Hey wait a minute Jon, I resemble that remark ? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Wehrenberg
Welcome Dave and Linda
Gary S
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Hey wait a minute Jon, I resemble that remark ? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Wehrenberg
Welcome Dave and Linda
Gary S
Well hello Linda and Dave. If ever in, or coming through Chicago please let us know.
The only "Liberty Handshake" I know relates to check book writers cramp and the Kool Aide always floweth.
Did they convince you to put in an order for your 2008 coach Steve?
It's only money.
They almost did but Ginger grabbed me by the ear, pulled me out of the dealership and locked me in the bus. I was at Liberty today and the final count for the weekend was 8 New and 2 Used. Not bad for a weekends work.
A neighbor of mine purchased a Liberty H last year at that rally and came back with an XL this year. PHEW, brings the sweat to my brow.
Good to have you with us.
One of the "benefits" of living aboard is you dont have a spare bedroom.
Our coach will handle 6 for cocktails , 4 for dinner (and we prefer to do that outdoors on the patio) and sleeps two. Every once in a while the wife slips a grand child onto the couch, but it is rare. I love grandkids, just not for long periods of time. Nice to see them come AND go.
Mike and Karen
Welcome to our new members!
You will find that there are occasional moments of cogent information being dispensed by a select few on this board and the rest of it is, well, just information.
Speaking of which, I am tracking down new information about an auto-spitter on the pressure side of the compressor. Seems as if that's an additional PM item.
Evening All,
I don't have to test the waters here...after reading a good many posts throughout the Group...I'm ready for some opinions I probably won't like but I'm here anyway..because..
I've been retired from my commercial bus driving 14 yrs. of experience since 1983..and after having owned 15 gas engine motor homes in my lifetime I still want to own my own diesel bus...even if I only get to drive it for one season..and I want it to be a Prevost or none at all..
I presently still own two RV's...a 96 Coach House Dodge Class B and a 98 National Dolphin..There's no one anywhere with a worse case of "White Line Fever" than me..
Jan 19th 07 I arrived back home in NJ after 5 months and 11,000 miles in that wee Coach House..that I bought so I could do mountains..I have a fear of heights that kept me from going West some 50 yrs..but I was as determined to see the West as I am to find a Prevost I can afford for my last rig..
I came to POG knowing there's much I need to learn about owning a Prevost..Driving for Bus Compainies I never needed to learn a thing except how to unhang the gears I hung up..or call for a flatbed to be sent to pick me up if I broke down..but I also never needed to know much more to drive the 15 gas engine RV's I owned either..so why not make my dream come true..if I can..
I'm here to try to make the best choice I can... hoping for your help in making that decision..I have to stay as close to the 100K mark as possible..especially with today's diesel prices and any kind of repairs..but I think today the dream can become a reality..and a few years ago I never thought it would.!!
For a little about me I'm including a write up in "Road & Travel Magazine" that I was included in a couple of years ago..It just tells something about how it was for me way back in the 50's..but it also tells of my love of driving...
Scroll down to..."Beyond the call of duty" on the second page of this article..which is now in their archives..That's getting old too...lol..
http://www.roadandtravel.com/adventu...ngforwomen.htm
Hugs Always Viv aka..JourneyOne
Welcome to the asylum, Viv.
I think you will find a lot of Prevost conversions that are in good shape in the price range you have set for yourself.
If you are not mechanically inclined or lack the ability to evaluate an older coach (which will be in the late eighties range) you should try to get someone familiar with the Prevost and the converter to help you evaluate the coach.
The important thing will be to ignore colors, designs, and decor and zero in on the systems and condition of the coach and all that goes with it.
Don't hesitate to ask questions here. Sometimes we give real good answers, and sometimes we make things up, but we almost always answer.
Welcome Viv, there's a lot of what your looking for out there even some on prevost-stuff. Hope it all works out for you. Your already in full blast with regards to the computer and image stuff so I think you will do all right. It's a lot about attitude. Go For It;) Get yourself on the map Dale set up so we know what part of the country your in.
Are you fulltiming:confused:
:) JIM
Just bought our first RV, a Prevost! We live on the west coast of Florida, plan on short trips at first carrying a bike. Any info on good places to stop and leave the RV while we ride? Also getting the Hydralift. any comments. Thanks all, see someone somewhere sometime.
Hello Viv
We often brouse the web sights for whats out there and a new listing on http://www.heartlandbus.com/ has recently come up.
Its an 84XL, a 40, converted by Marathon that is right in that range.
We think that it is a very comfortable looking conversion and I think it could be had for closer to 100 even, than the asking price.
If you, when you get one if it is in need of any repairs I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
Good hunting.
Hay Chalupka are you seeing this?
Jeff and Roberta
Congradulations on the new bus and after reading your profile I'm wondering what are you fueling that with, peanut oil?:rolleyes:
We are down that way every winter, mabye we will meet.
Jeff and Bert,
Congratulations and welcome aboard.
Maybe the bikers here can answer your questions. The picture doesn't reveal if your ride is a 40 or 45, but if a 45 I would check to see if the rear hitch can take the weight of a bike cantilevered off the back. I would be less concerned about a 40.
