Hi folks:
Name is Bill and still wet behind the ears as far as busses are concerned. Brand new, still have the price tags on. Don't know if this is the appropriate place for an introduction but here goes. This may be a little long winded but it looks as if I have caught the bus bug.
Maybe a little background would help. Over the next couple of years, my wife and I want to acquire/fabricate/modify/or just fall over a method to see this continent without being held hostage by airlines, hotels and or restaurants. Ergo our interest in doing a bus conversion.
We have been avid campers and RVers now for close to 30 years so are very familiar with stick and staple offerings and the blatant lack of quality inherent in the industry. Currently trying to re-engineer the front bunk on our current hybrid trailer and spending a great deal of time conjuring up physical punishments in the event that I ever meet the accountant that came up with the original design. But I digress.
Our needs are simple. We have no need for some 45 foot asphalt pounder nor do we need to take all of our worldly possessions with us on our travels (we have a nice house south of Ottawa on the Rideau River where we can store our stuff). In other words, we don't need a bunch of storage nor the ability to park our Smartcar under the bus (will be flat towing a suitable toad behind). A few strategically placed cubby holes for camping equipment, spare parts, various connections and a tool box will suffice.
I have been lurking around this and other boards now for close to a month and have come to the conclusion that in general, we should be looking at a 35 foot high floor, 102 inch transit bus (40 foot if necessary). I may take some flack for this but prove me wrong. Have read all the justifications for highway coaches and do agree on a number of points. However, they are just too big and way beyond our needs, not to mention my wife has to want to drive it. Additionally, we frequent Provincial, State and Federal parks and in many instances, they don't like anything larger than 35 feet.
Power wise, I am very comfortable with large commercial diesel engines. The ones used in busses are tiny in comparison to some of the stuff I have been exposed to so doing an in-frame on a series 50 does not give me a case of the galloping weeby jeepies. Have used and worked on many GM strokers in my day and love the engine but lets face it, they are dirty and noisy. Not only that, but I have better use for my motor oil than to create an oil slick under my bus. You would think that after close to 80 years, GM/DD could have come up with a set of gaskets and seals that actually kept the oil in the engine.
I am also comfortable with electronic control systems. What the nerds have been able to do with our engines using these computers is nothing short of incredible. Am still trying to wrap my head around the transmissions used in the industry but no doubt I'm sure, with your help, that the learning curve won't be too steep.
At this point, I'm leaning towards a 35 foot RTS though it will have to be a Nova as all the rest are not compliant here in Canada. Having said that, I am open to any and all suggestions. Really don't want a skoolie as they are too tightly sprung, their center of gravity is too high and most of them are the narrow spec.
I guess what I'm really interested in is the pros and cons of all of the offerings. Not necessarily stuck on a transit but it seems for now that it make the most sense. One area I am very confused about is the industry in general. especially the transit bus designs keep getting traded from one company to the other. Seems that different years of the same bus are made by someone else. Even the venerable Fish Bowl was dropped by GM and given to MCI for the Canadian market and the RTS changed its manufacturing company more times than they changed their socks. Now I found out that Prevost owns Nova and New Flyer took over Orion. I could go on. Almost an incestuous relationship.
I am sort of stuck with Nova, MCI, Prevost, New Flyer, Thomas, GM and I think Van Hool (will have to print out the RIV list to see if I have missed any) due to the Canadian registration requirements but maybe someone has done a work around for one of the other offerings.
The general condition is not that important as the project will be a complete restoration, starting with the mechanicals. It would be nice to find one that I could drive home though. Not really interested in taking out a second mortgage to have the bus towed to Ottawa. My biggest roadblock is rust. You can fix anything else with parts but rust never sleeps so the materials used is of prime concern.
Looking forward to any input you folks can give me.
Bill
Why not start your search in the used market already converted coaches.
I saw a nice MCI 5A last week in Kenai, AK. The owner had just purchased the bus a few months ago in Texas. Out of frame overhaul on an 8V71. Interior is somewhat dated, but that is fixable. He said the price was reasonable.
I think there are a lot of coaches coming on the market due to aging of the converters.
We got hung up on the 35 foot rule for lots of campgrounds with the first coach, PD4108, But with the MCI 102A3 we have not been turned away due to length. "Sure I know just the space for you."
