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H3 Question
Ok, I know the differences between the XLV and the XLVII, but is there a difference in years in the H3?
Is there any difference between say a 98 H3 and an 02 or 03 H3?
Brett
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21 Replies
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Brett, yes…the major change came during the ’99 shell production year. Look for the X in the VIN#. Dash is a visual clue, but the VIN is certain. Changes are numerous. Geo.
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03 body changed to single windshield driver and passenger. Late 03 added 18000 steer axle and sealed hubs. 04 went to L14 (515 H.P) engine and different setup for the radiator and COC. I am not sure when prevost add the EGR 04 or 06.
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Ok, is there anything specific to watch out for or worry about on a 98, 99, 00, 01, 02 vintage. I know about the windshield and lights and that type of stuff. I was wondering more mechanical if there was something to shy away from.
Thanks
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Brett, the “X” denotes an XLII chassis (used on H first) nuanced drive and handling traits plus disc brakes on drives. Geo.
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Corey, I don’t mean to sound stupid becasue I only know what I know. But I don’t guess I have seen an H3 that was listed as an XH3….Is that what you are saying? Also are you saying the years I asked about would be less driving desireable?
Sorry, just trying to understand..talk to me like I know nothing..lol
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Brett, it just means that the first XLII chassis was on some H’s, 1/2 yr or so before the XLII came out. Geo.
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To answer the question about model years I can make this general statement, which is only my opinion.
The newer the chassis the more likely it will have more desirable features. But having said that few of us, me included are going to miss something a particular chassis year might not have. The H3 has ben around since the early 90’s so with each year the chassis has been more perfected, likely has more desirable features, but with the exception of some versions with emissions devices I don’t think there are any that wouldn’t be a great chassis for a motor home.
If you are looking at slides however I have a strong bias in favor of only Prevost installed slides, although I know I will catch flak for saying that.
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Thanks Jon. It appears that if I ever will be able to afford one it is gonna be in the 98-01 range. I really don’t want slides and desire the storage space, although that is a bit of contention with my wife as we live full time in our coach.
With that I started wondering what the difference was in the years, chassis wise and if there was anything in the above mentioned years to be leary of or concerned about.
We really like the wood of the Royale, but that doesn’t seem to have been made on the H3 chassis, at least I have not seen one. We really like the fore/aft bed due to the fact we are big people and there just doesn’t seem to be much room at the foot of the bed to get around with crawling over in a cross wise bed. That somewhat seems to be a Liberty as it appears most others predominantly made a cross coach bed.
I don’t know if we will ever be able to come up wiht the money to bail us out on our Eagle so we can get a bs or not, but it is fun to dream.
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Brett…
Our first Prevost was a double slide 1998 H3-45… we pretty much replaced everything that needed attention and upgraded the tires and wheels to 365’s … that woud be one of my biggest desires as the H is very front heavy. After we did that the coach rode much smoother it seemed of course we had new shocks brakes airbags etc etc all adding to a better ride… I wouldn’t be afraid of any year Prevost with records.
We love the H… we upgraded to a 2005 H a few years ago and just love it too… super coaches… just check the service records and you should be good to go… ask lots of questons here too..
When you board the right bus you will know that it’s the one… it will feel good !! Remember that you can change interior things on down the road after you have a better idea of what you really want inside.
Where in Texas are you ?
Cheers, Diane
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Brett,
It seems your primary concern is getting the right money out of your American Eagle. Not sure if you bought that bus new or not, but if it’s in good condition, I would think it’s currently in the same price range of an 2000-2001 Non-slide H, maybe even a little more.
Rather than a trade thru a dealer, have you tried to sell your Eagle on a site similiar to this one, but for American-Fleetwood RVs?
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Tim, note to self, the Eagle is not a bus.:)
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We full time. We are curretly in NC, but will be returning to Lake Conroe mid December for a month.
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Correct, we are not a “bus”……smh
Yes we have thought about an outright sale, but we full time. So we are afraid if it sold we would be homeless and force s to either get an apt or something until we found a new ride, or ump into soemthing because we needed a home. It would be cool if we found a “bus” and sold our “non bus” at the same time but the odds of me wining the lottery are better.
No, our isue is that we are upside down and on a fixed income. It takes all we can put down to make this coach right, so we have nothing left for a new one. We don’t have an issue with payment, we have issue getting there..lol
We are kind of foolish to even be thinking about it really as I have done so much to this coach, it is nearly flawless with huge records.
but I like to dream and for me a Prevost based bus is the happy ending to rving.
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Don’t give up Brett, there are lots of folks on the site that have gone there before you being upside down in a fiberglass coach, but somehow it will all work out. I would think your Eagle would be desirable for people wanting to move up.
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Thanks Tom. If someone were looking to move up this would be a prefect coach. I have made so many upgrades and changes itis almost sickening to think about leaving it….lol
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