Poll: When you bought your bus, how far did you drive it to bring it home?

[steve5B]

Hello everyone,

Drove mine 1976-5B from Vancover, BC to Indianapolis, Indiana.  Never had driven one until then.  What   fun. Had no Idea how fast it would go , or how fast I was going but the Montana State Police did! 94MPH.

Oh Well, 8V-92'S do keep up with traffic!

Steve 5B.......

[H3Jim]

Drove mine from New Jersey to San Diego.  I hired a bus driver to help and to theoretically teach me the ropes.  While he was driving, I was laying on the floor in the back unbolting seats - getting an early start on the conversion.  He made me drive when we were going to pass the weigh stations - I didn't stop and he did not want consequences on his CDL.  No one chased us.

Still in Texas! Big state. We were warned that the highway patrol is vigilant about checking plates for commercial vehicles in Big Springs, Texas.  Sure enough on I-20 just east of town, I noticed there was a highway patrol on the side of the road about ¼ mile ahead, and he pulled out into traffic.  He only accelerated to about 45, and as I was doing 65, I gained on him fairly rapidly.  There was a line of cars passing me, so I had to slow down to his speed as I came up on him. I could see him looking in both his mirrors checking me out, looking for my plates, especially the Texas one that shows fees currently paid.  I had no plate on the vehicle, only a white paper, 20 day, temporary, non-resident, New Jersey registration sticker on the inside of the passenger windshield.  If you are not familiar with a  "plate", its pretty hard to read in a mirror, although this one has the date of expiration, 12/14/03 in pretty bold letters.  As traffic subsided, and I pulled out to pass, he sped up to pace me as he continued to try to read my "plate".  It appeared as if he was frustrated in this attempt, and eventually rolled down his window, stuck his head completely out the window and turned his head to the rear so he could finally read it.  I was amazed that he was still able to stay in his own lane, as that was a pretty tricky piece of driving.  He was apparently satisfied, as he did not pull me over.  If his previous actions had seemed unusual, what he did next was really strange. He slammed on his brakes, pulled off the highway, past the shoulder and into the dense weeds that were growing about 3 ft high. along the freeway.  The ground was flat and level (hey, this is east Texas), so he did not appear to be in any trouble, or to have struck anything.  The only thing I can come up with is that he got a giant cramp in his neck from turning around like that, that he was in pain and had to pull over to recover.  The last I saw of him, he was still sitting there parked in the weeds.

[Busnut83]

I drove my car to Faribault,MN...,,,ABC co,,, Just to look at what they had,,,, Well I bought a NJT,,, left my car there for a month and drove my bus home to Dallas,TX,,, Never had driven one until then. No problem at all,,, plenty of stops to look and dream,,, I am still dreaming '''''.....976mi one way....

Also I flew back to get my car and drove it home....

[davemci8]

Looked at the bus about 300 miles away - already converted.  Went back after we decided to buy it, hooked up the car, and started back.  Lost the alternator belts about half way back, came the rest of the way on the batteries.  Had it serviced out including new belts.  Have had it to Florida and back with no problems.  It still has issues, but nothing major.

Dave Davidson
Glen Burnie, Maryland
1974 MCI 8

[Dreamscape]

Bought ours on eBay.

Drove from Shelby Ohio to Burbank California. Don't remember exact mileage, but it was a long way!!!!!

First time driving a bus so far, it was fun. I mean a lot of fun. It felt good to get used to her, listen for all the usual noises. Look for anything falling off  .

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I LOVE DRIVING OUR COACH!!!!

Can't wait for the next trip. Wish it was down to Brownville for the Eagle rally next month. Can't make it this time. New job, no money, I would not change anything!

Happy Trails,

Paul and Becky,

Dreamscape

[tekebird]

I can't vote twice....have two buses.

First was from my folks so Zero.

Second was really zero too as the PO delivered it on his dime and time

[akroyaleagle]

Picked my Eagle up in Janesville, WI. Drove through Portland, OR to have jacks and satellite installed then to Anchorage, AK.

[phunckie]

OK... first bus was 1954 PD4104.   Drove it from Terre Haute, IN to Birmingham, AL.... about 550 miles, if I remember correctly.

Just bought the newest one this weekend, and will be going next week to Topeka, KS to drive it home.... about 850 miles.

[NJT5047]

180 miles.   Not too far.  No problems at all.  I signed up with Good Sam's  road service and talked to our local heavy wrecker dude before leaving with the bus.   Course it was downhill all the way home.  Right down I-81 to I-77.  
Came from Sawyer's Bus Sales in Christiansburg, Va.  Short trip to Charlotte, NC. Sawyer's must have had 50 ex-NJTs MC9s on their lot.  I chose the straightest bus of the lot.   Told them that if they could crank it, I'd buy it.  They started it in 25* weather without anything but air.  It had an air starter.  
It started on the second air fill.  Good enough for me.  
Never drove a bus before, (never even inside a bus) but wasn't difficult to do in a rudimentary fashion.   Oh, and it had just snowed about a foot.
Time goes by fast.  Bought the bus in '01.  Cannot believe it ain't finished!      Oh well.  Been using it a lot for 4 years.   We've sure enjoyed it.  Never has been troublesome.   Best camper I've ever had.
I didn't know bo about buses when I decided to buy one.  Years ago subscribed to National Bus Trader...but sorta forgot about the project.
A guy gave me a copy of Bus Conversion Magazine at an RV show and that started a chain reaction that ended up with my buying a bus to convert.  Saw an article by George Myers  and thought he would know what works....sent him an email (I'm not much for reinventing the wheel) and he graciously mentioned the pros and cons of several bus brands and what might be available.  His recommendation helped me make a decision.  I appreciate his taking the time to respond to my "newbie" questions.  
Cheers, JR