Thoughts for you to ponder.
Later,
Bill
Bill -
Welcome aboard! Once you get bitten by the bus bug, you're done for. The disease is incurable, but you can control it.
The Nova RTS is a great bus - for a transit. You'll be very hard-pressed to find one with highway gearing in the rear axle, and about the only way you'll obtain a set is if somebody's got one sitting on a dusty shelf in the back of a long-forgotten warehouse. Thus you'll be sitting on the governor with the 6V92TA screaming away turning 2100 rpm at a whopping 56 mph, plus getting a whole 4 mpg in the process.
Oh, and basement storage is non-existent on an RTS, unless you're good at fabricating waterproof boxes while upside down. Then you'll have to figure out how to access these new boxes, because the company who made replacement panels for RTS folk creating bays no longer is in that business - now they just make cheap stuff for the Indiana stick 'n staple bean-counters.
35' x 102" are pretty rare, probably even more so on your side of the border. Prevost made a few in the late '80s that were shells, which then went to conversions companies to be outfitted. Don't know how difficult it would be to bring one of them "back home" - it seems RIV gets a little touchy with bus conversions.
MCI built the F3500 in the early 2000s, but I don't know if any were sold in Canada. Here's a link to a photo of one:
http://www.ttmg.org/photos/tlogan/Hampton_MCI_88.jpg (http://www.ttmg.org/photos/tlogan/Hampton_MCI_88.jpg)
Obviously, if you could manage with a 35' x 96" wide coach, that opens up a whole lot of other options. My MC-5C falls into this category, and I find it's just perfect. Would I like the extra width? Of course, but it's not a deal-breaker for me.
Saying that you don't want a highway model because Mama couldn't drive one is just an excuse, and a pretty lame one at that. Look around you - how many women school bus drivers do you see? How about driving Ottawa transit buses? Once she climbs in that seat and puts some time in, you may have to pry her fingers off the steering wheel.
I have a few more thoughts on the subject, but droopy eyelids are preventing me from coherently looking at my monitor. Thus I will leave you with these comments to ponder while you await others to chime in.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Unless you plan on using this conversion till you die, steer away from a transit. They are very difficult to sell later without a greater loss than with a conventional onewhen you change interests in your needs. The major lack of storage requires additional roadblocks in layout. If your needs for a usable conversion are minimal and price of initial purchase is critical, then go with it. Buying an already converted coach would be a better deal in the long run if you are patient, as the money will add up as you procure the components to convert it. You would have enough to keep you busy repairing, modifying, and correcting a converted one. My first conversion was a 1948 ACF Brill. It was what I could afford ( barely), was already converted, had bathroom, kitchen, sleeping area, couch, a passenger seat across from driver, no AC, no heat except when on the road, no generator, except for a 5 hp gas engine hooked to a car alternator to charge 4 car batteries, and got 5 miles to the gallon. It would run right with my father's 4104 out on the road though, so that helped. Looking back though, we had a vehicle that we could actually use right away and there were many areas on it to keep me occupied over the years.
BTW, if you don't like the oil leaks on two cycle Detroit's, install a Walker Air-Sep to cure those ills.
Since you are in Canada, take note of the RIV regulations. First thing is that you essentially cannot import a converted bus, or in fact a bus not in totally stock configuration, into Canada unless it is quite old. You might be able to import a factory converted bus if the converter was the manufacturer. You can't import a bus unless you can get a notice of compliance with recalls, so the manufacturer has to be in business. So you are well advised to look at buses already in Canada. There is the MC-5 option as a 35 ft highway bus, but aside from a rare Prevost, that's it for 35 foot highway buses. If you are looking at Canadian buses, obviously be aware of the rust issues. So I would start by checking out Canadian buses first, you may well find something that is in good shape and suits you from OC Transpo, for example. Then I would do that research you mention at https://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx (https://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx) and see what you can import as a not-too-old stock seated bus.
Using a broker versed in importing vehicles can be a really good option. My MC-5C was imported into Canada by a broker for resale, he knew exactly how to do the paperwork and have the conversion work performed (as far as I can tell that amounted to installing a speedometer that reads in KPH and a hub meter that reads in kilometers), and got the all important Canadian registration sticker for it.
