Opinion on a bus

[Abcrider]

I've been lurking for a while now! Looked at a bus a few days ago and would like some feedback. Sorry no pictures yet. The bus was a1995 Thomas rear engine. 38 feet long, 8.3 cummins with mtb 643. 190,000 miles and very very clean. Has been used by a church the last few years. No rust or body damage except one underbelly storage door had a scracth/crease in it. Engine seemed clean and all filters were recently changed. Any thing I should be looking for specific to this set up? The wife and I really like this one even though it was bigger than we planed! I needed the headroom and this one had more than the others I looked at. Thanks

[Dragonpop]

You don't say where your from so it's hard to know if your using it in mountains or on flat land but this combination should handle either with gusto. If the price is to your satisfaction I would say pull the trigger and go for it. You would be hard pressed to finder better, as always if it feels right it usually is.

[wauto]

Wow, sounds like a great unit. The rear engine Thomas is on my bucket list. Best of luck and keep us updated.

[Abcrider]

Thanks for the reply's. We are in Colorado for now but plan on using the bus across the nation. I was really impressed with the bus and how clean it was.. The more I looked at it the harder I looked because i really expected there to be a little rust somewhere. Can anybody tell me how much "braking" i would get from the retarder on the mtb 643 transmission. I am only familiar with exhaust brakes on diesels.

[Dragonpop]

From reading on the Wanderlodge owners group site, they say that if you are using the retarder properly you only use the brakes at stop lights and stop signs. One fellow had his Wanderlodge for 15 years and has never replaced the brakes.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by Dragonpop

From reading on the Wanderlodge owners group site, they say that if you are using the retarder properly you only use the brakes at stop lights and stop signs. One fellow had his Wanderlodge for 15 years and has never replaced the brakes.

That's how my big C-can hauling truck was.

With the price of brake parts, that's how it needs to be.

Nat

[opus]

Originally Posted by Abcrider

Thanks for the reply's. We are in Colorado for now but plan on using the bus across the nation. I was really impressed with the bus and how clean it was.. The more I looked at it the harder I looked because i really expected there to be a little rust somewhere. Can anybody tell me how much "braking" i would get from the retarder on the mtb 643 transmission. I am only familiar with exhaust brakes on diesels.

I'm way late on this but my retarder will put me through the windshield! I like it much better than a Jake or a Dynatard...for this weight class that is.

[milkmania]

had no idea such a thing existed.... pretty danged cool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4ZFFIEuUBw