Hey Viv,
Take a look at this one.....it looks pretty good.
http://www.philcooper.com/details.php?v_id=338
woohoo, another lady posting on POG, welcome Viv:D I hope you find the coach of your dreams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article about your travels. You certainly have a pioneer spirit and I admire that!
Welcome Jeff and Bert......congratulations on your new Liberty~! Hopefully we will get to meet you at our next rally;)
I have the hydra lift installed on a 45' vantare. It is the sport lift and set up for two bikes. We have carried two big twins ( although fairly lightweight customs)the only noticeable effect was the tendency to bounce which was resolved by strapping the lift to the hitch using a 2" strap.
Welcome Viv. Check out e-bay as well , they sometimes have reduced pricing on Prevosts. Make sure to make it to the next POG Rally if you can, there are sometimes very nice well maintained coaches for sale.
Don't stop sharing with us your experiences. Its what POG is all about.
Welcome Jeff and Ro. I understand Keerville was a great place to stay and ride. I'm sure some of our esteemed Harley Poggers can chime in.
Jeff & Ro, Ellen & I are Harley riders as well as Liberty owners. If you wish to ride in and around Savannah, Ga. Stop by our place. Downtown Savannah has much to see and has great restaurants. We actually live approximately 20 miles off the interstate, but great roads for cruising on our Road King. We are 2 hours from Charleston, SC, less than 1 hour from Tybee Island and Hilton Head and as my brother-in-law from Atlanta says " you have great highways that go .....no where " Of course he is comparing riding in the greater Atlanta area to South Georgia. Welcome to POG. :cool: Ken & Ellen
Viv, Jeff, Ro
welcome aboard. You will have countless hours of fun sorting all the bi-polar personalities here, and even find some good information..
It really is a good bunch, but don't EVER tell them I said that! :D
Viv Welcome !
Ken & Ellen, Karen and I are also Bikers. 07 Road Glide at this time. We will have to exchange a riding visit in your area of Ga. for a visit at our place in Franklin,N.C. sometime. We are in the mountains where the Cherohala Skyway, Deals Gap and the Blueridge Parkway are our riding area.
Jeff & Ro, Welcome ! You must be pretty close to us here in Largo,Fl.
Ellen & I enjoy a nice ride. This is her 07 Road King Classic.....she lets me ride it. We have plenty of parking. Horses and bikes welcome. Grab Tom & Nancy on your way down from NC....they also ride. Ken
Bert and I are planning our first weekend run now. First I need to get the Hydralift.
We are a short bike ride to Largo. Apollo Beach is 30 minutes south of Tampa.
Savannah huh??? I know it is a nice senic place to visit but never thought of it for riding. It is just over a 4 hour ride woops I mean drive. Got to remenber in a bus now. Anyone in the Tampa area know of safe local RV resorts to recomend. I need to place ours. Not allowed where we live. :(
Jeff, Be sure to do research on the lift idea before investing and installing. I know of several people that said they wished they had not done what you are considering. Looking at your bus in the picture I cant tell if it is a 40 or 45 but the ride height of the rear looks lower than the front. Be sure to consider, Diesel exhust stains on the bike, easy access to the engine compartment for inspections when you stop, towing a vehicle behind the Bike,etc. Do a search on both sites and find out about the assets as well as the drawbacks and I'm sure you will make the right decision.
We keep our Bus at a place called Covered Storage, 10666 66th St. No. in Pinellas Park. 727 530 7867. $215.00 per month, includes 50 amp service so the a.c. is always on along with anything else you want to use. The place has easy access onto 118th ave which puts us on the Interstate with the least amount of traffic lights.
The ultimate is having the Bus parked at the house and we are working toward that someday.
Thanks Jim, Bummer! I thought having the lift was the easy way to go when not needing a car. I was also going to set up a tow car when out for long periods. Guess that is out too. It is a 45 footer. Gen and Heater exhaust rear, engine exhausts to the side. Sounds like you recomend a trailer even for short hauls. Any negative to that? I may be your neighbor at Covered. Jeff
Jim,
I just saw your Bio and field. One of our businesses is Bio Fuel Transport. Lets talk 904-424-2600.
Jeff
Try looking at this web site.
www.rvliftsofamerica.com
We met some folks on the road with a dresser on the lift and a Jeep in tow behind. They were in a plastic camper though. It was deffinatly built strong enough in my opinion, pretty well made.
I have researched the lifts and pleased with the Hydralift. No cables and puts the bike a few feet up. Now the question is do I want to lift or tow a trailer. We were planning on towing our LandRover Sport when needing bring a car. I would like to protect it, but the convience of just bringing the bike without a tow is so appealing. Any comments?
Be flexible.
Just get both:rolleyes:
I would think that pulling a trailer big enough might be a bit of an added chore and expence.
