Okay, I've read a lot of stuff, none of it official, and gotten nothing out of the reading but confused.
I want to know how buses are built.
Here are my specific questions I need answers to in order to generate more intelligent questions.
Where does the stainless steel start and stop on an MCI 102C3 and 102D3?
Where does the stainless steel start and stop on a Prevost? (Pick your favorite model, I am ignorant of them all.)
Are all Eagles all carbon steel underneath?
Are all Eagles 96" wide?
Are all VanHools all carbon steel underneath?
Is there a web site that explains all this so no one has to waste their time answering these questions?
Forgive my abruptness. I am practicing brevity in order to obtain clarity. And besides, that's just the way I am.
I will answer your Eagle question no not all Eagles are carbon steel in the late 80's most were Cor/Ten steel for the sub frame
No not all Eagles are 96 wide the model 15 was 102 wide 40 or 45 ft long in the 60's Eagle made the 07 it was 102 wide 40 ft long
The MCI,Vanhool Prevost can weigh in on the others if your asking they all (buses)rust even with the S/S
Prevost XL and XLII motorhome chassis the stainless starts beneath the windows. Entertainer chassis the stainless starts at the top of the bay doors.
My MCI 5C is stainless from the belt-line down, that is from the interior floor down. Above that it's mild steel and aluminium. Some interior pieces are mild steel everywhere, you find bits inside the spare tire compartment, some of the framing at the back, but mostly that is stainless. The exterior skin is pretty obvious.
Brian
Exterior skin on bay doors stainless, exterior skin from the windows down stainless, The entire skeleton is steel. on MCI. The roof skin is aluminum. Most of the skeleton is square or rectangle tubing. Aluminum used in bays, inside walls.
On early Eagles, they rivet the aluminum to rust.
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 28, 2013, 04:45:44 PM
On early Eagles, they rivet the aluminum to rust.
At least when a Eagles rustin they look dam good doin it..lol
My MCI had more rust than my Eagle. They can all rust...depends on where they spent their life.
To each his own as far as taste/looks. Body structure--frame design the Prevost has been the easiest for me to put slides in. They are still in business and have a good support and parts system. I like them all! I have done a MCI also. The newest you can afford would be my answer with the least rust. Vanhool is interesting but most I have seen have been really rough. Everyone has their Idea--form yours and follow thru..Eagles are classic but are becoming quite rare in decent shape. Poke prod for rust and if you see rivets popping on sides that might be sign of hidden rust. Bob
One thing that new owners don't think about is... where will parts other than common chassis parts be available from down the road? Remember, guys like Luke may retire some day. What then? Some brands are a chore for parts now; especially if from offshore.
The great part about a Eagle is any layman with a 4 inch grinder,a 150 dollar H/F welder and 1 inch square tubing it can be repaired not all that easy on a MCI,GM or Prevost and with the truss design sub frame they were ahead of the times for strength
Smack a Prevost,MCI or GM on the front corner hard enough they are head to bus haven not so with a Eagle