Thoughts on a transit - the obvious issue is storage, but for more than camping stuff. You need to find a place to store around two hundred gallons of water, half fresh and half waste. A combined grey/black tank is a good solution and one that I used, but if the waste tank isn't under the level of the appliances that use it, you get really tough design issues to work through, with odd pumps and what-not. The gear ratio has already been mentioned, you really want to be able to hit 70 mph if you need to. Pay attention to the OTR air conditioning installation and condition - it's a great option to keep it if it works well, and removing the factory on-the-roof AC can be a huge structural task on some buses, with having to replace the outer roof skin.
So, it looks like you need to check out every existing already converted bus available in Canada. That will be fun! :D The argument for considering a highway coach is very compelling, the issue of having storage space underneath is very important, and the gearing issue is also expensive to change.
Why would you consider a transit bus for continent wide travel? A transit was designed for city use. A highway coach is made for long distance highway driving. As you must know, they are hundreds and thousands of miles between attractions and destinations. It is nice to be going down the road at 65 mph revving 1800 or less, with the ability to step on it and go 70 (or 80). The bus has to be smooth, quiet and comfortable. For example for us out of Western Canada, it is a 24 hour drive to Arizona. Last winter, we drove along the Mexican border, the Gulf Coast, then Florida, taking our time and exploring Eastbound. On the way back, we shot straight back on I 10, pounding pavement 12 hours a day for 3 or 4 days. Then after visiting friends near Phoenix, it is another 3 days back home, in February. You appreciate a good coach for that kind of travelling. I cannot imagine doing that in a transit. That would be like a dump truck versus a highway tractor trailer.
35 foot is great. Really handy around town and tight spots, we love ours. But I have driven lots of bigger buses, and if a 35' fits, so will a 40'. And speaking of comfort and handling, a 40 footer handles noticeably better going down the road because of the tag axle, more stable.
Oh, and Detroits don't always leak. My 6V92TA doesn't.
So my advice, based on many years driving buses commercially and our own conversion, is look for the best, latest model highway coach you can afford. Already converted will get you travelling right away.
Welcome, and good luck with your search.
JC
First of all, Thanks for the warm welcome.
Have read all the replies and you all make a compelling case for a highway bus. Certainly is casting a shadow on my initial knee jerk decision to investigate transit busses. Obviously that direction seems to be ill advised.
However, in my defense, I am faced with a somewhat draconian regulatory body up here called the Registrar for Imported Vehicles. In order to protect our bus manufacturers a number of years ago, the RIV stipulated that the cut-over age for any imported bus is 1971. In other words, anything made subsequent to 1971 must comply with certain standards as has been mentioned by a couple of the folks here.
That leaves me with the constraint that any bus I import must either be a true antique or it must be a totally unmolested bus that is on the RIV's list. That has the effect of removing all previously converted busses and means that I will have to look for a bus that is still being used as intended as a bus. Suggest that the number of conversions done by the original manufacturer are few and far between. Have not looked into re-registering a bus as an RV conversion but if past experience is any indicator, that should not be an issue. Could give you a list of what I've done in the past but that would just be plain boring.
Many years ago, I made the decision not to buy any used vehicles north of the Mason Dixon Line. I really hate rust and if your going to put the effort into making a vehicle road worthy, why start with a problem? Getting a bus that has been used on the roads up here makes no sense at all. They would all require a massive session of chemotherapy to rid them of the cancer and even then, it will come back.
Considering the above, that would mean that I am faced with buying a bus that has just been taken out of service through one of the myriad auction houses, or from a dealer in the States that no doubt got the bus from the same source. Then I'm faced with getting the bus over the wall (assuming Mr. Trump ends up being your next president ;D).
I guess one of the major motivators for considering a transit bus was continuity of ownership and maintenance records. Transit busses are, for the most part, designed to be maintained quickly, easily and are kept on the road by well qualified maintenance shops. Additionally part supply chains are pretty well established.
From what I have seen so far, the same does not necessarily hold true for highway busses. It seems that after a bus has served a major bus line, it is often handed down the line to a myriad of secondary operators who's maintenance departments may or may not be suspect. As long as it passes the yearly inspection, they are good to go. As I mentioned in my first post, this will be a total, bumper to bumper, overhaul so the general condition of the bus is not really a concern, however, it would be good to know that I'm starting out with a good foundation.
