Have to say that throughout the bus build experience, I've dealt with many different vendors for many different aspects of the build. Most of them were helpful, some just didn't take me seriously, others gave unasked for advice (i.e. don't build a bus, you're crazy, just go buy one). But through it all, I was never treated so seriously and respectfully as I was the other day at Pirtek Hose in Altamonte Springs, FL. I needed some short lengths of hydraulic hose and some tall barbed fittings that spun in place. Even though Pirtek normally works with people needing hundreds and even thousands of dollars worth of hose/fittings/on-site hydraulics repair, Mark spent the time with me and took me and my $40 order just as seriously as he would his thousand-dollar accounts. He went back and forth to the parts bins, and then to the computer to determine exactly what I would need and gave me a 30% discount on my entire order for no reason except he was intrigued by what I was trying to do. Rare customer service...rare enough I thought I should post it here. If you need hoses of any sort (fuel, hydraulic, etc), or pressure gauges, check out Pirtek. Very very VERY impressed. Very knowledgeable on hose pressure/heat/application ratings. Any hose I need in the future for my coach will be purchased at Pirtek. I was not asked, nor paid, nor given a Popsicle for this endorsement. ;)
Fluid Couplings in Salem Oregon are very good as well. You can even go into their huge back room full of fittings and many other neat things and wander around. Many rows of racks of stuff. All kinds of fittings, brackets, etc. Lots of handy small stuff for a conversion. Room isn't for customers, but they let you wander around if you ask.
Not to mention a huge selection of hoses.
You know what's funny - my local Aeroquip hose dealer treats me exactly the same way. I buy $50 - $100 at a time, I get great service, a nice discount and made to feel like a serious person, not a flake...
Brian
Well then...the consensus is that hose guys are just great guys. Must be some chemical in the rubber that they're inhaling all day to make them so nice.
It's nice to know you can deal with companies like these and not get hosed