New Member!

[RDeWalt]

Hello all! Richard DeWalt retired USN pilot wanting to sell it all, buy a Prevost bus and tour this awesome country we all live in. I’m not an owner yet! Am I crazy for wanting to go Prevost or should I work my way up to this? We have been shopping and I just can’t get a Prevost out of my mind. I’m a retired FA-18 pilot so I’m used to some fairly complex machinery, but thought I would ask this group if a Prevost is doable for an FNG (fabulous new guy)? Thank you for responding…Richard

[georgiapeachinc]

Hello Richard. Well, you are here for a reason. Prevost is very doable. All depends on your budget. If you are mechanically inclined that's even better. The older coaches like my 1995 Liberty Prevost are easy to work on. Barely any electronics. If like old school equipment an older coach is a consideration, but have a top to bottom inspection. There are people here that can steer you in that direction. The newer coaches integrate more electronics, etc. Not saying anything bad, you need to be more adept. Prevost is the only way to go. Take your time and really look around. Ask as many questions on this forum as you like. No question is a stupid question. Lots of experienced people here and they enjoy helping.
Keep us up to speed about what you decide to do. There are many Prevost conversion companies, many not in business anymore. Personally I chose a Liberty because they are still in business and can get parts.
Good fortune to you. Can't wait to see what you decide. By the way. My son was an ATC in the Navy and was stationed on the IKE #69 among other station in the U.S. Now a civilian ATC retired from the Navy after 12 years.

Cheers!

[PrevostNewbie]

Hello all! Richard DeWalt retired USN pilot wanting to sell it all, buy a Prevost bus and tour this awesome country we all live in. I’m not an owner yet! Am I crazy for wanting to go Prevost or should I work my way up to this? We have been shopping and I just can’t get a Prevost out of my mind. I’m a retired FA-18 pilot so I’m used to some fairly complex machinery, but thought I would ask this group if a Prevost is doable for an FNG (fabulous new guy)? Thank you for responding…Richard

Prevost Ownership only requires a credit card with a high credit limit.

[prevonubie]

Hi Richard, as both Chris and Mike has stated Prevost ownership is doable. I was in your shoes 3 years ago after 10 plus years of RV ownership and looking for safety, quietness and longevity. I spend a year researching and found my coach....I knew my budget and also love getting my hands dirty. It helps if you are mechanically inclined and also all around household handy (plumbing, electrical and carpentry). I my case I have been working in automotives most of my life as a hobby (automotive restoration). As Chris mentioned the older coaches are very easy to work on mechanically (no electronics) just your basic diesel internal combustion. So it will all be determined by your budget and if you will need to utilize service centers for repairs.....and trust me you will be needing repairs and preventive maintenance. But whatever you decide good luck and welcome! There is a wealth of knowledge in this and the Prevost Community forums....and "Hooyah" I am also retired Navy (enlisted)..

[Coloradobus]

Howdy. After our experience of “baby-stepping” to a prevost, youre better off (cheaper) getting the bus now, instead of working your way up the chain from gasser, diesel lusher, then slide plastic coach then a prevost

[Fratto]

Good Morning Richard. Short answer is YES, it is doable and no you do not need to "work up to it". There will be a learning curve to the RV world and living aboard. However, this will be the same for a fiberglass coach or a Prevost. Of course unless you are buying a short Class C, there will be a learning curve associated with the 45 foot length.

When we sold our boat and decided to get an RV, we had a limited budget and were not sure if we were going to like it. So we bought a used 40 foot 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom ... top of their line. We had a great time but like you always dreamed of a riveted Prevost. Our budget changed and one day we ran across a 1998 Country Coach. Once we drove that, it was all over. The difference between the Spartan independent front "truck" suspension and the Prevost passenger bus suspension was night and day. The difference in materials and equipment used in the finish out were significant. My sister had a new Top of the line Tiffin and even that interior finish and system build out could not compete with the 1998 CC or our current 1998 Parliament.

Since this is all new to you, I would recommend going to see a few fiberglass coaches and pay attention to the quality of the build. Most will use "RV" specific components that are a step below residential. They can look great but they are not that robust. Then drive one or two or three. Then go find a good used dealer familiar with Prevost and go look and drive one of those. If you feel that there is a difference, then you are hooked. Also remember that these are DOT rated commercial passenger platforms that are capable of surviving a roll over. No fiberglass coach can do that. So if safety is an issue, then one more point for the Prevost.

Assuming that you feel the Prevost is worth it, then you need to figure out your budget for purchase, budget for initial required repairs and maintenance AND your annual budget for maintenance. They are commercial vehicles and by mid 2000 and beyond, many of the interior systems are commercial grade. So at least in our experience, maintenance is more costly than the fiberglass coach. The responses so far are from those of us that have older coaches. In my experience, you buy the coach, keep $20 or $30K in reserve for initial unknowns and problems, then have at least $10K per year for a maintenance budget. In our case, some years we have money left over and then there are those years that we don't talk about. If you are thinking of upgrading systems or interiors, then that needs to be included as well.

