I have a very nice fellow who is going to inspect the bus in Tennessee, that I have talked about.
Naturally, I hope that his report is positive and if it is, I am going to try to find someone to drive it back to central Texas.
In fact, if the inspector is too busy or such, I would like to know of someone else that could inspect it.
The ideal person would be very familiar with 4905s and 8V71n.
I can't pay for your next vacation but I could give a bit a Christmas money. ;D
Thanks,
Ros
Hire Gumpy to inspect it!
He did the most professional job I know of on my truck and even offered to deliver it. I'd recommend his inspections to anyone, even you!
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Bk is the person in Tenn. to inspect a bus. He can do a great job,might load it up with paying passengers and deliver it.LOL LOL
Great guy and knows buses even has a great place to slip in and park.
uncle ned
Why not get on board a old Grey dog lay back enjoy the ride and inspect it yourself no matter who inspects the bus there is no guarantees it will last 100 miles or 250,000 mile just roll the dice and go for it
Clifford I met a big two tone blue bus with a dog on the side of it.
It was motoring down I40 saturday. did not look like the old dog buses that i remember.
hope they come back for some of the younger kids have a bus to buy and spend money on.
uncle ned
Where is the bus and where does it need to go?
When will it be ready to roll? Who is doing the inspection? Are they a good bus mechanic?
Take Clifford's advice. Ros I doubt you begin to realize what you are asking someone to do. This is not like picking up a rental car. Making a first time trip in a 20+ year old bus is not for the faint of heart and certainly not something I would dream of asking anyone to do for free.
Here's my thought...if you were buying my bus......I would deliver it...
you'd pay...but I'd deliver it.
course mines not for sale ... :o
Donald I tried that once we made deal when I delivered the Prevost when I arrived (1100 miles) he was going to pay for the fuel and the bus when we checked every thing out he didn't want to pay for the fuel because I was charging him for the full tank that was in the bus 200 gals then he found 1 item he didn't like and wanted 11,000 bucks off the agreed price.
I just started the bus and drove it back to Phoenix then he called and said he was suing that never happen people require a big deposit before delivering a bus which I wasn't smart enough to do
I forgot to mention that the cash would have already settled in my wallet.... ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: luvrbus on December 11, 2014, 09:01:01 AM
Donald I tried that once we made deal when I delivered the Prevost when I arrived (1100 miles) he was going to pay for the fuel and the bus when we checked every thing out he didn't want to pay for the fuel because I was charging him for the full tank that was in the bus 200 gals then he found 1 item he didn't like and wanted 11,000 bucks off the agreed price.
I just started the bus and drove it back to Phoenix then he called and said he was suing that never happen people require a big deposit before delivering a bus which I wasn't smart enough to do
Hey Clifford. I delivered it to you with no deposit. ;D lol. I wouldn't deliver it to Bobby Easter without a contract and a deposit. He never came through. Surprise!
However, I would have paid for the whole trip out of my own pocket if you wouldn't have come through. That is how comfortable with you and who you are. Turns out you were just as awesome as I thought. All of you guys. It was fun.
Please put me on ignore, AH.
Ros
Quote from: Ace on December 11, 2014, 05:04:21 AM
Hire Gumpy to inspect it!
He did the most professional job I know of on my truck and even offered to deliver it. I'd recommend his inspections to anyone, even you!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi, Uncle Ned.
I just changed my post to MAYBE. I have not yet decided that if I am going to try to hire a driver. I am just exploring the possibilities.
I will see how it shakes out and if I decide to go that route, I will contact Gumpy.
Thanks for the recommendation.
Ros
Quote from: uncle ned on December 11, 2014, 07:21:39 AM
Bk is the person in Tenn. to inspect a bus. He can do a great job,might load it up with paying passengers and deliver it.LOL LOL
Great guy and knows buses even has a great place to slip in and park.
uncle ned
Because I refuse to leave my dog in a kennel. If it weren't for her, I would fly, take Amtrak for real fun but will probably end up driving.
Clifford, there are no guarantees that I will even live long enough to buy a bus.
However, plans are in the works.
Thanks
Ros
Quote from: luvrbus on December 11, 2014, 07:41:42 AM
Why not get on board a old Grey dog lay back enjoy the ride and inspect it yourself no matter who inspects the bus there is no guarantees it will last 100 miles or 250,000 mile just roll the dice and go for it
Hey, John.
The bus is in Tennessee and it needs to go to central Texas, near Austin. It is ready to roll right now. The inspector wishes to remain anonymous.
I don't think the person is a mechanic.
Ros
Quote from: John316 on December 11, 2014, 07:52:42 AM
Where is the bus and where does it need to go?
When will it be ready to roll? Who is doing the inspection? Are they a good bus mechanic?
Bob, believe it or not, I have survived quite well in my 74 years on earth.
Yes Bob, I do know what I am asking. Folks deliver buses, boats, broads, booze and bambinos all the time.
WHERE do you see that I asked for free delivery? ;D
It is not the first time the bus has had a trip and I am not faint of heart.
Ros.
Quote from: bobofthenorth on December 11, 2014, 08:27:53 AM
Take Clifford's advice. Ros I doubt you begin to realize what you are asking someone to do. This is not like picking up a rental car. Making a first time trip in a 20+ year old bus is not for the faint of heart and certainly not something I would dream of asking anyone to do for free.
