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Old 07-01-2013, 02:00 PM   #1
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The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

For those who don't read Cherokee "Visvi" means Journey. I gues that means my title is the Journey Journey. Kind of redundant I know.

I'm now the proud owner of a 1999 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP ER SCHOOL BUS, CAT 3126 7.2L L6 DIESEL with the Allison MD 3060!

It is a 72 passenger, 6.5' head room, 34' long skoolie. It has about 140,000 miles and 147,000 hrs on the engine. This bus had the best maintenance record of all 14 that where up for auction. Before I saw the records this was the one I picked out when I was running them during my check out. The breaks still have about 2/3's life left, but the rear tires will need to be replaced in the near future. The front tires look good.

I will post photos from the auction site when I get home. I pick it up tomorrow and will take some more. I have a five day weekend to get started. The first thing I have to do is paint. In Maryland you can not get it inspected while still yellow. I already picked out the colors and have my handy dandy Wagner sprayer, just have to wait for this darn rain to stop.

Edit: I got it for $2,605.00

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Old 07-01-2013, 02:14 PM   #2
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Congratulations on your successful bid
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Old 07-01-2013, 03:06 PM   #3
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! I knows you are a proud papa......
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Old 07-01-2013, 03:57 PM   #4
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I just found out that you cannot even get temp tags until you repaint in a color other than yellow and for the lights and stop sign to be removed.

They told me I have to tow it around until this work is done. The place I have to work on it requires tags to park it. Now I have no way to get it here and no place to do the work to get my temp tags.

I knew I had to do this work before I got real tags, they did not tell me it was needed for temp tags.
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Old 07-01-2013, 04:05 PM   #5
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I was told I will not need a Class A or B license to drive, but I just found this on the site.

Gross Vehicle Weight of Motor Home or RV License Class Required
Less than 26,001 lbs. Class C (Non-commercial or Commercial)
26,001 lbs. or more Class B or A (Non-commercial or Commercial)

I guess I need to stay under 26,000 lbs

I just love Maryland.
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Old 07-01-2013, 04:07 PM   #6
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

26K is the same here in Texas... I think we have quite a few buses here with reported weights less than 26k. I am sure you will be fine.
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Old 07-01-2013, 04:14 PM   #7
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I would just drive it, they have to issue a temp tag from where you bought it don't they?

I just thru a tag on mine(don't know what it went to) and just drove,if they would of pulled me over I would of played dumb.

Also I drove it home at 3 pm so "school" had just let out...blending in
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Old 07-01-2013, 04:27 PM   #8
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I made a sign for mine that said "just purchased, tag applied for"

Truth be told though, you are driving a school bus. The last school bus that you saw on the road.... did it have a tag? Nobody really looks at school buses , I would highly doubt any cop you drove right past would even glance at you. Unless you were naked and/or waving donuts around , but they probably still wouldn't notice the lack of a tag.
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Old 07-01-2013, 04:29 PM   #9
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Maryland makes you turn in your tags or pay a large fee for each day not insured.

It will be hard to blend in this time of year.

There is a form you have to fill out that says I did all this to the bus. The MVA person could not find it and I can't find it on the site, I did two weeks ago. If there isn't any verification, I may just fill it out and lie
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Old 07-01-2013, 04:50 PM   #10
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

You will get through all these issues...I'm really glad you got your bus and you are going to have a great time with the conversion. ( and I am Cherokee, so I love the title )
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Old 07-01-2013, 05:08 PM   #11
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Here are the photos from the auction site. I will get better ones tomorrow when I pick it up, one way or another.


aucdoc1 by wmkbailey, on Flickr

Front view


aucdoc3 by wmkbailey, on Flickr

Drivers Side


aucdoc2 by wmkbailey, on Flickr

Pass Side
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Old 07-01-2013, 05:30 PM   #12
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I did find the form VR-905 (03-13). Certification for Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle Registration.

It has a check box for "Been completely converted from a school vehicle, including the removal of all alternately flashing lights and a paint color other than National School Bus Yellow."

An then "I/we certify, under penalty of perjury, that the statements made are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and belief" you sign your name.

I see nothing that ask for any verification. I'm going to give this a try tomorrow.
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Old 07-01-2013, 05:43 PM   #13
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Don't ever lie! Play stupid instead!

Knowing right from wrong and doing it anyways is bad Karma(and illegal)

Being ignorant (not knowing) a sincere apoligy and a "I will fix it right away, Sir"

Is prudent in this cause

Good luck...and here in TN there are school buses everywhere multiple states etc.....tourneys,summer school etc.
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Old 07-01-2013, 05:47 PM   #14
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

When the weather clears so I can paint the bus, here are the colors.



Rainforest Fern & Natural Linen
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Old 07-01-2013, 05:49 PM   #15
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
Originally Posted by wmkbailey
I guess that means my title is the Journey Journey. Kind of redundant I know.
No different than 'Chai Tea' at any rate.

Congo-rats on the buy! She's a beaut, alright. Hope ya can get her tagged and such without much trouble.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
Being ignorant (not knowing) a sincere apology and a "I will fix it right away, Sir" is prudent in this cause
I dunno, Bansil, I've run into an awful lot of 'ignorance of the law is no excuse', 'specially when it comes to those grumpypants State Troopers. Grumpy State Troopers are GRUMPY.
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Old 07-02-2013, 03:54 AM   #16
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Good point
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Old 07-02-2013, 12:56 PM   #17
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I walked into the Maryland MVA with the paper work and they handed me tags good until August. No questions asked.

I just picked up the bus. I drove it about 40 miles and the steering is tight, and I have a tilt, telescopeing steering wheel and an air ride seat. It was fun to drive. Max speed was 63, drove well at 60. The bus is governed at 2400 rpm.

I was surprised how quiet the bus is at highway speeds.

When I get home I will make her pose for some photos
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Old 07-02-2013, 01:16 PM   #18
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Reading through the maintenance record, they only keep the last six months on file, the rest is in the computer.

1) The oil filter and oil was changed on 04/04/2013.
2) It was lubricated, service bateries and adjust breaks on 03/18/2013
3) Fuel, Air and coolant filter replaced 01/30/2013
4) State Inspection pass 12/19/2012

It looks like I have a few things to get fixed.
1) #5 Leaf sprint left rear track - broken
2) Oil leak - replace 3 qt I don't know how much time had passed.
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Old 07-02-2013, 01:37 PM   #19
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Sounds like you got an awesome deal!! Looking forward to the progress. I wouldn't worry too much, yet, about the oil leak. Your capacity is around 20 quarts, so I would top it off and then monitor. Who knows how precise they were when they changed it.
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Old 07-02-2013, 04:50 PM   #20
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Here are some photos.















One year old Webasto heater.

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