 

[Skykingrob]

Hi All
The one and only (I think) was a 91 Prevost in Jacksonville, FA from Springfield, MO about 1600 miles one way. Saw it on eBay, called the owner, made an offer but it was low according to him, so he listed it twice but never sold. After the second listing, I called him again, made an offer and he said yes. Then I had to sit through two hurricanes before I was able to fly down to get it. Come to find out, it was a casino runner from Las Vegas, company had gone bankrupt, bus sat in lot for 5 years waiting on the court. Bus is 91 model with only 86397 miles original!! Guy from FA had bought it at court auction to make it a fancy casino runner in FA but couldn't make the payments. He had done all kinds of things to it to get it ready for the casino runs like new tires, etc. but didn't do the brakes, go figure. Oh well, I found $86.00 in change inside the coach when removing the seats, multiple casino tickets.
Only problem was 5 miles from Jacksonville when I coasted into a rest stop after the engine quite. Started looking around, found water low, killed the engine when it overheated. Looked closer, it had an obvious drip toward the front of engine. Pulled the inspection cover inside the coach, looked down and right there was a fair sized leak in the water hose coming to the alternator for cooling. Had extra length of hose so cut it off, replaced the clamp, filled with water from the rest stop (after talking to a FA hiway patrolman who was watching me from his car this whole time) and off I came. No more problems.
She (wife christened her Olga, don't ask me why, I don't know, it's a menoposal woman thing) has been in my garage for 2 years 4 months. Have raised the roof, raised the drivers area, installed two basement airs and ductwork, aquahot, 110 and 12 volt wiring, placed a kwikee single step, removed 5 windowns each side and covered with preformed aluminum (only job my wife has helped me otherwise I am doing it alone), finished roughing in the bedroom area and currently working on the bathroom. Expect to be ready for first trip to painter later this fall, then maybe use next year for first trip. Hope, Hope!!

Rob
91 LeMirage XL
Missouri

[Barn Owl]

This was the first time I did a poll and did not realize that their might be some who needed to vote more than once. I do not know how to change it. How about a moderator changing it so we can get better results.

Thanks

[Gary '79 5C]

Purchased a 5C in St Louis & drove it 1200 miles to NJ. I was green as one coould be never having driven a coach before. Took 200 miles to be somewhat comfortable. Pulled into a rest stop four hours out, shut down. Came back out for a walk around, got in to start and No Go. I checked oil water and such without sucess. Finally called PO and repositioned the Allison trans selector in N, and she started....
I still get that first time feeling starting out on a trip, which is great.

Have a great day...
Gary

[Gary '79 5C]

I also wanted to include the many thanks to all who have submitted to this site the knowledge and wisdom to benefit all who participate. Certainly the safety tips and hints will save some one along the way. It is a wonderful part of life to have such caring friends sharing their passions.
It is also great to be 45 miles from Lukes Shop.....

Gary

[Runcutter]

Just looked it up, it was 3,139 miles.  Picked up the 4107 in New Hampshire, then picked up the Mother-in-Law in Massachusetts and took her to Moncton, NB to visit family.  Back through customs, dropped her off in Massachusetts, then took about 4 days to get back to Dallas.  The dealer had made sure she (the coach, not the Mother-in-Law) was well prepped for the trip, the only trouble we had was losing one nut off the temporary licence plate, and one nut off the aux. gen. exhaust hanger.  Coat hanger wire to the rescue.

First time I'd driven one in almost 3 decades - the shifting skills came back quickly, but I ended up wondering how age affects our relationship with manual steering - I don't remember it being an issue when I was in my 20's.

Arthur

[Fredward]

I found my 5A on the MAK classifieds. Located in Grants Pass, OR. Spent about 20 hours on the phone with the guy who converted it and then flew out and drove it back to Minneapolis. MN about 2,200 miles. The Generator quit the first day out after about 3 hours so the rest of the trip was in August; with no A/C. (good thing we were heading east all the time). First night out we filled up in Spokane and diesel was $3.65 a gallon for 118 gallons! After I got it home I discovered the coil in the genny was shot and now the genny runs fine. The 871 ran like a champ over five mountain passes - pretty much went up and down each pass in the same gear. It used a gallon of oil and must have burned it because there was not much on the back end.

I wanted something to use right away where all the hard stuff was done. It was converted in 2004-2006, has an 8" roof raise and was totally reskinned and painted. So it looks real nice. Interior is nice and new also. She still needs lots of work but all things I can tinker with myself between trips and during the long Minnesota Winter.

Its fun to drive although it wanders a bit; you have to stay on the wheel all the time. But I guess the 5's were famous for that.
-Fred