit 28 of Hwy 167.
I saw it listed on the internet somewhere, I believe at one of the bus forum classified sites, but not sure of that. I don't think the ad said Beebe but that's where it is.
I know nothing about it other than it has been sitting there at a used car lot for about six months. That is not a very long trip from Hot Springs.
Yeah, I suspect it is the same bus I linked to in my opening post. From my research so far, it is about 50-70K over priced. I still plan to go look at it, though. It is 105 miles from where I live.
Yes, that is the same bus. Sorry I didn't see your link in your first post, I kind of skimmed over the whole string! I'm kind of shocked at the price.
I would guess he would be more than willing to come down quite a bit since it has been sitting there quite a while and this is not exactly a hot selling area for Prevosts! Just don't tell him you made a special trip to see it, say you are just passing through!!
Let us know what you find out.
Check the guy in Alvarado TX he is a Outlaw Conversion dealer and they are moving quite a few new Prevost conversions and you see trade ins on his lot for got the name but Outlaw can tell you a bus is not going to be hard to find lol
good luck
There are straight axles after 95 I can think of 2 right off that friends have, a 97 Liberty XLV (96 chassis) and a 98 (97 chassis) Vantare H345.
This issue has tweeked my curiosity.
There is at least 2 years possibly 3 that you could have got them either way I am absoluty sure of this after talking with these folks this morn.
Joe, my friend at Arrow told me you could order Prevost with straight axle till 1999 on both models,he has ten 2009 H-45 and still having front end problems with those he buying the Setra buses now he seems to think it is the best bus on the road
good luck
Beardog -
In your search, don't rule out conversions of an MCI coach.
Anything done on a 102C3, D, or J model chassis would fit your bill.
Clifford -
I'd agree with your friend at Arrow: Setra's are a fantastic coach, considered the "BMW" of the industry from a driver's perspective, as well as top tier fit and finish with luxurious interiors. Just ask BK!
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Beardog -
I made mention not to overlook conversions on an MCI chassis.
In surfing Criagslist today, look what I found:
http://daytona.craigslist.org/rvs/2230195186.html (http://daytona.craigslist.org/rvs/2230195186.html)
This coach was done by Marathon - the current "Big Boy" of the conversion industry.
Might well be worth taking a closer look at - you might even get it for 2/3s his asking price since the market's in the toilet right now.
FWIW & HTH. . .
RJ
Quoteonly to find a little old 35-foot GMC 4104 parked happily among the giant Redwoods. . .
.....or a 4106.
I am a big fan of the 35' length. You have your own bathroom, bedroom, food, privacy, etc. wherever you are.
There is a 35' Prevost on Ebay. See the link on the next post.
On Ebay:
1980 Prevost 35ft LeMirage (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-Prevost-35-FT-Class-Motor-Coach-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f99fa0ecQQitemZ300540731628QQptZRVsQ5fCampers)
This was a new shell conversion by Royal, in Elkhart, Indiana.
Included from the factory with the base package are the following options:
6V92T Detroit Diesel
Detroit Allison 740D transmission
Powertec 15KW Honda diesel powered power plant (new)
Coach has all of the built-in kitchen amenities available
Low millage tires
This coach was appraised by Bill Kipp of National Indoor RV Center in Louisville, TX on 6/11/2010 for a retail value of $75,000.00 - $80,000.00. For millage or other required information please use the contact information below.
For more information please call 940-781-0550 or email at bubbataylor0550@sbcglobal.net (Bubba is my dog)
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, I will be glad to address them.
Please use the email address in this description to contact me. The "ask the seller a question" link at the top of the listing goes to my son's email account.
Selling coach due to health.
Please, no dealers or brokers, principals only.
Quote from: Barn Owl on March 27, 2011, 08:42:25 PM
I am a big fan of the 35' length.
I sold myself on 35' max length the first time I got into a place it was hard to get out of. A few feet longer and it would have been 10 times more difficult. Add the extra tires you dont need and you have a win win situation.
But at $149K, and considering they would take much less, that Bus above that RJ posted is just WOW. I realy dont want the Mrs to see that one.
Here is a Marathon on a prevo chassis 3 years newer 30 grand less than the MCI.
I do not think the high mialage should scare anyone here.
http://www.prevost-stuff.com/1997prevostmarathonXLVfor_salePanterraCoach.htm (http://www.prevost-stuff.com/1997prevostmarathonXLVfor_salePanterraCoach.htm)
I'm chasing my tail looking at all these buses (but having lots of fun)!
Yeah, I saw that 35 footer on Ebay. I would be fine with a shorter bus, but we have a 41 footer right now, and my wife won't go shorter than a 40, and really wants a 45. She drives it as much as I do, perhaps more, so I can't argue with her much. I play bluegrass banjo, so anytime we are at a festival, I am out and about, and she lives in the bus...Not worth arguing with the boss.....
Is anybody familiar with this bus, or know the owner? It is listed with a broker, and he was going to get in touch with the owner for me, but I haven't heard anything yet. I am going to be in the same town later this week, and would sure like to look at it:
http://www.rvt.com/rvdetail4553176.htm (http://www.rvt.com/rvdetail4553176.htm)
Bear-
There is one line, down in "the fine print," where it says that the coach is started once a week.
Big red flag for me!
Diesels do not warm up when idling. If this thing is fired up and left to idle, then shut down, the engine's gonna be full of gunk. I don't care if it's a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke.
Now, if it said that the coach was started and driven once a week, that's a whole lot better.
Better to just let the thing sit with the batteries disconnected (cables taken off the terminals) than to do what this owner apparently does.
Good example of someone with a whole lot of dollars but not enough sense.
But look at it anyway, it might be a really nice coach otherwise.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Dan won't take 75 grand for it I tried lol that is a Feather Lite Conversion done in Pryor OK with a Vantre name same company done at the old Vogue factory in Pryor he will never get 199,000
Sent you a pm. I worked with a guy who has bought , sold, and converted Bus Conversions for the past 25 years Full Time. He lives and breathes these things. There are no reasonable prices in April 2010 for 300-400k bus conversion, forget the prices you see on P.cooper/Pr.Stuff , you can steal half the buses for sale out there for way cheaper than you think. You just need guidance selecting the proper bus for you and your family. Bad news is, your RV ain't worth much either . If your bus can live at your house and not some storage place you'll get more use. I'll go grocery shopping in mine using the refrig as my cooler. Keep it running , work all the systems regularly. It will last longer and be easier to keep current than your RV or this forum wouldn't exist.
I can't see anyone opting for a shorter bus for the few times they may encounter an occasional problem parking. I sure wish mine was a 102x45. But then again I don't live or care to travel where you are limited on room!
How one uses their bus determines how big is comfortable. We only use our bus for family vacations and very little time is spent inside. We also want the bus to be as close to what we are doing as possible. If we were doing the FT thing with a toad, w/o children, then I would be more inclined to opt for a bigger bus. There is no "one size fits all". It's good to have so many different experiences to learn from.
My schedule has been horrible the last few weeks, but we are hoping to check out a bus or two this weekend. Thanks again to all who have reached me privately. The advice is much needed!
The H3 you pointed out above is the perfect example of one of the great bargains out there. You will have repairs to do from it sitting. Tires are the easiest. Buy it for 150k. 50k would replace Detroit, Allison, Genny at worse case scenario which would be rare but not unheard of. I met a couple owners with Vantares that complained of electrical gremlins. test every switch and device. The fewer electric window shades etc. the better. Take a bus mechanic. Take your time. I like H3's bay height. Note overhead clearance- depending on what's on the roof and where ,they can be tall.