Counrty Coach Fire

[Ray Davis]

Reagan,

I can comment as to what happened to my Marathon, when it was involved with a fire. In my case my bus was in a hangar where another coach caught fire, and caught the hangar on fire. My coach had some pretty decent damage with everything on the roof melting, and lots of soot and smoke inside. But, I thought the coach was repairable. I took it to Marathon, and after an inspection they wrote a letter to the insurance company deeming the bus a total, and that that they would not fix it, nor would they supply parts to any other party that decided to fix it.

The bus was sold at auction, and was purchased for a very low price. The new owner showed up at Marathon a couple of months later to try to get it fixed, and Marathon refused (as per their letter) to fix the coach. In their eyes, this is no longer a Marathon coach.

So, I would guess that later on, if someone tries to sell this bus, even after it was fixed elsewhere, it wouldn't get the same valuation. So, I believe that's what the previous author was trying to say.

Ray

[rickdesilva]

Busy day in Pelican Lake. Prevost arranged to pick up and transport the coach to Jacksonville. I must admit they responded quickly and professionally. I guess from this point on, once they get it to JAX they will determine the cause. Then who knows?

[Reagan Sirmons]

Ray,
Thank you for the kind, thought out clarification. I appreciate the information and I do realize converters are indeed a major part of the aftermarket values. It is fun to somewhat "poke fun" yet I was reacting to what I felt was a rather straight forward blast at CC that I felt was undeserved. I always seek to give the benefit of the doubt on any comments and certainly I additionally hope (as we all do) that the victims of this fire have the opportunity to recover their treasured coach without a feeling of diminishment of value. Even though we did not announce it, we acquired a Prevost CC in November and truly, truly love the coach. (I guess I will pull the trusty '87 Newell behind it to the POG rallies). Thank you again.
Pres

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Was that John VanderWal? http://www.rvonline.com/single-ad.asp?Recnumber=50863

Let me start by saying how sorry I am for Mr. Vanderwahl and his family for this tragic lose, and am very happy nobody was hurt in this bus fire....

HOWEVER, does it strike anybody in this group a little bit funny, that Jon W., was the first person to NAME and know of this coach?

Jon not only knew the coach, but found the RVonline Web site where it was listed for sale. Add to that it was a C.C., and with two Slides and maybe the two stickers on my bumpers should be transfered BACK to Jons bus where they belong ?

I m just saying !!!!!!

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I was drawn to the listing, not because it was a CC as Gary alleges, but because it was a CC with a 2010 model year. I thought that unusual to say the least.

If you folks promise not to tell the CC owners who I will try to abuse from time to time I can say we have toured and driven some CC coaches and there are a couple in particular that we thought had outstanding floor plans and decor. So as a lurker on sites which offer coaches for sale I enjoy seeing the various conversions, all of which have something going for them. Except for American's with CC stickers. That shows how underloved that particular conversion is.

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Touche' Jon Touche'

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Just kidding about American. They and Angola made great coaches and if my memory is correct there was some common ownership or mangement in their past. That said you are still fair game for insults and ball breaking.

We want your pups.

[jack14r]

Back to the fire,I think that this was the last or almost last coach that Country Coach converted,it would be easy for them to shortcut wiring etc.knowing that they were going out of business and also knowing that they would not be in business to warranty the shortcuts.It is also possible that vendors had them on credit hold and they substituted an inferior or under amperage rated connector that could create a problem in time.

[garyde]

In the last three to four years I've seen posted 4 or more Prevost fires all in the engine compartment, near the chasis batteries. It seems to me it's not a convertor problem.

[jack14r]

I agree that we have seen fires near the batteries but I have not heard a exact area of concern by anyone yet,I do think that we should all be diligent in inspecting the wires and cables that go to the batteries and some extra insulation cannot hurt.I would also like to hear Leon's concerns about battery chargers,specifically the Guest charger that most of us have.