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Latest Newbies
Hello to everyone. My wife, Elaine and I are planning to transition from full time live aboard boat cruising to full timing on a 95-99 no slide Prevost. Aboard the boat for 2 1/2 years we traveled to South America and back via the Eastern Caribbean southeast bound and Central America northbound. But now plan to sell the boat and see the US and Canada for a couple some more years living on a Prevost we’ve yet to purchase.
I’ve spent countless hours making the Prevost RV decision, hopefully a 40 ft coach, but not limited to that. Preference for roof air, genset on drivers side and an included washer/dryer or stacked pair. Like to have a regular oven, but this seems like an very unusual item.
This website, and in particular Jon’s articles have been invaluable in the research. I keep rereading them in the hopes that they sink in. We sort of understand “house” systems. They are similar in many ways to the the boat. But the “chassis” is a whole new ballgame, and we are hands on where it makes sense and we are able to do so.
Please be patient if I post some silly questions as we move down the path. Happy holidays to everyone.
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14 Replies
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We looked at both and realized that the 45′ was the right choice for us. It rides better and is very maneuverable. That 5′ gives you much more room inside (in our case, double vanities and a private toilet room). We do not have slides, and do just fine without. We wanted a good floor plan that would work while we were underway. Good luck in your quest, and welcome to the family!
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Thanks for the feedback. Definitely haven’t eliminated the longer XL 45.The main reason we figured to target the 40 was an assumption that it might be easier to fit in some parks. We’ve driven around looking at a number of them around St. Petersburg, which will be a home base for us, and didn’t see but a couple tag axle coaches. Only saw one park with spots clearly large enough for a 45, and still have room to park a car. But we didn’t speak to the offices or make any measurements yet.
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Bob, we’ve had both 40′ and 45′ and my experience is that
anywhere you can put a 40′ you can put a 45′. Geo.
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George is absolutely correct about the length.
We have found that the places where a 45 foot coach cannot be accommodated are usually the ones we don’t find acceptable such as lack of 50 amp service or unimproved sites and roads. The turn radius might be a slight factor on early 45 foot coaches, but even with that larger radius that we had on our 97 45 foot coach we never had a campground we wanted to go to restrictive.
The reason for lack of tag axles that you see is because the greatest number of coaches are not at the high end of the price range such as some brands other than Prevost, such as Newell, Foretravel, Bluebird, Monaco Signature, etc .
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Bob, I would check out a ’98 Parliament XLV at Parliament in Clearwater. This is a nice updated bus with a very nice floorplan. Geo.
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Bob,
Contact Jeff at ETLC, he knows of a 40′ cherry Liberty if you’re interested.
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Jon and Geo,
Thanks!
Seems to me like 50A/240V service is essential to an all electric coach like the Prevost. We have 50A service on the boat, and that’s needed or we would have to practice some serious load management. Still have to do that on 50A if the ships batteries aren’t fully charged. For the pull in day, we just back off the chargers. 30A 120V just won’t ever work if A/C is needed.
The concept if a 40 fits, so will a 45, seems pretty accurate. 5 more feet is not a big number. We need to do more legwork for St Pete. Being close when not traveling important because we have rental property we can manage completely when not traveling. If anyone has a specific suggestion in this geographical area, we would appreciate it.
We looked at the 98 XLV at Parliament, and liked it. Seems the ask is a little higher than others for the vintage, but we aren’t yet prepared to negotiate. We have to sell our boat/home first. Then it will get interesting since we will be living out of our Lincoln Town Car and motels until we we find the right coach. Prepared to travel if necessary.
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On Jeff and the 40 Liberty…we saw that post. And in addition, been meaning to call him on zero timing a purchase. And this lead. But holding off until we see the daylight on selling our boat. This could take some time, we don’t know. Had some good prospects look her over a couple days ago. Just have to see.
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Bob,
What kind of Boat did You do have for sale ?
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Bob,
You are My Hero , 2.5 Yrs living and Traveling on Your Boat must have been Awesome ! Nothing like the peace and Solitude of the Water ! Tranquility at its Best during ideal circumstances. I hope one day to do the Eastern Loop of the Usa one day ?
Good Luck with Your Prevost Pursuit -
Not as much solitude as you might think. The Bahamas and the US offer a greater number of protected and less frequented places than the rest of the Caribbean. South of that area (Panama the exception) the “good” anchorages are fewer in number and well shared, sort of like I imagine a RV park to be. Diverse and and a good time as well. Just like an RV, you get to choose how long you stay somewhere. At least until you run out of Rum!!
Thanks! And happy Holidays.
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And remember that always drinking RUM before noon makes you a Pirate, not an alcoholic.
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Great tip Fred !
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Pretty much what has been said above. A 45′ is going to ride better and will fit anywhere a 40′ can with VERY few exceptions yet has a significant space advatage inside.
I would go for a stacked w/d pair if you are living in it, pull out diswasher, and as to the oven…convection microwave is pretty standard and you would be surprised what you can cook in one. I am no expert chef but I have yet to find anything within reason that couldn’t be cooked in a GE Advantium (sp) that could otherwise be made in a typical compact RV oven.
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