I flew down to Orlando,FL on Tuesday of this past week to see if I could get the Setra 215 I purchased ready to make it the 1500-1600 miles to my home. Tuesday through Friday was spent working with the mechanic, tire guy, Setra, Detroit Diesel, and running to the auto parts and hardware stores. I wanted to be ready to go on Friday by noon but that would have been too easy. I was able to meet Mitch(All Bus Exchange) for the first time after talking to him on the phone so much. By the time I was finished putzing around getting my rental car returned and getting the seats pulled it was 6:30pm. So I pulled out and headed north hoping to make some decent progress my first night, I ended up stopping north of Atlanta, GA at a rest stop to catch a few hours of sleep on the air mattress I had purchased at Target earlier in the week.
The next day I drove through the mountains, I don't think I'm getting the full power that I should out of my 60 series Detroit because there were times when I was going about 20mph and fully loaded trucks and 45 foot buses were passing me like I was standing still. As I was headed through the area I called Bryce Gaston(busted knuckle) and stopped in at his shop, he expanded on my general knowledge of the Setra and showed me a bunch of things I was unaware of. After that, as long as I was in the land of BBQ, we went for lunch, the place was called Bad Bob's or something like that. On a side note if Bryce gives you directions, have him break it down by mileage, the difference between his quoted times and my actual were quite vast. He apparently doesn't always notice what the posted speed limit is. ;)
I was going to try to make it the rest of the way and arrive home by about 5am Sunday morning, but I was just to tired. I ended up stopping north of Des Moines, IA at another rest stop for another couple of hours on my sweet air mattress. I then proceeded the final stretch to lovely Belle Plaine, MN. I arrived home just a little to late to be able to go to church with my wife and kids, and I didn't have my house key. My cel phone battery had died the night before so I couldn't arrange anything with my wife. So I was locked out, little did I realize that my wife had a meeting at church that would cause her to come home later than the normal time. As I was waiting I used a neighbors phone and called a friend of mine and asked him if he had talked to Sarah. He said he had and that she had left the back garage door open for me. I was able to take my first shower since Friday morning, I was wondering why everyone held their nose and ran away, but I guess I have it figured out now. ;D
Attached are a couple of pictures of our bus in its parking spot.
Paul Hastings
Looks GREAT Paul! It looks like it belongs there. I'm really glad you arrived home without incident. Hopefully J.D. and/or Detroit Diesel can help you get the power issues resolved. Like we discussed it could be as simple as the intake temp sender misreading the intake air temperature causing the ECM to back off on the fuel to keep the temps down.
How about a picture of the engine compartment, bays, and the interior?
Something is certainly wrong somewhere with your drivetrain if you were doing 20 MPH on some grades. My Series 60 is the smaller 11.1 liter at 350 HP and I don't recall ever getting below 40 or 50 MPH on any grade out east.
I'll have to contact you to come look at your bus sometime after I get my house on the market.
Congrats on the new bus.
Paul,
Good lookin' bus you have there.
Buttt....
Since it doesn't run as well as you want it to, I'd be willing to trade you 2 MC9 Windows and a couple of small kitties for it! ;) ;D
After all, we wouldn't want you to be under powered. and They say there's nothin' like Cat power!
Nice bus you got there. Now the fun can start! Take lots of pics ;)
Those sure do look like tall baggage bay doors. How tall are the baggage bays?
It's not too important unless you can't get the holding tank right under the commode, then you need room for a couple of 3"- 90's.
I'm pressed for space in that area and wish I had a couple of more inches.
Nice looking bus.
Ed
Nice looking coach Paul,
I know the feeling you had when you arrived home with your dream coach. Not much can describe the feeling of owning something that you are proud of.
Good Luck with designing and building her. Have lots of fun and always WORK SAFE no matter what.
Happy Trails,
Paul
Dreamscape
Hey Paul,
Glad you made it home safely! I can't drive 55! LOL ! BK ;D
Hi Paul,
Midwest Bus Nuts, a chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association, is having a rally June 15, 16, 17 at Strum, WI. You would be welcome to attend a rally one time, as a guest, free. There are usually between 20 and thirty coaches that attend each rally. There are no Setras yet but if you want to get ideas for interiors and meet some really nice people it might be worth your time. If you would like more information just ask.
Thanks, Sam 4106 La Crescent, MN
Thanks for all the kind words and well wishing.
In answer to kristensgrandpa, the height from the floor to the bottom of the bay door is 47 3/8" and the bottom of the floor is a couple of inches above that. The height from the floor to the bottom of the tunnel is 37 1/2" , I didn't measure the tunnel but it's 18" to 24".
As per Brian Diehl's request I have attached a few more pictures.
Sam that sounds fun, I'll see if I can make it work.
One nice thing about the Setras are all the compartments scattered here and there (like over the wheels). Great for stashing "stuff".
Dropped center aisle is a challenge on the 215s and 217s, and there is difficulty lowering the floor due to the structural members underneath, but that just makes a busnut become more creative.
And Ed, if you think Paul's Setra has large luggage bins, you should see the ones on the 45 foot models! (Actually larger than the legendary 4905 bins!) Especially on the new 417s - which also include a flat floor, btw.
I can just see BK drooling. . . ;D
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Bk sold his 40 foot Setra and bought a 45 foot Setra instead so he might know all about the larger luggage bays.
I would love to have more and larger luggage bays, but I had to compromise somewhere.
Quote from: Russ on June 05, 2007, 08:59:49 PM
And Ed, if you think Paul's Setra has large luggage bins, you should see the ones on the 45 foot models! (Actually larger than the legendary 4905 bins!) Especially on the new 417s - which also include a flat floor, btw.
I can just see BK drooling. . . ;D
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Quote from: belfert on June 05, 2007, 09:04:21 PM
Bk sold his 40 foot Setra and bought a 45 foot Setra instead so he might know all about the larger luggage bays.
I would love to have more and larger luggage bays, but I had to compromise somewhere.
OK Russ you done it now! I been try'n to-behave this week, sit'n here on the Beach at Panama City, FL just kill'n time and admiring my business friend/competitor's 2 (not 1 but 2 matching consecutive #'s) S417's ! I'm actually working for him this week, as he only has 3 buses and this job called for 5. We got 2 '05 S417's, a '95 S215, my '95 S217, and a sshhh a dina! LMAO! Sorry Brian I just had to do it! Actually every one here likes the Dina (except the driver of it, he usually drives a Van drool LOL!) I'll see if any of us has a digital camera and post some pics! BK ;D
;D Smilin' ear to ear, but no drool yet! ;D
BK -
Don't tell me you wouldn't be hard-pressed not to trade your left lower gonad for a nice new S417 for the business! :D :D :D :D
And if you wanted to sacrifice the right lower gonad too, I bet you'd opt for a nice new S417 converted by Liberty, Angola or Marathon sittin' in your driveway, eh? :D :D :D
You're as passionate about Setras as some of us are about our GMCs. . . nuttin' wrong w/ that!
Is the drool starting to show up yet, sittin' there on the beach? Or just another round of cold libations?
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)