Brought my bus home!

[Hi yo silver]

Well, at long last, I brought my "new" bus home.  The MC9 I bought from Custom Coach Services in Marion, OH.  Great bus and great transaction experience.  I couldn't be more pleased, even though while I was tossing and turning rather than napping, at 1 a.m. this morning in the Wal Mart lot at Ripley, WV I was asking myself, "what have I done??!"  You know the feeling; ragged out and tired from driving a big, strange, vehicle on a rainy night, then your mind is still rolling....  Never the less, the bus ran great, and the longer I drove, the more comfortable I became with it. 

I owe many of you a hugh THANKS for past advice and for all I have learned from this board.  I had a couple of minor hiccups that would have been much scarier than they were had I not had the benefit of a MAK degree in busology, and  maintence and operator's manuals I picked up at the e-place before I knew I needed them so much. 

I debated over which tool box to take and wound up forgetting to put either one in the truck.  Hey, no problem, I had a "Leatherman" tool and a step ladder!  Actually, a few other things, but not my tool box.  Oh, well, you know what they say about God taking care of fools and babies...or is it bus drivers?

I'm sure I'll have more questions. I'm going to bed now.

Dennis   

[Barn Owl]

Dennis,

I want to be the first to congratulate you on your new acquisition. Post photos soon. Can hardly wait to see it.

Laryn

[Busted Knuckle]

Yes congradlations! And please more pics & "the rest of the story, when you come back" LOL! from some rest that is!   BK 

[Dreamscape]

Congratulations Dennis,

May all of your journeys be safe and enjoyable!

It will take many miles to get to know her. Have fun with your induced madness.

Now you can put your Coach ID and place of residence in your profile.

Happy Trails,

Paul

[jackhartjr]

Congrats Dennis...and has anyone mentioned posting photos?
Jack

[JackConrad]

Dennis,
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!    I hope to see the new bus when we get up into your area late April/early May.  Maybe a small bus rally somewhere?  I can think of about 5 buses right off hand.  Jack

[Sojourner]

Likewise.....CONGRATULATIONS!

Now you are a real Hi Yo Silver....both you & the bus to enjoy & traveling with.

Being a first bus to own, as I always say....one thing at a time.

Caution...stay aways from dead end street with tow vehicle! LOL I've done that twice.

I think GPS is handy to avoid dead ends.

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[Hi yo silver]

Thanks guys, for all the good wishes and advice. I promise to post enough pics to make me downright obnoxious, when I can get to it.  Marilyn and I spent all day today cleaning the interior, and that's just getting started.  It hasn't been abused; it just hasn't had a good thorough, grill removing, carpet shampooing,  new shelf paper installing, light bulb shining cleaning since it was new.  That was 26 years ago. 

One other thought re. my original post.  Just in case I came across as being smug about buying an already converted, "turn key" bus from an outfit called "Luxury Coach Services", don't feel too jealous.  That just means two things; I don't have the skills that many of you possess, and I bought the cheapest bus on his lot, that he wanted to unload because he usually deals mostly in upscale Prevosts. HA! 

All in all, I'm not finding  unpleasant surprises, just the usual array of little projects; small water leaks at a couple of windows, oil leaks on the gen set, a couple of faulty receptacles, a mattress that should be replaced, etc. 

One strange thing I haven't figured out.  My 4 WD Chev truck had a smell sorta like some overheated wiring last night after I started it up to unhook about a mile from home.  I drove it two miles this morning, same thing.  I shut it off, had breakfast while I contemplated who to call to tow it to a garage.  Figuring I might as well check for the obvious, I crawled under it and followed the newly installed wire harness front to rear, expecting to find it routed too close to a muffler or manifold.  Nope.  Checked under the dash for something melted.  Nope.  Started it up and even scanned around with my IR thermometer for a hot spot.  Didn't find any, and didn't notice the smell again.  Hmmm...The best I can hope for is that it's one of those gremlins that will fix itself.  I'll drive it  close to home for a while and see what develops!

Jack, Barn Owl and I were wondering where we should meet for a mini rally.  Does your friend have room?  Somewhere between there and Roanoke?  Maybe we'll do a conference call one morning and kick around some ideas.  I'm ready for spring!

Dennis     

[PP]

Congrats-looking forward to pictures, or did someone already say that? Anyway, congrats and enjoy! Will

[tekebird]

Dennis,

No shame in buying an already converted coach....especially if it was preofessionally done by one of the more reputable firms.

They are probably the best buy for your dollar in a bus conversion.

Even guys who have the full range of skills to make a comparable unit.....admit to the thousands of hours of work and the thousands of dollars in bits and parts...to get the completed unit done.......all the while.....not enjoying the coach as far as using it to it's full potential.

As I have said in the past....unless you have a specific need or a particualr desire for some "option" a preconverted option is likely out there.

And as an added bonus.....your professional conversion will retain most of the value you put into it for some time....while the home conversion unless done to professional conversion standards.....are moneypits as far as any potential sale return

[JackConrad]

Jack, Barn Owl and I were wondering where we should meet for a mini rally.  Does your friend have room?  Somewhere between there and Roanoke?  Maybe we'll do a conference call one morning and kick around some ideas.  I'm ready for spring!
Dennis     

Dennis,
    Ray has room for several buses and has a beautiful plasce on a mountain overlooking the town if Mayodan, NC (about 15 miles south of Martinsville, VA).  We will talk when we get up in your area.  Jack

[DrivingMissLazy]

Dennis, I believe the odor you experience from your toad is due to the oil and other things from the exhaust of the bus getting into the toad while going down the road. I had the same exact experience while towing a vehicle behind DML.

Richard

[redbus]

I had the same problem as Richard. Just drove it the smell went away after a few miles.

[Hi yo silver]

Thanks Richard and Redbus;
Marilyn and I have done nothing but clean on the bus since we got it home, and I have not taken time to take the truck for another spin, but I think your advice makes a lot of sense.  I feel a lot better!  I was planning to just drive it close around here and see if something blew up! 

Thanks again. This bunch is amazing.

Dennis 

[Kwajdiver]

Funny,,,,,,,,,,,,,the first day I bought my bus, I spent the night in a Wal-Mart parking lot.  Believe I woke up, thinking the same as you.  What have I done now.....

Bill