Intro

[zubzub]

Sounds like you are going to have some fun.  Take your time on the purchase, go see a few buses for sale that you know you can't afford/don't want etc...just to get a feel for buses and the shape  (or lack of) they can be in.  I know for a fact that there are many different deals out there, personally with your crew I would go for a rebuilt scenicruiser, (BTW they can tow).  Whatever you get it is a buyers market, some of the links above, while nice buses could probably be bought for 1/2 the price.  I do my own wrenching so I would take on more challenging stuff, the problem is that even a "newish" bus has been run hard and put away wet and who knows what else.  Make sure you read all of BigDougfromOregone's threads.

[PacNWNomad]

personally with your crew I would go for a rebuilt scenicruiser, (BTW they can tow)

Tell me more about this?

[PacNWNomad]

There is a Vogue built Prevo down in Fla that has been for sale for over a year.

For shame, have you no link? 

Those guys are not designed for live aboard.  They are for extended transit.  Their tank capacity may be inferior, their heating may be primarily engine heat/coolant.

I did notice that on some of the ones I saw online. The tanks seemed rather small. 50 gallon? That's barely bigger than my Squirrel Cage I have right now.

[RJ]

I know for a fact that there are many different deals out there, personally with your crew I would go for a rebuilt scenicruiser, (BTW they can tow). 

Zub & Tamri -

Much as I love the classic old Scenicruiser, I don't think this would be a good choice for Tamri & her family.  They were originally designed as a line-haul coach, and in that role they were perfect.  After coming out of Greyhound service (the last ones left about 1975 or so), many tour & charter companies picked one up, sort of like a "status" thing.  They quickly found out that on a tour, the escort was either talking to 10 people downstairs, or 33 upstairs, not all together.

When they migrated to the RV market, folk discovered that the dropped aisle design presented some major challenges, because many of the controls and stuff are incorporated into the raised seat platforms, among other things.  Not to say that it can't or hasn't been done, just giving you a "heads up" on what's involved.

Only 1001 of them were built between 1954 - 1956, of which about 200 or so are still in running condition.  Many parts are now being made from "unobtainium", another consideration.

For Tamri's situation, IMHO they'd be far better off with an MCI or Prevost.

Below is a photo of the Scenicruiser, in it's original paint livery.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Peabody]

Welcome aboard Tamri,
My best advise I can give is if you have time to look take all the time you can to find that perfect bus fit for you and your family,you won't regret it.Any bus you are considering have inspected by someone who knows
buses,there is alot of bus nuts in our area that will be willing to give the bus a good once over just ask and they will be glad to help,busnuts are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met.
I don't own a bus yet but someday I will find myself in a good financial postion again and the first place I will turn is right here, best advice around.
By the way I'm from Lakebay Little ways outside of Gig Harbor so we are sorta neighbors. Hugs Peabody

[zubzub]

It's true that the layout on the sceni is a little weird....would require some good design ideas.  I'm a big proponent of let the PO do all the rebuild/replace work, so when I say rebuilt I mean one of the nice cummins powered (or whatever) scenis that come up every so often for around $15-25K.  I was also under the impression that most of the running gear of the scenis was truck(ish) stuff.

[JohnEd]

Tamri,

Go to "RVTrader" or RVtraderonline", both different, and do a search for used Prevosts.  Call out used, 40 feet, "anywhere", and after it spits out the list....go to the upper right and re-order the list to "cheaper first".  Vogue made a preeminent coach and then they started converting Pre for that high end market and their Pre's were also upper shelf.  This one is mid 80's, flawless exterior, good rubber really clean interior with lots of wood and bunks in the center.  The thing looks really pretty and should go like a bat with an 8V92 and 5 speed trans.  ROOF AIRS also.  There are a number of bus garages down there and some of our finest are on speaking terms with the owners, possibly because the Knut has put the owners kids thru college.  Really though, Fla abounds with Knut resources as well as being a scheister crook capitol.  And I mean BEWARE!  Any where tho.

Phoenix, LasVegas, Nashville, Texas(except coast) and Fla seem to locations where people retire from using their bus and sell off.  There are lots of Pre listings so let your fingers do the walking.  

Give a lot of consideration to taking your prospective to the DD Auth dealer only if a Knut can verify that an oldtimer 2 cycle mech is available and get the engine and trans dyno'd and evaled.  Only a bus garage can do the chassis and even then it needs to be a shop that is familiar with Pre's or MCI and some only see one or the other.  For all the RV systems you need a Knut's help without a doubt.