Ros,
Did you get my PM? At this point, I think my offer is still open. It would have to be quick, though.
Has it been inspected yet? When was the last time it was driven? Do you know if it is generally in good condition?
What is the closest big city in TN? Just trying to figure out if it is near Chattanooga, Nashville, or the Knox center.
Best,
John
Yes, John, I just now read your message and replied.
No, it has not been inspected. That deal may fall through, I just don't know.
However, please keep the info about the bus in my pm to you, confidential.
I very much appreciate your offer but time constraints are probably not in our favor.
Thanks
Ros
Quote from: John316 on December 11, 2014, 08:50:25 PM
Ros,
Did you get my PM? At this point, I think my offer is still open. It would have to be quick, though.
Has it been inspected yet? When was the last time it was driven? Do you know if it is generally in good condition?
What is the closest big city in TN? Just trying to figure out if it is near Chattanooga, Nashville, or the Knox center.
Best,
John
::)
Quote from: ros on December 11, 2014, 07:59:34 PM
Bob, believe it or not, I have survived quite well in my 74 years on earth.
Yes Bob, I do know what I am asking. Folks deliver buses, boats, broads, booze and bambinos all the time.
WHERE do you see that I asked for free delivery? ;D
It is not the first time the bus has had a trip and I am not faint of heart.
Ros.
Ros,
with all due respect, and coming from someone who has now moved an old bus several hundred miles and another one several city blocks, You probably don't fully appreciate all that has to be done to make sure that the bus gets from point A to point B. It took me all summer to prepare to move the scenic and when we did drive it home, we had a fully equipped service truck as a chase vehicle. It took three weeks to get the 4104 moved from one part of town to the other. The issues that have to be addressed all relate to the one simple fact that, if for any reason the bus quits working, it cannot just be pushed off to the side of the road and raise the hood. In most cases you can't even crawl under the bus to take a look. All of the nuts are huge, require oversize tools and need three gorillas pulling on a long pipe to get loose. Parts for the most part have to be ordered and are not available in the next town or the one after that, so you try to carry some spares, but knowing what will be needed is really just guesswork based on experience and familiarity with the particular coach. And the best bus in the world can let quit anytime, anywhere. We have one forum member stranded right now, and you have heard from Ed who got to spend a lovely fall in Billings Montana. A simple tow bill for a bus can easily run into $1000 or more. Your driver, whoever that may be has to be equipped to handle all of these potential problems and trustworthy enough not to simply walk away if disaster happens. (we had a truckload of rotten chicken left at the truck stop when the refer quit, driver unhooked the tractor and left the state, three weeks later the trailer was noticed) I could go on and on about all of the logistics that have to be considered, but you get the point. I think this is what Bob was talking about. I have been involved with mechanic work my entire life, along with carpentry, farming and ranching and have as much varied life experience as most anyone else. I will testify that if you have not prepared a bus for a trip, you really cant fully appreciate what some of the folks here warn about. I have had few problems so far, but my limited bus experience has opened my eyes to many of the warnings and advice I have gleaned from these forums. One final note. Not everyone has followed your posts on the various boards but the vast majority of the people posting are just trying to help. When someone posts a suggestion that demonstrates that they don't get it or don't understand, be kind. or better, just move on. We have a goal here. Get Ros a bus so he can start to suffer like the rest of us.
Steve, is it?
To be sure, I don't know all about any bus or even what I should know. I am here to learn.
Tools? I have huge tools and regular and tiny ones, as well. Even with all of my tools, I fully expect not to have the one that I need.
HOWEVER, I am not sure and fairly doubtful that I will hire a driver. I am/was testing the waters to see who might be available and how much their fee would be.
I have thought it through such as what if it craters, what if he quits, what if he has too much of the 'good wine', is his driver's license current and on and on and on.
As evidenced by my looking for a coach and digging into the details, I don't readily jump into something like this.
Also, I know very well that the majority here want to help me find a bus and with a bus.
There are just a few trouble-makers and I think we all know who they are.
Then, there are those who make sarcastic remarks and emoticons just to show off to their like-minded friends. ABSOLUTELY no different than school playground children.
Now, I like your closing line about getting a bus for me so that I can suffer with the rest of you-all.
I know that you are joking. I see it as having lots of fun regardless of having to constantly maintaining it.
Thanks for the post.
