[Jim]

Welcome Andy and thanks for sharing your video with Prevost Community.

For those unaware Andy and I communicated a while back when he was beginning to get into his adventure. It is great to see things coming together. Take the time to see the entire video. And Andy, keep posting links to them here on this site because they are very informative and well done.

To answer your question regarding new or used, the answer is dependent on a lot of things. First obviously is your budget. As a first coach I am not sure designing your coach, or even selecting layouts or features would be the best choice because a coach is so much more than selecting fabrics and colors. A used coach well within your budget enables you to get some hands on experience that allows you to learn what you like and need based on how you use the coach. Then if you have the desire you can step up to a new one with a clear understanding of what works best for you.

I am sure our members can help by offering their view on this.

[Tim]

Thanks Jon!

During the past year since we last communicated, I’ve been continuning my research and while I still have a lot to learn, I’m getting closer to making the plunge. I can’t say that a Prevost is first and foremost on my list, but it is still on my radar.

While I don’t want to go off topic, nor do I want to be considered a troll, I have a few questions:

1) Is there a way that I can insert my YouTube videos directly in a post her on PC so that they appear on this site so you don’t have to click to leave the site to view it? Personally, I’m not trying to drum up page views as doing this is a hobby and not what anyone would consider a business and I’d rather make viewing them more convenient for the PC Members. I’ll add that all of my videos are non-sponsored content and there’s no hidden advertisers or “pay for play.” The banner ads on the the videos and the ones that apper on GadgetGuru.com are Google ads and they don’t pay for a tank of diesel. I don’t want to be one of those guys who is using a site such as this one to boost my page views, but I ask as I have some other videos you may find of interest. I’ll add that when making the original post, when performing an “edit” I did find the YouTube button, but I couldn’t make it work properly. Yeah, I’m sure I’m simply overlooking a step.

2) I’ve started the process of learning to drive a coach and found a reputable pre-owned dealer in Texas (Motorhomes of Texas) and a high-end manufacturer (Newell) in OK that have put together multiple-day programs for me that have proven to be a solid method of taking a newbie (like me) and making me feel much more confident behind the wheel and has provided a positive method of understanding the differences between vaious coaches. In turn, this is making me much more comfortable moving towards the purchase phase. My videos are not Prevost focused, nor are they fanboy-themed, but are simply new, wannabe owner related and I have a reputation for my Editorials. (If anyone here flies consumer drones or rides a Victory motorcyle, they may be familair with my online work.)

As a sidebar, attempting to find reputable companies to offer training to someone who does not already own a coach was not easy. In every case I would start the conversion with the words, “I’m not looking for freebies and I’m happy to pay for training that will teach me good habits to safely operate a coach.” I’m hoping that seasoned users will appreciate that someone is trying to make enough noise in this regard, so that when you see a new coach on the road, you’ll have the satisfaction they just didn’t buy it and get two hours of training from a salesperson and hit the highway. Yeah, I’m big on safety and training. As you saw in the Liberty video, I addressed the topic of training with Dave (great guy!) and his response is typical of most dealers and manufactures…it’s just not what they are setup to do. And, in this introductory video, I attempt to make this point: http://www.gadgetguru.com/want-learn-drive-rv-motorhome-now-visit-la-mesa-rv/ In fact, I was quite disappointed with that visit.

When inquiring and calling many dealers and manufacturers and even the RVIA, I heard the sound of dial tones and doors slamming. Part of my Editorials were with the hope that the industry may realize there are others like me that would like to buy a coach, but are hesitant as they would like to feel comfortable handling it and understanding what’s involved in daily maintenance tasks and possibly, if I make enough noise, it will start the process of coming up with solid methods of making new buyers feel comfortable prior to purchase and not depend on the salesperson providing a few hours or a few days of training during delivery. After my multi-day training session at Motorhomes of Texas, I produced an interview with the Manager who setup this program and it became evident that my sessions were a pilot program for his dealership and since it went well, they will be exploring how to turn this into something they offer. I’ll add that it was profitable for them and it went a long way to build a bond between a potential buyer and a dealership. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhGo8qHXgRg

I’m asking this as while my “Learning To Drive” series may not necessarily brand related (there is some conversation about the model being driving during that session) it’s my hope that as this series is completed, it will be of help to others who are considering getting into the coach world to understand some of the basics that seasoned owners take for granted and addresses questions that newbies may not feel comfortable asking others on sites such as this one. I’m sure that seasonsed owners may find my questions basic, but lurkers who may be considering a Prevost or any brand, may find it helpful.

