Bus transport

TomC · October 07, 2017, 03:59:19 PM

Since the bus is already converted, you can have anyone drive it that can drive a 4spd manual bus. And you don't have to stop at scales. Good Luck, TomC

kyle4501 · October 07, 2017, 04:07:43 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on October 07, 2017, 02:56:24 PM
were i you..i'd not, not be there.
if you are confident with the assessment, just do it.
if the seller is...maybe he should co pilot.
we're only looking at 14-16 hours of road time...
if it was my coach and i was selling...i'd pick you up at the airport and you could drop me off at one.

If the seller is able - he would be your best co-pilot. You would be able to get so much more information about the subtle details. . . .

Zephod · October 07, 2017, 04:22:47 PM

Quote from: kyle4501 on October 07, 2017, 04:07:43 PM
If the seller is able - he would be your best co-pilot. You would be able to get so much more information about the subtle details. . . .

Agreed. While manual transmission is not my favorite, they're not that hard to use. I always used to drive manual but then drove automatic only then this summer after 12 years of automatic only, they threw me on a manual box truck! Quick relearning experience and you'd be surprised how many bus drivers can't drive manual.

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gumpy · October 07, 2017, 05:17:17 PM

Heck, I'd do it for a plane ticket from MN, two or three nights in a hotel as necessary (might not need that if the bus interior is in good working condition), meals, and a plane or train ticket back to MN from WI (or just a ride if you want to drive me back).

I'm pretty free the next couple weeks. Been a few years since I was behind a 4-speed, but they put extra gears in there so I shouldn't have much trouble re-learning. :-)

Or, if it has a hitch, I could drive my Explorer out there with plenty of tools, and tow it back. I've been looking for an excuse to go visit some friends in and around Philly.

richard5933 · October 07, 2017, 05:50:30 PM

Sound advice...

Right now I'm leaning towards doing the driving myself, but I'm going to press the seller to be the co-pilot. Not sure if that will work out or not, but it's worth a try.

If not, then I'll probably be back to see if there is anyone willing to take a road trip.

Not sure when this will happen, but if things work out it will be sometime in the next couple of weeks (as soon as paperwork, title, insurance, etc. can be arranged).

Richard

luvrbus · October 07, 2017, 06:19:00 PM

I got lucky the seller John316 drove ours from Kansas in the winter time to Phoenix I paid for the fuel and fed him Sushi at the restaurant heck of a deal for us

chessie4905 · October 07, 2017, 06:53:16 PM

Since it is in NJ. I'd take it over to Luke to go over it for you. Fly back when it's ready to drive home. Put coach net and ez pass on it for trip home.

chessie4905 · October 07, 2017, 06:55:26 PM

Since it is in NJ. I'd take it over to Luke to go over it for you. Fly back when it's ready to drive home. Put coach net and ez pass on it for trip home. May be able to have him winterize it, even storing it there till spring. Just some thoughts.

Scott & Heather · October 07, 2017, 08:42:25 PM

Richard, go get the coach if you can...if you can't, take craig up on his offer (gumpy). I would not take Zephod up on his offer, he might just armchair quarterback your driving skills.

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Zephod · October 08, 2017, 12:31:04 AM

Quote from: Scott & Heather on October 07, 2017, 08:42:25 PM
Richard, go get the coach if you can...if you can't, take craig up on his offer (gumpy). I would not take Zephod up on his offer, he might just armchair quarterback your driving skills.

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Lol. I'm not that bad!

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luvrbus · October 08, 2017, 06:57:49 AM

Here we go again lol there shouldn't be a problem if Richard does his pre trips inspections his bus it going to make it home or not with or with out a co pilot,Richard a heads up get the tow insurance now I know Coachnet and Good Sams have waiting period, Coachnet is going to 30 days the 1st of Nov for used vehicles Good Sams is 7 days now and going to 30 days soon

richard5933 · October 08, 2017, 07:53:00 AM

I've decided to go and pick up the bus myself. No one else in the house is able to get time off, so right now it's going to be just me. It would be helpful to me to have someone along to help navigate and deal with problems that come up, but either way I'm okay with the drive. I've criss-crossed this country many times since 1979 and will figure out a way to get home from NJ.

I'm not sure of the status of the house battery and systems, so most likely I'll either get a motel room somewhere or just sleep in the bus at Wallyworld and use their facilities. If things go well, I might be able to make the drive in two days. Google shows it to be only 12 hours on the road, plus stops. If I'm tired or stressed I can spread the drive over 3 days.

The bus was recently at Luke's for inspection. That's why I posted earlier what I posted. There were a few small items that needed to be addressed and it appears that the seller did so. I will also do a pre-drive inspection myself once I am onsite.

On a side note, it is amazing how much we've become reliant on things like GPS over the years. The bus does not have a 12v outlet near the driver for my Garmin, and my first reaction was a little twinge of panic. It's gotten to where I don't even know if I have a current map. Of course I've got my phone with Google, but the Garmin was extremely handy in avoiding low clearance and weight limited roads. I'll be sticking mainly to the interstates though, so I'm not anticipating major problems.

Insurance on our previous coach was with Progressive, and I'm assuming it will be for this one as well. I'll contact my agent as soon as the deal is complete and it's mine to insure. If my memory is correct, our policy includes roadside assistance. I will confirm that when I talk to the agent. I've also considered getting the Roadside Assistance from FMCA but really haven't looked into that too deeply.

Richard

luvrbus · October 08, 2017, 08:01:09 AM

The FMCA assist is a good program if it stays you never know about FMCA that program has come and gone several times over the years

Zephod · October 08, 2017, 08:36:25 AM

Progressive does do roadside assist. I've got that on my car. Not sure if I have it on the bus though.

It's not too hard to install a fag lighter socket. That was the first thing I did with my schoolbus then I installed usb too. I think the sockets are $5 in Walmart. That plus a few minutes on wiring.

Having said that, maps work too. On my workbus there is no gps. We have to go from a detailed route description.

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luvrbus · October 08, 2017, 08:56:03 AM

With any road side assist you want one with no out of pocket expense sometimes you pay for towing with Progressive and then they reimburse you and some owners don't have a $1000.00 to $3000.00 cash on them at the time.Lol I have had to pay it before because owners were 2 or 3 days out from their bus that showed up here