Ros
Quote from: MightyThor on December 12, 2014, 09:32:41 AM
Ros,
with all due respect, and coming from someone who has now moved an old bus several hundred miles and another one several city blocks, You probably don't fully appreciate all that has to be done to make sure that the bus gets from point A to point B. It took me all summer to prepare to move the scenic and when we did drive it home, we had a fully equipped service truck as a chase vehicle. It took three weeks to get the 4104 moved from one part of town to the other. The issues that have to be addressed all relate to the one simple fact that, if for any reason the bus quits working, it cannot just be pushed off to the side of the road and raise the hood. In most cases you can't even crawl under the bus to take a look. All of the nuts are huge, require oversize tools and need three gorillas pulling on a long pipe to get loose. Parts for the most part have to be ordered and are not available in the next town or the one after that, so you try to carry some spares, but knowing what will be needed is really just guesswork based on experience and familiarity with the particular coach. And the best bus in the world can let quit anytime, anywhere. We have one forum member stranded right now, and you have heard from Ed who got to spend a lovely fall in Billings Montana. A simple tow bill for a bus can easily run into $1000 or more. Your driver, whoever that may be has to be equipped to handle all of these potential problems and trustworthy enough not to simply walk away if disaster happens. (we had a truckload of rotten chicken left at the truck stop when the refer quit, driver unhooked the tractor and left the state, three weeks later the trailer was noticed) I could go on and on about all of the logistics that have to be considered, but you get the point. I think this is what Bob was talking about. I have been involved with mechanic work my entire life, along with carpentry, farming and ranching and have as much varied life experience as most anyone else. I will testify that if you have not prepared a bus for a trip, you really cant fully appreciate what some of the folks here warn about. I have had few problems so far, but my limited bus experience has opened my eyes to many of the warnings and advice I have gleaned from these forums. One final note. Not everyone has followed your posts on the various boards but the vast majority of the people posting are just trying to help. When someone posts a suggestion that demonstrates that they don't get it or don't understand, be kind. or better, just move on. We have a goal here. Get Ros a bus so he can start to suffer like the rest of us.
I have tried to keep my mouth shut, but dude you are clueless. I guess you weren't around to hear about my bus delivery.
So, my bus was driven from north of Atlanta to Central Florida by the PO. I paid for all of the fuel and other expenses. Keep in mind, this is the guy selling me the bus and who had owned it for a couple of years before selling it to me, so he knew the bus. He was very confident that he could get the bus here since he had been driving it around up there. So he starts driving it down and tells me that there is a small air leak in the brake chamber but not a problem he can still drive it. Drives a bit more and then calls me and tells me he blew a tire (not the tire he was worried about either), so he gets it off the highway and to a truck stop. Now I am giving my credit card number to a truck stop so they can put a used tire on there and he can get going again. I asked, are the rest of the tires good, will they make it? I am told, sure the guys at the truck stop said they are fine. About 2 hours later, you guessed it, another blown tire and another truck stop that I am giving my credit card number to and another used tired on the bus. All is good now and he is moving down the road right? Wrong, I get another call about an hour later that he has run out of fuel on the turnpike. So now I am calling around trying to find anyone who can bring him fuel and help him get it started. At the same time I start driving towards him so that I can be there to help with getting it running again. About an hour down the road I get a call that he has managed to get it running again from fuel he had in the auxiliary tank. So I meet up with him at a turnpike rest area, I pay to put even more fuel in the tank and we are on our way, make it about another hour or so and as he is pulling out of a toll both he locks the transmission in 2nd gear. At this point it is after midnight and he has a 7am flight back home. So we leave the bus on the side of the road and drive home. The next morning I find a towing company willing to come tow it the last 30 miles home on a Sunday. So we meet the tow truck driver at the bus and after a bit of him trying different configurations he finds something that would work and we are on our way. All is good now right? Wrong, when turning as we got close to home he ripped one of the tow hooks off the front and the rack under the wheels had been slamming under the front wheel well and bent the trim around the wheel well. Oh and it only cost $700 for the 30 mile tow. And now that I am working on things, I needed bigger jacks, bigger wrenches, and the help of the great people on this list.
Oh, and I am not exactly a neophyte when it comes to working on cars. I have changed engines, transmissions, done partial rebuilds, used to work in a body shop, etc. But the bus world is a whole new world and it shouldn't be taken lightly.
Had I known what I was dealing with, at minimum I would have just hired a transport company to haul the bus here, if I didn't look for a different bus. So, take what you expect to spend and triple it. Take the problems that you expect to have and quadruple them. Take what you think you know and cut it in half. Then you might begin to understand what you are getting into. And don't even think that just because the bus looks good or someone checks it out that you won't have an issue. No one can know everything that might go wrong. Airlines that look good might blow out when they are stressed, motors that ran great on a run around the block can overheat on a long trip, wheel bearings can go out, transmissions fry, etc. So, ask yourself, do you have enough money to get the bus towed from 5 miles away from where you are purchasing it home? Because that could happen. Do you have enough money to have a shop along the way rebuild or replace the motor? Cause that could happen. Hey, you might get lucky and not have a single problem and I hope that it works out. But what is your plan to deal with things if there are issues along the way? What are you going to do if the bus only makes it part of the way home? Are you prepared to live on the bus no matter where you get stuck? Are you willing to live out your days in the middle of nowhere at an RV park if you have a catastrophic failure? If you can't do that are you willing to scrap the bus for a lot less than you paid for it?
Flame away all you want, but these are all very valid questions and I hope before you go ballistic on me, you at least think about what I am saying and know that I am very concerned for you and would feel very bad if the worst happens to you and I didn't speak up to try to help you understand some of the things that could happen to turn your dream into a nightmare.
Mung- Your experience was very similar to mine, except I made a deal with the seller. The Craigslist ad said "It is as roadworthy as any other bus out there". I knew it was a rusted out husk, so I told him I would buy the bus for the full asking price of $3000 if he could deliver it to my doorstep at his expense. No problem, right? It is roadworthy! It is only 100 miles. The batteries would not hold a charge, so he bought three truck batteries. Before he could get out of his neighborhood, one of the 45' power steering hoses blew, so he replaced that. A little farther down the road, two of the drive tires blew out. Then, just a few miles away from my house the throttle link seized at full throttle. He hooked up a temporary throttle cable and babied it the rest of the way here. I am not sure exactly how much he had to spend to move it 100 miles, but I am sure it was over $1500.
