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ETLC VS PREVOST TENNESSEE
ETLC VS PREVOST TENNESSEE
What would you do for service if going to this region?
What is your reason for picking one over the other for service?
Some say the Prevost are more expensive that an alternative.
Understand learning process can cost more than expertise at a higher price per unit or hourly cost,
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11 Replies
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One very important thing for an owner to understand is where to get service and why to go to a specific provider.
Generally speaking anything chassis related, go to Prevost. Anything house related go to a service facility that specializes and knows how to work on conversions. In this case, ETLC. If the service required goes beyond routine engine or transmission maintenance (oil changes, belts, hoses, filters, etc) go to Detroit – Allison.
Depending on the service required ETLC can likely do all except major chassis work, like replacing a differential. They are equipped and capable of chassis lube, oil changes, air bags, brake chambers, etc. ETLC is rare in that it can do most work required to maintain a coach and from a practical perspective it is easier and more convenient to get all work done in a single location.
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I would give serious consideration to Bus 4 Sale which is also in Goodlettsville. They are great folks who do excellent work and will cost less than 1/2 of what Prevost charges. They are my go to folks when I am in that area.
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What Jon said…
Plus, Jeff will work with you if you are interested in learning your coach, which I personally found invaluable. Prevost, while very good folks and very professional, not so much. They allow you in the service bay area, but are techs for the most part – their heart is really not into answering a string of questions.
And…if you (or the better half) decide you need some interior work done, JeffETLC can do most anything you want or can think up. I speak from first hand experience. We have had our old carpet torn out and a new heated floor installed, the washer/dryer combo pulled & that space converted into a hanging closet with a large drawer, the dishwasher pulled & that space converted into several large drawers used as a pantry, the table changed into a bar, cabinets/magazine rack installed under the bar, magazine rack mounted next to the ez chair, and our driver & passenger seats re-foamed & recovered, and more. The guys do excellent work. We are very happy with the results.
We are based out of Mt. Juliet, a bedroom community around Nashville, and have used several of the facilities in the Nashville area before we found ETLC. No comparison with ETLC when it comes to troubleshooting, regular maintenance or coach upgrades. IMHO.
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There’s not much you’ll run into that ETLC can’t handle.
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Mike, you didn’t have a magazine rack placed next to the ter-let (as Archie Bunker would say)?
I want a 25 cent tour when we meet in Albuquerque. You can charge Helen 75 cents.
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Jeff Rowe at ETLC knows a tremendous amount of stuff about Prevost conversions because he’s been working on them for a long time; I think he’s closing in on 30 years. First at Buddy Gregg’s and then at Liberty Coach in Florida. His business exposes him to all the conversions and as a result he has gained significant expertise with many if not all the conversions.
He also knows his limitations and how far he feels he has the expertise to go into the chassis and drivetrain. He has even done chassis stuff for me that when I first met him, I wasn’t expecting. He’s done drive axle seals and replaced the Carrier compressor for the OTP/bus air.
I’ve been to two different Prevost company stores. I had a great experience at Jacksonville and would go back. My experience at the other Prevost store disappointed me; I should have taken the coach to a Detroit Diesel/Allison shop like Interstate Power in Butler WI (but I was 1,200 miles away) or a Steward-Stevenson shop (of which I drive past a few to get to Prevost).
I’ve also taken the coach to a long time Prevost seated coach operator in Wisconsin who was only 90 minutes from me. Their mechanic has been with them for 25 years. They have a pit and I think wheel lifts. Very happy with my experience.
Now that Prevost has transitioned to Volvo engines and away from Detroit Diesel powerplants, I’m concerned that some of the Prevost shops will have difficulty maintaining their expertise on the DDs.
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Fred…
Already had a mag rack next to the throne! Comes standard on a CC!!
Be happy to show you & Helen the changes when we meet up in ABQ…Karen is super happy. Johnny, Jonathan & the crew did a first rate job…
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Jeff even worked on my 8V92 fixing/replacing my Jake Brake. ETLC also performed many other tasks on my bus and did them well. I’m relatively new to all that is Prevost but I’ve listened to Jeff talking to Jon, Tom and others having their bus’s worked on. These are folks who do know a bunch about what is Prevost and they listen as well. Heck, Jon even offered me a couple petals from his Rose dispenser after Jeff er, re-petaled it!
It was quite obvious to even a casual observer that Jeff knows his stuff. I’ve also found his staff both knowledgeable and engaging. Of huge importance especially to a novice like myself.
Hmmm, after saying all that how am I going to negotiate a better deal when I take my bus up there in the next couple months? Last time I asked if I could apply some of my dues money. I can only tell you that his response was in keeping with his Marine training!
Harry
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I would just affirm what everyone has said.
Jeff and his crew know their business. They have rebuilt the front cabinetry and mounted a new TV, replaced our washer and dryer, both inverters, satellite dish and associated HD cabling, and all routine maintenance.
I’m sure the Goodlettsville Prevost does good work, at least I sure hope so since they rebuilt my front suspension, but you are just another number to them. I had an appointment for a 3 axle alignment and it was 48 hours before we were back on the road with a damaged front seat.
Jeff will answer any question you may have and not take advantage of a novice like I was or am?
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Everyone’s experience with Prevost Goodlettsville is perfect until it isn’t.
We had a 3 axle alignment that was perfect. All the service I’ve had with them has been fine, no complaints.
The only exception was with the alignment guy as he wanted to ‘off-set’ my steering wheel to adjust to the crown on the road. It was awful.
I drove with my steering wheel cocked to the left all the way to California from Tennessee. There is really no crown on the road anymore.
I had Prevost Mira Loma, CA, reset the steering wheel to perfectly straight and all is right with the world again.
Safe travels,
Mark -
Huh. The guy at Prevost-Jacksonville who did out three-axle alignment put a little left hand skew in to compensate for the crown. It’s great. Maybe you got a little too much. My guy put in only a small amount. We discussed it.
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