Once again, thanks for all of your input. You all made valid points. That means I have a lot to think about.......but I really like the look of the RTS :'(
Bill
Bill, It may be a great choice finding one in the north. I agree and grin with the fact below the Mason Dixon their would be less rust issues, its pretty well understood not much snow and ice and having to use salt, beet juice and chloride surface treatments down there.
I heard that Mexico may have the same kind of rule in that an older vehicles cannot be transferred there and I believe the vehicle age is much less than you mentioned, as maybe 10.
With all that it may be more important finding out how or when the previous owners used the equipment/bus all year. Heck its always possible to find a factory private coach of old.
good day
Floyd
Bill, you seem determined to overhaul the bus from bumper to bumper. So getting a seated coach to be converted will do. Plenty of good ones down South, and Western Canada. MCI make good, simple, easy to maintain buses, with good support continent wide. A 102D (40'), or DL (45') would make a great platform. Everything from the floor down is stainless steel. They commonly come with the Detroit S60 and Allison B500. Prevost cars are quite popular with some bus nuts, but rather complex and more difficult to maintain from what I hear and read. And don't assume a bus is rust free because it is from the South. It might have spent time up North, or vise versa. Inspect each one individually.
JC
Have you considered some of the models without storage bays below.
I am always curious with some models having great clearance. At first with camping I had thoughts of clearance because we all know the hard surface are much more level generally.
Then the storage is a whole different ballgame to work through, I think some on the site here have nailed it down with some of these things.
Heck even in some / many campgrounds even on hard surfaces have small hills, curves compounded with hills can be very tough.
Sounds like ya have great intentions with 35' or addressing clearance, so I'm listening.
Good day there
Floyd
I have a 40' RTS and I can tell you I would not trade it for a Prevo, MCI or any other worn out bus. If you can find 35' with no computer, a good runner, you are way ahead of of all the B. S. You are being fed.
--Geoff
RJ that f3500 link looks to be the cats az, I think.
That's the first bus I have seen with a dude size door, must have a ft more than the 9 has.
Struck an interest though I'm busy enough with what I have, thanks for the link.
Floyd
Quote from: Geoff on July 20, 2016, 06:26:52 PM
I have a 40' RTS and I can tell you I would not trade it for a Prevo, MCI or any other worn out bus. If you can find 35' with no computer, a good runner, you are way ahead of of all the B. S. You are being fed.
--Geoff
so...all hiway coaches are BS ?....care to elaborate ?
I have driven RTS's, and I think they are the most attractive looking transit that was ever built, but I would not consider them for conversion even if the price was very low. They simply do not have the storage space you need for tanks and gear, and I don't want to run at the governor down the Interstate. For those that like them, and can make do with what they are, that is your business and choice. It might be unkind to refer to people who advocate using highway coaches as being purveyors of anything other than helpful.
Okay. I've been asked to explain why I like the RTS and it is because it is a well built bus designed by GM and you can overcome all the negatives that were thrown at my favorite bus by several people above.
I have 4 storage bays with doors-- two are completely empty from one end to the other.
I have a 350HP 6V92TA, 80mph highway gears. Cruise control. Jakes. 8mpg.
I have wonderful stock windows that open-- two in the rear bedroom, four in the front, all with screens. The rest have been blocked out.
150 gallon fresh water, 110 grey and black tanks.
I have a wonderful paint job with a matching trailer.
Great suspension with Shepard steering that makes the 40'er seem like you are driving a van.
Wonderful interior (oak) with ultra-leather seating.
Three 15K rooftop airs and Webasto heating.
Air leveling system with independent front suspension.
Etc. Etc. The RTS is joy to drive and camp in, so don't tell me an RTS doesn't make a good bus conversion.
--Geoff
You go, Geoff, good for you! Doing it is proof that it can be done, after all.
My intent with this thread was not to incite a urination competition but rather a sound discussion on the pros and cons of my options. Like most things that people are passionate about, we all have our favourites. Sort of a Chev vs Ford, Cessna vs Piper, 2 strokes vs 4 strokes, gas vs diesel. The interesting thing about this kind of thing is no one is wrong. Its all a matter of perspective and what our personal wants and needs are.
