What am I doing!?😂

[Jeffbegin]

Ok, newbie here but spent 50+ hours reading everything this great site has to offer. Been looking for the right bus for more than a year and zeroing in on 2 or 3 buses. What are you thoughts on that one?

TC3000
2006
Flat nose
258 000 km
Air suspension
Hydrolic brakes
Cat engine
10 y/o tirés
Pretty good shape from the outside

5 800$ CAN

Should I look into it more? Price a little too high? Any comments on what to expect from this one in the long run? Pearls? Known problems? Your help is greatly appréciation.

Thanks for your expertise guys

Jeff

[Likwid_Kaneo]

About $4500 USD and 160,000 miles... not bad.

Tires might need replaced soon, just look for dry rotting cracks in treads and sidewalls. Maybe see if they'll put new tires on for the price?

[Jeffbegin]

Thanks. Was thinking about doing just that with the tires

[Twigg]

For reference ... The TC3000 is branded "All American" in the US.

So any references to that model are the same as yours.

[Jeffbegin]

Ok... Thanks.. So anything/comments out here regarding this model will apply to this one I am looking at? Correct?

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Jeffbegin

Ok... Thanks.. So anything/comments out here regarding this model will apply to this one I am looking at? Correct?

Yes. When Blue Bird sold the All American abroad, they badged it TC3000.

[cowlitzcoach]

I don't like wet brakes on a bus that size. They are prone to a whole lot more problems, particularly on a rig that isn't used all the time. But the biggest issue is the lack of a positive parking/emergency brake.

With air brakes you get spring brakes for a parking/emergency brake. No driveline hand brake will have be able to stop a vehicle of that size as well as both rear brakes being applied 100%.

I also am not fond of Cat engines.

If it meets your needs the price isn't bad. But I would knock off at least 30% off the price because of the wet brakes and Cat engine.

[Jeffbegin]

Thanks Cowlitzcoach,

I get it with the emergency brake.

Have you had issues with the Cat engine in the past? If so, what kind. I'd like to pick your brain on that.

Many thanks

Jeff

[Deezl Smoke]

I would look at it closer as I wonder if it really is a juice brake system. I have my doubts.
Cat 6 cylinder engines are fine, which it likely is a c7 or the like.

But if it has air brakes and the ad says hydraulic, I would question the knowledge of the seller to even answer a question honestly.

[Jeffbegin]

Thanks for the insight. I'll double check.

[cowlitzcoach]

Originally Posted by Deezl Smoke

I would look at it closer as I wonder if it really is a juice brake system. I have my doubts.
Cat 6 cylinder engines are fine, which it likely is a c7 or the like.

But if it has air brakes and the ad says hydraulic, I would question the knowledge of the seller to even answer a question honestly.

There were a lot of Type 'D' buses built with wet brakes. It just isn't approved for school bus use in buses of that size in most of the western states.

My problem with the Cat engines is they tend to have more problems than a Cummins or IC/IHC engine. The 3116 had so many problems that Cat did a redesign and called it the 3126. It still had some problems and Cat redesigned it again and called it the C7. Due to continual problems Cat got out of the on-road engine business.

[Jeffbegin]

Great info. Thanks!

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

There were a lot of Type 'D' buses built with wet brakes. It just isn't approved for school bus use in buses of that size in most of the western states.

My problem with the Cat engines is they tend to have more problems than a Cummins or IC/IHC engine. The 3116 had so many problems that Cat did a redesign and called it the 3126. It still had some problems and Cat redesigned it again and called it the C7. Due to continual problems Cat got out of the on-road engine business.

See this too must be a location thing etc. Cat is a great engine in my circle. Cummins and IHC are too. The 3116 was a new adventure for cat, and like all new adventures, there is risk. But the cummins spins bearings, and the IHC blows dampers off the front of the crank. But this is only my experience, and it too can be an application thing.

Cat quit the on road engine business because of deq. DEF and tier 4 were just going too far. And most will agree, the emissions causes more failure than hardware of all brands.

Thanks for the info on the brakes. I did not know that.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Deezl Smoke

See this too must be a location thing etc. Cat is a great engine in my circle. Cummins and IHC are too. The 3116 was a new adventure for cat, and like all new adventures, there is risk. But the cummins spins bearings, and the IHC blows dampers off the front of the crank. But this is only my experience, and it too can be an application thing.

Cat quit the on road engine business because of deq. DEF and tier 4 were just going too far. And most will agree, the emissions causes more failure than hardware of all brands.

Thanks for the info on the brakes. I did not know that.

My dad drove OTR my whole life, now he does "hot shot" hauling.
He LOVES Cat, but he's quick to point out he's never had to fix one. My uncle is the maintenance manager for a fleet here in FL and he likes the 3126 but he says to avoid the C7 like the plague.

[Jeffbegin]

Again, thanks! Great engine info here!