And I would be willing to bet that the amount of money you spent getting your bus going was way more than you expected right?
Mung- Actually, no. It has costed a lot less than I expected in terms of dollars. However, I did not expect it to take over two years working every day for 10 out of 12 moths of the year to fix the rust problem. Steel from the salvage yard is cheap, but time... is priceless. Even after the huge investment of time, I can only guarantee the frame is solid. There are still a hundred thousand other things that can and will go wrong once I start driving it. I expect it will cost a lot more than I expect... once I start driving it.
And time is money. I know I am going to be quite a bit more than I expected, but I also know that it will be worth it in the long run, not is dollars, but in time with my family and there is something about being in a campground with quarter of a million dollar coaches and have people walk right past them and walk up to the 4104 and go "wow".
Mung I think Ros is familiar with machinery, he's had at least one decent sized boat, maybe more, and understands the possibilities of breakdowns. At least with a bus he can walk instead of swim for help.
I think everyone here has gotten something in their mind as to what they are going to do and have been told it isn't possible, well that's bullshit, if I would have listened to that garbage it wouldn't have any of the things I have today, probably be working for someone else ( I have never worked for anyone in my life btw)
When, not if, Ros gets his bus I am confident he will manage to deal with whatever pops up. He is exactly where some if not all of us has been one way or the other at one time or another in our lives.
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All for the love of a Eagle makes it worth while huh Jesse a fine cared for Eagle has the curb appeal like no other IMO I have been to rallies where people would come and ask "can I touch your paint "the hand painted on rivets by Mike Wilson for some reason fascinated people and I kinda liked those my self ::) I know Matt does too
Yes, sir! Add in some 20' long seamless doors mmhmmm... so smooth. :) I smile every day I step up into it to go to work.
Quote from: mung on December 12, 2014, 06:18:51 PM
And time is money. I know I am going to be quite a bit more than I expected, but I also know that it will be worth it in the long run, not is dollars, but in time with my family and there is something about being in a campground with quarter of a million dollar coaches and have people walk right past them and walk up to the 4104 and go "wow".
Man no one has ever walked up to my bus in a camp ground :( Wait I have never stayed in a camp ground yet ;D
Ros please listen to what experienced bus nuts are telling you. They truly know from experience, not from a crystal ball.
I have had many boats and right now have a 30' 1974 catamaran. I can tell you that it is nothing even close to the bus.
I am not saying that Ros can't do what he needs to do, what I am saying is that he seems to be very naive when he is talking about things that might happen. I just hope he is prepared for what might happen and able to deal with the pitfalls. Just a quick read over the issues some of us have had should make anyone want to go back to their Boy Scout days and make sure they are really prepared. I just know I was already close to $1500 spent before I was even really the owner of the bus and that is not including the cost of the bus or the agreed delivery charge and after she was mine, the money started getting spent really fast.
Here's one of my stories.
About 10 years ago I had owned a 4104 for about 10 years. During that time the first thing I did was put it on blocks and replaced all wheel bearings, brake drums, linings, brake chambers, with spring brakes, brake hoses, air bags, made my own leveling system, pulled the oil pan and checked the bearings. Then I spent another year cobbling together an interior. Drove it about 6 years and couldn't stand no power and shifting. I installed a 6V92 and V730, it turned driving into a true pleasure. My wife and I drove it to the Keys, Yellow Stone, and many, many places in between. I always stayed on top of the mechanical stuff. I always wanted a Prevost, I liked the way they looked. I saw one on Ebay that spoke to me. I made the owner a low ball offer that I never thought he would take, he took it.
I put my 04 on Ebay, the right guy (he's a mechanic and rebuilds antique motorcycles) makes me a fair offer, but he wants me to deliver it. Tuscon from Nashville, TN, yeah, no problem, I've driven this thing all over the country.
About Abilene TX I felt a vibration, then the overtemp warning buzzer came on and I coasted to the side of I 20, I walked to the rear opened the engine compartment door and the fan had disintegrated, destroying the new oversized radiator that I had custom built when I did the engine swap. This is about 10 PM and it's very cold outside. I had a Webasto heat system which no longer worked because there was no coolant. I spent 2 or 3 hours (I actually had a flip cell phone calling my wife asking for wrecker company numbers in the area) trying to find a wrecker that could move me that night. No one could move me until the next day. I spent the rest of the night about 2 feet off I 20 with the bus rocking every time a truck went by. I had a propane stove, finally decided I would turn the oven on and open the over door so I would not freeze to death. The sun came up the next morning and I could see an exit less than a half mile away. I could have made that distance and got off the side of I 20. No GPS 20 years ago. About 2 hours later a Landoll shows up and halls me to their lot. I was lucky, a competent radiator shop was just down the road and the wrecker company let me use some tools, I pulled the radiator in their gravel lot and the radiator shop came to pick it up. It was going to be a few days before the rad shop could get a core and it was going to be a few days before I could get a fan. The wrecker guys took me to the airport. I rented a car and drove back to Nashville (sleeping in a rest area in the rental car on the way back, engine running and heat on) so I could be back to work on Monday. That week I found a fan got it delivered to my house, made sure the rad shop had the radiator repaired and delivered back to the wrecker company. I took off Friday, went to the to airport in Nashville Thursday evening, rented a car drove back to Abilene (sleeping in a rest area in the rental car on the way back down, engine running and heat on). Got to wrecker yard early Saturday morning installed the new fan and radiator with tools they were kind enough to let me use. I reached Tuscon sometime that evening (I think) The prospective buyer looked it over that evening and the next morning. He paid me, took me the Phoenix airport, I got on a plane and flew back home.
