DEQ Testing & Buses

[PP]

Doug, Congrats on your DEQ test! Glad to hear it wasn't as painful as you thought it might be.
Jim made a good point about posting here-start new threads with keywords so we can all find the topics that interest us. BU cameras are always a good topic. My last one quit on the second trip we took after installing it. Worked great until then, LOL. It wasn't necessarily inexpensive either. 18 leds for night vision with sound. I hooked my digital camera to the leads and the monitor still works great so at least I'm only looking for a camera. Good luck, Will

[NJT 5573]

Doug, we usually turn the water off in the summer so the A/C will work. Most bus apps use the same ducting for both processes and the hot water will keep the A/C from cooling your interior.

My wife has done her share of driving but I trained her on an 18 wheeler some 30 years ago. I think she has driven all the way across Texas a time or two. She prefered our old 05 Eagle because it would come up on plane about 90MPH and really drive nice. So thats how fast she liked to drive it! Every time I would look over her shoulder sure enough 90MPH. The Model 20 is electronic and won't let her go that fast. She thinks it sucks!

The nice thing about the 5 speed is on many freeways you can pick a 55MPH gear, change drivers on the move and let her go. I let my wife do the flat stuff and I usually do the mountains. If you go to LA, she could run to Eugene, you to Redding and she could drive all the way to the Grapevine without shifting. Thats a lot of help and enough to allow you to get some sleep. My neighbors MCI has been for sale, did you buy in Black Diamond?

I have some rules for my co drivers depending on experience and skills. I never allow anyone to drive the bus off the black top. (Buses are heavy and I have seen many trucks and buses sunk to the axles). I make everyone driving do a walk around "DOT" type inspection each time we stop. (Tires, lug nuts, lights, look for leaks etc). I also discuss that things will fall off counters, out of closets etc. and that the driver has to ignore and shut out everything except the driving until we are at a safe place to stop. I run all the fog myself, I am most comfortable in the rocking chair with a semi in front of me and I stay back just far enough that I don't lose his trailer lights. Its important to run the same speed as the trucks in the fog or you become a target real fast. I also have a liberal amount of DOT reflective tape on the rear of my coach.

[buswarrior]

Turning the water off to help the AC in a stock HVAC configuration is covering up a problem in the HVAC somewhere....

The AC system runs constantly, so once the interior is down to temp, it needs a little re-heat to keep the temp inside right, or it will go meat locker.

Common for the second or third tier commercial companies to instruct their drivers/mechanics to shut the valve to get the most out of whatever deficiency is present, leaking refrigerant, broken controls, leaking seals in air handling equipment, etc. And then the busnut community gets fed the same lines as gospel.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Tony LEE]

NJT 5573 - all that safety talk and procedures and you change drivers on the move? !!!

[Doug1968]

NJT5573,

Thanks for the tips on having the wife drive. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable looking over her shoulder and seeing the peg at 90 mph?

I did purchase the bus from the fellow in Black Diamond. Are you familiar with the bus? Do you live in that area? When the previous owner delivered the bus to me he gave me a list of pre-flight instructions that he would complete prior to each trip. I will continue with using this list as I feel it is good practice.

He had the bus serviced at a Puyallup Charter I believe. From looking at receipts of small things he had done to the bus they seemed pretty inexpensive? Are you familiar with this company? I need to find someone in the Portland, Or area to service the bus for me. If anyone knows of a respected bus person please let me know.

I also appreciate the explanation from BusWarrior regarding the operation of the heat/air. I couldn't get any heat and then I remembered the valve in the bay? That was the problem.

I look forward to learning from everyones experience as I move forward and I will always appreciate the input.

Doug

[luvrbus]

Doug, there is a Navistar Truck dealer in Portland that gives good service on buses also has great Allision and 2 stroke techs will look his # up for you. 
for front end alignments and brakes Eugene is the place to go   Kaiser Wheel and Alignment   
for conversion parts Eugene is still the place Wrico for generators and inverter and  and Northwest RV for surplus from Country Coach and Monaco. 
for the final touch( painting) Mike Wilson  Willy's Custom Concept in Eugene
Custom RV Interiors in Vancouver for furniture   
Motion Windows in Vancouver for glass   
all you need now is to go to work   

good luck and enjoy your bus