The Brown Crown

[WinslowtheBluebird]

We love your bus too! Seems warm and inviting, especially with the "headliner" treatment.

[slacker]

That's a nice bus. This was the second thread I got through since joining, and I enjoyed every page of it. Also gave me many ideas for my own future project too, gracias.

[chris'crown]

I just bout a 1974 crown supercoach a few months ago, and love what you've done with yours. Looks wonderful! Thank you, Chris

[ljmike]

I am lurking until I officially join the community and buy my bus. I only write to say this conversion is hands down amazing. I've spent two hours drooling over this entire conversion when I should have been cleaning the house. I second, third, fourth, and fifth what everyone has echoed. Amazing work...I am envious to the point where I will probably design my future skoolie just like yours.

[browncrown]

Recently returned from a road trip with BC touring the southwest...Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Lake Powell. BC ran just fine except for blowing her left front tire about 20 miles west of the lake out in the middle of nowhere. She got a ride on a big Landol, but everything else ok!

The flat blew on US 89, a two lane road, and in a very dangerous location, so she had to be towed to a spot where the tire could be changed.

The engine is a Detroit 671 now with 331,000 miles on it. Only used 6 quarts of oil on a trip that took me nearly 1700 miles...not bad for an old one

I am enjoying the fruits of many years of labor on this bus

Here is BC in Zion National Park



Bryce Canyon



And her flat and piggy back





And spectacular Lake Powell

[gbstewart]

Nice pictures, glad you had a good trip, other then the tire. Bet your glad you had a road side assistance for that tow call.
gbstewart

[Tango]

Sweet trip pix and glad the tire didn't put you into another lane.

[browncrown]

Tango...put me over the line about 3 feet...so glad no one else was there. Been driving these buses for about 40 years now, and it's an experience I never want to repeat

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by browncrown

Tango...put me over the line about 3 feet...so glad no one else was there. Been driving these buses for about 40 years now, and it's an experience I never want to repeat

Scary stuff. Glad you are OK.

[Tango]

Roger that...luck comes in handy sometimes.

[juliol]

Hey BC, I glad you made back on that awesome trip, what kind of towing service do you have?

J

[browncrown]

Originally Posted by juliol

Hey BC, I glad you made back on that awesome trip, what kind of towing service do you have?

J

I use AAA for my RV/Towing Policy

[browncrown]

Through all the years of service, my trunk doors started giving me some problems locking. The locking plunger could not drop far enough to securely keep the doors shut. During transit, the vibrations would let them come loose. There is a safety latch on them, so they would not open, but they were not right.

So I put some washers behind the locking plunger today and adjusted the door hangers and that solved the problem, allowing for just the extra space the plunger needed to drop all the way...and no more doors rattling back there

Here is a pic of that setup





Was also carrying the spare in the trunk. I made the decision to not have it on board. It weighs about 275 pounds and took up a LOT of space in the trunk.

But after having had two flats in two years, I came to the realization that while on the road, you can't change these things anyway...you have to call someone and they can bring the tire, so whats the point. Time will tell if that is a wise decision or not, but after the front blowout I had recently, I don't want to put some 10 year old tire on the bus under any circumstances.

Got all new tires now, so we shall see! I use AAA for my RV towing package and under both circumstances, they were great...Just going to rely on them now.

The old 12R 225 with a locking ring wheel that is going to tire and wheel heaven

[gbstewart]

Did you replace all 6 tires? what kind did you get? I have to replace my steer tires, there 10 years old still in good shape, but I won't take a chance, I'd like to replace the rears they where almost new when I got the bus, but there winter treads and loud. also if you don't mind how much where they, and did you get them balanced?.
thank you
gbstewart

[browncrown]

I replaced all 4 rear one's last year when the one blew. Replaced the two fronts when the left one blew on this recent trip. Went from the 12R's to 11R 225 because they are more common in the middle of nowhere. Each of them cost me about $315, and yes, I had them ballanced.

The smaller tire did create a small uptick in RPM, but I have noticed no change in the MPG

[browncrown]

Ten year old steer's are an accident waiting to happen. Mine were 9, and I don't want you to go through that. I know they are expensive, but it's your life you are riding on

[browncrown]

The rear one's are Geostar 11 R 225. The front one's are Samson 11 R 225 because that is what the tow company brought me...When it comes right down to it, age is what matters...they just wear out...hope this helps

[The-Breeze]

Are you saying that a spare tire, never been used, should be replaced due to age? I would think it would be fine if kept out of the elements.

[Hvbuzz]

Originally Posted by browncrown

The front one's are Samson 11 R 225

Those are the same front steers I've been running for 3 1/2 years on the bus. For work we have always ran goodyear, firestone or michelin's, 22.5's. I hate to admit it, but I have nothing bad to say about the Samson's yet... Mine where balanced with equal and run really smooth. The last set of michelin's steers for work, one was out of round.

[gbstewart]

Originally Posted by browncrown

Ten year old steer's are an accident waiting to happen. Mine were 9, and I don't want you to go through that. I know they are expensive, but it's your life you are riding on

yes your right, I'll be putting new ones before the next trip, mine are 10r 22.5
can get samsons for about $400. cdn not to bad, I think they are good tires.
gbstewart