Get to work on that list of features.  For starters:  Three roof airs of the 15,000BTU persuasion, 100 gal fresh(min), 50 black, 100 gray, 100 fuel, 8V92 engine, Automatic, NO WEBASTO or other diesel fired central heat, propane cooking & heating, 10 gal hot water(or two), engine block heater, at least half rubber, fresh shocks, 200 amp alternator or larger, 4 8D bats or equal or larger battery bank, 140 amp charger feature from a SMART charger built into and inverter, 3KW inverter or larger, rear roof air for down the road aux unless a Pre, sprayed in insulation unless a Pre cause they have that stock from the factory, unpited windshield, cruise control, sat dish with in motion capability, JAKE brake with 2 stage, heated bays, filtered water, center isle with curtain for privacy for potty, Fantastic fan in bath, alu rims, etc.  Write all these out and add a short explanation as to why each is important as well as what that means.  Might also give thought to "work arounds" cause it isn't likely that you will not have to compromise on something or pay for an upgrade.  You push this and you will be really smart on coach systems and your needs.

Let the games begin....good luck,

John

[JohnEd]

Zub,

I like the Scenis also.  Lotsa character!  Only 2 storage bays and she has 6 kids and I think that is shorter than required on the cubes.  They, Sceinic Cruisers, are also only 96 inches wide so for it to work for her she would have to grease those kids up regularly.    Don't mean to rain on your parade, now.

John

[RJ]

Go to "RVTrader" or RVtraderonline", both different, and do a search for used Prevosts.  Call out used, 40 feet, "anywhere", and after it spits out the list....go to the upper right and re-order the list to "cheaper first".  Vogue made a preeminent coach and then they started converting Pre for that high end market and their Pre's were also upper shelf.  This one is mid 80's, flawless exterior, good rubber really clean interior with lots of wood and bunks in the center.  The thing looks really pretty and should go like a bat with an 8V92 and 5 speed trans.  ROOF AIRS also.
 

JohnEd -

I've searched both sites you've mentioned for a coach similar to what you're talking about and cannot find it.

Would you mind pulling it up again and posting a direct link to it?

[JohnEd]

http://www.rvt.com/rvdetail1957422.htm

That is rvt.com for the main page.  Sorry, the Vogue doesn't seem to have the bunks as I thought.  I am certain that there is a Pre in the mix of under 100K that does have, however.  The Pre Vogue has dropped from 150K to 98K so figure what they will take at this time.  141K miles and new rubber w 475HP and a 5 speed.  1992.....I repeat nineteen ninety two....and counting.  Looks like Kona wood interior.

Good viewing,

John

[JohnEd]

http://www.rvtraderonline.com

These guys don't seem to have the listings they used to have.  Look at what listings are there and then see if the dealer has a site and look at that.  Same for the previous post/site.  Search Google for "Prevost sales".

John

[John316]

Very good advice. Another thing to consider is the ability to work on them. I know that our DL3 is a dream to work on (except for replacing the airbags on the drive, they were a PAIN). Everything is relatively accessible, and fixing stuff in general hasn't been bad.

Tamri, you all will do well. Keep it up.

God bless,

John

[BG6]

Hi BG6,
I have not seen the roof structure on any GM model other than our GM4106, but it does not have a frame member running lengthwise in the center of the roof. It has two frame members running lengthwise at about the spacing of the engine cradle supports, so having our A/Cs and vents in the center of the roof didn't compromise its strength.
Thanks, Sam 4106

I think if you look, you will find a stamped aluminum channel up there at the center.  It's there on my 4903.

[BG6]

BSG = BattleStar Galactica.

WHICH Battlestar Galactica, the real one or the remake?

[BG6]

I have not seen the roof structure on any GM model other than our GM4106, but it does not have a frame member running lengthwise in the center of the roof. It has two frame members running lengthwise at about the spacing of the engine cradle supports, so having our A/Cs and vents in the center of the roof didn't compromise its strength.
Thanks, Sam 4106

I agree Sam I think that is a common " Urban legend "

Nope.  Got the pictures of my coach with part of the ceiling down, and years ago I saw a Buff with a skylight the owner had put in, which also happened to be the low point of the V-shaped roof, directly over the splintered floor and where the cargo bay doors had popped out as the bay floor sank down to grind on the highway.