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The Newbie Thread
I hope it’s okay to post this here, but I was exchanging emails with a Friend who is also considering his first Prevost. While he has more experience with MH’s than I do, It seems that when we talk about Prevost models, we have more questions than answers and have become the blind leading the blind.
The folks here have been very helpful to me in my quest to learn more about Prevost Conversions as well as the lifestyle and I thought that instead of having these questions being placed in the middle of other threads, I thought it might be helpful to us newbies to have a thread where we can ask questions that you seasoned professionals might not think are important to the rest of us.
I’ll kick it off by asking a question regarding a response that’s in another, somewhat unrelated thread and that’s the difference between conversions.
As some of you may know, I’m renting an 2011 45′ XL LT along with a driver/trainer for the Summer. Based on my experience, I’ll know by the end of August which direction (if any) I’ll be headed in motor coach ownership. Bob (Robertglines1) placed a post that’s a bit confusing to me.
He stated, “…the MH in prevost factory lingo means it was delivered to a builder as a motorhome chassis. I get the feeling while you are getting a 90% chance of experiencing a true custom build. The one your getting is universal use. You will be impressed. Just remember there is yet another 10% to be had by a dedicated use build without the wasted universal use items.”
First, thanks Bob! I’m not sure what he means by about being delivered to the builder as a motorhome chassis. Yes, I’m confused on the different variations of Prevost models and I’m hoping that you folks can assist by giving us some sort of Prevost 101 and tell us the difference between the chassis and converters. I know this is a tall order, but some info would be helpful and appreciated.
I know my Friend is lurking through here now and maybe he’ll chime in with some questions for the Pros!
Thanks,
Andy -
36 Replies
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I think that say it all. First you choose the best base Prevost-The the best converter. I am rebuilding a bus converted by the entertainment industry for universal use. No where near the quality of Jon’s Liberty. Just my—opinion.The real owners should reply on their brands. My opinion Prevost is a Coach the rest or just RV,s By the way I was a former RV Dealer. Bob
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I am quite interested to see what others can contribue to the helpful topics in this initial thread. Some specific questions I have as it relates to comparing the various conversion companies are the following:
1) It appears that some converters reguarly produce 4 slide models, while others only build double. The core chassis is the same correct? Are there disadvantages to having more slides on this chassis?
2) I’m accustomed to having 600 hp in a 45′ rig; does anyone find power to be an issue on long grades?
3) Custom-built RV chassis (Newell, Foretravel, etc) seem to provide a lot of flexibility on floor plan and overall layout. Is a similar level of customization possible with the Prevost conversions?
4) I’ve done some reading on prevostcar.com comparing the H3 and XLII. Curious on those with experience between these chassis on the various pros and cons
Thanks,
Mike-
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I’ll say “Dito” to some of the those questions and looking forward to your opinions …
I’m “sold” on the base of the Motorhome (Prevost), but do see a fairly wide variance in the materials that the individual Converters use. I have not seen any four-slide Prevosts in my price range since that seems to be in models much newer.
I’ll be happy to find a quality two-slide 15-year model at my price range, but I still believe a better choice than a new plastic motorhome.
For reference, I posted a question on an open forum about “Prevost to SOB” which basically asked this large open forum to reply if someone had traded from a Prevost to an SOB, etc. There were a couple replies which stated some may have gone from a non-slide Prevost to a four slide SOB, but only two replies, other than “downsizing” because of a change in lifestyle. That tells me, for the most part, once you actually own a Prevost, you’re hooked for some good reason. I have to believe “build quality” is one of those reasons.
Even though I won’t be paying a million dollars for the Prevost I intend to purchase, the first owner paid a million dollars when they first purchased it, and those who can afford to spend a million dollar + on a coach don’t put up with sub-standard products or service.
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Mike, lets get the HP issue out of the way. We get whatever HP Prevost provides. We have no choice unless we choose to go to an aftermarket tune.
In my experience and my driving I can drive the speed I choose almost 100% of the time. I looked at my logs for the last year and of my 13,000 miles I went up hills on which I could not maintain my set speed approximately 35 miles. That works out to .2%. I spent more time going slow because of traffic or construction zones. With my toad I am about 60,000 pounds. My driving is predominently east of the Mississippi.
