[Dean]

Tom and Beth, I went from non-slide 40 foot Prevost to 3 slide 41 foot motorhome and now back to non-slide 45 foot bus (not Prevost, see below). For us, the non-slide choice is based on how we live in the bus. We got out of the plastic motorhome because we missed having a real bus and the quality and security that comes with that, but we specifically chose the non-slide bus. Without slides the interior just works better for carrying a lot of people, which we do pretty regularly, and it makes it easy while on long trips to just pull into a rest area or truckstop and crash for the night and then continue on in the morning. On our 3 slide, we really needed to put out two slides to be able to comfortably spend a night. We have plenty of room for four to live comfortably in our non-slide bus. However, since I’m still a decade from retirement, our trips tend to be shorter than others who have more time to linger. The lack of slides matters less on shorter stays. As I get closer to retirement and we have fewer ski trips or paintball outings with 10 teenagers in tow, I’m pretty sure we will be looking for a two slide bus. Hope this is helpful.

[Dean]

I sent out 2 very expensive giftsm addressed to ” Prevost Guru’s” and they came back!!!

Thank you both for the great site.

[Dean]

best of luck with that coach Peter, it is a very nice coach. Hope you enjoy many happy miles

[Dean]

Dean

I found it online, nice coach but alot in that price range.

I’ll call my friend who sells Newmar tomorrow and see what it’s worth to them.

Just FYI, My buddys 2012 Essex wholesaled at 350k he paid 600k. It’s cruel.

Later

bv

[Dean]

HOO boy, now Im thinking that the pneumatic system would have been a good subject for the upcoming seminars. Maybe I could sneak in a few questions there

[Dean]

Thanks to all for their suggestions and support, I appreciate it. The problem with dealing with these guys is that they have to be able to make good money on the coach when they sell it and so they have to be able to buy it from me so far behind wholesale that frankly I just can’t afford to sell it for that kind of money. The only book value that I have to go by on my coach is looking at NADA which shows low retail at just over $253,000 without adding for any options. I don’t ever add for optional things I only look at the book value without adding for those things. So the question is with the book value at low retail being $253,000 what do I need to price the coach at to see it move? If that number is 200,000 dollars then I’m in trouble. If that number is between 225,000 and 235,000 then I’d probably let it go.

[Dean]

Just made a five day trip from California to Tennessee (by car). It is amazing how many Volvo trucks you see on the road.

I’m not sure what engines are in other trucks (Peterbilt, Maverick, Mac, etc.). I assume that Freightliners have a Cummins engine. But, there is no question when you see that cross member in the front grill, it’s a Volvo. Looks like Fed Ex made a major committment in leasing or purchasing Volvo trucks as that is just about all I saw pulling Fed Ex trailers.

MM.

[Dean]

So I see posts about the NAPA discount, Michelin discounts and fuel discounts but I cannot find info on these programs anywhere. Does it require a secret handshake or something?

[Dean]

I periodically check the tires manually, but after having the Pressure Pro on 3 different Coaches, I haven’t seen any issue with the pressures. I check pressures often just by pushing buttons. Pre trip, during the trip and at the end of the trip. For less than the price of a new tire, you can have a Pressure Pro system.

[Dean]

Here is a warning for those using a manual tire pressure gauge. I bought a Milton unit from a Snap-On truck while at a tour bus garage for service about 7 years ago. Went in to check pressures. First tire OK. Second tire not so OK. I went back to the first tire and now it was not so OK either. This manual gauge had two different psi markings on faces 180 degrees apart. The other two faces were in the Euro style pressure measurement. Well it turned out the psi gradiations were off by 10-15 psi one side from the other. Of course the truck was gone so I borrowed the shop’s master tire pressure gauge and ofund out which side of my shiny new gauge was reading the correct pressure. The side that was not reading the correct pressure was marked out with a wide permenant black marker. So a word to the wise, check your manual gauge too. I’m guessing the gauge was made in China, what isn’t now adays.

[Dean]

Great tip Jeff, never thought of that…

[Dean]

Luis usually works on our bus and we know each other quite well (too well) but he’s not the guy to completely rebuild the system. I can’t believe I can’t find the info on that guy who was doing the work at the Miri Loma facility but I remain hopeful that someone here knows who I am talking about.

Making a random call to AAP leaves me cold as I have had long dicussions with Prevost and Detroit who all said “go here and we will get it fixed” but the end results were always negative and I was always poorer!

[Dean]

I believe Diane told me she suffers frrom CRAFT.

I will let her explain the name of the affliction.

[Dean]

I have primary gauge and secondary gauge and auxiliary gauge it was moving secondary gauge

Took it for drive did not do it today , prime and secondary will hold air for months aux gauge sat for month and held air ,it’s a tight system ,might have been sticking valve ,but new governor might have helped !!!

[Dean]

Country coach took the switch out and soldered a new one in. I tried the disconnect switch several times and it did not reset. The connectors behind the headlight switches were all connected well. I’m not sure where I would check a relay or any other connection. Is there a way to know which fuse controls this function on the control board in the first bay? Eric