[Mark]

I take it I have two equalizers. I found one in the house battery bay compartment, for the house batterys? The second is in the engine bay above the engine batterys, for the engine batterys? My entertainment center isn’t done yet. My uncle whom is building it was camping all summer. He is after it now so it will be finished shortly. I’ll post before and after pics in the update posts. Rick

[Mark]

Got a chance to install my repaired inverter today. I bought new cooling fans to replace the old ones. Made more sense to me to replace them while they were right in front of me. As it turned out much to my surprise both of them were not working at all! I have one more to replace down under near the house batterys. That one was making a funny noise so I know that one needs to be replaced.Lesson learned, check your cooling fans from time to time.I feel lucky all I had was a burnt wire in the inverter. Rick

[Mark]

Fly, good video on the Teschner. Paint job was a eye catching! I do like the ‘single’ level of the XL chassis.

I have found two used coaches that look really good, a 2012 Liberty 3 slide ‘Elegant Lady’ #765 A (great looking interior, has a center bath) althought it doesn’t have the couch-type booth dinette and the other is a 2010 Marathon H3 #1187 four slide with a very tasteful interior except for the weird bedspread (has center bath).

Lots to think about.

Mark

[Mark]

I had a small Webasto’s installed that I use to preheat the engine below about 40 degrees and also use it to heat water in my water heater. It uses very little fuel and is great when boon docking. My main Webasto’s heats the coach with 4 zones ( water bay, living room, kitchen bath and bedroom). The small Webasto’s I use to preheat the engine and hot water can be programmed to come on at a specific time so you have hot water when you get up and the engine is ready to go if it is cold outside. Takes about 30 minutes to get the engine from 30 degrees to slightly over 100.

[Mark]

Been sticking an additive in mine (when I think about it) since I got it 3 years ago. Was told (Stewart Stevenson) this low sulfur fuel and new injector pumps don’t get along! Ain’t hurt it yet.

[Mark]

Bubba, for a period of my business life I bought bankrupt businesses or their assets. I never like the guys who were selling because to a man the business was always great, the machinery was always perfect and well maintained, and if there was anything wrong it was always an easy problem to deal with.

I learned when shaking hands with these folks to count my fingers and check for my wallet.

But I also made a lot of money rebuilding the businesses these guys ruined.

The same applies to coaches. The only difference is sometimes folks get caught up in the prospect of owning a Prevost, especially if the colors or decor strike their fancy.

Buying one is a business deal, plain and simple. No cash changes hands until you have proven to yourself the coach is trouble free. No cash changes hands until you have had Detroit and Allison put the computer on the coach and tell you it has no codes and the stored data indicates all is well. No cash changes hands until you get an opportunity to check its maintenance history, and if possible have the logs or receipts.

Then when you have agreed on a price, and you can get clear title cash changes hands.

Every seller I have run into so far will tell you the coach is well maintained. Every one will tell you everything works. It is up to you to satisfiy yourself those are facts. Usually they are not. If you have never owned a Prevost conversion before you do not know what you do not know. I am not insulting you, but stating that you need to do your homework, have a plan, and if the owner cannot explain how things work and then show you they work, you need plan B which is someone familiar with the converter and who is impartial to help you. The good news is if you are not buying it from Parliament who does know Vogue coaches better than anyone and can prove things work, they would be able to provide you with someone that can help you go over the coach.

[Mark]

Getting old,

Only one way to get there, making choices with risk and reward. When we travel I use the old chart book that was the way we traveled years ago.

The evening before or the morning our chart is on the galley table. Making my choice on which way to go, mileage limit for the day, traffic through congested areas, weather, preferred over night stops. All of this will be the plan for the travel day.

My co-pilot will then use the fancy new latest and greatest tracking our route with suggestions. I do like the part in the electronic trip information where it shows construction areas. That information long before being in that area does influence route changes.

On our second to last trip while traveling 65 mph I was passed by an 18 wheeler. Seeing the driver with a hand held something and both hands on it meant he was driving hands free or using his knees. Just one question ….What if.

[Mark]

Thanks everyone for the info. The “thin” website had me a litle woried but I hear them mentioned a lot. I really like the idea of semi-custom. I am 6’4″ and like firm cushions as well. That was what attracted me – the idea that I could specify seat depth and back height. I will give a full report after I get back.

[Mark]

Bob, first of all let us say that it was a pleasure meeting you at Shelbyville. Trust us, the only glitz at Branson was the stainless. Jon, Di, Tom and Nancy did a wonderful job organizing the event and still had the right amount of down time to socialize and get to know people. The amount of time Bill, Robert and Jim from Prevost spent with us was incredible, plus their going to our individual coaches to offer their expertise was priceless. Can’t wait to see where people want to go next year. How about Austin ? Hey Jon……did Di find the hay on the hummer ?

[Mark]

You might want to check out Tennessee.

No state income tax. Tag renewals around $50/yr with no inspections/smog for big rigs. No special driver’s license requirements for private RVs. Should you own actual real estate, the taxes are very low.

Health care around the Nashville area is outstanding. The health care industry in Nashville is massive. Fort Cambell is about an hour and a half away.

Prevost Nashville has a good reputation.

But I’m not biased!

[Mark]

All of my Liberty coaches over a 23 year period had pneumatic belt tensioners. Every single one of them had belts go slack over time. With rare exception I never aired up the coach prior to starting. I never threw a belt.

My concern is where everyone is focusing. How many of you that took pains to air up your aux system such that the belts were tightened when you started the coach are as dedicated to doing a pre-trip brake test? Or a tire pressure check? A light check? I cannot offer any advice on belt tensioning on non-Prevost installed belts such as some converters who add their own AC compressors or alternators, but Prevost does’t suggest airing up the aux air system prior to start.

[Mark]

Richard,

For what it’s worth, I always verified that I had adequate aux air pressure prior to starting the bus.

Even with a spare set of belts, I didn’t want to risk starting the engine without the belts properly tensioned.

Perhaps unnecessary, but I saw no downside to playing it safe.

And, I never had a belt problem in 6 years of ownership.

[Mark]

Been there!! 3 yr old goodyear—– pressure pro good air. right front—- 74mph—– 89prevost —– I 75 north Macon Ga— center lane. Lets just say like driving down highway. Be cool turn your turn signals on and drive to side. Don’t panic! Don’t cram on Brakes! I was impressed! The bus didn’t pull on the steering wheel that I noticed. I was running on the rim!!! Sidewall failure. Prevost must have done something rite when they designed the front end. I have been driving heavy equipment all my life for a living /Cranes etc. I considered it a non event. Other than mad at Goodyear about tire..No more Goodyears for Me!! There was a black rubber streak on door of Toad–wd40 took it off. My prayers for those in Tn— for those reading this if it happens to you remain calm! Bob

[Mark]

This picture shows what happen to one of my stick on wheel weights on the tag axle. Panel located behind the tag tire in the wheel well.

Feeling pretty good installing Centramatics Wheel Balancers on both tag wheels.

The weight strip is lodged in sprayed on sound proofing behind the tag wheel.

[Mark]

Jdub sent me a picture of their first all CNG tractor put into service a few weeks ago.