[tom]

Jon,

When moving my license from one state to another, I asked this same question. FL has done away with the non-commercial equivalent of a class A, leaving only the class C.

Now what is interesting is on the back of the license under endorsements, I have class E listed. “Any non-commercial vehicle with GVWR less then 26,001 lbs. or any RV”.

So how does having a drivers license in one state that has an endorsement that states I can drive ANY RV work if I get pulled over in a state that is different?

On the insurance part, the insurance company will be required to pay the claim. When you sign up for insurance, they will ask you if you have a commercial drivers license. If you state you don’t, and they write the policy, they will be required to cover you. They cannot knowingly take your insurance payments and then not pay the claim. Any court will see in the favor of the insured in this case.

Basically if the insurer cannot deny coverage if the insured has reasonably come to believe that he has such coverage base on the insurer’s practices.

So if the insurer is asking policy holders if they have a class A license and the insured are saying they don’t and the insurer is then taking their money and then not covering incidents, the courts will rule in the favor of the insured.

As for the police to not allow you to drive the coach, that could happen. I know we have a built in plan for that as my wife has her CDL that she keeps current. So she could always drive the coach away if the officer doesn’t let me.

[tom]

Charles,

I have two 4″ low/high’s if you need one. I just had to buy a 2″ for the same reason.

[tom]

Gary made an interesting observation about paying more by buying from a converter.

We’ve bought 3 coaches, each from a different source. The first was from a private owner, the second was from a dealer with a depth of experience in Prevost coaches and the third from Liberty. I think I have a fair degree of knowing coaches, especially since I have worked on my own coaches for at least 20 years now.

The first from a private individual was for us a major step. Niether Di or I had ever even stepped into an RV, and here we were ready to buy a nearly new Prevost. Just to be sure it was something we should be doing we spoke to the dealer that sold the coach originally, had lunch with owners of a converted coach, and then we arranged for a converter to do a 100% inspection on the coach before we made the purchase. The coach checked out well, and we bought it and it ranks as one of the best decisions we ever made. I think the price was fair but who knows?

The second coach was purchased after our first coach was in the process of getting about 9 months worth of repairs as a result of an engine compartment fire. We looked at it and in 20 minutes we decided to buy it if it would fit in our garage and after I inspected it. It fit into the garage and while it was in the garage over the pit I completed our inspection by going over the underside. It checked out and we completed the purchase. I think the price was fair, but who knows?

The current coach was one Liberty had and we saw photos and liked it. We had the opportunity to see it at a rally and decided we wanted to buy it if it would fit in our garage. It did and we went ahead with the purchase. As it turns out that purchase transaction was a no-brainer. I did not have to worry about a thing. Liberty fixed anything they found that needed to be fixed and when we came to Stuart to pick it up, inspect it and get trained on the new systems it was ready and it was right. I think I paid a fair price, but who knows? The bottom line in all three purchases is simple. We agreed on the price of each coach with the seller. We could have beat the price issue to death by trying to negotiate for the best price on multiple coaches at the same time, but we liked each coach and felt each price was fair.

But we are long time owners in the sense that we keep our stuff for a long time so it is far more important to us to get features we want than rock bottom pricing. If someone tends to trade often then it makes perfect sense to shop for the best coach possible at the cheapest price so when it is sold or traded the selling price is not going to reflect a huge loss. We all get a sense of the market prices by looking at ads of coaches for sale and recognizing those asking prices are just that.

[tom]

My wife and I stayed at Hearthside a couple of years ago. We found the management and residents very friendly.

Lots to do in that area with many choices for day trips. The park is spectacular .

[tom]

Awesome! Thanks!

I take it you just re-used your valves and coils from the old bodies? Or do you happen to have those part numbers as well?

[tom]

La Hacienda is the best big rig accommodation near Austin. It is northwest of downtown by Lake Travis. I’m sure it’s in the Big Rig book if you have one. Only downside is a 30 to 40 minute trip to the Capital, Sixth Street and South Congress area if you are going to be spending time there. It’s a great city. Have fun and enjoy your stay.

[tom]

David is correct, but sometimes new owners fill the coolant reservoir. Then after driving for a while, letting it cool they check the coolant level and find that it is down a few inches. So they refill the reservoir.

What is happening is the large volume of coolant in our coaches is expanding when it gets hot, and with a full reservoir the excess coolant is released overboard through the overflow. We have two caps on our reservoirs usually. One just seals it and is usually where we fill the reservoir. The other is on the top of the reservoir and has a spring that allows pressure to build to a point and then the excess is vented out. That is where the coolant might be going.

Filling the tank to just the halfway point (above the sight glass) is just about right.

[tom]

thanks jeff. guess it makes sense its a two way switch. guess the pther blades allows it to contol multiple items with a single switch. will swap the wires and test tomorrow.

[tom]

So far, the brake light system is fine as well as turn signals and hazards. It was tail lights, clearance lights and dash lights that all were fixed by replacing that one relay. But thanks for the info on the brake light system recall. The former owner probably had it done as he owned the bus until 2007 and took it to a Prevost Service Center every two years.

Still cruising and smiling!!

[tom]

So Buddy, who did you talk to at Direct to get this form?

[tom]

Some seats respond to the amount of weight sitting on them and then air pressure as needed is applied to the seat to maintain it at the correct height.

Something within the seat mechanism isn’t right (obviously) but I have never heard of this occurring. Even with the bus and aux compressor off, the aux air tank still has pressure.

[tom]

Boy-Howdy, would I love to get into this conversation but, I’ll resist.

[tom]

I think everyone should do whatever they want to…. just don’t bitch if you get caught !

Happy New Year everyone and safe travels !!!

Diane

[tom]

Hello Jack,

We are in Calfifornia now for Xmas and New Year’s then off to Las Vegas afterwards. We’ll be in and out of the desert until March 2015.

Safe travels,

Mark

[tom]

On one of my XL’s I had to replace the door struts that had the chairs and those struts took a different number than the others and had a higher pressure. I think they came from Prevost.