[Bob]

Kevin,

It is probable you can find an aftermarket supplier of bras, but I think this is one instance where quality and fit will have to be more important than price. Not saying you can’t get one less expensive than Marathon will charge, but be careful.

I have a bra provided with the coach by Liberty. What I consider important is that it is a multi-layer bra that has an outer vinyl surface, an inner layer of some type of foam to absorb any impact from stones, and an inner vinyl layer that is smooth. It’s construction provides cushioning against damage. But equally important is the fit because the materials used have a degree of stretch so when the bra is snapped in place it requires me to pull slightly to get it over the snaps. Because of that need to draw it tight when I install it, it is not going to flex or flap while going down the road. If it is loose the dust that does get behind it will abrade the finish of the coach.

The bra has to be removed and cleaned after driving the coach because despite its tightness the dusty crud that comes from the road does manage to work its way beneath the bra. Failure to clean behind the bra results in damage to the paint and polished stainless which I found on our last coach. Also rain and moisture gets behind the bra and that needs to be dried or the paint will get damaged. What you trade with a good fitting bra is more work, but less stone damage. A loose fitting bra is guaranteed to do more harm than good so in your search make sure the fit is perfect.

When our bra was made part of the paint scheme detail was added to the bra so it is not a plain black appearance, but has some color to it. I won’t say it is as nice looking as the paint and design on the front of the coach, but it has a nicer appearance than a plain single color bra. I am sure that was an expensive little feature.

[Bob]

I have shared this in past. Been awhile… I bought a salvage shell.. 45XLE was converted by a major converted to entertainment industry. Name with held! When I was tearing out inside the elct was so bad.. lets just say it all came out… cheap cheap cheap material and workmanship…same with cabinet work… Lamp cord used for circuits—really???? Enough…off my box now. I would be very critical when lookig at any factory built units. On BCM there was mention of the final conviction–SAM WALKER on fraud charges of such a person.. Guys with the BIG Names feel good .

[Bob]

There are allot of us homebuilders out here.. We support our home built systems which are mostly shared or the same as the factory systems. If you look who built any component it wasn’t custom built bt Vision-Liberty-Marathon or brand X but Bose or some electronic or custom hydraulic manafacturer.. So as a do it your self builder we look at who built that component and go there for answers… Also Prevost has a web site that is going to cover everything that was the basic shell provided to the converter by unit number.. So your just dealing with their mods.. Most of the electronic stuff is going to be hard to get (converter used) in some cases after all of the business failures in the recession and technology changes… That age coach is my preferance because of pre egr engine… Lots of pluses if price is rite!!! Tires is big expense.. wouldn’t buy (without big alllowance) if they were over 5 yrs old—date code on side. My more than 2 cents…Don’t be fooled by mileage–low mileage don’t mean it has been taken care of.. Shinny don’t mean anything on back of a wrecker… Bob

[Bob]

I can bring him some of ours from North Carolina and we can do some comparative testing.

[Bob]

If I’m not too late:

Cruisair use and maintenance

Awning use and maintenance

Updates and upgrades (driver seats, couches, dash, electronics)

Lazy Days has a good driving course that would be nice to revisit, particularly parking and such. I took it when we bought a plastic coach there years ago and would appreciate a refresher

[Bob]

Expain this shuttle cock deal boy’s, I don’t get it! Maybe terminology.

[Bob]

Bob and Debi,

Why only a week owning the ’06?

Mark

[Bob]

Debi again, typing for Bob. As Jon mentioned, Bob has had several conversions so he does know what he is talking about, well most of the time 🙂

From Bob:

We have had 3 Millennium’s: ’03 XLII single slide, ’05 XLII double slide, ’06 H3-45 double slide(only owned for 1 week though)

I really like the Millennium coaches. They are very user friendly and their finish work is top-notch. The electronics are simple but sophisticated and if I did have a problem or a question, one phone call to the factory and they walked me through the process of fixing any issues. The only negative I have experienced is sometimes with previously owned coaches, the owners did not keep their coaches climate controlled when not in use and in hot climates the interior would overheat. When that happens the finish on the cabinets can turn milky. That is not Millennium’s fault, that is the owner’s mistake. Would love to own another one some day if I could find one in my price range.

Bob

[Bob]

Peter,

Sorry I missed your called. Tried you back but the phone just kept ringing. Try me on my cell over the weekend at 713.907.1364.

Loc

[Bob]

Gordon,

I’m glad you two came out of it alright and I want to address something that I wish they would of included in the video. You said the initial violent reaction when the tire blew was much more than expected. I hope I don’t bore you people with my story but maybe it will help someone. 4 of us took an X-3 out for a test drive the other day and 2 guys did this.

In the early seventies when I learned how to drive a truck we did not have power steering. You actually had to learn angles and pay attention to your surroundings because the wheel was so hard to turn it would wear you out. Also what you were taught is how to hold your hands on the steering wheel. Be it 10 and 2 oclock or 9 and 1 oclock, whatever. Now a days with power steering you can turn the wheel with one hand, drive with 2 fingers and something vital to controlling your vehicle is forgotten. I was taught to drive by a 300lb farmer who carried a 3 foot stick and if at anytime you grabbed the steering wheel with your thumbs locked around the wheel he would hit your hands with the stick to teach you that if you blew a tire the center spoke of the steering wheel would break your thumbs and you were history. As Gordon said, his knuckles were jammed even with power steering. I am not saying hold your thumbs straight in the air but keep them at an angle that if you had a sudden movement of the steering wheel the wheel spoke would not hook your thumbs. If your a 2 finger driver or a guy holding the center spoke when driving, your not giving yourself a chance and if your one of these drivers hanging your arms through the steering wheel, stop it.

We have come a long way in 40 years, this is something I was taught many moons ago and was vital to you handling a blowout. With todays power steering and the suspension available it is much easier today.

I didn’t mean to ramble but Gordons story brought it out of me.

2 guys driving the X-3 grabbed the center spoke of the steering wheel going 65 on the freeway and I slapped both of them and told them this story.

Later

bv

[Bob]

DKO,

On your vintage coach the top glass is installed just like the windshields. Pull out the rubber strip in the middle of the gasket and the top glass can be pushed out and a new one easily replaced. Go to the service manual section and you will see how Prevost describes the process.

I suspect replacement side glass is readily available from Prevost, and if you do not wish to tackle the job yourself and competent glass installer can do it for you.

[Bob]

I don’t think your picture loaded of the new seat Peter.

[Bob]

I also had constant problems with the 16″ Goodyears. Every trip involved a blowout. I kept the tires at just under maximum cold air pressure. My Featherheavy stacker is stored inside and used once or twice per year. I bought all new tires and popped two on the way home. I was ready to sell the stacker in frustration. Then Mark Brown with Brown Motorsports (trailer manufacture in Phoenix) suggested that I could change the rims to 17.5″ and install higher rated low profile tires. I bit the bullet and did this. Problem solved!!! No more blowouts since I did this. Highly recommend this change.

[Bob]

This site is starting to circle the drain, pun intended.

[Bob]

Cmon Peter ,stop holding back. Let us know how you really feel about DEF . LMAO !!!!!!!