I agree, Jim gave me some good points to consider. It is just that a major part of my having the coach was for the bike, I have a boat that we travel on too, but the dam bike does not float. So rather then have an issue of a trailer every trip, I think the lift will be the way. I can always trailer later or sink the bike.:confused:
Jeff, possibly you could set-up to tow a full sized pickup truck with the bike in the bed of the truck. That would cover all your angles if you don't mind riding around in a PU truck.
FWIW, We have tried almost every combination out there. Most 45' bus model frames don't like the bike lift on the extended frame rails. When we go out, we either tow a Tahoe flat or we pull a trailer. The trailer holds a car ( vette or escalade) and a full size golf cart or two dressers, one H D and a (cringe) goldwing. Not only can we take what we want for the trip, but we have a great garage and guest house when needed. The trailer is only 24' long but it has all the storage we will ever need. Several cross country trips and so far, no problems with spots to park. Probably not for everyone, but again, we like the security of the (garage) trailer. Next trip is in one week and we will go from Ft Lauderdale to Daytona, Pensacola, (picking up relatives) with final destination Durango. Trip usually takes three full days. I guess we are just trailer trash. I know Fast Rog will agree.
George and DeDe: I will agree with most anything you say. But the trailer trash part - well you are least a notch or two above that. You do still have the Liberty right? By the way does the check come on the 3rd or 5th of the month in Florida?:cool:
Yeah Roger! We still have the Liberty. Probably will for the next few years. Too nice and too good to think about moving up just yet, although the boys up in Stuart call on a regular basis to keep the pressure on. Those checks that previously came on the 3rd stopped on April 15.... I figured the were now going to you or A1.!!!?????? Sorry we missed you all in Tx... looks like another super time for the poggers. Durango is waiting for you. Try one of our web cams... geodede.dynalis.org:14181, or 14184. The new bus barn is up but now working on the inside. Should be finished in a month or so. Two outside plug ins for you and whoever.
If I wasn't getting my checks I would have to go out and get a job.
"Hi, welcome to Wal-Mart", or "do you want to supersize that?"
we pull a 20' trailer with bike and car. with both in the "garage", theres approx 18" from the ft bumper to the clutch box on the bike. we store a couple of bicycles as well (they sit in front of the bike for the moment - they really need to hang on the front wall up high). jon sez bus frames don't like all that weight on the frame (especially bouncing weight) that far back from the wheels, and even more so for 45' buses.
eagle head lifts makes a nifty hydraulic unit that comes apart in pieces so a single individual can get it on and off the bus. the downside is that when mounted, you can't open the engine room doors. :-( it's about 3 grand.
hydralift usa makes a hydraulic unit that will clear the doors, but i think it's one really heavy piece (i could be wrong about that). this unit comes in at about 5K.
there are several much less costly units that lift with wire cable - i don't particularly care for these, but you might.
as for pulling a pickup, be sure you find an aux brake unit first. the super duty fords use hydraulic over hydraulic brakes, that is, no vacuum assist - their assist comes from hydraulic pressure supplied by the steering pump. there is a small receiver that stores pressure for a couple brake pumps, but after that, pressing on, even STANDING on the brake peddle offers very little braking. M&S (i think thats the right name - someone jump in here to correct if wrong) makes a unit that has an elec hydraulic pump to provide pressure. someone else makes a unit that goes between the firewall and the master cylinder. both of these have special requirements for space. my '02 f250 with std tranny would not take either of these units (according to the mfgs).
also check tow bar height on the truck an the bus hitch - they need to be the same height. there are fancy height-shifting hitches, but be sure they don't de-rate the towing capacity because they're not just straight hitches.
i did finally find some guy in calif (there's a surprise) that would make me an after mkt setup with air brake chambers that could glad hand into the bus brake air. $2500. seemed like a bit extreme to me. YMMV.
for me, putting the bike in is pretty easy now that i've done it many times. i use a bike lift with wheels to maneuver it into place, and had special padeyes put down in the trailer floor to hold it in place. with the wheel turned left and locked, the overall length of the bike, ft tire to rear fender, is approx 3" shorter than the inside dim of the trailer, so movement of the bike MUST be kept to an absolute minimum with tie downs, both sideways and fore and aft.
but you prob'ly knew that already. :-)
lastly, don't forget to check your bus GCWR. my trailer weighs in at 3400# empty, and it's (almost) all aluminum. add car and bike and we're at almost 4 tons. and i guess i don't have to mention that a used trailer is signif'ly cheaper than a new one.
apologies for the length of the post.
wmm
Just to clarify and expand on my concerns about cantilevering heavy weight from the hitch.
Prevost has a limitation of 1000 lbs. on the hitch and that is presumed to be a ball hitch just past the bumper.
The hitch is attached to the engine cradle and I strongly suspect if you mount a motorcyle a couple of feet or more beyond that point or a heavier tongue weight trailer the extra stresses will have an impact not only on the engine cradle, the rear suspension, and the frame, but those stresses may extend all the way up into the rear cap and the rear cap attach points. Because the lever arm is very long, that extra weight will add some multiple of the actual load on the rear suspension because the net effect will be the extra weight, plus the amount that cantilevered load lifts from the front axle.
Prevost has provided heavier hitches and some coaches have been modified to handle substantial extra loads.