[Matt]

From experience I can say getting advice on a forum is risky business.

My first concern is who is giving the advice. I don’t think anyone intends to give bad advice, but often I find two problems. The first is a lot of people think what may apply to their coach applies to all others. Not true. Conversions are different, the chassis are different, and even within a model year two coaches can be different, such as one with a solid axle, and one with an independent front suspension. The same holds true for a pair of coaches from the same converter. One may use one brand of inverters and a second may use a different brand.

My second problem is some who respond don’t fully understand the question or issue and just give a wrong answer.

Another problem is the person asking for advice seems to hold back vital information. As an example we had one owner dealing with a bus that wouldn’t start. It took an act of congress to get him to finally admit his battery balance light had been on for days, yet he kept driving until the 12V side of the chassis batteries was dead which effectively prevented DDEC from working.

And then there are people shopping for advice. They withhold information that makes them look bad (like the guy driving with the battery balance light on) and what they are looking for are pieces of advice that are simple, cheap, or easy to deal with. Not necessarily correct.

My point is simple. When asking for advice be open and honest and make sure you post the specifics, including coach model, converter, year and anything else that will make correct advice likely. Then when getting advice be a little cynical. Don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions about a response, including if it is a guess or based on actual experience.

I may sound harsh saying this but there are people who own a Prevost that think keeping the bus waxed and the tires treated with tire shine is good maintenance.

[Matt]

Any buyer, of any Prevost is responsible for verifying the coach condition.

In my opinion paying someone to do an inspection on the conversion portion is not only a waste of money it is a lost opportunity for you, the buyer to have the seller demonstrate how every system works by operating them. Since new buyers are unaware of the complexity the simplest way is to make sure every switch, knob and control is operated and that you understand what they do, and see it happen.

As to the chassis and engine, make the sale contingent upon a full Prevost inspection. It will cost money, but that is the best money ever spent. It is especially true if the coach has delamination issues.

Anything less than doing the above is akin to expecting to be a winner in Las Vegas.