Considering a Bus Purchase

[mmanning]

My family has camped for years in travel trailers of all sizes, but I find myself camper-less and would like to go a different route for my next adventure.  I started thinking about purchasing a bus a few months back I when discovered this group and converted buses in general.  As I have been reading and watching YouTube videos, I have been getting more and more certain that purchasing a bus is what I want to do.  I have been able to find many answers on my own, but there are a few questions I would like to ask you all if you don't mind.

First, I have seen some people reference a potential rust problem for Silver Eagle buses.  I figured some of this is true and some of it may be over stated, but I'd like to know more.  I will likely be checking out a 1984 Silver Eagle 10 in the near future, what should I look for?

Second, in reference to the Silver Eagle that I am considering, should I be worried about finding parts?  I have found parts online for Detroit Diesel 6v92 motors, but I have not had much help when searching for torsilastic suspension parts.  It may be that I can't find much because I don't know what I am doing, so I was hoping you all could tell me if future repairs could be an issue.  I checked with a local bus company to see if they could help with repairs if I should need them, and they said they could repair anything as long as they had the part.  The bus shop made it sound like parts would be in short supply.

Is there an older bus make and model that has much more spare parts available?  Prevost or MCI?

Finally, I have not had a lot of luck with financing; but I do have a few options.  Wells Fargo seemed willing to finance an older bus, but the interest rate was really high.  I have also considered a cash out refinance of my home as well.  Do any of you have suggestions as far as financing a older converted bus?

Thanks in advance.

[Dave5Cs]

Don't IMHO finance especially with a second or refi on your home. Parts are tough depending on the model.

[richard5933]

First, if you are going to need financing to cover the purchase price I'd be very concerned about you having adequate funds to do the necessary repairs and maintenance to get the bus on the road and to keep it there. These beasts are expensive to get going and to keep going. It is not for the faint of heart (or wallet).

I'd strongly advise against using any type of home equity loan to finance a bus (or anything else of depreciating value).

Rust in Eagles? There are a few good threads on this forum about that, and you should read them thoroughly. An Eagle was involved in a serious crash a few years ago and rust was a factor in the severity of the injuries sustained. I believe that there is a thread outlining some of the work to renovate an Eagle to get the rust out. Hopefully someone else will chime in about that.

There are some great older buses out there, all in various states of repair and road worthiness. Keep reading lots about the bus you want, and try and get an experienced bus nut or shop to give you an honest appraisal of the work it's going to need so you can decide if you have an adequate budget.

All that said, I'm glad you've been bitten by the bug and I look forward to reading about whatever you end up doing.

[eagle19952]

Depends,
WF gave me 2% money, (to buy my bus),my money was making more.
There are a lot of variables and ways to leverage loans.

[luvrbus]

All 30+ year old buses are tough to get parts for,Eagles are good buses nothing has the curb appeal or ride of a Eagle, rust can be a problem but easy to repair and there are lot of Eagles out there with no rust.LOL you mention Eagle here it is like calling someones sister a bad name

[chessie4905]

Consider a bus conversion carefully. They can easily become a money pit unless you are fortunate. If finances are sparce, you may want to go to a motorhome as an interim solution before taking the plunge. You can do well if you score a deal on a conversion that previously has been well kept up and maybe owner passed away. Many younger members of family may want to be rid of it cheap, as they have no interest. Also consider bus conversions get, on average, 7 to 8 miles to the gallon realistically. Engine, transmission repairs can be a catastrophe financially. Tires, brakes, suspension, also costly, although once done, usually will last through your ownership. If you have to rely on others to do almost all of your repairs, forget it, unless you win a lottery. If you want a shell to convert, it will be cheaper initially, but much more overall long term.  It also how nice and elaborate you do a conversion yourself.
Watch for many classifieds, narrow down your budget, and make the trips necessary to inspect them. Good luck. Here's one of many sites:

https://www.rvt.com/New-and-Used-Bus-Conversion-RVs-For-Sale-On-RVT.com/results?type=Bus%20Conversions&price1=6000&price2=1168000&distance=Any&private_only=1

[DoubleEagle]

You should not fear rust on an Eagle, unless it is severely rusted from being in winter salt for decades. Most sections can be fairly easily replaced. Most brands of buses have corrosion problems whether steel or aluminum is involved. The key thing is cost, and how handy you are with tools and welding. Unless you are comfortably affluent, you had better be handy if you want to cruise in a coach. If you are going to pour time and money into a coach, you had better feel real comfortable with the looks and features of what you choose. Discriminating individuals often choose Eagles, but there are other brands that will do.  The torsilastic suspension tubes for the rear axle are still available from Sulastic Co. in San Antonio, TX (210) 492-4469, for $2250, plus shipping. Or, you could select a Eagle that has plenty of adjustment left, or buy salvage used ones that are still good. (There are two rebuilt used ones for sale in Minneapolis for $200, plus shipping).

