big bus is what we think we want

c_hasbeen · Mar 10, 2013

I would like opinions please My wife and I (just us)are starting to make plans on going full time, we think we would like a converted bus/coach, the ones with the flat front. Basically we want something that is sturdy and will hold up for years, we like the look of the older bluebird wanderlodge and the old MCI type buses. (35 to 40 ft) the plan now is to not do a lot of moving around, and I know that smaller will get better mileage but not have the room for daily living. I have a significant amount of mechanical ability as well as plumbing and electrical, my diesel experience is not a lot. any thoughts would be appreciated.

blars · Mar 10, 2013

A couple of blogs by bus owners are technomadia and our odessy.  Both worth reading the backlogs of as part of your research, but the latter is in the process of moving to a boat.

woody82270 · Mar 10, 2013

Same for us. We found an 89 37' fleetwood with a 454. Runs fair to good, just has to make it 508 miles. You already know our tire woes, but we got a plan. I'm a fair to good shade tree mechanic, so I can get her down the road, Ã¢Â€ÂifÃ¢Â€Â. The rig is already gutted, (except for appliances and rear bedroom/bath), so we are in luck there. I'm an excellent carpenter, so fixing the interior to our liking is gonna be a cinch. As to yours, keep an eye on cl. That's where we got ours. 2000 bucks, and she still has plenty of life. Good luck.

rokguy · Mar 13, 2013

Hi Hasbeen, That would be a nice coach the older MCI, From memory the MCI is equipped with the 6V71 Detroit diesel which is good strong engine (wow, and sound beautiful) and the Bluebird were equipped with Caterpillars 3208 which wasn't that wonderful an engine. If you can afford a reasonable MCI that would be the bus I would be going after.being a well built long haul coach. Just remember the old 2 stroke Detroits "you gotta drive like you stole it", they're pretty high revving engines but a reasonable fuel wise for when you do travel in it. here a good site ........<A href="http://busconversion101.com/Q&A_MCI_Buses.htm" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://busconversion101.com/Q&A_MCI_Buses.htm </A> Geoff

Technomadia · Mar 16, 2013

Greetings... and thanks for the mention, blars! Yes, we are living/traveling in a 1961 GM 4106 conversion, and loving it.  Here's a link to info about our bus: <a href="http://www.technomadia.com/zephyr/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.technomadia.com/zephyr/</a> At the bottom of that page, are links to our bus hunt where we shared a lot info about the resources we used to track her down, the renovations we've done, etc.  Also highly recommend getting involved in the various bus conversion forums (<a href="http://www.busconversions.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.busconversions.com </a>- great starting place). The bus community is amazing. If there are questions we can answer, please be in touch!  - Cherie

c_hasbeen · Mar 16, 2013

Thanks to everyone for the input, I never thought about the older camper being a better long run deal, I do know that I am a lot more handy with gasoline engines than diesel and that parts are cheeper.