[George]

Having purchased 3 buses through Marathon, 2 consignments, 1 trade in owned by Marathon. Reading this entire tread I don’t see a “PDI” report mentioned about the sale of this bus. Its pretty much an automatic PDI inspection the seller must agree to prior to listing through Marathon. Document is 20 plus pages about systems and overall condition of bus.

A road test also will give some hints of drivability. This maybe where a brake issue showed up.

Buyer should scrub the entire bus and ID the most serious issue that’s a deal breaker to purchase. In my experience with this process this brake issue would in all probability be taken to the truck center located down the street from the Marathon factory.

[Archived]

I have talk with Marathon and confirmed the drive axles is drum and all others are disk. A PDI is being re done and will receive it soon. The owner has been contacted to release all maintaince record that he has and from Marathon. After I receive all of the information, and review, along with the community thoughts, I will have the coach taken to Detroit shop for coach inspectors. At that time will decide if what I am paying is correct for what needs to be done. Thoughts on my procedure towards ownership.

Again thank you for your input, much needed.

George

[Archived]

The couch is just a queen and does not make into a bed. Not a deal breaker but does make a mark on the negative side. Still love the layout and can get a sleeper put in where the end table/desk is.

Thanks

George

[Bernie]

Congrats in advance, from 0593. Yet another 590’s bus in the fold here on PC Our numbers are growing slowly

[Dick]

George are you still considering 599 ?

Please call me 509-301-5492 I would really like to talk with you.

Thanks, Larry

[Archived]

Jon: Had the impression from your first post that a coach with drums on drive and discs front and tag is undesirable. I’ve got 210K on mine. Am I missing something or did I misuderstand you?

I had an appointment several years ago to look at a consignment coach at Marathon. Showed up to find the coach running because batteries were so dead it could not be started without a jump. Took it for a test drive and right front brake was dragging badly. Don’t know if they’ve changed their program but it was “as-is” down and dirty in 2006.

[Mike]

Joel,

I don’t think any of the OEM brakes from Prevost are a bad thing. All drum, disc on steer and tag with drum on drive or all disc are all OK in my mind. Ive had them all and all worked. Newer coaches have better stopping, but I think the retarders have been as big an influence as the type of brakes.

I think every version has been an improvement over the previous design, but each version had its advantages and weaknesses regarding maintenance and life.

I replaced all the drum brake friction material and springs on my all drum brake coach because the original lining on the shoes was cracking and some return springs had broken. I had to replace brake pads on the steer axle of the second coach because for some reason one pad per side had worn excessively while its opposing pad was almost new thickness. I serviced the pins and they wore evenly after that for over 100,000 miles. I now have all disc with the Knorr-Bremse brake chambers and they have not had any issues other than the damage to my wallet when replacing them compared to the common type brake chambers used on previous versions.

Although the permanently sealed hubs on the steer and tag are nice, the drives are still using conventional hub seals and like previous coaches have leaked. In fact I have replaced hub seals on all three of my coaches at one time or another.

I have no prejudices against any of the braking systems Prevost has installed, but I do recognize they all still need service and attention.