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One owner’s effort to convert a bus to an RV
I’ve been doing a lot of internet reading about bus type RV’s. Trying now to see if a mid to late 1990’s Prevost might be feasible for us. At this point it’s still a little scary, sort of like contemplating sky diving.
I found this site that makes me appreciate all that Prevost contributes to making a good RV.
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6 Replies
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There is no more economical way, or faster way to have a bus conversion than to buy one. Having said that if you don’t care about conveniences, well done plumbing and wiring, high quality robust components or your time, then buy an old seated coach that has been ridden hard and put away wet and start the journey towards owning a bus conversion already in the hole and behind the 8 ball.
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I somehow got on a Facebook group for “converting buses to motorhomes” (or something like that). As these guys post their questions, challenges, accomplishments, and progress reports I really have to shake my head. I can’t believe what these guys are going through. Even tossing their time in at NO VALUE, I would have think that they should be able to buy a somewhat roached out, neglected real Prevost conversion from the late 80’s or early 90’s for a low price, rehab it, be money ahead, and have a much better motorhome than their homebrew. All the systems were usually solid from day one, the components were often the best money could buy at the time. I just can’t see a guy trying to think through and develop the system and solve the many, many problems that the converters have done for them (and often have done very well) in an older conversion.
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20-25 years ago & lots of time on your hands maybe it was a good idea if & only if you have the skillsets to handle it all. Back then these units held better value as the market was not as flooded. In todays bus conversion world it is definitely a buyers market. You can get into a 90’s or even early 2000’s model unit for less than half what the current owners have invested. If you have the money or can get a loan to get you into a unit you can spend the time & money you were going to invest & already enjoy the conversion. We took a seated Silver Eagle & stripped it to the frame. Got help along the way with different phases of the project & after nearly 10 years still weren’t finished completely & just wanted more. We were able to use it along the way but in a limited amount. Now we are stepping into a 95 Prevost H3-45 with all the “more” that we wanted now & have become rejuvenated. Don’t get me wrong we love our Eagle. It has a spectacular ride but I don’t have time or desire to finish it out. However if you do have lots of time & lots of ability jump on in. If not I know where a 1983 Silver Eagle that just needs finishing out. Hope this little tid bit is helpful & good luck.
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I agree with Jon and Dick, its like building a hot rod, whatever time frame or money amount you think it’s going to take, you should quadruple it and you might be close.
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What is unsaid by anyone building their own conversion is the systems, systems logic, quality, and ease of use isn’t ging to come close to a professional conversion. It literally will be the same as comparing a meal cooked in a kid’s easy bake oven from a meal at Ruth’s Chris. Both will be edible but the difference will be in the details.
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I think people are missing one important aspect of why people wnt to do their own conversion.
Kind of like back in 2002 after watching some of the chopper builder shows, I decided I’d build.my own from ground up. Bought a frame and then stared from their. Putting the components I wanted, how I wanted and designed my own wire harness to bring everything together. I did it cause I figured if some of those on the TV shows could do it, I know I could. Hell, I never had a harley, only sport bikes, motocross and GP race bikes.
Took me 9 months of builidng it in my spare time, but the thing was solid, fun and everything work perfect. The pride of doing it all my self is what I did it for.
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