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Old 08-28-2018, 06:24 AM   #661
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Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo View Post
Thanks to all for the thoughts on the vibration. I'm afraid it is not a simple/obvious problem as some really good tire shops have seemingly pulled out all the stops to fix it. No luck.

I have four more steel wheels to replace with aluminum. I have fairly low expectations but maybe... Not sure when I'll get around to that.
Hey, you've got one of those GoPros.... zip tie the hell out of it to the underside of the bus and drive it around the block. Might take you a dozen laps to get the camera pointed the right direction but if you don't have anything else to do and the vibration is that bothersome...

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Old 08-28-2018, 09:20 AM   #662
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Oh trust me... I've tried that too. Only tried a couple of positions though. It revealed nothing. I might be motivated to try it again now that I have a second opinion that it is coming from the rear.
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Old 08-28-2018, 10:34 AM   #663
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
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Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo View Post
Oh trust me... I've tried that too. Only tried a couple of positions though. It revealed nothing. I might be motivated to try it again now that I have a second opinion that it is coming from the rear.
Draft someone to follow along side and behind. See if they can spot anything.
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Old 08-28-2018, 10:57 AM   #664
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You could also download an accelerometer app for your phone and compare the frequency of the vibration to the calculated rpm of the tires. If it matches, you know that the culprit is the tires, hubs, half shafts, or differential cage, Anything coming from the driveshaft or pinion will have a frequency 4x to 5x (depending on your diff ratio) of that.
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Old 08-28-2018, 11:03 AM   #665
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In my experience where you likely think the noise/vibration is coming from, it could actually be the opposite end of where you think you hear/feel it.
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Old 08-28-2018, 11:08 AM   #666
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Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo View Post
Oh trust me... I've tried that too. Only tried a couple of positions though. It revealed nothing. I might be motivated to try it again now that I have a second opinion that it is coming from the rear.
Did you have the front tires checked on the drum too?

Part of the wild goose chase I went through was caused by the wrong assumption that the vibration came from the rear (no wiggle of the steering wheel) when in fact one of the steer tires was out of round.
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Old 09-30-2018, 06:42 AM   #667
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I've been busy so slow to update... apologies... The Far East Trip is complete and we're back in the southwest!!

The total number of miles traveled was 4,125. I didn’t do a very good job keeping track of total fuel consumed but I frequently checked mileage at fill ups and it typically hovered around 7.5 mpg. I generally drove faster (about 65 mph) than I wanted as the annoying vibration was slightly less annoying at that speed.

I stopped at a CAT scale in Minnesota and it reported 42,000 lbs for the coach plus 4,000 lbs for the Jeep.

We stayed at far more “RV Parks” than we are accustomed. Overall, I was satisfied with the places we chose. Nothing fancy, of course, but all were very clean, quiet, and had some room to stretch. Well, mostly. One in Minneapolis just barely had enough room for Missy to get thru but the actual parking spot was just fine. The reason for staying at RV parks while enroute was the heat and humidity! I needed shore power to run the air conditioning.

It was a good trip but I am happy to be "home."

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Old 10-01-2018, 08:34 AM   #668
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Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo View Post
The reason for staying at RV parks while enroute was the heat and humidity! I needed shore power to run the air conditioning.
Note to self: solar system needs to be large enough to run AC indefinitely. Check black market prices for kidneys.
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Old 10-01-2018, 11:47 AM   #669
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Yes indeed!

Additionally, holding tanks should hold enough to never need filled/emptied!!
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Old 10-02-2018, 08:10 AM   #670
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Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
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Yes indeed!

Additionally, holding tanks should hold enough to never need filled/emptied!!
Storm drains... wait, did I just say that out loud?
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Old 10-18-2018, 12:45 PM   #671
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JD, questions for you! My wife and I are in the process of converting an MCI 102c3 and we keep debating on the windows. I noticed you have all of your original windows still installed.Do you like that? We were looking at replacing ours with RV windows so we could open and close then but now I am wondering how often that would actually be the case....
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Old 10-18-2018, 12:56 PM   #672
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JD, questions for you! My wife and I are in the process of converting an MCI 102c3 and we keep debating on the windows. I noticed you have all of your original windows still installed.Do you like that? We were looking at replacing ours with RV windows so we could open and close then but now I am wondering how often that would actually be the case....
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Old 10-18-2018, 02:01 PM   #673
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Great question jaronhumiston!

