australian family looking to hire/rent 40+ ft coach from july to sept 07

[dooneb4]

hi guys it may be a strange request to rent out your pride and joy but here goes.
my wife and i  live in Townsville north Queensland up in the northen tropics we have 3 young boys under 6 and have  converted 5 and a half  coaches in the last 12 years
mainly australian dennings austral, and ibc, 6v92 powered, the current coach is a 1988 scania apollo super decker which is posted on
page 9 of post your bus
my mother and two brothers live in clearwater florida and we are planning a trip to see them starting 01/06/07 and returning 01/09/07
we have been living in coaches for so long now that we are more comforable in a coach than a house
as i said earlier i am very familular with detroits and allisons and am handy when it comes to repairs and servicing
i am also 75% thru an advanced diploma of renewable energy with a major in solar energy.
we are freindly outgoing types with a love for life on the road.
so if you are in the southern states and you can help or know someone that can please
drop us a line.
regards Doone ,and Kathy Barry

[Dallas]

my mother and two brothers live in clearwater florida and we are planning a trip to see them starting 01/06/07 and returning 01/09/07

I think you missed your target date.

[niles500]

Down under it means june 1 to september 1

[Dallas]

OK,
I shoulda thunk!

[NJT5047]

Hey Doone,
Have you considered an RV?  They are easily rented for the short term in the US...a bus is going to be a little more complicated.   Insurance is going to be a problem for private bus owners.  Not sure about other owners, but my insurance company wanted to know exactly who was going to drive the bus. 
Commercial applications that could be leased (entertainer coaches) will require Fed CDL or equiv...or you'll be required to rent a captain (lessor's professional driver) with the coach!   That could interfere with your love life.  Course, if you have three chaps, what's one more body in a 45' coach.  You'll have a sitter! 
Nothing remarkable about renting a 40' RV...that's doable.
Don't ya'll drive on the wrong side of the road in the down under?  You sure you want to drive up here?   
Ya'll got a funny calendar down there too!  Like Dallas...I wouldn't a thunked it either! 
Hope someone can help you out!
Regards, JR

[Stan]

I think all the world. except the US, when writing dates with numbers put them in either ascending order (day, month year) or descending order (year, month, day).  I guess it is part of the pounds and feet thing instead of metric.

[Dallas]

My wife still has problems with me writing dates because I picked up the military habit of writing 18.Feb.07 or 18-Feb-07.

[DrivingMissLazy]

I guess I have converted to the computer way of entering dates generally. Either the six digit (021507) or the eight digit (02152007) codes.
Richard

[Chaz]

Doone,
  Have you come up with anything yet?? I really wish I could help ya, but mine is only 35' and not done. Plus I doubt it would be up to your standards.
  I gotta ask ya tho, what do you plan on spending on renting one that long?? It would seem to be VERY expensive!!
  Here is a thought - the gentleman I bought my coach from (really good guy) has another one. (actually, several) I can ask him if he would be interested in renting it, BUT, how about buying it and then selling it when you leave? I know it may sound a bit different, but it is a beautiful coach inside, looks real good outside, supposed to run really good, 40', MCI I think, and wants 25,000 for it. I can get more details if that is something you would be interested in.
  That may take care of some of the hurdles you would have in renting one and you could advertise it for sale the whole time you are here, contingent upon they get it when you leave. You could come out money ahead!
  This is just a thought off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are drawbacks, but maybe something to consider.
  My coach is the first one I've ever had, and if you follow my threads, I'm a major "rookie"!!!! But, just like the other guy that bought one from an opposite coast, maybe someone from around here that knows what to look for could check it out for you?!

  Anyway, just a thought.

     Like to help,
            Chaz

[Ross]

I found a place a couple years ago that would rent a bus.  They started at $6000 per week.  I thought about renting mine but I'd be working for the insurance company.  It would have to rent almost all the time to make it pay off, which is unrealistic, unless you're leasing to the entertainmant industry.  My sister just rented a 30 foot class C for $2500 per week, so even the S&S rentals are not cheap.

