Getting tired of bus drama

[Glennman]

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

I just wanted to repeat this most excellent quote.

[dtcerrato]

I just wanted to repeat this most excellent quote.

DITTO

[belfert]

But cheaper to fix. A new motor in a gasser is $5000 to $7000. Last time I checked
a few years ago , $25,000 to $30,000 for a rebuild at Stewrart Stevenson on a 8V92. House goodies breaking down would be the same. Wonder if Cliff would chime in and let us know about His fairly new ride in the current one on cost compared to a bus.

The point was less about the cost, but more about the fact that a reasonably new motorhome can break down just like a bus.  The engine in the RV was a lot of work to get in and out of the RV because it is puller like most class A gasoline motorhomes.  They were down for at least two weeks.

[chessie4905]

Sure a 4104 doesn't give much in the way of issues. They were WAY overbuilt. Those u-joints are same as newer coaches with twice the torque. U-joints will stand a lot and last many thousands of miles with regular greasing.
How many newer owners have ever greased theirs? I'm  not talking about the old heads. Use the lubrication chart and do the fittings in a pm. If you have a missing or broken off fitting, replace it. If you have one or more that are difficult to access, take the time to change it over to an angled one. Grease fittings are cheap.

[Dave5Cs]

Galatians 6:9

[Tedsoldbus]

Two thoughts:
We full timed for a year when I retired from Uncle Sam. We had a 2 year old Allegro. The Cat and Allison never failed us. It always worked. A long list of everything else went to ca ca. Levelers wouldn't go down or come up. Or one wouldn't. Slide wouldn't go out. Twice wouldn't go in. Too much else to list. We were SICK of it.
We parked at our little horse farm in Ocala after a year a built a house. When we could get out of the bus, and did not need to run it all the time, we missed travel and liked it again. Some will never leave life on the road but being able to get out of the vehicle healed us from almost never going again. We had a couple other smaller ones since, but missed air bags and a bit more room.
We've had out 1980 Prevost for a year. Major engine shut down first trip due to engine run relay. Happened at 68 mph. Not fun! Other little things since that "lets sell it" event, but we love the ride, love how quiet and solid it is at 65mph. And even my little buttercup can't fill all the cabinets. Been all over America in the Allegro so shorter trips in this bus are good enough.
However, hate trying to find people to work on it that are not 2 or more hours away and as you have discovered I'm sure, the parts nightmare.
But we love it. I'm 64 and we will keep it until I am too old to want to do the septic hook ups. Sorry you feel drama. Maybe you need a little place in one place you can step away from it now and then? Just an idea.....

[usbusin]

Ted,
Do not take this the wrong way. I believe you need to research "Scott & Heathers" background as to their full-timing and Scott's music ministry etc., etc.  Scott is not a novice and supports his family with his ministry.  He has many, many, many posts.  Just saying.

[Scott & Heather]

Sometimes you just gotta vent. Bus ujoint failure was the result of a strap bolt coming loose. Had no idea until it bit the dirt. The repower on the coach has nothing to do with it. Coach runs cool as I've completely removed the transmission heat exchanger and replaced it with a huge 36"x27" Hayden trans cooler with twin cooling fans. And as for the 520hp setting, it isn't too much for the driveline at all. The issue is simply that we put the miles on the bus and stuff just wears out or breaks. It was a charter coach back in the day so we don't know the status of everything. I have fresh brakes, an engine that was just completely rebuilt from the bare block by Leid Diesel and has 3500 miles on it right now. Runs amazing. Pushing up grades in PA at 70mph is invigorating to say the least. I just am finding that waiting 5 hours for a tow...a week for parts to arrive, trying to find people who even want to mess with a bus. It's just a huge pain. 4 different tow companies wanted nothing to do with towing a coach bus. I was almost out of luck until I found a small family run outfit that owns a single heavy tow truck. Thankful for them. Yes I swapped the engine out myself with some advice from cliff and Jack Conrad and others on here. I'm not new to these beasts...and we love our bus...two bathrooms, washer and dryer, full kitchen, very very comfortable in the heat or cold. Just wishing for more predictable trips.

[Tedsoldbus]

No offense taken Gary. I have not seen them on this site in the year I have been on it. Did not know their background. Just floating an idea that worked for us when we were at wits end with breakdowns. Obviously not an option for them. I wish them well with their ministry and wish I knew half of what he does as far as fixing it on the road.

[BusNit]

Would Coachnet be a worthwhile thing to have or do they not tow buses? I read alot of good things about them on FB on the skoolie forums. I do not have any towing plans as of yet until I get mine done and ready to roll.

[Utahclaimjumper]

Coachnet is probably the best still out there,, and they do write bus conversions also,,<<<Dan

[thomasinnv]

I have goodsam. Have had to use it a few times over the years without any problems. Others have not had the same experience.

[luvrbus]

People I know that have gave up on buses and bought the truck conversions seem to like those better for less machinal issues and shops are easier to find for service.I don't like the looks of one my self but they drive and ride great plus they are modern drive trains that helps with service   

[TomC]

Now you know one of the many reasons I'm building my 1985 Kenworth 90" Aerodyne cabover with 32ft box behind with 13ft garage (separate). It is SO much easier working on it. Granted it is noisier (but in a good way), and doesn't ride as smooth as my AMGeneral, but I just love driving it-especially with the Allison automatic. And with the Caterpillar 3406B mechanical, I'll always have someone that knows how to work on it (Caterpillar still makes the 3406C mechanical-basically the same engine). I highly recommend you get away from the bus and look at truck conversions. Good Luck, TomC

[windtrader]

What is the driving license requirements for the semi-truck conversions? How are they registered and insured?