As I said in my first post, I am a newbie to busses. What I'm not new to is heavy equipment and all manner of transportation related conversions, modifications and fleet maintenance programs. I have a rather extensive network of suppliers and am very comfortable with fabrication. I am here because I've never done a bus and was hoping for some insight into this world.
I am particularly anal about design and starting with a good mechanical base. Nothing burns my eye teeth more than poor design, like locating an ECM immediately below an exhaust pipe!!! Sensors belong in the engine compartment, not control modules. This is the kind of thing that gets corrected immediately. As good as these machines are built, it has been my experience that there are too many accountants involved in the final designs.
A cute story about the Apollo 11 space mission. There is a lull during the countdown after the 15 second mark where all the crew does is sit and wait. It was during that lull that the captain made the comment to the crew that "this space craft consists 2,567, 328 individual parts and pieces that all have to work flawlessly together and every last one of them was supplied by the lowest bidder"...5...4...3...2.
I did notice that my intent to do a complete overhaul was met with a certain amount of distain. When it comes to the safety of my family, myself and the others who share the road with me, I will not start with anything that may place that safety in question. In other words, if it rotates, brakes, is attached to the suspension or is part of the steering mechanism, then it gets replaced with new parts of the highest quality available. For the most part, these vehicles have led a hard life and to assume that all is well when you buy it is an exercise in self delusion. Replacing all the safety related items means you are at least starting out with a good base. The rest is merely a determination of what will make my life simpler and assure that my vacation is not spent wrenching under a bus or being held hostage by the local truck garage.
Geoff: Finally someone with some experience and passion about a transit bus, and a RTS to boot! Like you I love the look of the bus and the size is exactly what I envisioned was ideal for Carol and I. I do not share your passion for GM strokers but would not be able to get one over the wall and get it registered here in Canada anyways.
None of the older RTS busses were certified here in Canada. However the Nova version was and have found a number of them up for grabs. Have no issue with the Series 50, (actually found one with the new Mercedes 9000 engine and a B400 Allison. Didn't last long) nor with computer controlled powertrains. Am comfortable with them, though I would build up the 50 to the 350 HP spec. or try to shoehorn a Series 60 into it. Gearing is not an issue. It can be solved with either a new tranny or a gear change. Have a guy that if he doesn't have the gears on the self, he can cut me new ones if I send him the old ones to marry up to a blank. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the center sections of these diffs should be common to any axle of the same manufacturer and series, regardless of configuration, thus the ring and pinion combinations should be an off-the-shelf item. These are swapped out regularly in the truck game.
Sorry for the long winded dissertation but I am taking all of it seriously. There are pros and cons to every option and am taking all of your advice to heart. Until I have a bus in my driveway ready to work on, everything is still on the table. Am at least now broadening my search to include highway coaches....though I still like the looks of a RTS ;D
Bill
Geoff Your description fits huggy to the T. but huggy is a 4104.
She has BIG injectors and runs like a top but I have never got easy with the heating problems.
The radiator "#3# is as big as you can get in the side of a 04. Reaches from the expansion tank to below
the side of the coach. Has a skid plate under. Also no room in front to put the charge air inter cooler in front of it that I want to try
Has a big flex fan and shroud. I have had the fan in the shroud,half in the shroud and all the way at the back of the shroud.
could not tell the diff.The fan is belt driven off the end of the crank. has a smaller pulley on the fan side
As soon as I get ready and round up all the parts a series 50 will be setting in the back of her.
If I live that long, the list of things to do gets longer every day
I thought about replacing the large injectors but would have to pull the engine to do that might as well replace it at the same time.
"Someone" put the screws in the plate in the bulkhead in from the wrong side,have to pull the engine to get to the back head.
The cradle that we used came from a Flex I think . It sets the engine at a 15 degree angle I think not laying down like everyone else does
uncle ned
PS i also love the rts coaches. Looks like a race car of coaches. wonder what one would look like with a set of super singles on the rear.
