Hello from a new member....

[turbobrat930]

Hello from the Macon, GA area...

I joined this board for a few reasons...

I want to learn as much as I can about these busses.I am involved with road racing, and attend numerous high profile races throughout the year. as such, I am getting sick of depending on freinds to see if they are going with their RV's...or if their RV's are out of the shop. I have always wanted an RV, as it id getting increasing more difficult as I go through life to make a road trip in a sportscar!! I am from Michigan originally...and travel to there from GA a time or two a year.

I really am turned off by the manufactured RV's that are on the cheaper end of the scale... the end of the scale which I can afford!!

I know there are numerous brands to choose from...MCI, Eagle, Prevost, GMC....the list goes on. Right now I am leaning more towards a MCi or an Eagle...but only time, research...and a good deal too good to pass up will tell.

I am probably younger than most of you on this board....35..and our first child on the way.... but that is fine. I plan on doing tons of back reading of the 441 pages just on this part of the board alone!! I am sure I will have some dumb questions along the way...but I figure...the only dumb question is the one that is not asked!!

I do all my own work. I am a certified master auto mechanic (ASE), and an aircraft mechanic....heavy aircraft. I am a licensed pilot, and also have built my own racecar. My hobbies are going to switch once my child gets here...but i will still do some work out in the shop.

It would be nice to have a good bus to take to the races, and then use the same bus to travel with my family to various parts of the country visiting friends and family.

Well, thats all for now...thanks in advance for the help you guys and gals will be giving me...

Regards, Brad

[bubbaqgal]

Hello from the Macon, GA area...

I am sure I will have some dumb questions along the way...but I figure...the only dumb question is the one that is not asked!!

Hi Brad, welcome!!  You are kinda right about your comment but I think the only dumb question is the one you ask AFTER you did it wrong first.     You will learn quickly how many of us know this from experience.  Ask all the questions you want. Sometimes  you may ask something that we never thought of and we will all learn from your asking. 

One of the main things we will all tell you is to have someone that knows buses check out any bus you find before you buy.  It can save you a fortune that way.  They will know where to look for rust, flaws, danger zones and let you know if it is safe for your family and your wallet.  If you get a chance, go to bus rallys, no bus or camper required, and check out the work done to other conversions.  You will be amazed at what some people have managed to do with their "babies".

Join in, come to the chat room when you can, have fun and, again.....Welcome!

[steamguy56]

Welcome Brad!!
    Its going to be fun and rewarding this new adventure that you have begun. Be carful" bus conversion" could take over your hobby (you know the one that the bus could make it nice and convenient to get to). All jokes aside this is one of the more enjoyable pastimes (the wife says I can't have another hobby) and this board the most helpful.
    Again welcome,    Danny

[JackConrad]

Hi Brad,
   Welcome and ask away.  You will not find a nicer, friendlier, more knowledgeable bunch of busnuts anywhere.  Jack

[JohnVickrey]

Brad,
Welcome to the madness.  I'm in Dearing, GA, and we also make trips to MI, lived there for 20 years, wife's from Midland.  Ask away, I guarantee someone will have an answer.  Sometimes it may not be related to what you asked but you will get an answer.   

John V.
Dearing, GA

[steve5B]

  Hi Brad,

   Like Jack mentioned , there isn't a better bunch of guys that you will find with more knowledge then the ones here! 

   Good luck on finding your dream bus.


   Steve 5B..........

[bobofthenorth]

Welcome to the asylum. 

If you are considering buying an already "completed" conversion then you could not possibly have picked a better time.  And that would certainly be my advice - if you enjoy working on these things there will be no shortage of work to do on any unit that is "finished". 

[circusboy90210]

please do tell morebout the car ,chasis typemotor tranny etc.

[Kwajdiver]

Welcome to the nut house, the bus nut house.  You will be amazed how much knowledge on this board.  You would not meet a nicer group of nuts.

Bill
Tampa Bay

[vaunter]

welcome to the funny farm...lol
lots of great ppl here and lots of great info
and if you are 1 of the lucky few that join in the chat room ...you will have hrs of fun
we actually sometimes even chat about buses

[fraser8]

Welcome, Brad
I am also fairly new to this group of off the wall but great bunch of bus nuts. I'm sure you will enjoy the banter that goes on here, some subjects can lead to a heated debate but it's all in fun. There is several hundred years of valuable information rattling around on this site so take advantage of it. Welcome and please share your knowledge.   

[HighTechRedneck]

Brad, welcome to the bus nut family here.  As othes have said, there is immense knowledge already in the forums and even more knowledgeable folks ready and willing to help answer your questions.  Your idea of reading back through the postings is a great one.  Several have done it and been amazed at what they learned, both in technical knowledge and in awareness of just how nuts we are. 

If you are going to be reading through the forum, how about helping with the Bus Conversion Wiki project by taking a specific group of threads at a time and pointing out particularly helpful posts in them.  For more information click here.

See around the forum and chat room.
Mike

[TomC]

I was 35 when I bought my  '77 AMGeneral 10240B transit.  It was a harder conversion since I had to create all the mountings and storage underneath.  While the transit does not have the storage of the bigger over the road buses (I have a 66 x 99 x 22h space that stores alot), I do have 130gal Diesel, 130gal water (inside under the master bed), 85 gal gray, 45 gal black, 20 gal propane, 10kw Powertech Diesel gen, 3 roof top airs, 2-10 gal elec water heaters, 9ft kitchen counter top, enclosed bath with 36" x 36" shower and outside access to the bathroom (built around the rear door).  I originally bought the bus for $4,000 and have spent towards, $90,000 on it (compare that to a new 40ft sticks and staples motorhome) mainly because I both rebuilt the engine, then later had it turbocharged and the transmission overhauled.  Everything in the engine compartment has been overhauled, or rebuilt, new air bags on the suspension, converted the air steering to full power, etc.  It took me 6 years to build, mainly because of paying as I went.  My point- while you can buy a cheap bus, like a transit for under $5,000 and can be a perfectly viable conversion, you may, like me, have to spend more on it to get it to what you want.  If you spend more like in the $20-40,000 range for a bus already converted, especially with the engine/transmission you want, you'll keep your overall cost lower then what I spent on my conversion.  There are dozens of ways to go-just have to choose, and then just go for it!.  Good Luck, TomC

[mc8 tin tent]

  Brad
  WELCOME aboard !!! I hope you will find this board is like an extended family. Most are very good with help on about any subject you need  insight with.This is a good time to to be in the market for a bus(buyers market) Please take your time,ask all the questions you want,jump in and don't be shy with a reply!!!!!!!!  And with most large families you will find a lot of good caring people here and maybe a few sore heads , remember its your dream do it for you and your family and what works best for you!!!!!!!!
    Dwayne
   P.S. side note :my wife knew I had lost my mind when I bought our bus , but now she thinks this is the best thing we have done !!!!!!!!

[JohnEd]

Brad,

With your background and training I am sure we also will benefit from your participation.  You aren't alone in having a tournament selections of skills, experience and interests.

Welcome,

John