2008 Prevost chassis vs 2009 chassis

[garyde]

Here is a photo link of the filter: http://picasaweb.google.com/garydein...PRh60eP5LL6Jg#

[0533]

I was looking at a 2009 Prevost conversion with the volvo engine while at Prevost Jax a few weeks ago. The folks at Prevost car told me that Detroit will no longer be selling Prevost Car Engines any longer now that Prevost is using Volvo engines in their buses.

I also took a look at the reenforcement that the newer buses add in the lower framework for structural integrity for slideouts etc, it is a better solution.

The one thing that still makes me wonder is the seemingly high number of warrantee work on the slideouts. Each visit to Prevost car I always see a few coaches in with their slides removed, skin coming off, windows leaking, broken etc. The slide issue seems as though it could be solved. The most recent one I was looking at had its slide roof skin come up. They said it came apart because the converter used black paint on the roof instead of a lighter color, heat lifted the glue I guess. The converters and Prevost could benefit from a seminar or two I think.

[jack14r]

Tim, IMHO I would not buy a coach that is more than 1 year different from Prevost to converter year model.If I am looking at a 2007 shell it should be a 2008 conversion and since it is 2009 now it should be priced accordingly.It would have had a birthday in the converters or dealers inventory.Each year Prevost upgrades the shell and we as buyers should get the benefit of that technology.When it comes time to sell or trade a shell that is more than 1 year different will be worth less.

[utahcamera]

Hello Jack,

Yes that is exactly where I stand!

We are flying for Las Vegas to DFW to look at the coach on the 17th of this month. It will be very revealing to see the VIN #.

I do want the latest anti skid saftey sofware/hardware however.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I was looking at a 2009 Prevost conversion with the volvo engine while at Prevost Jax a few weeks ago. The folks at Prevost car told me that Detroit will no longer be selling Prevost Car Engines any longer now that Prevost is using Volvo engines in their buses.

I also took a look at the reenforcement that the newer buses add in the lower framework for structural integrity for slideouts etc, it is a better solution.

The one thing that still makes me wonder is the seemingly high number of warrantee work on the slideouts. Each visit to Prevost car I always see a few coaches in with their slides removed, skin coming off, windows leaking, broken etc. The slide issue seems as though it could be solved. The most recent one I was looking at had its slide roof skin come up. They said it came apart because the converter used black paint on the roof instead of a lighter color, heat lifted the glue I guess. The converters and Prevost could benefit from a seminar or two I think.

Proof positive that newer may not necessarily be better.

First, Prevost still doesn't seem to have the slide design right. All the slide owners in the world can post how their slides are trouble free, but based on the number of slide coaches that have been at a service center when I have been there the repairs on slides seem wholly disproportionate to other parts of the chassis.

As to the new underfloor structure being better, I think that entire issue needs to be looked at in context. Our shells were not originally designed to have big holes cut in the sidewalls above the bay doors. That chassis without cutouts is essentially a bridge sitting upon the axle subframes. It is light, yet very strong.

So when the marketplace was clamoring for slides Prevost was forced into it. They initially responded by hacking big holes in the side wall, right through the structure, and then building a massive and heavy new structure to compensate for the loss of strength.

As the plastic coaches and Newell added more slides the Prevost customers continued their demand for more slides and Prevost responded by changing the place where the coach gets its strength. Now by placing the reinforcing between the axle subframes, instead of on top of them, the bridge is no longer sitting atop the sub frames, but between them.

The big deal about doing that is the bay space has become severely compromised. If the gang that wanted to do away with OTR to gain a few cubic feet of storage analyzes the storage space they now have they are going to be severely disappointed. Not only has access been made more difficult because now you have to crawl under the slide to get at the bay, the bay space is reduced by a frame structure that cuts into the bay openings.

It is my personal opinion that Prevost is now going backwards. Space is being severely reduced, not only in the bays, but in the back to accomodate a through the roof exhaust.

The easily serviced Detroit engines are replaced with Volvo, and the vast network of Detroit dealers is now gone to the owner and when service is required the bus will end up in truck dealerships where it will fight for service.

Slides may be great for walking abut room inside the coach, but in the end a four slide coach owner doesn't get an more furniture or a bigger bed and likely loses a little more room to compensate for the slide mechanisms and wall thickness. Not yet known is if even the latest generation of slides (the pinless slides) work any better than, or even as well as previous generations of slides..

The good news (maybe) is that it is possible the bonding problem has been addressed.

[jack14r]

Prevost will tell us that the first slides were a disaster,since about the 04 shell slides there have been very few problems,and the newest slides which have no pins are very good.I heard a Prevost rep say that the first slides almost broke Prevost.I have the latest slides and they are very smooth operating in and out,because of the way I use my coach I really need slides and I really like the additional space.Jon,you are right about the bay space being different but I rearranged all my stuff and it all fits in the bays,I am not sure that the space is smaller but just different.Also Jon I agree with you that the shell might be comprised with slides installed,I think that only Prevost slides are designed correctly,I would not consider slides by Featherlite,Valid or any other supplier because I don't believe that the engineering by others is equal to Prevost.

[Sid Tuls]

Jack, when did prevost start making the slides with no pins? I've only had trouble once and it was my rear slide and that was only a relay switch in the bedroom slide. This happen in Nashville,Tenn. and they had me fixed in less than an hour. thanks

[utahcamera]

I did find out some things today. There are a few '08 shells out there with "regular exhaust (low)" and '09 interior conversion options. i.e., the shell is a '08 as verified by the VIN # and the Mfg. has installed the '09 options in the conversion.

Garyde’s photos were very helpful! As an old drag racer I can tell you that restriction equals less power any way you cut it. From the looks of the photos the engine is breathing in free and trying to exhale through a straw.

It is true as 0533 stated that Prevost will no longer be using Detroit’s and have been using Volvo in the seated busses for some time. No one seems to be talking about what will be in the ‘09/’10 shell. I’ve heard everything from Volvo to Cummins.

With respect to Sid Tuls comment about no pins, the ‘08’s do have one pin centered under the slide.

[jack14r]

The so called no pin slides(1 pin underneath)were manufactured with the 07 shell.I also understand that Detroit Diesel has extended their offer to Prevost to continue to sell them until 2010,the only current options that Prevost has because of height are the Cummins or Volvo unless someone builds a new shorter engine.

[0533]

I was told that Prevost is talking to Cummins about a backup engine source, no plans have been concluded.

As for slides, I do not care how new or old, slides can be tricky. I had my slideout (the original shuttle launch pad) redesigned and rebuilt when I purchased my bus, it works wonderfully (cross my fingers) for now but it is still a huge heavy room of steel that moves in and out and is subject to potential failure if not maintained like all else.

never ever forget and leave something in the track of the slide out that can get lodged in the slide, it will really cause big problems especially in the newer ones, can completely screw up the entire system.

As for the older ones, Hydraulic ones with huge hydraulic arms it does not make for as much trouble. I once got a DVD stuck in the track between the outside wall and the slide, heard some grinding noises like a trash compactor, checked it out and found hundreds of pieces of plastic along the track. Now I use the slide as a trash compactor, very efficient, it just grinds and all the stuff exits onto the street.

But seriously I was in Jax Prevost when a couple from So, Carolina showed up with their slide out stuck in, almost in anyway with a broken glass that had fallen from a wine rack into the track, be careful these units are very close tolerance items.

They, newer ones also have issues with skin coming off more than other areas as it flexes more.