Is there a law or a reason to put "Private Coach" on one's bus? The previous owner didn't have it on the bus when I got it. I have never seen this topic addressed since I have been a bus owner. I have my vinyl letters ready if I need them.
Thanks,
Laryn
As far as I know it's just to differentiate a POV from a commercial coach so the DOT doesn't run you down and pounce on you when you pass a weigh station or DOT check.
Dallas
I always thought "Private Coach" just invited curiosity. The ACs on top pretty much advertise that it is an RV.
I got pulled over in South Dakota for not having them after i went pass a weigh station but they want RV to stop at the weigh station
I was thinking about using the Yosemity Sam "Back Off!" on mine.Along with the Veggie Oil sticker of course.
I like to take a walk on the dark side, every so often. ;D
A while back, I seem to recall someone stating that labeling your bus with a "Private Coach" sign is a way to differentiate it as a person's residence (albeit temporary). His rationale was that by having a sign at the door you were offered the same protection against unlawful searches, and the like. Personally, I don't know as I buy it, but that was his story. I've never bothered to post any signs on mine.
I've seen the little plate that you can buy that mounted at the door. They are certainly not visible to the folks at the weigh station as you blow past, however.
I've heard that the Private Coach sign MAY be helpful in Mexico if your bus could be mistaken for a commercial tour bus. I can't remember what the logic was but it seems to me it had something to do with the temporary vehicle import nonsense/permit that you have to do whenever you enter Mexico.
We don't have one on ours & I don't plan to add one before we go south next winter. I'll let you know how it works out (I'll probably only remember if it doesn't work out well) ;D
I think that if you ever stopped at a traffic light and someone ran up to your bus
thinking it was a bus on their route........You need a "Private Coach" sign...lol
Nick-
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on June 15, 2007, 07:34:35 PM
I think that if you ever stopped at a traffic light and someone ran up to your bus
thinking it was a bus on their route........You need a "Private Coach" sign...lol
Nick-
Naw Nick! Let 'm in charge 'm $5 then tell 'm yer not goin' where they thought you were! LOL! I have a blast do'n it! BK ;D
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on June 15, 2007, 09:56:50 PM
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on June 15, 2007, 07:34:35 PM
I think that if you ever stopped at a traffic light and someone ran up to your bus
thinking it was a bus on their route........You need a "Private Coach" sign...lol
Nick-
Naw Nick! Let 'm in charge 'm $5 then tell 'm yer not goin' where they thought you were! LOL! I have a blast do'n it! BK ;D
I was driveing through Burbank in my Fishbowl, 3 Different people tried to Flag me down.. the last one, I pulled over towords the curb then Hit the throttle.. hehehehehehe She Screamed and Flipped me off as she was Whipping out her Cell phone.. Probably to Complaine ::) I hope I didnt get the Driver on that route in trouble.. :-\
Paul.... it WAS Fun though ;D
Nick, one of the destinations I had printed for my new rollsign is ... "Wrong Bus", as well as "Private Coach" and others..
And yes, there's a good probablility that a bus driver got in trouble for a pass-up, (write-up, suspension, or ?); at least one passenger upset that she'd been passed by and would be late for work, or whatever - general havoc. Depending on the route, if it's contracted out, the contractor may have been hit with liquidated damages for the complaint. I was in LA a couple of days ago, on another property, where that could happen.
Since I've been in the bus business for a long time, I won't comment further - other than to suggest that the rest of us shouldn't try to cause trouble for other folks. The example, though, does provide another reason for a "Private Coach" sign if there's any way our equipment could be mistaken for a regular service bus.
Arthur
I just drove my 4104 through SD two weeks ago from west to east with no sign of any kind and never stopped at a weight station, no problems.
Quote from: Runcutter on June 16, 2007, 10:00:40 AM
Nick, one of the destinations I had printed for my new rollsign is ... "Wrong Bus", as well as "Private Coach" and others..
And yes, there's a good probablility that a bus driver got in trouble for a pass-up, (write-up, suspension, or ?); at least one passenger upset that she'd been passed by and would be late for work, or whatever - general havoc. Depending on the route, if it's contracted out, the contractor may have been hit with liquidated damages for the complaint. I was in LA a couple of days ago, on another property, where that could happen.
