Interesting journey

[DebDav]

No my H3 structural is STILL not finished.  I am only hoping that the over massive amount of cash is not gone forever.

Last week I was asked to fly to San jose, CA, PDI a 2001 Prevost XLII - 2 slide motorcoach and drive it back to Friendswood, TX.  No problem, we fly free and could have a mini travelling vacation through the Southwest US. 

Coach is immaculate.  Owner is engineer and purchased 2000 fro Prevost and had it personally customized at Vision Custom Conversions in South Los Angeles.  Not a glitz coach but liveable with some sparkles.  Custom garage with in house mechanic.

He toured his family as the 5 kids grew.(no child wanted the coach)  I took possesion with a massive amount of spare parts - including spare 120 VAC water pump, 3 year old 315-80-22.5 tire with sticker on side, tow bar and 3 tool kits.  We were set! (17,608 total miles - this SHOULD have set off alarm bells!)

First stop - In-&-Out for a California fix.  first night - 50 miles west of LA in Redlands, CA park.  Sunday night in Demming, NM.  Monday through El Paso to the hot, long, barren West Texas I-10.

At 1:00 PM we changed drivers and I settled in.  She went to the toilet and was just pulling up pants when the passenger steer tire blew at 75 MPH.  Very wild ride. Stopped at slight slope and adjusted our clothing.  Took 3 hours for a service truck to come and use my - now very appreciated - spare tire.  Back on the road.

I am driving for an hour and she takes over.  I settle on the couch and ------wait for it--------

the drivers steer tire blew at 70 MPH.  She was able to hold on but wanted to stop in the fast lane.  I helped her steer to the center median.  This time it took 4 hours to find a tire and get it replaced.  We were back fixed at 10:00 PM.  Went to the nearest rest stop and tried to sleep.  To late for our lasagna and wine, although the wine moght have helped.

Tuesday AM we tried Kerrville and San Antonio for 8, yes 8 tires. No luck.  Drove to Friendswood with no other problems.

Lesson learned:  How many times do I - we  - need to have it thrown at us that tires do not last more than 5-8 years especially if they are not driven.  Buyer knows better. I know better.  Bite the bullett.  Keep safe.

PS..buyer had all 8 changed Thursday AM - $8,400.00.  He is currently in Ft Worth at the track - Team Mazda driver.

[Len Silva]

Consider yourself lucky that the tires did not do a lot of damage to the bus.

[luvrbus]

A Prevost is one bus you want the best tires money can buy on the front they are so heavy on the front it is unbelievable and FWIW I never had good luck with the high dollar Michelins on the front I blew 4 in 2 years on the front all new tires,I have noticed here in AZ the charters co's are using a new Goodyear Tire 315/80 on the front of the Prevost I checked the prices for the new Goodyear and they are just a few bucks less than the Michelins close to 900 each wow ! by the time you are out the door it's over 8000 bucks


good luck

[DebDav]

The major damage was cause by me steering over a small highway sign with a very distinctive diamond reflector on top.  Now have the diamond splat on the front paint.  The post crinkled the bumper and caused the bumper to open.  Now I was a 50,000 lb 60MPH bulldozer.  We scooped the dirt out, could not latch the bumper and used tow cables and carabiners to slop the bumper closed.  We estimate a month and $10,000 at Prevost in Dallas.