The whole ordeal didn't cost an extra dime and really was no big deal.
OK, but you got lucky that it didn't cost a fortune and lucky that the overheat didn't toast the motor. And what I take from your story is that even though, you knew the bus like the back of your hand and even though it had been reliable for many years, you still had an issue that was a bit of an ordeal.
And here I delivered our bus to Clifford, with no problems. Of course, I fully expected them, but was VERY happy there were non ;D.
Our hallmark story....
We were on the road in FL, and exited to get fuel. It sounded strange, when it downshifted, but we didn't think much of it. Turns out it was stuck in 3rd gear. We limped to an Allison shop, 30miles away, and shut it down. They dug into it, and found that we needed a new Allison B500 tranny.
$14,000, and 10 days later, we were back on the road. We had to rent a truck and a van, and stay in hotels, to continue on the tour.
And I won't take the time to tell the stories about when our air compressor broke, or the time our intake manifold had to be replaced on the road, or the time that the idler wheel bearing went out in Carlsbad NM, or the time that our main truss assembly between the tag axle and bus rusted out, or the time the supports above the drive axle air bags rusted through and were coming through the floor, or the time that the muffler came off, or the time that the oil cooler needed to be replaced, or the time that the alternator died, or the time we replaced the turbo. LOL ;D Sorry I got on a role. ;D
But really, it was no big deal. ;D
Clifford, you got a great bus. We fixed all those things for you ;D Here's to hoping you never have a break down with that bus ever! ;D
I don't know about that one Vern a bus or boat I had a Sport Fisher with 2 V-10 Man Diesel you could sure spend a lot of dead presidents on it a frign 4000 gal fuel tank at a marina that will get your attention in a heartbeat and fuel was the cheap part ;D
Hey Ken did I tell you that guy sold that bus he lost a couple of engines in about a 2 week time span and let it go cheap I would liked to had it if I knew he selling it so cheap the guy that owns it's now works for WW Williams so it is good hands fwiw
Mung, I'm laughing, you know, LOL. I was being a smart @$#. It cost a hell a lot of money and was a hell of lot of trouble and the rest of your analysis is correct.
Clifford, the guy I sold my bus to still has it and it's in good shape. I talked to him a few weeks ago. Must be another 4104 with a 6V92 in the area or for some crazy reason he lied.
If he still has it there is one out there just as clean and the same color as yours ::)
Oh, I am not saying that boats are less expensive as buses by any means, trust me I know. What I am saying is that working on a boat is nothing like working on a bus unless you are the owner of an ex-navy PT boat or something. I mean look at how long it took for you guys to explain to me how air brakes work? I knew the basic concepts but until you dig in, you don't know jack and I deal with some pretty complex systems at work.
I am starting to wonder if I should do something similar to Ace. Instead of buying a truck conversion should I buy a tow truck? Can a tow truck be a toad?
I see all that new stuff John I know you spent some big bucks nothing cheap used in the conversion parts either the guys missed the boat on that one that little bit of rust is nothing to repair,but it could use a smaller fuel tank lol and I did install 2 new Michelin on the front even with FMCA they were 1500 bucks but I am not complaining that FC Bluebird with the 3408 the group owns was killing me ::)
thank you John ps leaving out in about 1 hr to go pickup another woman and child I cannot believe the people in this world now
Clifford, you've made me curious. I'm gonna call him next week and ask some more direct questions. It's unlikely 2 white 4104s with 6V92s are in the same area. If you can get a picture of the right side engine compartment I can tell for sure if it's the one I did, it's very unique. It has a wide upside down U shaped I beam over the top of the transmission.
Mung, a tow truck with a sleeper, how could you beat that? Do you think tow trucks every break down?
Vern, a small catamaran like you have is not even in the same league as a 30 ton diesel powered, diesel generator, auto piloted hydraulically steered, radar that I fixed myself because I am licensed to do so, fix and maintain all of the electronics, swing indicators, all of the radios including marine linear amplifer, single sideband radios, v.h.f. radios, swinging compasses, maintaining the propulsion and generator diesels, all of the myriad pumps and maintaining the 32,000 btu air conditioning that I built and installed, welding and building boarding ladders and bowsprit and stanchions, the electric anchor windlass with capstan, the head and everyone of the ancillary accoutrements that were on-board. I have had boats since 1965 and am a bit familiar with taking care of them.
When you are several hundreds of miles out to sea, you had doggone well better know about maintenance and have spares FOR THE spares. I will also have spares for the bus that I get and I already have a huge array of tools. You don't go out to sea without knowing what you are doing.
A sailboat is a much different animal.
Perhaps it is you that is naive to the point that you make an assessment about me without even knowing of my background but, thank you for the post.
