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New vs Old
Wondering Guys as I read the problems with computer driven goodies on the newer coaches including roll out awnings, electric cord reels and shades if all the fancy equipment on your buses is a better way to go. My old 1991 XL built by Cole Coaches (Wyoming) doesn’t have any of the fancy stuff but seems to keep a clicking. Most of my problems can be fix right here with this dumb azz and doesn’t require a laptop. I know some like Peter, Jon and a few others do their own work on the coaches but was just a wondering. An old drag racer here and never liked to run nothing I didn’t build. Your 2 cents.
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19 Replies
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With one exception I wouldn’t have Crestron, PLCs or anything else except basic electro-mechanical stuff on my coach such as switches, relays, circuit breakers, etc. The exception would be for controlling the various audio visual equipment which wouldn’t need it if we didn’t have so many options for sources including satellite and over the air antenna, DVDs, cable TV, and similatr options for audio. Maybe not even for that if there were a simple switch panel conveniently located to control the source.
Having said that however my 97 coach had only PLCs and no Crestron or video display or touch pad control. It was bullet proof or nearly so. My sole electrical repair in 8 1/2 years was to replace two of the A-B relays, which in each case took less than 5 minutes to isolate the bad one and slip in a new one.
In fairness my current coach with Crestron controls and PLCs has so far been equally reliable. When something pukes however on the control system (other than a power supply I replaced myself) I likely have to enlist the aid of people who know and can service the systems. There is a reality we all have to face. Little boxes with a lot of electrons stuffed inside are here to stay. Starting with 2007 shells multiplex is the electrical system on the chassis and a little later multiplex systems found their way into the house part of the conversion.
I was afraid of the multiplex systems, but in training at Prevost a few years ago I found the complexity is all crammed into the various modules, all of which are interchangeable, and the multiplex system is both reliable and easy to work on if you learn the basic principles. Electrical diagrams, combined with the message center aid in isolating problems. The systems are much simpler, with less wiring, fewer relays and circuit breakers most of which is handled within the various modules.
I really liked my 97 coach, but except for a few things that drive me nuts the more sophisticated systems are pretty reliable. Their shortcomings all tend to be related to the fact they take away your freedom to make simple changes, because a lot of the changes we might consider require programming.
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I faithfully read all the postings in the forum, but I seldom reply preferring to listen and learn. But in this case I will reply because I feel I have something to contribute.
I have owned 6 Prevost coaches in my Motorhome career. I have enjoyed and loved them all. From my 1st coach, a 1987 Liberty with “classis” electronics and conveniences to my 5th coach, an H345 2S with all the bells and whistles, I have enjoyed them all.
After a medical problem (Stroke), I sold my Prevost believing I would never be able to use it again. But after much prayer by friends, wise medical advise by my doctors, and most importantly, loving care by my wife of 55 years, I recovered and decided to purchase another coach. We wisely chose to go with our present coach, a 1990 “Classic” XL40 with no slides and few bells and whistles (and little annual deprecation).
Each time time I read on this forum of someone having a problem with slides no going out or coming in, or electronics needing to be reprogrammed, or cord reels that do not function, etc, etc, I am so very thankful for the simplicity of my current coach.
I am am thankful of all the frills I enjoyed as a young man, and to the best of my knowledge, I always “kept up with the Jonses”. And if I was once again young I would do it all over again. But at some stage in life we revert back to the simple things, and I am happy that is where I find myself. So on the question of this thread, which is better, old or new, I can truthfully say BOTH! Depending on your circumstances and station in life.
Thanks for hearing an old man out.
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Very accurate and wise post Hugh. Amen.
Bill S.
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Thanks Hugh for the post. Very insightful…
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I have to chime in here… no doubt there are conmplications with todays modern “bells & whistles” but when I think for a minute about a failed powercord reel or such …. it is still better to me than having to lug a heavy power cord everytime I hook up or unhook…. to have to fix the falied cord… It is still way less work than messing with that heavy sucker. Just my opinion.
Since we changed to the ipads with the Crestron system I haven’t looked back… I love it now !! So much better than the heavy old clunkers we had before… well worth the money for the upgrade.
Wouldn’t want a manual transmission car with roll up windows and no a/c either.
To each his own.
Cheers, Diane
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What do you mean by
“Since we changed to the ipads with the Crestron system I haven’t looked back… I love it now !! So much better than the heavy old clunkers we had before… well worth the money for the upgrade. “
Is that an upgrade that can be done to exiting Crestron units or did that come with your new coach?
Thanks
Chuck
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Chuck,
Contact Jeff, he can answer your Crestron question.
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I am sorry. I am new to this thing. I am catching up quickly, but I am still drinking from a firehose. -:) Who is Jeff?
Thanks
Chuck
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Jeff Rowe, East Tennessee Luxury Coach
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1) Fuel capacity 298 gallons old, maybe 208 new.
2) Sheet metal rivets old, glue new.
3) Stainless steel waste tank old, aluminum new.
4) Charge air cooler sandwiched with radiator old, side by side new.
5) No exhaust treatment old, catalytic converter diesel particulate filter diesel exhaust fluid new.
6) Solid front axle old, independent front suspension (bushings) new.
7) Depreciation old, depreciation new.
8) No slides old, slides new.Manufacturers need to evolve their product to stimulate sales and in so doing sometimes take a step backwards.
Our chassis has a service life according to Prevost of two million miles. So at 142,000 miles, my view of ours is that we have 1,858,000 miles to go before we need a newer one. But I also realize that the Detroit will need a rebuild in about 858,000 miles.
Again this is just my two cents and my preference, the new and newer ones are nice too.
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If it’s a series 60 12.7 L it will need to be done at 750,000 unless you want to work on it every two weeks don’t Kidd your self the shell will go for ever but not the Trans or motor !!!!!!
Edit if it’s a series 60 14 L the number 6 cylinder will crap out before 350,000 miles if it’s still has all things the way it left Prevost with the EGR all in place
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Chuck…
When we purchased our bus 3 years ago it came with the Crestron system installed however the remotes were huge and really heavy and often slow to react…we had two huge heavy remotes and one smaller one for the outside TV and stuff.
Jeff was doing Crestron upgrades switching the old remotes over to ipads of your choice… which we did and it is so different… we even have several features that we didn’t have on the old ones. Its so much clearer and more responsive than the old ones not to mention easy to hold.
We chose 3 ipad minis as they are so easy to handle.
Your remotes may not be as big as the ones we had… they were huge and very heavy.
Cheers, Diane
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Yes Peter, it is a series 60 12.7.
So the rebuild will be needed:
750,000 miles – 142,000 miles = 608,000 miles divided by 10,000 miles per year equals about 60 years out, or about 2076. Far out! -
Well your good buddy , then don’t worry about it all good enjoy the bus
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To cut to the chase……….
If I could have Prevost installed slides in an older (solid axle XL) coach that is what I would own today. Manual awnings, no Crestron, simple easy repairs, cheap parts, and bullet proof rivet construction.
I would also have lots of polished stainless and a single color on the upper body, no stripes, no graphics, no fades, just a high quality clear coated finish.
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