Next up is trying to get some idea of how you will use the coach. For example, some people only stay in RV parks. So battery capacity, tank capacity, etc. are not high priority. Others love to stay remote or stay in rest areas, harvest hosts, etc. while traveling. They need battery and tank capacity. Some love to entertain, some like to stay to themselves, some love to cook and need a lot of galley storage some just use the microwave. How many toys do you want to bring, will the basement storage support that ... I could go on and on.

With that research and decision making done, you can begin to review the various Prevost Converters, XL vs H, slides / no slide, etc. All of the converters have or had different priorities and different business models in their conversions. Most likely you will find that some will work for you and some simply will not. There are some conversions that I would love to own and some that you could not give me.

As others have said, we would love to help you sort this out. Go have FUN looking and post anything and everything here and you will get more than enough opinions / suggestions.

Looking forward to hearing what you purchase.

[Fratto]

Richard:

The Prevost show associated with the Owners Group is scheduled for Late January in Florida this year. If you have time, you might check it out and attend. Lots of information to be had and there are buses for sale from old to new. This is an easy way to compare a lot of coaches and learn what is out there that works for you and what does not.

[RDeWalt]

Chris, thank you for the encouragement! I was beginning to think I was stepping in too big but just can’t get the Prevost out of my mind! I’m going to spend some time learning on the forum but thank you so much for responding.

I was an ATC guy before going to flight school and did two deployments on Ike!

[RDeWalt]

Jerry, thanks so much for the reply and encouragement. And for your service! Richard

[RDeWalt]

Wow Mark thank you for the great input. Love the looks of your coach. This group has been great to their new members thanks to you very much and the rest of the responses! Richard

[RDeWalt]

Mark, that is a great idea, thank you! And thank you for taking the time to respond. I was stationed at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville FL, would love to come visit!

[georgew]

I am a Air Force Pilot F-4 Phantom always wanted to do a boat landing, Had a good Navy friend get me scheduled for a boat landing and at last minute the mission was scrubbed and never got the window for the boat landing. Still want to know if carrier landing requires kahonas of 5 lbs :cool:
Back to the question of buying your first Prevost.
I bought from the estate a one owner, 1998 in 2019. It was maintained by his truck shop, he had 600 plus trucks on the road.
Got maintenance records for about 5 years and talked to the only mechanic that had worked on the bus.
The bus sat in an airconditioned hangar all its life.
Unfortunately the lasst 2 1/2 years it wasn't driven due to his fatal cancer.
Still I took a chance and don't regret a minute of purchase..
I replaced all air bags
I replaced upper and lower A arms
replaced drive brake linings
replaced dog bones in front
Had Prevost do a 6 wheel alignment
Took it to shop that services our service vehicles and said if it is a fluid replace Trans engine power steering cooling system
replaced brake actuators
Replaced air hoses to brake system..
Changed all pushin fittings with compression fittings

This was about 20,000.00 to shops and i didn't get paid:o

I enjoyed maintenance free travel until 2024 when I traded for a coach with slides which I found was a neccesity for my personal use. I still won't buy anything other than a Prevost.
I am concerned about safety of my family. Research RV accidents and you will see the superior safety of a Prevost versus a sticks and staples plastic coach

[RichardE]

There are two fantastic, specific, and well written replies to your questions. First , Mark’s big picture logic algorithm is a great one for a first time RVer to utilize to decide what is right for them. Consider what you need and how you will use it BEFORE you fall in love with any brand or type specific RV.

Second is George’s excellent outline of things that any new owner of a used Prevost should expect to do to ZERO the coach on maintenance issues. And George, I too am a big fan of using compression over PTC fittings unlike some of the other opinions on FB. I have a 1000 bucks of DOT comp fittings in a bag ready for a big conversion when we get home this winter!

And my own input after owning high end coaches for the last 20 years has two points. One. They all require maintenance, new ones, old ones, and everything in between. The more you can do, the happier you will be. The most miserable owners in my observation are ones that are completely dependent on someone else to fix their issues. The happiest ones are the ones who own the resolution even if they pay someone to turn the wrenches. And second point, don’t drive a Prevost if you are not prepared to buy one.

[Texas 40]

Good post Richard

[RDeWalt]

Richard, thank you so much for the advice and insight. Richard D.

[RDeWalt]

George, landing on the carrier is everything they say it is. Ended up with 500 day and 201 night! Never calmed down for the night traps. I supposed we were not supposed to get comfortable with it.

Thank you much for the post, I thought maybe I was jumping in too deep with a Prevost but now I am at peace with going down that road thanks to you and the others, so THANK YOU!

[georgew]

still lookling for answer are kohonas bigger than other peoples;)