RTS Discussion

[TomC]

When I bought my AMGeneral Transit, it was all I could afford at the time ($4000). Now a few thousand hours later have a very usable conversion that my wife and I enjoy.  Some advantages- transits are the toughest built buses; they usually use the same engines as highway buses; it is only 3 steps up from the ground; BIG windows; easy to work on (especially with V drives).  Disadvantages- you have to create all under floor space-but I have 130gal fresh water (under bed), 85 gal gray, 45 gal black, 20 gal propane, 2-8D deep cycles, storage of 22"h x 99"w x 66"L, 10kw gen next to the drivers seat like a front engine (serviced from inside); under floor space is not as tall as a highway bus, so items like bicycles have to be carried outside; have to contend with wheel wells inside.  The ONLY disadvantage to the RTS I see is the sloped in walls (which give it its distinct look).  If you're on a budget, I'd suggest the transit route-I don't ever regret it.  When I retire in about 5 years, maybe I'll tackle another bus-this time a 35ft x 102" highway bus like an MCI F3500 or the VanHool 35ft'r.  I like them since they are 102 wide (extra 6 inches make a big difference inside), 2 axle, have medium sized engines (like Series 40 or 50 Detroit, Cummins ISC or ISL typically), and after looking at the campground directory, there are ALOT of campgrounds with 35ft limits.  Plus they're more manuverable.  I figured I wouldn't loose but maybe 2 ft of real floor space since the engine doesn't protrude into the living space and can use the floor all the way to the rear wall-unlike my transit that stops about 3ft from the back wall (although the space above makes for a nice 5ft closet [the other space is taken up with intake and exhaust stacks built into the rear]).  I'd say go for the RTS!  Good Luck, TomC