Bus Repairs and Service near Albuquerque

[natepelton]

Can anyone recommend a shop near Albuquerque to get light service and my car hooked up to tow?

1983 Prevost
2004 Honda CRV

Not knowing much about the bus, which plan is the least crazy : 1)fly out, drive bus back, 2) drive out, tow car back 4 down, 3) drive out, tow car back on rented UHaul trailer?

Thanks-
-Nate

[Melbo]

When I took a 260Z back to a friend in the midwest I used a tow dolly behind the bus.  The lights were easy to hook up and I didn't need to do anything to the car to get it ready to tow.

What kind of service do you need --- I use different shops for different things

Melbo

[robertglines1]

Need to check out coach net.  for towing and road service.   Did previous owner not give you a idea of condition of bus including age of tires?  Lots of guys along way for support.  Check out help assist list.  The light voltage change over is not for your typical trailer shop. They normally don't grasp it.  Wish you had more confidence in bus and could just fly down and drive home .Address issues when you get on home turf. with time to do.  What info do you have? From dealer?   Tires look good means little  age counts most in this case. Tires are dated on sidewall!   Noticed post on light while I was typing. Just remember ck voltage on bus. Prevost unless modified will be 24 volt.   Bob

[luvrbus]

If needing engine service Stewart and Stevenson I have a friend there with mobile service bad timing for him he is head for AZ but I will PM you a couple of owners there that will know of other places,Melbo has good contacts there then you have Jim at Smith's Ultimate Linning (505) 332-1403 (Eagle owner) those 2 will get you headed in the right direction

good luck

[natepelton]

Did previous owner not give you a idea of condition of bus including age of tires? The light voltage change over is not for your typical trailer shop. They normally don't grasp it.  Wish you had more confidence in bus and could just fly down and drive home .Address issues when you get on home turf. with time to do.  What info do you have? From dealer?   Tires look good means little  age counts most in this case. Tires are dated on sidewall!  

I decided on the bus after numerous phone conversations, emails, photos, and videos were exchanged. I've been looking for several years and am fairly certain this is the one! I did not get the age of the tires, but have seen photos and the PO said the tags could be down around 10%, but the rest good. No sidewall cracking. I certainly would prefer to fly out and drive home with no trailer, but always like to have a Plan B.

Is that what most would do? Fly out and cross the fingers?
-Nate

[Ed Hackenbruch]

That is sort of what i did. Flew out and drove back....forgot to cross fingers though.  Of course i only had an 1100 mile trip to get home. But then again,...my bus is older, a 68.

[robertglines1]

Nate: can offer if you have problems close to SW Indiana could leave here til you could get  straightened out. Sure others would offer same in case of emergency. Lot of driving to do both ways this time of year. Sounds like you have done your home work.  I would say if you make it the first few hundred miles chances are good for a safe trip.  That will give a test to all systems and tires.  Post if you need help.  What interstate is your main West to East Plan? Thru KY TN In  area?    Bob

[trucktramp]

Get coach.net before you leave.  If you break down they will save you much grief.  How far do you have to go?  Let us know the route you are planning and people along the way will help if needed.  The folks on this board are willing to help.  Have a local bus mechanic check it out, make sure the rubber is good, fly out and drive it home.  Enjoy the journey.  Even if you break down it's all part of the adventure...and leaves you with stories to tell at the rallies.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

And heck, you don't want to go to a rally and be the only one standing there without any good stories to tell, do you?    We were going to go to Quartzsite this morning for the rally,... just a short 80 mile drive from here. Didn't make it. Never got to even fire it up even though everything was ready to go. Had to reschedule launch time until tomorrow,.....but now when i get there i have a story to tell.

[Timkar]

As others have said, get Coachnet before you go....Could save you $$$$
If it were me, I would fly out, get it serviced and hit the road.
Good Luck on your adventure, whichever way you do it 

[PSmith]

Fly out - Drive bus back.

That's what I did 14 years ago- I'd do again tomorrow.

Lets you get to know the bus in a way that's hard to beat.

My trip was about 1800 miles. by the way, fuel was a lot cheaper.

Enjoy the great trip home!

[John316]

I would prefer to drive out and tow back.

Mostly because, is something happens to the bus, you still have wheels. That can be invaluable, if you need a simple part from the next town, if you are stuck in a hotel, for some reason, or anything else.

My two cents...Take that and four dollars and by yourself a cup of coffee.

John

[natepelton]

I will get CoachNet before heading home. Does anyone know if you have to have the bus registered to get CoachNet or just have the VIN and a credit card? I'll be driving home on an In-Transit permit from state of NM.

I don't want to drive to NM from NY and find no one wants to mess with a 24V tow system, then I have two vehicles and one driver.

I'm leaning toward flying out, doing a thorough inspection, and driving back.

Oh, did you all put it together this is the same bus that has no heat right now?

At a minimum, car or no car, I will have the manuals, laptop, cell phone, portable power pack and solar panel, internet connection through my phone for the computer, rain gear, and some basic tools.

Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming.
-Nate

[rv_safetyman]

Nate, I drove my bus back from Dallas area to the Denver area in the dead of winter with no functioning heat.  I was sure glad that I took my insulated boots and good Carhartts.  Being cold keeps you wide awake

Jim

[Van]

Nate, what part of New York? If driving out there bring all the tools you can carry, multi-meter etc. Drove out to southern Ill. to get ours and lost a fuel pump in Amarillo Tx. on the way back. I brought every big tool in my arsenal that I could stuff in the Corvette we traded for the bus and was glad I did! good luck and all the best!
Oh! and don't forget plenty of rags and hand cleaner lol!

   Van