So far in just under 400,000 miles of Prevost driving I have never had a Newell owner, or any other owner of a motor home challenge me to a drag race. So for me I consider my HP to be adequate based on my experiences.
You can only get 4 slides on an H3, 2 max on an X3 or XLII. The core chassis are not the same. The question of slides is a debatable topic. Their advantages are they make the interior space wider. They do add weight, complexity, cost to purchase and maintain, and they do take away some storage space., Owners make the choice regarding their need.
I believe each converter has a degree of flexibility and all offer a number of floor plans. To what extent they are willing to create a total customized plan is up to the converter.
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T&C, see how much you learned already ! Geo.
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Jon will tell you that he is an OTR (Over The Road Air) aficionado. He prefers OTR and will not buy a coach without it. I’m sure that there are many others that feel that way too. You can get OTR with two slides, not sure about three slides but definitely not four slides.
Since we have never had OTR, we had no desire for it as we wanted four slide-outs. We had four slides with the previous ‘plastic’ coach and we like the extra room on the inside. A four slide coach will lose about 8 inches at each end of the slide… so, two ends per slide times four slides equals 8 edges. 8×8″= 64 inches of wall storage lost (32 inches per side of the coach). You will gain at least 3.5 ft. of width in the living room and 3.5 ft. of width in the bedroom. This is what we liked and it works for us. It will not be everyone’s desire.
If there is any loss of bay storage due to having four slides we would never know. Our bays are so large we could rent them out as there is more space than we need.
We’ve had no problem with the power of the 500 hp Volvo with 1,750 lb. ft. of torque. We will slow on long steep inclines but we always make it to the other side. This coach, even though it’s 14,000 lbs. heavier, has more power than our previous coach that weighed 40,000 lbs. and had a 425 hp Cummins and 1,200 lb. ft. of torque.
Also, this is just an observation. For what you are spending on a 10,000 mile trip with a driver, would make a mighty nice down payment on a new/used Prevost.
Good luck,
Mark
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As a practical matter, if someone wants over the road full coach air as provided by Prevost it is almost a sure thing the coach will be a 2 slide Liberty conversion.
Other converters might create a second system of their own design to supplement the drivers air (only) when Prevost OTR is not installed, or set the coach up to run multiple house AC units, usually off the inverters.
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Vantare/Featherlite has produced many Coaches with Prevost OTR air as well, with 1, 2 and 3 slides.
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Mr Mike
What kind of RV are you accustomed to driving with 600hp and 45 ft? We might be able to break it down for you better.
Mr PBG
At a rack rate of $21,5000 per week plus accessorials as MM said, I’d go buy one or at least get a Marathon or the Featherlite instead of the Entertainer bus Goss is renting because the operating systems will be more like to what you would get from a convertor.
Just a thought.Later
bv -
There is no Prevost with 3 or more slides with Prevost installed over the road air.
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Jerry, have not seen an H Vantare after ’03 with bus air. Alas, down the road, if we ever get a different bus and want to be in an H with bus air, we be looking for a Liberty. Geo.
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I have a friend with an 04 Vantare with 2 slides and OTR air. He just committed to buy a new 14 chassis which does have OTR air, and that’s why he is buying it.
But you are right Geo, not many were made after 03 or so.
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Jerry, the ’04 Vantare may well be an ’03 shell. I’d love to find an ’04 2s shell with bus air. Geo.
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In sharp contrast to Tom … Geo is openly looking for his next coach.
I suspect that Geo will continue to look for his next coach from his grave.
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I’m referring to a Newmar King Aire that has a 600 HP Cummins ISX. I see a lot of other commentary here about over the road air. I’m accustomed to running the generator most of the time while driving to have all roof A/Cs availalbe – a definite necessity driving around the desert where I live. When climate is more moderate, I can run one A/C from the inverter and avoid running the generator. Until now I had never heard the term “over the road air”. Is that really just the ability to run the roof A/Cs on the road?
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