Need advice on my bus search

[HB of CJ]

Lessons I learned the hard way.  First do lots and lots of research.  Learn way up on the bus conversion donor of your final choice.  Learn everything you can.  Internet.  Rallys.  Camping and traveling.  You will be surprised and pleased when asking out right strangers about their Bus Conversion Coaches.  Great people indeed.

Be prepared to spend at least twice the money planned and probably three times.  Sometimes even more.  It depends upon what you want from the coach.  Bare bones boonie coaches are usually cheaper.  120 mph hot rod Bus Conversion coach conversions that are ticket and jail bait a tractors cost impossible sums or even more.

Are you physically fit?  I was until I got ill.  Could no long lift heavy stuff or have fun turning the big wrenches.  Had to sell my Crown Supercoach.  Booo Whoo.  Figure 5 to 10 years down the road.  Will you be physically able to do the ongoing conversion work?  I loved such.  I miss it deeply.  Be sure you can do it.

What ever Coach you decide upon, understand these big complicated glorious wheeled monsters and best friends consume time and money even when they are standing still and not going anywhere.  Fixed costs.  Dynamic costs.  All related costs.  They add up quickly indeed.  Kinda like a big yacht or a nice airplane.

Think outside the loop.  What do you do camping and traveling?  On road RV park camping?  Off road boon docking camping?  Long stays?  Short stays?  High mileage accurred?   Low mileage?  Do you drive slow and easy?  Do your cruise at 80 mph?  My Old Crown 10 wheeler would cruise at 80 but it was flat wide open.

While on the subject of correct Donor Coaches consider the older used Crown Super Coach ex schoolie.  Most were 35 feet long.  Non expensive.  HD highway truck construction.  10 speeds.  Jakes.  As fast as you want to go.  Spend as much as you want or like.  Thinking outside the box is fun and profitable.  Worked for me.

I still know some about older Crowns.  Others here have forgotten more than I know.  PEM me if ya wanta.

[Robert D]

I have talked to a few people on here over the phone and a few more have messaged me.
I wanted to thank all of you that have reached out to me so far.
I am still looking and, as suggested, still reading and learning before I jump into the deep end.
Keep the suggestions coming. I do read and research all of them.

Thanks,
Robert

[TomC]

You want to pull a heavy trailer? You want to have easy maintenance? You want to be able to have the motorhome worked on anywhere? Get a truck conversion on a Freightliner, Kenworth or Peterbilt. You'll be much happier with it. Buses are a big pain in the butt.

[chessie4905]

Just buy a conventional motor home and get it repaired anywhere, eliminate a lot of future drama, get insurance much easier, get better fuel mileage, as long as you stay away from Ford gas engine, avoid having your savings drained due to a breakdown out on the road, and enjoy traveling more without constant repairs. Oh, and save money every time you change the oil.

[richard5933]

Have you been to see any buses yet? Which ones have you actually been inside / driven / ridden in? It will make a huge difference to put your hands on a bus and see things in person.  Given the trailer you want to pull, there are a few winners and a few losers (at least on paper) but none of that matters till you start to see things up close.

[Robert D]

You want to pull a heavy trailer? You want to have easy maintenance? You want to be able to have the motorhome worked on anywhere? Get a truck conversion on a Freightliner, Kenworth or Peterbilt. You'll be much happier with it. Buses are a big pain in the butt.

I do need to pull a heavy trailer.

Easy maintenance or worked on anywhere isn't much of a concern. I am a competent mechanic and will be doing the maintenance myself.

I have considered a Super C on a truck chassis but have never been a fan of the stick and staple type.

[chessie4905]

Consider a Bluebird Wanderlodge. Since they are basically a school bus, easy to work on, have a solid frame full length and easy to add a suitable hitch. You can get a decent deal on a used one with the engine of your choice. Lot of common parts also.

[Robert D]

Have you been to see any buses yet? Which ones have you actually been inside / driven / ridden in? It will make a huge difference to put your hands on a bus and see things in person.  Given the trailer you want to pull, there are a few winners and a few losers (at least on paper) but none of that matters till you start to see things up close.

So far I have been in a MC-5 and liked the size but the one I saw was not a good representation as it was in poor shape.

I looked at a MC-7 that was in very nice condition and a PD-4905 Buffalo. Both of which were bigger than we need. That's why I have been looking at the 35 footers.

We have looked at several newer 45' Prevost. They seem to be the most prevalent at the race tracks. They definitely are impressive but too big for me and way out of my price range.

[richard5933]

I agree about the Bluebird Wanderlodge. I was in an older 35-ft one this summer, and it was really nice inside. With the pretty standard T-drive setup there are lots of parts and options available to make improvements down the road.

[kyle4501]

Bluebirds are steel skinned & one of the heaviest for what you get. All that weight has to be started & stopped . . . .

They are great coaches - even if the driver's area is a bit much more like an airplane cockpit . . .

[TobyU]

Just buy a conventional motor home and get it repaired anywhere, eliminate a lot of future drama, get insurance much easier, get better fuel mileage, as long as you stay away from Ford gas engine, avoid having your savings drained due to a breakdown out on the road, and enjoy traveling more without constant repairs. Oh, and save money every time you change the oil.

Did you have a bad experience with Ford gas engine? The V-10 is most prob common ford in RVs. They are quite strong and durable IF you change the oil regularly. If they sit a whole lot, the exhaust manifolds like to get leaks..aaarg!

I've had three and only one had leaky manifold gaskets on one side.

[TobyU]

It does seem to be cheaper and easier to just buy an RV and THIS is probably why there are so many RVs compared to buses.
I just love the look and feel of the big strong bus so I want that.

[luvrbus]

Look at Beaver,Foretravel,Vogue or Country Coache in the 35 to 38 ft range they will have a Cummins or Cat power train and are built strong 

[chessie4905]

Spend time on the rv forums with owners that have the v10's and see some of the woes.

[windtrader]

Look at Beaver,Foretravel,Vogue or Country Coache in the 35 to 38 ft range they will have a Cummins or Cat power train and are built strong

Clifford, I really enjoy having you here for the deep OTR bus knowledge but I have to admit lately what I find ironically even more beneficial is you liking it both ways. LOL

That is, being able to offer informed perspective of both well built pusher RV and our bus conversions.
thank you
oh - you forgot Newell