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Country Coach Support
Hi Folks me again looking for advice,looking at a Country Coach which is really nice I think but I am a little concerned about the parts repair and service etc any advice for me in that regard. Thanks in advance Dicky
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16 Replies
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Dicky,
There are some good sources here to help with any issue and may be someone close to you with a lot of CC knowledge. I’m still a beginner myself but a couple of our members purchased new and have over 250, 000 happy miles. What model are you looking at ? I’m sure the newer the more complicated, but CC’s are relatively simple and the Prevost side is the same for everyone. People worry about the Electronic Control Cabinet if you looking at that vintage but once you have the basics down it is fairly simple and Country Coach is doing repairs if needed. I am very pleased with my 02 and wouldn’t hesitate to purchase a CC again.
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Thanks Goerge looking at a 2000 XLV it looks great by the pics but you know how that goes,I like the simplicity of the coach in comparison but it sure is a lot easier to own something if the tec support parts etc are readily available so from what I have researched that shouldn’t be a problem.Thanks again.
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Dicky, hopefully Michael and Buddy will weigh in here. The both purchased new and have coaches near in age the coach you are considering along with all the knowledge that comes with long term experience.I would suggest you call CC direct and see what information they can provide.They have always been helpful on the occasions I have called. Have the coach or vin # when you call and they can give you specifics. I have always found excellent service when needed by a knowledgeable tech here in Texas. Good luck on the search.
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This applies to any conversion, but might be especially important for coaches whose converters no longer are available or who may not want to support their conversions once they reach a certain age.
Your personal degree of mechanical ability comes into play in selecting a coach. We all know there are a lot of things that can break or fail to work on our coaches. Most of the problems are chassis issues and regardless of conversion there is an abindance of support from Prevost and Prevost certified repair stations.
But with some conversions there is little or no support and the owners of those conversions have to rely on one another or on the one or two “experts” who have come to provide advice, ways to source parts, and alternates to original parts or systems. An owner with a willingness to learn and some skills is going to have no problems in maintaining or fixing most problems especially with forums such as this that have people who can offer guidance.
But if as an owner you choose to not handle your own repairs or want others to do a diagnosis of problems by taking the coach to a service provider give serious consideration to the converter. Some conversions have service providers at a number of locations around the country. Some have none. That requires a purchaser to be very honest with himself about what he might be getting into despite how pretty the coach looks and how well it is performing now.
Owners like Buddy and George and others who have a CC not only have a good understanding of their coach, I’ll bet they are experts at networking with other owners and service providers to keep their coach in great working condition.
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With the CC glass dash, you may be able to find some parts, the difficulty will be finding someone that an actually knows how to work on the system. You will likely have to find someone that can help diagnose the system over the phone and sort out where the problem is, there are many components that all have to work together.
I had a 2000 and it was enough years ago that I could get phone support, CC was out of business, narrow down the reason the screen went blank and then get the replacement board sent to me. I also lost the voice commands (bitch in the box) and that was also a board that had gone bad.
If you buy a CC with the glass dash and the ECC in the first bay, just go into the deal knowing you may have to search far and wide for parts and service. There is always the Silverleaf as a replacement, but that add’s about 10K to your expenses.
Another item to add to your inspection is the CC version of road air. The compressor’s are prone to fail and with the placement of the A/C condensor down under the bus in front of the drive tires, it’s subject to road debris damage. Most have them working well, just be aware of the problem area’s during your inspection.
CC made a great bus with lots of nice freatures, but like all the conversions, there are areas that need inspection specific to year and converter.
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Thanks again folks for the replies very good advice, I have good news and bad news I am mechanically enclined and have spent lots of time repairing equipment that’s the good news the bad news is the coach is sold so continue on my search so anyone with a 95 to 2000 coach that may want to sell give me a call 204-782-4466
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As Tom said beware of the CC Glass Dash.
It is running on a PC behind the drivers seat and the software is Windows 3.1 (1998 Vintage).
There are some parts available from a couple of people and the cards and the mother board down in the first bay (the ECC cabinet) can be repaired, just a big hassel.
I have really enjoyed my coach and think CC made a very good coach.
The electronics is just a big draw back.
I don’t know if I could say that I would not have bought it had I known what I know now.
It’s been a good one and so far I have had minor problems with the computer cards but I have replaced the Glass Dash with a SilverLeaf (Ten grand worth of happy).
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The coach I was looking at is sold so They made my mind up for me but besides the electronics the coach was nice .Will keep on looking!
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If you can find an XL, you’ll do right. We have a 98 CC. It’s a great bus. Granted we do not have the digital dash. I prefer the “steam gauge”. The bus did have minor things that needed attention & 2 majors.
if you find another CC, look at the front end suspension. Basically the XL front suspension is only good for so long. If not maintained, the suspension will not hold up. We had our front end swapped out by prevost Jax right after we got it. What a difference it made.
We also replaced the inverters on our bus. We had the original Heart inverters and they went south. We put magnums on.
As for support. CC gave the owners the schematics of the bus. Having the schematics and a trusted mechanic makes all the difference. Combined with the very helpfull support of another cc owner and this awesome forum, ownership of this old land yacht is doable.
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The SIlverleaf replacement is now down to $6,000, so bit better. Country Coach under one of the original owners have a small repair operation in Junction City; I saw a Prevost conversion in the shop when we were up there this summer. Our original CC “OTR” compressor lasted 19 years, the second only two years, but I believe it was due to inadequate evacuation of the system. Have had no trouble with the AC compressor last three years. Our AC condenser is mounted on the side, so can’t speak the the condenser issue on Prevost conversions.
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We’re putting our 94 CC XLV up for sale this week. I’ll have the pics and details up in the coaches for sale in the next couple of days. We’ve had some parents health issues that are going to curtail use the bus for the next few years, so decided to let someone else get the enjoyment out of it.
I hope to be like Tom and own several over time. (-:
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Thanks for the advice folks no purchase yet still looking
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Most all of us who have bought preowned coaches have been in your situation Dicky. What seems to be the perfect coach gets bought before you get the chance to jump. But I think most would agree that there will be another coach out there that comes along. And once you get it you’ll love it more than the one you missed out on. Happened to me and I ended up with a coach I like a lot more. Just don’t let the bus bug get the best of you and settle for a coach. There are some cream puffs that come on the market every few months.
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Good advice Billy…you find the best busses when you stop looking. LOL. Geo.
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Dan and Judy, so sorry to hear your news. Becky and I hope to see those next few buses.
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