3) During my search, I’ve produced a few videos that are non-Prevost model specific and I’m wondering if the Members here may find it interesting content and if so, where’s the best place to post this type of information? For example, I have a video I’ll be releasing later this week that’s an interview with the Product Manager of Foretravel and provides a complete overview and walk-through of the 2017 IH-45. I have another one that should be completed within the next two weeks on a 2017 Newell model. I fully understand this site is Prevost-specific, so I’ll ask: Is this content the Members here would find helpful? Are you interested in learning what other manufacturers are doing with its high-end coaches? Again, I don’t ever want to be considered a troll and am simply wondering if this type of content is welcomed on this site and if so, where should it be posted as not to deflect the main focus of PC.

4) I also produce Editorials and with my 30 year background as a Journalist focusing on the Consumer Electronics industry, I have opinions about various coach technologies. As an example, I have released a video giving my opinon about coach surround sound and wondered why more new coach manufacturers have not gone to soundbars as they seem to make more sense for multiple seating positions. Is this content you would like to see here? http://www.gadgetguru.com/motorhome-surround-sound/

Sorry for the long post, but I have a lot of respect for the integrity of this site and I’m wondering if my content a welcomed element for this site. If you say No, that’s okay too! If you would like to see the type of content I posted to launch my new motorhome section (many more stories and videos are on the way), you can check it out here: http://www.gadgetguru.com/motorhome-reviews/ and that links to the motorhome section.

Again, thanks for the content provided by the Members on this site. Even to lurkers, it’s a wonderful introduction to the world of Prevost ownership.

[Larry & Diane]

Escapees, RV club has a “Boot Camp” that includes driving and operation.However I think yo need to bring your own coach.

Jim Brown

[John]

Yes, there are a few places that provide training to existing coach owners. There’s even a few services that will dispatch an instructor to a new buyer when they realize they have purchased a coach and are way over their head. Honestly, it took a lot of time and patience to find locations that would provide training to non-coach owners.

In my opinion, the way things are done these days, it’s the equivalent to handing someone the keys to a motorcycle who has never ridden.

Other than the inherent benefits to existing coach owners of knowing that new owners have received training before sharing the road with you, it seems this is an effective way to make more people comfortable in buying their first coach. While new coach sales are up now, effective training programs could be a way of getting more buyers in for the pre-owned market.

[Andy]

Those coach driving trainers would probably be great candidates to advertise on the PC.

Have you considered contacting a seated coach company to see if they offer “bus driver training”? I’m sure the larger seated coach companies have the infrastructure in place to train new drivers and the little tiny ones would probably enjoy having the revenue on down days.

Prior to buying our 45′ Prevost I’d driven the large U-Haul box trucks a few times (twice into and around Manhattan), 10 years with the Suburban and 24′ race trailer, and one race trip in a rented 40′ Prevost with the 24′ trailer. (I should also disclose that I have a commercial pilots license, but have been inactive for close to 30 years.) The check out in the rented Prevost lasted 15 or 20 minutes at night in a largely residential area. We took the rented Prevost and 24′ trailer from home north of Milwaukee through downtown Chicago to a track in lower Michigan.

It looks like many of the Prevost owners have had previous RV experience that started with small RVs and continued with sucessively larger RVs until they reached the 40′ or 45′ machines or had experience on farms driving large farm machinery or had experience with large trucks.

If you’re really apprehensive about starting out cold turkey with your new to you Prevost, my strong recommendation is to go through a formal bus driving school. Even going to school driving school should be helpful.

