If you were to convert another bus from scratch today, would you start with a silver sided bus or a painted bus?
I ask because about 10 years ago, I saw a painted MCI (I forgot what model now) in a parking lot in SoCal when I was driving around. The driver was outside, but no passengers were around so I stopped to talk to him. We talked for about an hour.
He had been driving charter buses for years and we talked about the silver sided buses vs. the painted buses.
He said something that kind of suprised me. He told me his company was changing over to all painted buses now because some high end resorts will no longer allow silver sided buses on their property. So rather than lose those contracts, they were now only buying full painted buses. Apparently some of the nicer resorts seem to think that silver sided buses are inferrior buses.
With so many bus conversions now having more and more difficulty getting into some of the nicer RV parks, especially since Covid when everyone and their brother seems to want an RV, and with the imfamous 10-Year Rule, if you were to convert a bus today, would you buy a silver sided bus or a fully painted bus to start with?
Gary
Our MCI 5C is half and half paint on upper and below the top of the wheel line silver SS polished. We have never had the problem of being turned away for age or looks. One place in California near Redding asked for a Picture which we sent them and they said come ahead.
So if someone turned us down because of those things we would not want to stay there anyway. Just sayin. :^
We love our maintenence free anodized aluminum. And like Dave said if we ever got turned down well then they didn't deserve us in the 1st place! :^
New buses with siding are a thing of the past Prevost still offers the X3-45 with glued on siding for motor homes only, if I was converting today it would be smooth siding full body paint, fighting the loose rivets and leaks are not worth it
If buying today, metal siding or painted would be low on the checklist as I've not experieced age discrimination thus far but do not frequent the hoity toity places where only the pretty and young get to gather. Our destinations are the opposite, only the boondock ready, full off grid capable need apply.
On aesthetics, I remain undecided. Metal is classic and we have old buses, painting the metal isn't going to hide that fact. Metal is virtually forever and easy to maintain. What I struggle with is getting past is the flaws that shiny metal shows no mercy. I live with the imperfections, still not coming around to viewing them as "character". Painted panels allows for filler and nice smooth surfaces.
You can always wrap the silversiding. No problem, when fuel skyrockets and the bus conversion market AND charter coaches market crashes AGAIN, those resorts wont be so fussy.
Besides, thats a West Coast problem. Don't expect to visit out there again.
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 24, 2023, 12:25:43 PM
You can always wrap the silversiding. No problem, when fuel skyrockets and the bus conversion market AND charter coaches market crashes AGAIN, those resorts wont be so fussy.
Besides, thats a West Coast problem. Don't expect to visit out there again.
It is not just a West Coast problem, that deal seems to be going away anyways except for the higher end resorts which most here me included don't patronize to begin with
Yeah, even high end Prevosts get old in time. Then they'll suffer the same thing, east, west, north, or south.
Can't blame them though. Couple million dollar Prevost isn't wanting to associate with Winnebagos, and cousin Eddie's rv.
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 24, 2023, 03:25:39 PM
Yeah, even high end Prevosts get old in time. Then they'll suffer the same thing, east, west, north, or south.
Can't blame them though. Couple million dollar Prevost isn't wanting to associate with Winnebagos, and cousin Eddie's rv.
We have friends that own a nice RV park in Boise Id ,a guy with a nice bus was complaining about a converted school bus that came for the night. He asked John you allow school buses John said yep. The guy asked why and John told him see the 110v cord, no roof airs, no sewer hook up , no water, no chairs ,they will use my showers and spend maybe 20 bucks in the laundry room then fill with water about 20 gals and move on the next day and they pay the same amount as you do
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 24, 2023, 03:25:39 PM
Yeah, even high end Prevosts get old in time. Then they'll suffer the same thing, east, west, north, or south.
Can't blame them though. Couple million dollar Prevost isn't wanting to associate with Winnebagos, and cousin Eddie's rv.
Yeah, bloody discrimination. I have a 1980 Prevost which I am now calling a classic LOL!!!
When I call ahead I just name drop Prevost though when things are tight I have to send pictures and then they ask what the heck I have on the roof?
And I have to explain that it's solar panels....
