[Peter]

For anyone looking in the older coach price range, especially XL coaches keep in mind there are a considerable number of coaches from converters who are no longer in business, but the coaches still have some degree of support. The key is to define your tolerance for limited support, and before you buy, do your homework because some conversions are underpriced compared to their value, but some while seemingly underpriced have low value because some components and systems are prorietary and there is limited availability or support. The low price compensates for the potential grief.

One coach that was a simple low priced coach from the start was Royale, I am not aware of many (if any H3 Royales) but they made a good honest coach. The systems were good, their interiors were mostly wood and looked nice, and even if they had no support (they do have some support) they would be worth considering because the design simplicity makes them very serviceable.

[Peter]

I’ve noticed oil products (oils/grease) never drop with oil price per barrel as fuel does.

[Peter]

Over the entire 25 years of coach ownership we have seen oil and fuel prices go from very inexpensive ($.63 per gallon of diesel fuel, $8 per gallon of engine oil) to where the prices are today with a large uptick a few years back to over $5 per gallon of diesel fuel.

I’ve said it before and will restate it……..if we look at our total purchases in dollars of fluids, including fuel, lubricants, etc. we may find we will spend as much as $8000 per year more or less depending on the miles driven. Based on my mileage each year every swing in fuel prices of $.50 is $1000 per year, up or down.

Yes it appears lubricants have increased and are not tracking downward with crude oil prices, but a lot of them are synthetics so that might be why. But when expressed in a cost per mile for example my Transynd at $50 per gallon and a 4 year change interval is going to be a penny a mile or so.

The big expense is not tires which at a 6 year life might add up to $1000 per year, or batteries that might add up to half that, but depreciation which eats up money (and value) faster than any other cost of ownership. Even older coaches with minimal depreciation compared to new coaches will still have depreciation as the greatest cost of ownership until the coach value drops below $100,000.

[Peter]

I changed all of my belts late last fall. When I free spun the smoth pulley I could hear a noise that didnt seem exactly right.

My old belt was completely missing one groove. I was very cleanly cut and I didn’t realize it until NAPA couldn’t match it my old belt to anything in their books. I ordered two new ones from Prevost.

The noise in that pulley has been in the back off my mind ever since. This might solidify my observation.

How do you measure the 350/250 ft pound of torque requirement?

When I installed mine, I gave it the good ol aviation mechanic torque, then running it in to allow for stretch, and retorquing it again

[Peter]

Glad you got it Jackson it was nice to visit with u on the phone maybe next time it will be just to say hello and not that u r broke down good luck

[Peter]

I have a few of my trivoli lights out around my windows. I am assuming that you all are talking about using this rope in place of those. Can you cut them off and strip the wire and solder on a connector that matches the origonals? I called Liberty and they said I would have to measure each one and check which end the connectors were on (and that they were not all the same even on the same coach) and then they could get them for me.

[Peter]

Will give that a try once I get back to FL. Do not believe I have another access to that one. Thanks and have a great year.

[Peter]

Jackson were r u in Wyoming I am at home until Tuesday I maybe able to come help u I live in wheatland wy

[Peter]

Les, I am waiting for daylight up here in Wyoming. I will check it first thing. I do have a 24v starter. What has me puzzled is that the starter won’t even engage, no click like a bad solenoid and no attempt to crank. Is there a fuse link that I’m missing?

[Peter]

Grizz,

If an new event occurs following a repair you can almost be assured that when the repair was done the technician did something to cause the problem.

Then when you ask the technician about what he did to create the problem he will often get defensive which makes solving the problem more difficult. What you need to begin is to find out how Marathon routed the air lines to the air horn and the seat. If you have diagrams available it will help you trace the lines from the seat back to the source.

It could be anything from a valve that was closed by the tech, to another solenoid whose wires got disconnected, to the tech getting creative and plugging a line because he didn’t think it went anywhere. If your aux system is holding pressure it could be any of the above three items. If you aux system is leaking down it will be a matter of finding where the air is leaking from, and then looking for the line to the seat, and connecting the two.

[Peter]

Thanks Diane. Was gonna head down after service to Surfside so wife can see sister. Usually hook up 50 amp plug to beach house for a night or two. If raining all bets are off after service. Have 25 head of cows heading out the 5 or 6 of January and if I get though will come down. Will call or holler before I do. Thanks again.

glen s.

[Peter]

I like the way the chimney matches the brick design on the fenders… even a fireplace… wow !!

[Peter]

Peter: So that is when Two Night Owls met?

[Peter]

Chris and Christy:

“it will be nice to reduce the risk of getting shot at.”

Please tell us where you stay so we can avoid those locations!

[Peter]

Jon, Hindsight is a killer on investing. With me I take the opposite approach. I like to buy high and sell low.