I LOVE the view that all the windows provide.

The ones I have do open (hinged at the top) and that works reasonably well. As long as rain is falling down (and not blowing sideways), I just leave them open. I hope to someday install electric openers. I have a prototype but haven't tested it yet (the trick, I think, is enough pull/closing force to keep them closed while driving).

I've made very crude screens which work fairly well. However; the cats occasionally decide to mess 'em up. Coming up with a much higher quality screen would take some work - probably possible though.

I really wish I had the ability to remove the windows that are 'behind' walls/cabinets. Doing so just wasn't possible when it would have been easiest. I think this would reduce the "bus look" somewhat but I haven't spent a lot of time on the exterior look yet - someday.

Finally, I'm not sure that the windows have much insulation value - at least in terms of keeping the cold out. I suspect double pane RV windows would be much better.

As with most things, I suspect the best answer depends on what your mission/style of use is going to be. For example, if lots of cold weather use, getting rid of the existing windows, installing fewer double pane windows, and adding lots of wall insulation would probably be best.
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Old 10-18-2018, 02:06 PM   #674
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Awesome! Thanks for the response! My fear was more with the screens, or lack there of on ours st the moment. I’m thinking about taking all the windows out except the front 4 (2 on each side). My dilemma is we are for now at least, selling our house and moving onto the bus. We live in Mo so hot summers and cold winters and feel like having all the windows wouldn’t be efficient in the winter to keep the bus warm
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Old 10-18-2018, 02:08 PM   #675
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Join Date: Oct 2016
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo View Post
I've made very crude screens which work fairly well. However; the cats occasionally decide to mess 'em up. Coming up with a much higher quality screen would take some work - probably possible though.
Using steel or nylon screens?
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Old 10-18-2018, 03:32 PM   #676
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Yup, definitely a balance to be struck. The pressure that "make livable" creates is not ideal but sure keeps it interesting.

The screens I made are somewhat embarrassing... but I'll tell you anyway Bob....

I installed adhesive backed velco 'loop' all around the window frame, cut pieces of black "tulle" material to fit, and stuck it in place. It most certainly keeps bugs out - doesn't always keep cats in.
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Old 10-18-2018, 03:39 PM   #677
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That Velcro isn’t such a bad idea, will keep in mind for mine. I wonder how it would work with a framed screen...
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Old 10-18-2018, 03:53 PM   #678
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my biggest with velcro is that usually the velcro itself holds great. but the glue that holds the velcro strip to the object often fails...

-Christopher
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Old 10-19-2018, 06:17 AM   #679
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my biggest with velcro is that usually the velcro itself holds great. but the glue that holds the velcro strip to the object often fails...
Very true - especially in high summer temps. I spent a good bit of time making sure the frames were very clean before putting the adhesive strip on. It still comes off occasionally, in a few spots. Hasn't been a problem as it's a low risk item but it is certainly not perfect either. All part of the reason these screens are temporary... a quick scan of my to do list shows that is somewhere under the top 1,500 items...
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Old 10-19-2018, 07:10 AM   #680
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Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo View Post
The screens I made are somewhat embarrassing... but I'll tell you anyway Bob.... '


It most certainly keeps bugs out
Then it's mostly good. Not all good since it fails at its secondary job.


Quote:
I installed adhesive backed velco 'loop' all around the window frame, cut pieces of black "tulle" material to fit, and stuck it in place.- doesn't always keep cats in.
A full loop or just four corners? My cats were declawed before I got them (previous owners). The full loop would deter them. If your cats are clawed and determined, ... Mine are fat and fluffy.
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