Ros
Quote from: mung on December 12, 2014, 07:00:31 PM
I have had many boats and right now have a 30' 1974 catamaran. I can tell you that it is nothing even close to the bus.
I am not saying that Ros can't do what he needs to do, what I am saying is that he seems to be very naive when he is talking about things that might happen. I just hope he is prepared for what might happen and able to deal with the pitfalls. Just a quick read over the issues some of us have had should make anyone want to go back to their Boy Scout days and make sure they are really prepared. I just know I was already close to $1500 spent before I was even really the owner of the bus and that is not including the cost of the bus or the agreed delivery charge and after she was mine, the money started getting spent really fast.
Bought our bus in 03 for just over $33,000, brought it home 1100 miles with no problems. Put about $17,000 into upgrades in the first year. Been fulltiming in it for 11 years, have put about 70,000 miles on it. Other than the engine this year the only things that had to be fixed over the years were the governor on the compressor, (cheapest thing on the bus! ;)) a couple of brakes/wheel bearing/oil seals, and a starter, (also this year). The bus has opened up the country to us and we have gone to many places that we never dreamed of going to. The unexpected thing is that thru the boards and traveling we have met and become friends with people from all over the U.S. and Canada. It has been worth every penny we have spent. Could have done with out the engine rebuild though. ;D
I know a little about boats I know how how much the side shift bow thruster cost so some one like me can dock one
The sky is falling .....
Clifford, after filling a 4000 gallon tank, a 275 gallon tank should be like using your spare change to fill it.
If I just run the numbers, converted coaches have been the biggest waste of time and money of anything I've ever done. If I was hooked on drugs there's help for that. I've learned a lot that has little real value. I've made some great friends and that includes friends that I don't even know, never meet, priceless? I doubt it, maybe worth about 10 or 20 bucks. Of course I'm kidding, maybe 50 bucks.
Where's that big red emergency stop thread button. I'd push it on myself.
If you own a boat just don't let the kids use it you get stuck with the fuel bill and repairs every time ;D
Vern/Mung, my name is Ros, not clueless dude. Others are free to address me as they wish, not you, Vern as I saw what you did and so did the others.
Now, if you are not guilty of name-calling, I don't know who is.
I read your bad experiences and I am wondering if they happened to you because you are living on the wrong side of life -hey, anything is possible.
You are doing your best to start a war and it is evident to a lot of people. I will not be a part of it after this. You KNEW that your post was highly inflammatory else why say this AND I QUOTE THIS SICKENING DRIVEL:
"Flame away all you want, but these are all very valid questions and I hope before you go ballistic on me, you at least think about what I am saying and know that I am very concerned for you and would feel very bad if the worst happens to you and I didn't speak up to try to help you understand some of the things that could happen to turn your dream into a nightmare."
If that is your idea of help, I want none of it.
At the very bottom of your post you tell me to 'flame away'. After you have flamed me!
First, an explanation of what anecdotal evidence means: "Anecdotal evidence refers to an informal account of evidence in the form of an anecdote. It is the opposite of scientific evidence.
Even empirical evidence is preceeded by the folly of 'anecdota'.
I tried to teach you what anecdotal evidence means but you just wouldn't learn so, let me spell it out for your using your bad experiences with your bus:
In simple terms, it means that just because you had those experiences, is not in any way,
forecasting that I will.
I am going to say it again after I have said it many times before. "I came here to learn about buses and in the process, perhaps find one as well.
I did not come here to fight or have to put up with treating me as a baby.
I did not come here to listen day after day to 'nay sayers'. I say again, I am going to get a bus and if you don't like it, too bad.
I do not for a minute believe that you, Vern, have my best interests at heart.
You are making posts clearly designed to recoup your name after treating me so shabbily the other day.
If you truly had my best interests in your heart, why didn't you just pm me instead of playing to the audience?
You and another, took something that you didn't understand and didn't read most of it and thought you would make me look bad. You did but you and your friend looked worse.
I don't need to justify a damned thing to you when you ask about my preparations, my money, what I will do if the sky falls in, or where do I intend to live or not live.
You say that you have installed engines; I have built many engines from the ground up, meaning building from just an empty core or block.
Your lecture to me about not being taken in by beauty is laughable. Maybe you are that naive but I am not.
So, you say that you have tried to keep your mouth shut. To that I say BULL!
Now, do both of us a favor and the board, too, and forget that I exist.
Again, please do not address me in the future.
No flames - facts. I also will not allow you to bait me into a war.
I still very much appreciate the majority of folk here that are trying to help me.
Ros
Quote from: mung on December 12, 2014, 04:58:25 PM
I have tried to keep my mouth shut, but dude you are clueless. I guess you weren't around to hear about my bus delivery.