For some, paint can give the impression of being newer, less than 10 years old, not sure. lol
Quote from: windtrader on August 24, 2023, 05:14:27 PM
For some, paint can give the impression of being newer, less than 10 years old, not sure. lol
With factory made S and S even the Prevost's they all look like and have for years they can't tell by looking how old one it is mine is 2008 model it is past the 10 year limit and I never get asked, KOA's sometimes will want a photo of the RVIA sticker when you are making reservations.
When we planned out our trip back East a few years ago we reserved and payed in advance for pull thru spots at several high end RV resorts as well as rental cars. Only 3 requested a photo of our rig, all promptly confirmed our accommodations. I think most places assume if it is over 10 yo it will probably look like a mobil meth lab ;D
Don t get on the Prevost why they do the woopty doos" paint fancy striping on the sides. They pay million or more for them and want they to look like a SS. Doesn't make sense, just looks cheap IMO.
Quote from: Dave5Cs on September 20, 2023, 10:37:42 AM
Don t get on the Prevost why they do the woopty doos" paint fancy striping on the sides. They pay million or more for them and want they to look like a SS. Doesn't make sense, just looks cheap IMO.
The H Prevost has always looked like a S&S and is fiberglass too for 3 million,LOL my doctor was asked 1 time when we goofing off in his Marathon H-45 what model his Monoco was he had no answer for the lady,I don't care much about the rib siding on buses to much work to keep up with and dated,I do like the H's from Prevost with the woopty doos paint.I think painted siding is just ugly on a GM,MCI or Eagle
I'd still go with what I have: that is half and half, it's a 1964 mc5, just freshly resprayed, the roof and some side portions are gun metal metalic - blending into black metallic but the bays and front are stainless. Soon to be polished. It's an iconic look and a preference. The roof is curved and a metallic pearlescent colour accentuates this. If I were to ever go for a more modern bus or a prevost, I'd try to pick one with silver sides, like a california prison bus. I haven't been turned away yet but it may happen as I live more nomadic.
For me, I like the Silver sided buses, and the chance of me paying outrageous money to stay at some high end resort are slim to none. I like associating with real people, I just got back from an ALL IN ONE RALLY where there was campers, tents, schoolies, and buses. The fireside at night was great, and everyone got along just fine, real people...
That is the Renner Silversides in the center of the first photo. The event is titled Random Acts of Camping, or RAOC, which is cut into the fire ring. People came from as far away as Saskatchewan, Texas, and Florida to Nappanee, Indiana.
It was a fun rally, and my first, was great to see you again Walter, aka DoubleEagle
@Bill62 & @DoubleEagle
So I'm finding you two busnuts over here on the BCM lobbying how great the Nappanee Rally was. Cool yous! Yes we said last year that nothing could beat the comradery of last year's Nappanee rally when in fact this years did! :^
If I could also let another cat out of the bag (sorry Dave5Cs & other cat owners) but we over at the BGM give DoubleEagle aka Walter much credit for getting Bill62 - our newest newbee sucked into the disease of bus ownership. :o
Rant over carry on... :^ Oh & sorry for the thread drift
Also giving DoubleEagle aka Walter much credit for by himself took out his eagle axle and brought it to Cody's house in the UP and with the help of Gary Lecount, Jason(Gus) and , Alex ( Fatman crisier) Installed it under Cody's Eagle and drove it to get it all back and running again so when Cody gets done with his Heart surgery he can go back on the road possibly. :^
YES I WAS A GREAT RALLY that ALL Y'ALL need to put on your calendars for 2024!
It was great to see OLD friends and meet new ones as well!
It was great to see Jon's TAJ MAHAL Prevost parked next to Andre's TOYOTA Sun Cruiser and schoolies & tents as well!
Everyone got along great an had a GREAT TIME!
HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE at AIOC or RAOC 2024!
:D BK :D
Quote from: freds on August 24, 2023, 03:56:28 PM
Yeah, bloody discrimination. I have a 1980 Prevost which I am now calling a classic LOL!!!
When I call ahead I just name drop Prevost though when things are tight I have to send pictures and then they ask what the heck I have on the roof?
And I have to explain that it's solar panels....
Hey a picture of my Bus appeared in the magazine!!!
(https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=36829.0;attach=40704;fs=71120;image)