I'll second Geoff's RTS and explain my AMGeneral transit. It has 22" under floor space. I have three roof airs (only A/C), 10kw Powertech Diesel generator next to the front driver's seat like a front engine, 130gal water and 2-10gal elec water heaters under the rear bed, 85gal gray, 45gal black, 20gal propane, 130gal fuel, 2-31 starting batteries, 2-8D Lifeline AGM deep cycle, 99"w x 22"h x 66"L storage compartment, 24"w x 22"h x 18"L storage compartment behind right rear tire for oils. While it doesn't handle like an RTS, is a very comfortable-heavy feeling ride.
As Geoff said, don't discount high floor transits as a conversion. I've had mine for 22 years now. Good Luck, TomC
Huggy
Have you tried radiator water sprayers from your fresh water tanks? Not misters, SPAYERS. They work great to cool your engine temp.
-- Geoff
Quote from: uncle ned on July 22, 2016, 08:38:25 AM
Geoff Your description fits huggy to the T. but huggy is a 4104.
She has BIG injectors and runs like a top but I have never got easy with the heating problems.
The radiator "#3# is as big as you can get in the side of a 04. Reaches from the expansion tank to below
the side of the coach. Has a skid plate under. Also no room in front to put the charge air inter cooler in front of it that I want to try
Has a big flex fan and shroud. I have had the fan in the shroud,half in the shroud and all the way at the back of the shroud.
could not tell the diff.The fan is belt driven off the end of the crank. has a smaller pulley on the fan side
As soon as I get ready and round up all the parts a series 50 will be setting in the back of her.
If I live that long, the list of things to do gets longer every day
I thought about replacing the large injectors but would have to pull the engine to do that might as well replace it at the same time.
"Someone" put the screws in the plate in the bulkhead in from the wrong side,have to pull the engine to get to the back head.
The cradle that we used came from a Flex I think . It sets the engine at a 15 degree angle I think not laying down like everyone else does
uncle ned
PS i also love the rts coaches. Looks like a race car of coaches. wonder what one would look like with a set of super singles on the rear.
quote author=TomC link=topic=30822.msg345133#msg345133 date=1469206338]
I'll second Geoff's RTS and explain my AMGeneral transit. It has 22" under floor space. I have three roof airs (only A/C), 10kw Powertech Diesel generator next to the front driver's seat like a front engine, 130gal water and 2-10gal elec water heaters under the rear bed, 85gal gray, 45gal black, 20gal propane, 130gal fuel, 2-31 starting batteries, 2-8D Lifeline AGM deep cycle, 99"w x 22"h x 66"L storage compartment, 24"w x 22"h x 18"L storage compartment behind right rear tire for oils. While it doesn't handle like an RTS, is a very comfortable-heavy feeling ride.
As Geoff said, don't discount high floor transits as a conversion. I've had mine for 22 years now. Good Luck, TomC
[/quote]
Tom--
I have always admired your bus. Well converted, with an attention to detail!!
-- Geoff
Goeff's RTS does look good, if I could post photos I could show you 1 ugly @$# RTS with a roof raise and bays it has to be the most ugly bus I ever saw and it's for sale
Go to Staley Coach's web site and look at that little thirty five ft M C I motor home .Don't know how much you are looking to spend .This one is around 100,000 dollars.It breaks my heart that I can't afford to buy this coach myself or I sure would.
Bill, just a thought, British Columbia gets the least amount of snow of any province in Canada. Vancouver claims to only get 33 cm in an entire winter. If that's true you might have a cleaner coach that is more rust free over there. Can't say that for sure since the ocean is so close but it's an idea. Here is a link to a couple of coaches for sale in British Columbia.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/search/sss?query=mci%20bus&sort=rel
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks Scott:
Little old for what I'm trying to do but seeking out a bus in BC makes a bunch of sense. Alberta and Saskatchewan vehicles also tend to be rust free or less so than ones in the rust belt. Would circumvent all of the RIV song and dance.
Bill
Hi Bill
Since I have a 40' RTS, and I am in Canada, I think I can toss in my $0.02
I have one of the Unicorn RTS08s that was properly brought to Canada by an operator for the YVR Airporter service.
While I have banged about in all kinds of trucks, my bus driving experience was limited to a 24 passenger classic yellow shorty school bus (Bluebird/FordB600) and a total P.O.S Krystal Koach (a real example of building down to a dollar, and barely meeting minimum requirements).