So, my bus was driven from north of Atlanta to Central Florida by the PO. I paid for all of the fuel and other expenses. Keep in mind, this is the guy selling me the bus and who had owned it for a couple of years before selling it to me, so he knew the bus. He was very confident that he could get the bus here since he had been driving it around up there. So he starts driving it down and tells me that there is a small air leak in the brake chamber but not a problem he can still drive it. Drives a bit more and then calls me and tells me he blew a tire (not the tire he was worried about either), so he gets it off the highway and to a truck stop. Now I am giving my credit card number to a truck stop so they can put a used tire on there and he can get going again. I asked, are the rest of the tires good, will they make it? I am told, sure the guys at the truck stop said they are fine. About 2 hours later, you guessed it, another blown tire and another truck stop that I am giving my credit card number to and another used tired on the bus. All is good now and he is moving down the road right? Wrong, I get another call about an hour later that he has run out of fuel on the turnpike. So now I am calling around trying to find anyone who can bring him fuel and help him get it started. At the same time I start driving towards him so that I can be there to help with getting it running again. About an hour down the road I get a call that he has managed to get it running again from fuel he had in the auxiliary tank. So I meet up with him at a turnpike rest area, I pay to put even more fuel in the tank and we are on our way, make it about another hour or so and as he is pulling out of a toll both he locks the transmission in 2nd gear. At this point it is after midnight and he has a 7am flight back home. So we leave the bus on the side of the road and drive home. The next morning I find a towing company willing to come tow it the last 30 miles home on a Sunday. So we meet the tow truck driver at the bus and after a bit of him trying different configurations he finds something that would work and we are on our way. All is good now right? Wrong, when turning as we got close to home he ripped one of the tow hooks off the front and the rack under the wheels had been slamming under the front wheel well and bent the trim around the wheel well. Oh and it only cost $700 for the 30 mile tow. And now that I am working on things, I needed bigger jacks, bigger wrenches, and the help of the great people on this list.
Oh, and I am not exactly a neophyte when it comes to working on cars. I have changed engines, transmissions, done partial rebuilds, used to work in a body shop, etc. But the bus world is a whole new world and it shouldn't be taken lightly.
Had I known what I was dealing with, at minimum I would have just hired a transport company to haul the bus here, if I didn't look for a different bus. So, take what you expect to spend and triple it. Take the problems that you expect to have and quadruple them. Take what you think you know and cut it in half. Then you might begin to understand what you are getting into. And don't even think that just because the bus looks good or someone checks it out that you won't have an issue. No one can know everything that might go wrong. Airlines that look good might blow out when they are stressed, motors that ran great on a run around the block can overheat on a long trip, wheel bearings can go out, transmissions fry, etc. So, ask yourself, do you have enough money to get the bus towed from 5 miles away from where you are purchasing it home? Because that could happen. Do you have enough money to have a shop along the way rebuild or replace the motor? Cause that could happen. Hey, you might get lucky and not have a single problem and I hope that it works out. But what is your plan to deal with things if there are issues along the way? What are you going to do if the bus only makes it part of the way home? Are you prepared to live on the bus no matter where you get stuck? Are you willing to live out your days in the middle of nowhere at an RV park if you have a catastrophic failure? If you can't do that are you willing to scrap the bus for a lot less than you paid for it?
Flame away all you want, but these are all very valid questions and I hope before you go ballistic on me, you at least think about what I am saying and know that I am very concerned for you and would feel very bad if the worst happens to you and I didn't speak up to try to help you understand some of the things that could happen to turn your dream into a nightmare.
No hope
My Daddy use to say:
"Some folks learn by hearing, Some folks learn by seeing,..... Some have to pee on the electric fence!!!" (note: not an EXACT quote)
I know how that is 'cause I ARE one! LOL!
Looks like there a few on this board & more coming everyday! ;D ;D
TOM
Yep, just as I expected Ros. I didn't bother reading your rant and I am done with you. Just so you know, my post was NOT To try to talk you out of buying a bus, only to make sure you were taking into account everything that could go wrong during the delivery and hope that you would properly prepare yourself for what could go wrong.
Carry on, do what you want to do and I won't respond to anything you post ever again.
Ros- What if you responded like this: Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences moving old busses. I am aware of the cost of moving a bus. That is why I am taking the following steps. I will try to get the seller to cover all of the cost of getting it to my doorstep. If not, I will try to get the seller to write up a warranty on the engine, drivetrain, tires, and brakes for the next 1000 miles. I intend to use the expense and risk of moving the bus as leverage when negotiating a final price. Also, I am looking at getting an AAA bus conversion insurance policy before the trip home that covers towing just in case it takes a dump in the middle of nowhere.
Try it out. It is just a different way of responding to people that you see as threatening or hateful. I guarantee you will make more friends and get better results.
- Spark
And just a note on the towing policy, Spark, I couldn't get one for my delivery because I didn't own the bus the time and coverage doesn't kick in till 24 hours after you purchase the policy. In hindsight, I should have paid the PO to purchase a towing policy before he left.
Do you know how when sometimes you're driving and the GPS tells you to turn, but your brain over rides it because you realize that the place it's telling you to turn isn't really a road or perhaps just not a road that your bus should be on? Dudes, Ros just turned onto that road. :)
Ok as Jerry Jefferson told me a few weeks before his death if you guys don't stop this s*** "you will need a pork chop tied around your neck to get the dogs to play with you" this has been going on way to long and accomplishing O give it a rest this thread is all over the map JMO
Vern, you've made your point .... 12 times buddy, surely you can see that your technique could be seen by some as trolling/stalking/irritating... I think you've beat the horse beyond to death
ROS has made his point over and over also so lets move on or put this in the little trash can on the screen
I thought the point of the board was to encourage ....
