[Archived]

Hi
Bob, I’m not sure what you are talking about. I may have missed the post you
are referring to but I have a “low” end Prevost that’s the same year as
yours and I’ve gotten great advise on this board. I’ve had many responses from
guys with the most expensive coach’s here and no one has talked down to me…
even though I’ve had to learn about my bus from the ground up. I hope you don’t
stop posting. Even the most knowledgeable bus owners here can learn a thing or
two, that’s the beauty of PC.

Fred

[Davy]

Bob,

Every bus forum, including the others you participate in has a wide and diverse membership, PC included. Each has members who possess substantial talent, mechanical acuity, and the ability to do their own work, including diagnosing and repairing defects. At the other end of the spectrum are members who enjoy the lifestyle, but who have no desire or ability to deal with the mechanical aspects of the coaches. Fortunately everyone brings something to the table and we all benefit from our differences in skills and knowledge.

When newcomers join our forum I get a sense that many of them are overwhelmed by the coach. What may be easy for you or I or others to understand is inititally alien to those folks who are reaching out to all of us for advice. Until we get to know the newer owners and their willingness to learn or work on their coach all we can do is use broad brush strokes in answering questions, ranging from offering some explainations that may guide the owner in doing his own repairs, to suggesting where the coach can be taken for repairs. As we know which newcomer is mechanically inclined and which newcomer chooses to have others do the work our answers are going to cover the gamut.

To add to the complexity of this when I answer questions I am constantly reminding myself that a vast majority of our members will never post, but they are on the forum, reading and being guided by what we post. So it is important except when answering very specific questions that we try to recognize our answers often need to encompass all the options.

Trust me, if we owners can help another by offering advice that will save money we should do that. But we also have to recognize that what you perceive as steering an owner to the most expensive solution to a problem may in fact be an economical solution in the end. The quickest way for an owner with a level low system problem to get his bank account vacuumed out may be to take it to a charter bus company that has Prevost mechanics, but no knowledge of level low which is specific to conversion shells. The owner is providing on the job training. But taking it direct to Prevost will get the service performed by experts who understand the system and who can zero right in on the issue. Or a mechanically inclined owner can research the system here and do their own work.

[Archived]

Helps; When you own a new coach it is hard to realize what the differance is in owning a 17yr old coach with differant technology and in most cases a converter not in busuness any longer.(Liberty being a exception) Most systems on these older coaches are still repairable. I know this Board was to bridge the gap between BCM and PP . It has been sucessful. The guys with older coaches still need BCM for basic problems because there is a vast knowledge of basic systems there and some pretty sharp prevost guys also. I do both and will help anyone I can free no matter year of their coach. I believe in pay if foward! Bob

[Bob]

Like Fred, I don’t quite get it either Bob. I have a 97 and do
everything I can myself, but there are times when the experts or
original converter are needed, especially when dealing with a
proprietary item such as the Watchdog.

I could have given him advise on what steps to take, I had a 94
Liberty, but when dealing with a severe electrical problem that FRIED
an AC terminal strip, the last thing I would do is suggest he take it
to some place that probably can’t even spell Prevost.

His Liberty is new to him and who knows what modifications or
previous work has been done, we don’t know the coach or it’s history.
We also don’t know the owners capabilities for self work, so it
seems the prudent thing to do is refer him to someone that knows the
systems, Prevost or in this case, Liberty.

As for the money issue you mentioned, no one here is judged on how
much money they spend or can’t spend. This site was developed with
all owners in mind, the guy with an 1985 or 2013, the common bond is
Prevost ownership or interest.

[Archived]

Hey Bob,

I am a member in good standing of this outfit, and I don’t even own a Prevost, I drive an Eagle. It is my opinion that this site is adult in nature, friendly and often has exhibited good advice to people in need. If the members do not know it, they know the people who do, what more could you ask for?

If you come on here with a problem, they at least try to help you with it. There is nothing written in stone that it is going to be the “cheapest solution” to your problem. I don’t understand what the problem might be here, but that is how I see it. I don’t know what year your coach might be, but mine is 29 years old. If my inverter goes bad, and they do not make that brand any more, then I just change over to some other brand and keep right on trucking. My bus is loaded with truck parts, you do what you have to do.

Some folks have the ability to tackle a job and have no qualms about rolling up their sleeves and diving in and getting the job done. Others prefer to write a check for the work and leave the guessing and other technical chores and solutions to the experts, pretty simple really.

As with all things in life, you have a choice. You seem to have made yours.

Having attended one rally with these members or at least some of them, I have found them to be personable, interesting and often amusing. My wife and I were treated well and made to feel welcome. They have provided me access to some of their programs (NAPA just to list one) and a few members have steered me to good parts and/or solutions. I can also testify that not one, has asked me the balance on my checking account.

Membership here, in my opinion, is a mark on the plus side of the scale.

BCO

[Davy]

Suggested letting a close buy board member having a look at it. was shot down by another Take it to Liberty! My were not the only post deleted. I need to leave for awhile. I don’t want to disturb the harmony. Bob

[Jim]

For what it is worth, I’m a new owner and am very glad to have found this forum.

I like to be hands on and have some experience maintaining planes and boats but there are many systems such as the Prevost OTR, level-low or the Marathon electrical system that are quite new to me. I really appreciate the help I get here but in the end it is my decision on whether to take it to a shop or tackle it myself.

[Archived]

Hi Bob,

Sorry to hear your frustration, but I can understand, I think. Manufactures like Liberty design certain components, like the generator watchdog, which they consider “proprietary” they wil not give us owners any schematics or diagrams, therefore, we need to go back to them for service.

I know this is frustrating, I own a new Liberty and I still do the maintenance myself, crazy but I like to know my coach. In the past I owned a Royale Prevost conversion and they sent all the wireing diagrams with each coach, made life easy when you had a problem. Liberty in it’s defense has two great service resources in Bill Doherty Chicago ( phone 847-764-9414) and Troy in Florida, I think they have memorized every coach Liberty has built.

PC also has great people and resources they will go out of thier way to help with a problem, regardless of the value of your coach. From your initial post they did give you accurate advice, Prevost system or Liberty system… part of the diagnostic process. Give these guys a fair shake, I’ve learned a lot from them! Let me close with this thought….. they ALL break regardless of $$$$$ OR $$$$.

good luck

[Bob]

I know I am speaking for Tom when I say this. It was previously suggested some posts were deleted. The only way any posts were deleted is by the writer of the post. There are only two others who can delete posts and they are Tom and I and we did not.

Censorship is a hot button with a lot of folks including Tom and I. Unless a post is personal, mean spirited, political, religious or involves a hot button topic not appropriate here like gun control or abortion the post will stand as long as it is factual and the writer can back it up or the writer is stating an opinion and makes it clear it is an opinion.

This site is open to all who own or have an interest in the Prevost conversion and because that covers so many different coaches and a diversity of owners we expect differences of opinion and we respect them.

[Don]

Jon: I deleted a message I posted in reply to one of his. While I was composing mine, he deleted the post I was attempting to reply to. After I sent my reply, I found out his was deleted. Since mine was directed at his post and he had removed it, I removed mine as nobody would have been able to figure out what I was talking about.

Hope this clears that up…

[Archived]

No problem boy’s, everything is good….