To be fair, how many transit customers know the number to the local transit agency? Did the customer really call the transit agency? I assume the bus had no valid route number on it. Around here at least, there are often multiple routes serviing the same stops so customers have to pay attention to route numbers.
Does any transit agency still use buses that old? Our local transit agency phased out all of the GM buses by 1990 or earlier.
It still wasn't right to pretend to stop in any case.
My coach has "Private Coach" on the sign, it was there when I bought it 3 years ago, if anyone asks, I just tell them I couldn't afford a Captain bus. lol. I've been told it tells the DOT that it's a non-commercial bus for easy recognition, but I'm not sure.
Superprickle didn't help bus nuts a whole lot with his stunt!
We need to make nice to the public so we keep down the complaints.
I got behind 3 Prevost entertainer coaches heading into Vancouver. At the weight scale they all pull off (commerical vehicles) and I kept going down the freeway and I saw the scale guy giving me the hairy-eye-ball as I went by (there's a 4th Prevost making a run for it). A couple miles down the road I was stop ... the cop said he got a call to check me out ... so he did and drove away. If I had a Private Coach sign it may not have happen .. but I probably never be in that situation again. Still haven't bought a sign ...LOL
Ron
While my MC5A really doesn't look like a hound or a revenue bus it still has all the original windows. So, to take the pressure off a rookie Deputy or Trooper I added the "Private Coach" emblems on the sides.
I haven't been flagged or stopped....thankfully.
Bob
Quote from: luvrbus on June 15, 2007, 03:17:12 PM
I got pulled over in South Dakota for not having them after i went pass a weigh station but they want RV to stop at the weigh station
I've been through this scale... The signs clearly state "ALL" vehicles over xxx GVW MUST stop. When the scales say all vehicles explicitly I stop. Doesn't take more than a minute and then I'm on my way. I have nothing to hide and don't mind making a cops day a little bit easier.
Brian your right its 26,000 lbs in most states and most of us weigh about 30,000 plus i am at 38,400
On the requirement to stop at weigh scales, most places (but not all) exempt RVs. They reserve the right to put you on the scales and do enforce axle weight limits in their jurisdiction, which is frequently less than the Fed limits for interstates. Also note that axle weight limits on the highway are not the maximum weight set by the axle manufacturer.
It has become common for the S&S builders of diesel coaches to use a 23,000 pound rear axle and then use that number to calculate the maximum gross and tare weight on the axle. These numbers are only valid if you never drive it on a public road.
Jump Back !!!!!
Are we suppost to stop at weight stations? I never had, never been stopped. Of course, I've only been busing since Oct.
Bill
Bill ... busses and RV's are exempt from scales in most states and provinces. As Stan said every once in a while they will.
Ron
Here is an interesting twist to this situation, I talked to a MDOT friend last night, here in Michigan RV's are not subject to weigh scale checks, however, if a person voluntarily entered one, would that also make the vehicle subject to an inspection? He seemed to think it could because the scale serves several functions besides weighing vehicles, safety inspections are also performed on some if the scale operator feels it should be done. I have no problem with a safety inspection but it would have to be my choice and not mandated by some operator that is having a bad day, and what if they found something that they didn't like, could they flag me? Of course, with Eagles, haveing them weighed periodically is a good thing, we pay for our plates based on the weight lol.
Then you should get it weighed Cody, as fast as the rust falls from an Eagle, you will be paying less and less. :)
Frank
lol frank, as the side walls fall away, will I have to change it to a public coach? lol
Just posted on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170123815267&ssPageName=ADME:B:FSEL:MT:1
This is what we got for our Eagle. I am very happy with how they look.
Happy Trails,
Paul
Dreamscape
Cody:
Is this your "public bus"?
OMG!!!
Lay off the refritos frijoles DUDE!!!
Cody, you don't have to put up with this! And from Frank...the notorious Busnot!
Just teasing guys...but give Cody a break...he didn't know that MCI's don't rust like Eagles! ;D
Bob