I really hope he finds the right bus. I actually offered to make the drive 12hrs, each way, to inspect the bus that is somewhere in TN. He said he couldn't get it arraigned in time (today and tomorrow was the only time I could go). So there is my proof that I want to help ;D
And I do readily admit, that buses can have issues. I just went down nostalgia lane for a bit.
Clifford, we are all happy that you have the bus, and are using it. It is awesome that you appreciate all that we put into it. That is great you are helping that group out. Makes me smile to know that our ol bus is still in a good service. You are a great guy, my friend.
Clifford, we are all happy that you have the bus, and are using it.
So, what is the story on your previous bus, John? I thought you were selling it for parts because the frame was rusted? Did Clifford fix it and it is now in service?
GaryD
Gary,
The frame was rusting out. Sam Caylor said it wasn't fixable. We were pretty much done using it, and did not have the skills and the time to try to fix the rust. Otherwise, it was in top condition. We spent a lot of money on the conversion, even though it wasn't finished yet. The fit and trim hadn't been done.
Clifford said he wanted to try to fix it. We were happy that he got it, because not only is he going to fix the frame, he will be adding three slides to it. Couldn't have gone to a better person.
Cheers,
John
If anybody can fix it, Clifford can!!
GaryD
Hey, Spark,
I had a nice reply to you all typed up but somehow, it got deleted and it wasn't because it was nasty, at all.
I am going to make a general post that will describe EXACTLY what the problem is and it really should be a 'sticky' because it gets right to the root of it. Please read it and you will see that many, many (bad grammar) that I have done just what you have suggested before, to no avail.
Thanks
Ros
Quote from: sparkplug188 on December 13, 2014, 05:49:58 AM
Ros- What if you responded like this: Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences moving old busses. I am aware of the cost of moving a bus. That is why I am taking the following steps. I will try to get the seller to cover all of the cost of getting it to my doorstep. If not, I will try to get the seller to write up a warranty on the engine, drivetrain, tires, and brakes for the next 1000 miles. I intend to use the expense and risk of moving the bus as leverage when negotiating a final price. Also, I am looking at getting an AAA bus conversion insurance policy before the trip home that covers towing just in case it takes a dump in the middle of nowhere.
Try it out. It is just a different way of responding to people that you see as threatening or hateful. I guarantee you will make more friends and get better results.
- Spark
Ros,
I think we are all aware that you have felt slighted by a couple members by now so PLEASE consider us informed. For what it's worth when you say you don't want to participate in a war you actually don't participate, unless you want everyone here to think that you're doing double speak and looking for trouble. You've posted a small number of posts and an awful lot of them have turned into flame fests and it's getting kinda tiring to come to the board and hear your snipes and then hear your surprise when folks return the serve. Maybe resisting the urge to write a long diatribe about folks you feel offended by would go a long way towards the respect you are searching for. Sticking to buses and being ready for answers if we ask questions sure works better for most of us here. I don't like all the answers I get when i ask a question here but I don't feel the need to argue my point very often. Because, after all, I was asking for opinions.
That may differ from mine.
RB
Thank you for your post, Rick.
However, I am curious if that post applies just to me or also to the several ones that poke the bear?
Your reply would be very interesting. Is it just possible that 'they', too, should not post long diatribes or am I the unlucky one who stands by while everyone else can do it.
To learn more about honesty, google Diogenes. I think that you will learn from him, perhaps not.
Also, I am not searching for respect. That is not freely given, it is earned from fair and intelligent people.
I don't feel offended except by a certain few miscreants.
Another also, I am going to make a blanket post whereby certain folks may seem arrogant but by others, they will hone in on the logic instantly.
RickB, don't you think that by your post, you are poking and agitating and very much lecturing?
Something to think about.
Thank you.
Ros
It appears to me that this guy wants to be the ONLY one allowed to post.
Moderators you've read the pleas from long standing posters about enough is enough.
Just when is enough?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ros, Don't have a dog in this fight/discussion but I'm waiting on the general post or sticky that will describe EXACTLY what the problem is ( not that a lot of um care) and then we can all go back to bus goodies. There is a lot to learn on this board with a lot of helpful people.
Man now Boxcarokie is going to be ticked off ROS has him beat on the ignore list ::) how we got here is beyond me
Don is gonna have to come back and earn them iggies.
Mark
The rate ROS is going Jerry is going to be dethrone shortly Don is out of the running now
This thread has wandered all over the spectrum, sometimes having posts with good insights or valid questions. But it has spent a very large and unacceptable amount of time in a mind game of bait and attack. Ros, I have noticed you address the word "respect". Indeed respect is something that must be earned. And there are members of this forum who have earned a lot of respect for their bus knowledge, benevolence, and willingness to help other members. Another truth is that nobody can gain the respect of others by arguing, nor by baiting or starting arguments.
I have said it before, and will always say it - This forum is a group of friends helping each other, sharing knowledge, experiences, and their passion for buses/bus life. It is provided/maintained by Bus Conversion Magazine, but it is for the most part autonomous. The Moderating Team's sole agenda is to keep the peace and ensure the forum remains a friendly place that bus nuts with all levels of experience and from every age group can congregate and share knowledge/experience.
With that directive in mind, and considering the numerous complaints about this thread from long time members, and the appeals to the anecdotal stop button, I am locking this thread.