Greetings everyone

DominicM · May 13, 2018, 03:37:50 PM

I am a new MCI 5A Owner. Just purchased it a month ago from a guy outside of Houston. The bus is a 67 MCI 5A, converted many years ago. The engine and mechanics appear to be well cared for, the interior is a bit dated with the Miami Vice color themes and tube lighting. Engine and generator start right up without delay. My only issue so far is someone didnt think out the plumbing very well as both holding tanks drain out on the right side of the bus. Not a big issue I just stretch a long hose to the sewer connection on the other side of the bus. The PO only used it to stay at stadiums for rodeos and never realized it was on the wrong side. I am currently outside of Midland TX. It would be great if anyone is in the area and willing to share some knowledge.

Dominic

richard5933 · May 13, 2018, 04:33:57 PM

Dominic.. Welcome and congrats on the new bus.

My thought is that there were no hard and fast rules about which side the tanks should drain to for many years. Ours was professionally converted by Custom Coach in 1974 and the tank drains on the curbside like yours. We just pull into the dump station from the other direction.

Lifes2short4nofun · May 13, 2018, 05:50:26 PM

I would love to see pictures of your bus.

plyonsMC9 · May 13, 2018, 06:41:26 PM

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new bus!!

Would it be easy to just have them drain on both sides? There were a few times I have thought that sure would have been convenient. Someone here may have a different experience tho'.

Kind Regards, Phil

DominicM · May 13, 2018, 07:22:16 PM

I will get some photos of the outside tomorrow, busy cleaning and getting rid of the pink on the inside. But I can see what I can do about getting some photos of the inside also after a good cleaning.

It would be a lot more convenient if the drain were on the left as trailer park utilities are on that side. It was a trick to get the hoses ( drain and fresh water) under the bus to reach the hookups.

I do have some work due to neglect, such as replacing lights, lenses, touch up on the paint on the outside.

The PO said that he figured that he will never see a return on his investment so he dumped money in the engine overhaul, and airbags, to keep it running and figured that he could live with the cosmetics.

Branderson · May 14, 2018, 06:43:05 AM

Welcome!

That would drive me crazy having the hook ups on the wrong side. You will be reminded of it every time you pull in somewhere. I have no idea how hard it would be to switch it but I definitely would.

I don't want to chill and relax under the awning and have to see the hoses and stuff. Even with my set up, the sewage hook up is a little low. The job gets done but I have to be careful when unhooking especially if the camp site hook up is a little higher for whatever reason.

DominicM · May 15, 2018, 06:03:15 PM

Right side of the bus.

DominicM · May 15, 2018, 06:07:51 PM

Front of the bus

chessie4905 · May 15, 2018, 07:05:34 PM

Our 4104 had sewer outlets on both sides. Shore plug in was towards the driver's front also. Those early conversions and rv's hadn't started standardizing those locations yet.

richard5933 · May 16, 2018, 03:13:32 AM

Unless the tank is tiny, there is no need to keep it connected at all times. For many people, it seems that having it connected and open all the time creates more problems than it solves. We have a 90-gallon waste tank (combined black/gray) and only connect when it needs to be emptied, and we can easily go more than a weekend with two people.

luvrbus · May 16, 2018, 06:47:10 AM

Way back the connections were on the passengers side most entertainer buses still are

Oonrahnjay · May 16, 2018, 07:10:35 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on May 16, 2018, 06:47:10 AMWay back the connections were on the passengers side most entertainer buses still are

Weren't 70s/80s (and maybe other years??) Greyhound lavs on the right side and serviced from the right/curb side?

lostagain · May 16, 2018, 07:53:28 AM

Commercial buses still dump on the curb side. At least Prevost and MCI.

JC

DominicM · May 16, 2018, 08:30:18 AM

I live in mine full time with my Basset Hound Fred. The bus has a 200 gal fresh water tank a 100 gal gray water and 100 gal black water. Sense we are generally in a camp ground I just leave the gray water hooked up and dump the black as needed.
it depends on how energetic I am when ever I have to replace the tanks as to if they will get rerouted.

Branderson · May 16, 2018, 09:07:05 AM

I think every male basset hound should be named Fred!