My RTS (DD 50 series with V730R auto) is presently in service as a charter bus, where I bang it down 80km of active logging road, as well as freeway with 120kmh speeds. On the highway, I have documented 12mpg (IMP) despite still being on transit gearing running pedal-to-the-metal, though I hit the limiter at 100kph.
It rides and drives like a dream; anyhow the reason I post is that the operator I bought my bus from, as far as I know, still has a couple to sell. You would have to get to the Okanagan to view/inspect/pick-up, so a long haul home. The advantage is that the west coast and Okanagan are the least damaging environments in Canada.
I have been up to my elbows in this bus, so PM me if you have more questions or want the contact info for the fellow who has the other RTS's
I might even consider selling mine, as I REALLY need a rear door version (mine only has wide front door)
cheers
Ken
Don't be afraid to offer Staley 50k, you might be surprised what their counter is - FWIW
Quote from: bigred on July 22, 2016, 03:03:51 PM
Go to Staley Coach's web site and look at that little thirty five ft M C I motor home .
Rhet -I poked around on Staley's website tonight and didn't find the coach you're talking about.
Could you copy/paste a link to it, please?
TIA. . .
hi Ned, I too am a sprayer fan, as Goeff, took home Depot sprayers, drilled them out 1/16th", three from prefabricated HD mister parts, on each side, 1/2" pex from manifold, open valve before trip, remotely turn on water pump, and there's a 4 degree cooling effect on my 8V92T going uphill, lvmci...
Sorry R J!! I told you the wrong web site.This MCI F3500 is a 2004 and they are asking 99995.00 BUT it is on busforsale.com .I don't tend to get that excited over a motor home ,but this little guy is impressive!!!!
Yes I forgot to mention the sprayers. I have 4 sprayers and a seperate pump and a 4 gallon tank.
I like to use windshield water thinned down with pure water.
It keeps the radiator clean and is a life saver it least in my mind.
make extra money spraying for mosquitoes now that the zeka virus is coming.
uncle ned
Thank you Geoff!
As to radiator misters-I have the largest radiator I could have built with my tanks. I have 6 row, they could have gone with 8 row, but then custom tanks, big money, etc. I originally bought a 15 mister kit from HD. While it did OK, was not capable of pulling down the temp during a pull in over 90 degree weather. I drilled out two of the misters with 1/16" drill and the water dump now is impressive. I can turn on the misters and in about 2 minutes watch the temp slide back down under 180. I have it tied into my water system. Good Luck, TomC
Just in case any other newbies land here and are Canadian and looking for an RTS - ALL TMC RTS models up to 1995 model year ARE ELIGIBLE for import if they are unmolested. Bring one in and molest it yerself ;)
http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list2/Section6_0.htm (http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list2/Section6_0.htm)
and scroll down to T section "Transportation Manufacturing Corporation"
cheers
Ken
My 2 cents which won't buy bubble gum I to love the look of the RTS,but I would stay away from any V drive bus you are so limited on setups and parts are drying up on the lefty's.FWIW some of the RTS used right handed engines with the transmission changing the rotation to final drive
I have had the cam that drives the alternator for a left handed DD for 3 weeks now.I am probably going to install a regular cam and belt drive the alternator.If you buy a transit buy a T drive with the series 50 and B400 Allison those can be bought from 3k to 5k if you shop
good luck lol I have a 45 ft asphalt pounder and love it
Hey there!
I am living proof just how bad the bus nut bug really is. I'm re-doing my third bus.
Everyone here is wonderful and will give you fantastic advise, so I will only tell you to buy the girl that "speaks" to you and your wife. You'll know it instantly.
If your fortunate enough that girl is a MCI, before you buy it, take the side of your fist and gently pop the sides in the middle, just under the middle window; pop the front between the windshields (if possible, look inside of the inspection cover, and in the plate on the dash). When you lightly pop, if you hear anything that sounds like falling metal...run. Most MCI's don't rust, but those areas you need to check because any rust would not necessarily be visible. That said, the upper frames come in sections and are easily replaceable.
And you might want to plan on where you'll be working on your coach before you buy it. Especially in colder climates.
Oh, and just my humble opinion, but I happen to prefer mechanical systems to electronically controlled systems. I can replace a broken part, or even engine harness. But new models with ECM's can be insanely expensive to fix, and not as much "fun" to diagnose.
Happy and safe travels! ;D