You should also have an attentive, aware co-pilot/spotter and some kind of radio communications between the driver and co-pilot/spotter (we use the Motorola racing radios). The co-pilot/spotter should be level headed and not prone to losing control of their emotions in high stress situations.

A big part of driving a 40′ or 45′ Prevost is understanding the geometry of the coach (and as appropriate the toad and/or trailer). That is really key to manuvering in tight places as well as backing up.

[Andy]

Thanks! Any links to reputible bus driving training companies are appreciated!

[Archived]

I will defer to Tom on setting up facebook links. I know it can be done, but I think we may have to get our web guru involved.

As to driving, let me stir the pot vigorously on this issue because I am strongly in favor of anyone driving a coach such as a Prevost being required to hold at least a Class B or its non-commerical equivalent. If a trailer is being towed then I believe the driver should possess a C lass A.

The reason I feel strongly is because we as owners should take the responsibility of driving a 25 ton vehicle seriously and that should start with a good pre-trip inspection. You may have seem our posts and noticed that in the seminars we teach how to do a DOT standard pre-trip brake check. I feel strongly because I am amazed at the number of owners that not only don’t start with a pre-trip inspection, they often don’t even check their tires.

I can go on and on, but I’ve made my point.

The key to the actual driving is developing the understanding of the limitations. The size obviously is the first limitation, and what I mean is you have to develop the skill through experience in dealing with the size. You have to know if you can even make the turn, or of you can make the turn, when to actually start cutting the wheel so you don’t run over the curb or side swipe a telephone pole.

You need to know when the bus won’t fit. Some clues are obvious such as posted height and weight limits, but you need to develop the means, through experience, to know you are not going to fit between two posts or parked cars, or to know the intersecting streets are just too narrow for you to make a turn.

You need to respect your braking limits, which means your safe sapcing between the bus and the car ahead is much greater than it needs to be in a car. Your stopping distances are so great you need to know what they are based on your speed.

In my opinion the good drivers are those who understand the coach before they take to the road (the chassis, not necessarily the house) and who respect the size and how driving habits need to adjust for that size.

Where that training can come from is anyone’s guess. If you get training for a Class A semi driving I think you learn how to respect the vehicle, its size and limitations, and that can be applied directly towards a Prevost or any similar sized high end motor home.

While what coach you buy is a personal decision, I think you will find if you survey owners that Prevost owners typically previously had high end motor homes, and made the step up to a Prevost, and have no intention of going back. You will find it is very rare for high end motor home owners to have come from a previously owned Prevost. The differences between a conventional motor home and a Prevost conversion are significant and they relate to the intended service, with a Prevost designed and built for millions of miles of commercial service.

[Kurt]

Jon,

You’re preaching to the choir when it comes to having required training. This is the song I’ve been singing to various manufacturers and even the RVIA. This is also the type of training I’m seeking before taking the responsibility of a vehicle this size. Personally, I’m finding it irresponsible that the manufactures simply hands the keys to whoever has the right sized checkbook and, while we’ve never met, I have a reputation for invoking change in various industries.

If you’ve seen my videos on my website or YouTube channel, you’ll see that proper and professional training is an important factor to me. My introdutory video from La Mesa RV and another one with Mel at Motorhomes of Texas should document the importance I’m placing on training.

The bottom line: We’re on the same page.

[Archived]

Andy, welcome…

If
you look at the video’s I put on our site, not as professional as
yours of course, it was done with the YouTube imbedded code. Give it
a try, it works well. Here’s the Topic link in case you haven’t seen
it:

Video’s of Interest

We also have a Facebook page: PC Facebook

[Archived]

Thanks Tom!

I saw that section and wasn’t sure if you allowed others to place videos on that page or if it was reserved for Admin use only. I’ll post future videos on that page using the YouTube embed code.

[Archived]

Andy,

Tom and I are obviously not professionals, but we are trying to provide value for all Prevost conversion owners. If you are willing we would welcome additions to our list of videos especially those with content exclusive to the Prevost coach, but anything that is of general interest, such as Al’s monthly blowout video is also very valuable.

There are so many topics I get a headache thinking about them. Look at the posts to see all the discussions that would benefit from a video.