Prevost H3 questions Sammy?

[H3Jim]

Do you know of anyone that put hinges on the rear fenders of an H model prevost coach so they can tilt up?  It would make for a lot easier access to the space above the rear wheels.  If so, do you know anything about the details of how they did it?

Do you know if the aluminum panels that are riveted to the stainless square tubing between the bays is structural?  It would give me more flexibilty i packing the bays to remove just the aluminum (of course leaving the stainless), and it does not look like its structural, but I'd like to make sure before I take it out.

[Ace]

Jim most of the conversions are H-40's except your 41 and all the VIP 45's. The fenders or wheel panels don't come off the 40's like yours. We have a storage bay there that goes from one side to the other. I have never seen a VIP 45 that was hinged. As far as I know they all are removable like yours.

As for the aluminum in the bays? I would honestly say that it is far from structual because of the very small rivets holding them in place and besides behind them are sqaure tubing going down to the floor that are sandwiched in between the panels.

Ace

[H3Jim]

Ace, I really liked those access doors that you have above the wheels and I was very disappointed when I discovered that they did away with them for the '41.  I can take the entire fender off pretty easily. Sometimes they do go back on quickly, but sometimes I have a devil of a time getting them back on by myself.  Especially trying to keep my clothes clean while doing it.  They are over 9 feet long, and when the ends bow out just a little, its enough to keep the hooks from mating properly.

Having a conversion, that's too much good space to see go to waste.

[Sammy]

Jim, my fleet was primarily H3-45's, and we had two  XLII's. We had two H3-41's and one H3-40 at one time too. I'm sorry that I can't be of any help with your question. We had all stock coaches - charter and line run work, no conversions. I agree that the large rear fenders are a pain in the a** sometimes to get them back on, LOL. All the best with your coach.
Sammy 

[Tom Y]

Jim, I looked at a conversion that they had the batteries above the tires. I know not much help, just an idea.  Tom Y

[H3Jim]

I did put two batteries above the rear wheels.  I replaced the rubber that is above the tires with diamond plate for strength to hold the weight.  It works great, but I want to make further use of the space.

The H3-41's are identical to the H3-45's in the rear,  In fact, I believe the only difference is the 4  feet (one bay's worth) in the middle.  Same axles, same GVW, same capacity, just 4 ft shorter.  Just an attempt to replace the H3-40 so they didn't have to run two production lines.

I know the XLII's have a lifting panel on the rear fenders, but the panel is much smaller.  I suspec that it was not done from the factory due to the size ad weight of that panel.  But as a bus nut, I can engineer a solution that works for me, but would not work on a commercial vehicle.

I had been working with Rich when he worked at International bus and parts to find an appropriate hinge and fastening solution. He left the company prior to that solution, so I was trying to see if anyone else had done somthing similar.

Thanks for your comments.

re the panel in the bays, I think I will remove it based on mine and Ace's observations.