Newby Question

[JRandall]

I have recently joined this very informative forum and look forward to learning much more about bus conversions. You are all very knowledgeable about every aspect of buses.   I have been RVing for several years and have owned many different kinds of RVs, from 5'er's to tt's to bigger class "c"'s. I am going to skip the conventional  "A's" and jump right into buses. Over the years I have built gas engines, done complete frameoff restorations of several cars(at times having to fabricate new frames) and remodeled all systems of several stick houses. I think that I can do most if not all the work on a conversion myself. BUT... reading this forum has me somewhat spooked about bus diesel engines. I read about a small window of proper operating temperature. Temperamental transmissions,both automatic and standard shift. Air systems that have their own "minds".  Radiator doors that have to be just right or damage occurs. Alternators that just give out... etc.  Am I misinterpreting some posts? With all the commercial use, they can't be that fragile. Are most of the problems discussed a result of poor maintenance by owners? Or is it just due to the nature of this site that all the problems seem to somehow multiply?  I don't want to be continually working on my bus when I could be traveling to the great scenic vista just over the next hill.  Does this question make sense to any of you guys?  I know things break...but reading the different posts about problems presents a picture of fragility and I know that cannot be the case.     

[eddiepotts]

I think as any forum you will find the questions asked are from people with problems. The answers sometimes comes with precision. If you were reading a race car forum you would get the same thing. Yes there are numbers you are looking for to be steady but that is also what these buses do. you may read questions of about 100 people here but there are 10s of thousands on the board if I remember right. They are not cheap and they do pack a punch when something goes wrong but that is what drives us all to pay close attention. Here you will learn what to look for when looking, buying, building and owning a bus. I guarantee you if it was as much trouble to own a bus as what you read here I would be the first one out. There are allot of systems you can put in or leave out and there will always be the few that break and get asked about or they work for the life of the bus with out a problem. Go read a forum about a 6.0 Ford. You would never buy one but, my dad's has never been in a shop in 5 years. You just happen to be in the place all bus problems are sorted out. I would bet allot of readers think they are just a big worthless beast after peering in on us without getting there butt behind the wheel of one. Welcome and don't be afraid to ask for help.

[HighTechRedneck]

That's exactly how I see it.  A forum like this is where people needing help figuring out a problem or what to do about naturaly come to.  (and this is a very good place for them to get that help)  But the end result is that someone reading up as you have will get a very depressing view of bus ownership.

I believe that if a study were done comparing 5 year old and up factory Class A motorhomes and typical 20 year old and up bus conversions in terms of reliability, the buses would come out much better.

[lostagain]

Buses are built tough. Like for a 30 year life. They are built to withstand hired driver's abuse. They are over engineered and overbuilt. They are built to run 24/7. In commercial service, they would only see the inside of a shop for oil changes and engine swaps: pull out the old one, slide in a rebuilt.

For every thread about a problem, there are 100 old, converted buses operating happily without problems. Once something is fixed properly, it will outlast the life of the bus as a motorhome.

Go for it,

JC

[Eagle Andy]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Bus ownership :)I was like you in 07 I had owned three motorhomes from an old Gorgeboy to 2004 ultrasport with 3 slides and C7 cat to a vectra with a small 5.9 cummins . Then I sold my last coach and decided I could not live with out somethinf to play with. So I looked and found a 1968 Eagle model 5 that a fella had owned and rebuilt two times. He had put a lot of money into this Bus and it was in great shape.

I like you have done many things in my life from racing cars to restoring so I consider my self  handy  ;Dand I thought how hard can it be to own a bus. Well it's been three years and so far I have done countless thing to our bus some needed some just because and sometimes I think WHY am I doing this. Now I like most of the people I have met since owning this Eagle could if they wanted to go out and buy something that would get them anywhere they wish to go with little or know problems but the choose to either buy a completed bus or just  a shell and convert .

Yes things brake and things ware out but I love what I have in this bus my wife loves it and enjoys helping me work on it from time to time . It got in my blood and its what I do the pride in ownership and the thrill i get each time I drive her is something that I can't put into words and each time I have to fix or change something it just feeds the fire . Iam sure at some point I will have to turn the keys over to someone else but for the time being I will just keep on on keeping on and loving it the whole time . Iam not sure if I answered your ? The post before me said a lot and better than me .I have not regretted it once . Good luck and again welcome

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Talk to some of the people that have brand new motorhomes and see how much time some of them have spent in the shop. I would much rather have my 42 year old bus than a brand new motor home.

[Lin]

Also, you should remember that lots of our buses were bought from owners that did not necessarily maintain them well.  Hence, there can appear to be an inordinate amount of problems because someone is just catching up on years of neglect.  That is why it is so important for a bus to have an extra competent inspection before you buy it.

[robertglines1]

we call class A's sticks and staple or a canadian friend called them Le Toilets..go by a cummins dealer and count them awaiting repair. Busnuts are close nit group.Have a problem call for help either technical of actual hands on..one will be there!I love the hobby because I like building things..How many 30 yr old sticks and staples you see on road?   Bob

[JRandall]

Gentlemen, thank you for all your responses.  I was never in doubt that a bus conversion was the way to go. I have actually rebuilt a couple of travel trailers and have first hand knowledge of the poor construction on them and other "le toilets". In the next few months I am going to become more educated while keeping my eyes open for the right bus to come along.  I am anxious to learn and then jump feet first into  a conversion project.  I have a class "c" right now so I can still RV in that while I construct what I will eventually full time in. I look forward to picking your brains from time to time as well as lurking on all the posts of interest.   Thanks again, Randall

[Ed Hackenbruch]

A 30 year old bus is just getting broke in.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Randall, were do you hang your hat? I would suggest that you attend a bus rally, there will be several going on in the next few months. That is the best way to look at a bunch of buses in one spot so you can see what people are doing with them and what types are available. Best bang for your buck.

[JRandall]

Yes Ed, I was thinking the same thing.  I live in Fresno, CA (yeah, I know). I'll look elsewhere on this great site to see what is close and when.  Thanks for the welcome, I look forward to one meeting some of you and being able to put a face to your words of wisdom.

[Busted Knuckle]

Fresno? Did he say Fresno? Hahahahahahahaha! Man o man are you in for a wonderful treat!
You are in the hometown of none other than RJ Long! Shoot RJ has forget more about buses than many of the rest of us will ever know!
I can guarantee you that Mr. Long will be putting out the welcome mat and cooling some Pepsi colas as soon as he reads where yer from!

Welcome and good luck!

Also all the above is true ! Old buses do break, but keep in mind they've been used and abused commercially for up to 30 yrs before being released from revenue service! Anytime you put that many miles/years on a vehicle it will have problems. But also keep in mind once you fix something right, it will out last you & the bus from there on out! So yes you will have to fix some things. But if done right, only once!
BK 

And don't forget when reading my post that "my/our" buses are still in revenue service and being abused daily! 

[JRandall]

Thanks for the welcome "Busted Knuckle".  I look forward to meeting Mr. Long one day...I am sure we will eventually hook up. Pepsi is my favorite drink and my garage refer is always full of them too.  This site is great. 

[happycamperbrat]

Welcome Randall!! For what it's worth, my bus is a 1983 and Ive owned it a couple of years. I have not had any real problems. I thought I did recently because my batteries kept pooping out on me but I think it was just a lose wire that wasnt grounded well afterall cuz since I fixed it my batteries have been fine. My bus had the engine, brakes and transmission rebuilt about 10,000 miles before I bought it by the city of Santa Cruz so Im expecting that as long as I take care of it that it will last about 500,000 miles