Those of us in this hobby usually have some background with trucks & buses, or heavy equipment. We like to customize our coaches, and we do not do it for future profit (because there will not be any). If you want the simple route, you would buy a RV that has book value that the bank can look up, and then take it to Camping World for ripoff maintenance. You just have to hope that the wood inside the walls does not rot, and the staples hold on. Worrying about rust in an Eagle does not compare to the horror of stick & staple RV's in an accident.  There are plenty of good coaches out there for sale that someone else spent a lot of money on - that is the best bargain.

[mmanning]

Thank you all for your responses.

I am certainly wary of financing a bus, but it would take time to save enough to purchase one out right.  Finances aren?t sparse, but I also don?t want to save for the next 10 years to travel again.  I have kids a couple years away from graduation that I?d like to take out with me.  I had planned to keep my 37ft travel trailer until my kids were out of school, but a tree decided to use it as a trampoline while we were in the black hills last year..

The costs I am worried about are more of the maintenance type costs.  If I figured $1,000 a year for maintenance costs, would I be close? What do you all spend in yearly maintenance? 

I?m not afraid of taking care of small maintenance tasks myself, but I can?t rebuild an engine or replace a tranny myself.  I?m looking forward to updating the electrical of what ever I get.

I am looking for a bus in the $30,000 range.  I?d like it to be already converted with all parts working.  I?m fine with older or outdated equipment or furnishings, I would update them over time.  I?ve looked at buying a new class C or A, but unless you are willing and able to pay upwards of $80,000; they all are kind of crap..

[jraynor]

I know someone selling an already converted eagle for 10k in working order. Just needs new windshields which he has a source for I think $250 each.

I am profiting in no way by mentioning this, just passing along what I've seen from one busnut to another future busnut

[chessie4905]

There are great deals on motorhomes that are used. Many people buy one, travel around us then trade up or sell it. Easier to finance AND insure. We've had many people have issues on insuring bus conversions over the years. Some campgrounds won't take older ones. Consider a bus conversions if you plan on having it several years.
How is your community attitude about having a bus conversions sitting at your house? Several have had issues.

[luvrbus]

Here is you a rust free Eagle needs a home and a little TLC

www.wheresdoyle.com

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

If you have not already subscribed to Bus Conversion Magazine, I highly recommend you subscribe and read as many back issues as you can before making any purchase decisions.  There are also some articles about rust and Eagles that you should read so you know what to look for.

But as someone else stated, if you cannot afford to buy a bus, then you probably cannot afford to drive and maintain one as most people should have about $20k in reserve just in case something major goes wrong.   Buses cost a lot of money to repair unless you can do most of the work yourself.

If you do find a good bus be sure it has been running recently because a bus that has sat for 2-3 years may be problematic as seals can dry out and parts can rust up.  Buses like to move so try to find one that was recently in service.  Also look at a lot of buses before deciding as there are lot of buses out there without slides that can be had for very reasonable prices.

Gary

[buswarrior]

Maintenance costs spread way out on the calendar.

It catches the lower tier commercial operators as well as busnuts.

You have to think about tires every 7-10 years, at $500 apiece. What age are the current tires, and how many are there?

Batteries.... if you know how to take care of 'em, 7-10 years, if you don't, you buy new ones annually or sooner. How badly has previous owner abused the batteries? $100 a piece and up. There may be 2 or 4 to start it, and anywhere 2 to 8 as a house bank...

The commercial peeps disassemble the axles annually for preventive maintenance purposes. New axle seals at the minimum. Nobody does a brake job and then sells the coach, however, the reverse is often true, it needs brakes, cam bushings, air hoses, chambers... How will you know what is serviceable and what is not?

Many DOZENS of grease fittings that need a squirt, previous owner may be negligent here...

Engine, transmission, differential, Eagle drop box... All potential game enders if not chosen correctly.

Suspension, radius rods, shock absorbers, all loose, sloppy, perished, and coach wandering all over the road...

Radiator -  rotten? how old? what condition? Bus radiator rarely under $1000...

Air filter, $100, 7-8 gallons of engine oil, big oil filter, add more oil to an oil burner at every fuel fill up...

If a busnut chooses the wrong coach, and then perpetually chooses the wrong mechanic/shop... you can turn a $20k coach into an $80k nightmare... I know of one just like that... and he can't stop now...

An innocent inexperienced busnut is a huge target, there's almost an unwritten code to get the children out of the jungle.... and the busnut rarely escapes without an empty wallet, and dreams smashed on the floor.

That being said, the choice is: mechanically competent to do all of your own work, or deep pockets to pay others to do the work, often poorly, for you. And you still need to be mechanically competent in order to catch them screwing you, or to speak intelligently beforehand, so they don't bother screwing you, since you fooled 'em into thinking you know the game...

This is a vicious hobby, playing with old, worn out commercial equipment, and needing commercial professional help...
eyes wide open please?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[luvrbus]

Did we succeed in scaring another wannabee off 

[PP]

A few of the comments have me scared