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Guidelines for inspecting a Prevost
Is there any basic guidelines for newbies to use.?
There is a ton of excellent bits and pieces, but has anyone compiled it into a collective work that a newbie,such as my self could download and study before looking at a coach.
I know most men are better versed in mechanical things,,but women do sometime have to take an active part. Or they are alone wanting a good coach.
Linda
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6 Replies
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There are articles and numerous posts about inspecting a coach.
But the condensed version says all that needs to be said.
If it is anything other than an XLII, have the codes read by a Detroit / Allison dealer to get a sense of the history, if there are any active codes, and to provide an indication of the condition of two of the expensive components.
Study the maintenance logs or service receipts. If none are available consider any claims the coach was well maintained as questionable or just plain BS. Match the records against the required maintenance schedule from Prevost, the generator manufacturer, etc. If no records and you choose to buy the coach plan on spending all that is required to bring all required maintenance up to date, including parts replacement like air bags, valves, brake chambers, etc.
Finally as a combination of inspection / training YOU (not anyone else) go over the coach methodically and operate every device, switch, knob, etc. to learn what it does, and if it functions as required.
If the coach is an XLII ask for proof the coach has had a recent skin delamination inspection that showed no issues, or have it tested or that it has had the skin rivet repair process done.
Or you can be a risk taker and trust someone to do the inspection for you, in which case you spend money, and lose the opportunity to learn your new coach yourself.
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Hire GIL JOHNSON OR HIS EQUAL AND MEET AT THE COACH AND WATCH HIM.whatever he charges. Unless it is a brand new coach.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Lady L,
I will tell you what I did back in 2012 when we purchased our 2007 Marathon. I found our “perfect” coach at a broker in PHX. After speaking with several members here I made an offer based on a PDI at both Prevost and Marathon. Seller didn’t agree with that but did agree to have the inspection done by a local company Taylor Tours in the area. There head Service guy was a former Marathon Tech. They spent well over two days and checked everything inside the bus and out. It was taken to a Detroit and allison shop for comprehensive engine and transmission test. They got lab results on fluids as well as a dyno of the engine. All shops communicated and sent reports directly to me. Everything that was found was corrected at the expense of the seller. Then after all the work was done, I had two days of training with the Head Service guy (former Marathon) worker and spent a couple of days/nights in the bus before we took delivery. We felt comfortable that we were getting what we paid for and 8 years later and over 100,000 miles we have been very pleased with our purchase. In my opinion, if you don’t know what your looking for, it pays to hire someone who does. Good luck with the search!
Final peace of advice… when you find a Bus your interested in…. reach out here for someone with your converter. In my case that was Boater Al and he and Jon and Tom were super helpful in making a sound decision on our purchase and have been there to help along the way!
Bill
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Another big thing, Is where it’s been it’s whole life! AZ is a good place to buy in a dry climate, no rust or rot. If you do a car fax you can see the history and where it has lived. Ours came from AZ. Car fax showed it was sold in Florida and shortly it went to Tenn then to AZ, A lot of coaches are stored in barns or garages a big plus. You can fix a lot of problems but rust and rot is not easy to repair. Take the time look underneath and on the roof also.
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I will say it here, and anyone can read into what I am saying whatever they want.
Some “expert” inspectors are buttering their bread on both sides. The do inspections for dealers and brokers, and re-inspect the coach for a buyer, not revealing a business relationship with the dealer.
A second comment is regarding the conversion. Each conversion is different and I would be useless inspecting anything but a Liberty because my ownership history is with Liberty. These coaches are too complex to expect someone who does not have years of work experience or ownership experience on the conversion being inspected to do a good job.
I said enough.
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Bill, Thank you very much for your kind words.
Tom and Jon have helped 100’s of Prevost owner over the years along with promoting the Prevost life style.
AL
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