-
What should I do?
Need some advice here. My coach has 3 cruise air units. Two of them are not working properly. The front one is losing freon. It was giving me the low AC fault last week so I had a technician add freon but it did it again a couple days ago. Now it’s doing the same thing. The rear AC compressor won’t come on at all. Neither of the technicians that have worked on it so far could get very far with it.
I read a thread on here talking about how cruise airs just didn’t do well driving in hot temps. Well we do a lot of that.
I do not have OTR. We use our coach much like a singing group would, on the road tons. with two units out, what are my best options? Could I add OTR? How much would that cost?
Can I buy new cruise air units to replace the ones I have?
-
12 Replies
-
I don’t have the address or phone number at my fingertips so I am hoping someone can help you.
It appears you have two choices (three actually). The first is to get the units repaired by someone that knows what they are doing, or preferably locate and have installed new condensing units. At one time the Cruiseair folks would sell refurbished or new condensing units. If I were in your position that is what I would do. They do not work as well as roof air units while going down heat soaked highways, but fixing what you have is likely to be the least expensive and easiest solution.
As an alternative you can abandon those units and install 3 or 4 roof top RV type AC units. The problem with that is the installation costs can get very expensive unless you opt for someone doing it the cheapest way possible. Your floor plan and how Liberty did your ceiling plus what you have on your roof will influence how easy or difficult that option is.
Neither option is perfect. If you can get enough air flow through the condensing units of a Cruiseair they will work fine for highway use. My 87 didn’t work when I needed it most, but my 97 worked very well so they can be installed and made to work well. We have some members who have installed modified blowers or improved the cooling capacity of the condenser so it can be done. The roof air option is going to be better if you do not have OTR, but you have to understand there is going to be some serious effort to run wires, to insure the roof penetrations are going to be where needed, and if the ceiling is typical Liberty I would urge some serious study before you go cutting holes in the roof. A Liberty ceiling is not going to be easy to contend with doing an after the fact roof air installation.
At the very least make certain the driver’s air works. No matter what other AC option you choose neither will keep you cool when you are up front, especially driving into the sun.
The third option is to give thought to getting a coach with OTR. If you are really spending time putting miles on a coach there is no substitute. Non OTR coaches are great for RV parks and limited driving compared to parking time. But if you are out there on the highways spending little time in campgrounds nothing beats OTR. That might start another debate on the topic, but you cannot beat 80,000 to 100,000 BTUs of heat or cooling.
Your coach would be difficult to retrofit so other than buying a different coach there is no practical way to get OTR.
-
Since I am dispensing bad news, Dometic bought the Cruiseair folks and the units that have been used in coaches for decades have been discontinued. They may still have some support and inventory. Can anyone post their contact information?
-
It’s AAP in Milford, DE.
Travis,
You really have a tiger by the tail with this donated bus. We can offer all kinds of solutions, but with all that you have going on, you’re going to spend a ton of money. I think you’re only scratching the surface with needed repairs and it likely will get worse. I know we’ve talked on the phone several times and it may be in your best interest to go in a different direction unless you’re able to handle all the expense.
You’re doing great work for needy folks and I hate that you’re experiencing all these problems, but a bus of that vintage can eat you alive with expense, especially with unknown maintenance that is now surfacing.
Sorry if I sound pessimistic, just concerned you’re heading down a costly road while trying to do really good things.
-
This has been said previously, but it needs to be restated from time to time.
Regardless of how old or cheap a used Prevost is, the cost to properly maintain one is no less than what it costs to maintain a new one costing seven figures. They all need tires, batteries, routine maintenance, repairs to systems and components, etc. The price paid for the inexpensive older coach is what it costs to make or keep it working reliably. The absolute worst bargain is a poorly maintained older coach.
-
What Jon said. Bought my 1991 that hadn’t been run in probably 10 years out of a climate controlled bus barn a few years back. 50,000 miles on coach, 120 hours on gen set. Have put about $35,000 with the usuall goodies Tires, batteries, inverters, water pumps, new appliances, fixtures,new motion sat system, flatscreens, and on and on. About $15,000 has been with Prevost service shops on Air System, shocks, seals, windshield wiper system and service idems. I aint complaining, still have an awesome coach that looks new. After having class A motorhomes these ride and handle so much better and to me worth the cost to run. Trying to talk my lovely in trading up but I know I would get pasted!
PS.
Got 65,000 miles on it now with about 250 hrs. on gen set. Drivetrain has been trouble free. Talked my wife into driving a little coming home from beach (Surfside Tx.) a couple weeks ago and she liked it. Oh Lord what have I done!
Have the 3 cruise airs up front and have a fella that’s a master on um and keep mine in check. He says there easy to work on if they are installed right for service. So far haven’t needed any parts.
-
The guys gave you good advice. So if you decide to continue. Nick Badame in Cape May NJ is sharp on the cruise air systems in buses. I used Mini-Split in my conversion; which are sort of a knock off cruise air. You might ckeck them out on e-bay for referance. I used two 9000 and one 12000 btu inverter type units. They have preformed well at over 100F and down to 10F on heating mode. They do both. Fix cruise-air would be 1st choice. Bob
-
thanks for all of the input. I do believe this coach was well maintained before I got it. These are just normal things for one of this age. It has brand new batteries, newer TV’s and the interior is in great shape. There was an appraisal done on it the week before I took possession and the appraiser was impressed.
I guess the tough thing for us is the scarcity of repair people who know about the busses. Or at least the fact that they all seem to be a world away.
-
The reality is Cruiseairs are easily serviced by any competent AC technician. What the local AC technician is reluctant to get into however are repairs that go beyond leak detection, pulling a vacuum and recharging.
But good advice and assistance is a phone call away. Even better, if you are near a converter that has used Cruiseairs such as Liberty or Marathon it is probable they can help you as efficiently as anyone out there.
-
I can’t seem to pull up the AAP website from my ipad. I guess you have to have flash which ipad doesn’t have. Can anyone recommend a repair facility for this job near Oklahoma City? Or on the route from Oklahoma City to Alabama? Thanks.
-
we had excellent & timely service at Dog River Marina in Mobile, Al. They do a lot work on Marine type Cuise Air systems,plus you can “stay” at Marina a great location to see the local sights.
-
-
AAP will help you with service facilites across the country.
Log in to reply.