Ross

[dooneb4]

Hi guys thanks for your quick replys to my post. it dos not take long for something that works in your head
to be brought down to earth with a little reality does it
Yeah JR a captain for the coach would sure put a dampner on things and i sure aint a millionare
i have been to ,and driven in the states a few times i am ok as long as i dont have even one drink
other wise the auto pilot kicks in and i want to head for my side of the road.
The rental on a RV seems a little steep too Ross $2500 x 12 weeks +$30,000 that a fair bit of coin
so it looks like your idea might be the go ,Chaz
Would it be possible to get your mate to email me some info on that MCI.
I toyed with the idea of a trailer or a 5er but i think that would exclude us from attending any busnut things
or attending any FMCA rallies both of which are things i wanted to do over there
again thanks for your help guys
Regards Doone

[dooneb4]

Hey chaz i had a look thru your threads man that is some house on your web site excellent
i sure dont think youll have any trouble building an amazing bus if that is the quality of your work
i only have one peice of advice for you and that is from experiance of building a rig your size and that is
less is more , dont be tempted to over build your interior
i have an artistic bent and tried to fit as much as possible into  my first bus ,turning it into a rabbit warren,
and rendering it nearly impossible to live in comfortably for more than one person
in my opinion money spent on raising the roof is money well spent , If your bus is your ultimate rig
and you plan on holding it for many years.!
it is amzing what an extra few inches of head room does for the feeling of space
keep on bussing Doone.

[NJT5047]

Typically bus rallys allow any sort of conveyance.  Some FMCA events allow for "special" attendees....that would have to persued.  Joining FMCA requires access to a MH. 
You would be quite welcome at any bus rally.  Not  every bus-nut has a coach and many ideas may be gleaned from attending while in "pre-coach" status..., while you ain't pre-coach.... you get my slant. 
If your mother or brothers are keen on the market, they could buy and insure a travel trailer and tow vehicle for far less than the rent on any sort of motorhome or bus.  A pickup/5vr may offer half the fuel use too....maybe. 
A 30-35' fiver would offer a lot of room, storage, and drive easily. 
You'll avoid a lot of insurance and registration issues if it is in a US resident's name. 
Don't know what your plans are, or how much of the country you wish to traverse, but the above approach would be by far the least expensive. You could have the unit sold on your departure and the cost would be minimal.   You could do the same with a bus, however, you'll need a bus savvy person to both buy and dispose of a bus.  You could lose your bum on a bus.  Florida cities have many rules about large vehicles in residential too.  RVs aren't generally a problem.  A bus may be a big problem. 
Any late model 3/4 ton pickup would tow upwards to a 35' fifth wheel. 
A tag-along TT would work also, and be less expensive yet, but be a PITA to drive if you get over 30' or thereabouts. 
May luck up and find an owner that has a rig all ready to go...by June, the seller's market shifts to a buyer's market.  Getting hot and some folk have had enough of the "camping" experience.   
Another thing is that there are compgrounds everywhere in the US for $12 to $25 US per night (family style campgrounds.  Watch out for the word "Re$ort" ).  Your don't have to boonie...unless you really want to.  Boonying in the US could prove to be problematic for the uninitiated...I'd develop a plan that includes bonafide campgrounds for most overnight stays.  Rest areas are risky propositions...evil-doers you know, and cops running you off.
Have you fluffed out your intinerary?  How far from Florida do you plan to travel?

Good luck on your trip!  JR

[Don4107]

Dooneb4  You might consider a trade.  If someone wants to travel to your country (me!) and you trade use of RVs, it might get around a lot of the insurance issues.  No money changing hands.  My agent says if they have my permission thats all they need.  I just wish I had a suitable bus to offer.  My old bus is not much and a killer on fuel-5mpg.  That and I live on the opposite corner of the states.    New bus is not ready.  Just a thought.

Good Luck

[dooneb4]

hey guys this is the best web site ever!
i really appreciate the good advice

JR I think im going to go with your advice and get a 5er and an old pickup
thanks for the heads up about rest areas as we never pay to camp over here

Don there are people that advertise trades in the wanderer our fmca type magazine
i can put you on to it if you want if you are coming down under get in touch and we will help you any way we can
bus on Doone