First attempt, 1997 ElDorado National Escort RE

[MilesOriginal]

Hello, from Tacoma, Washington.
We recently bought a 32 foot 1997 ElDorado National "Escort RE", with grand visions of a rolling castle in our eyes. We're looking to have a comfortable space for the 2 of us and a dog, so we can work online from wherever we want to go.
We got the title transferred, and we're going to do the Vermont thing when we get the WA State title, since it seems like the easiest way to get going.
If course, before I even start pulling out the seats, we have to get the engine/transmission/etc. fully checked out, since I'm not familiar with diesel (at all). It did make the 1 hour drive home without a hiccup (but plenty scary with bald tires and expired tabs and no CDL).
We'd love to hear of anyone else who has experience with one of these fully-looking things, and advice on where to look for owners manuals or service manuals (I plan on contacting the company, but it's changed hands a few times and I don't know if they'll have them.)
Any other advice is greatly appreciated, as we're total noobs with some renovation skills and craftiness.

[MacC]

Can't wait to see how a city bus comes apart.

[PatrickBaptist]

I drove mine home without any tags at all and a VA state trooper followed me a good 12 or more miles before going around me. Drive like you have some brains and they will leave you alone. Also it prob helps to make sure not to look like a burn out or hippy LOL. Typically you don't need a CDL to drive a private use bus, if you aren't being paid to drive then it's not commercial to begin with.

There was a former cop on another thread saying that cops pretty much ignore buses unless of course you break a law or just do something noobish/stupid.
Putting a "not for hire" sticker on it helps alot.
Nice looking bus, I advise you to spend loads of time studying diesels or you better have deep pockets to pay someone else that may rip you off. There are other forums to help and loads of us on YT make videos to help do it yourselfers do a good job and save money. It also helps alot when you can keep from being stranded on the road side, I'm a roadside tech and use to be a nation wide dispatcher for road side services, it could be a matter of life or death knowing how to fix your own rig. In some places it's tough to get help on the road, best advice to you is to learn as much about the mechanics of your rig before hitting the road.
Welcome to the forum!

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by PatrickBaptist

I drove mine home without any tags at all and a VA state trooper followed me a good 12 or more miles before going around me. Drive like you have some brains and they will leave you alone. Also it prob helps to make sure not to look like a burn out or hippy LOL. Typically you don't need a CDL to drive a private use bus, if you aren't being paid to drive then it's not commercial to begin with.

There was a former cop on another thread saying that cops pretty much ignore buses unless of course you break a law or just do something noobish/stupid.
Putting a "not for hire" sticker on it helps alot.
Nice looking bus, I advise you to spend loads of time studying diesels or you better have deep pockets to pay someone else that may rip you off. There are other forums to help and loads of us on YT make videos to help do it yourselfers do a good job and save money. It also helps alot when you can keep from being stranded on the road side, I'm a roadside tech and use to be a nation wide dispatcher for road side services, it could be a matter of life or death knowing how to fix your own rig. In some places it's tough to get help on the road, best advice to you is to learn as much about the mechanics of your rig before hitting the road.
Welcome to the forum!

I was asked to provide proof of insurance and moving permit 3 times during my 600 mile trip bringing my bus conversion home - I had the necessary paperwork, so it was no problem -if I hadn't had that, the rig would have been towed and I'd be looking at a $600 fine at a minimum - plus the cost of the tow, depending on where you, can easily exceed $1000, plus storage for the bus, taxis for myself, accommodation, and finding a place in a strange town to get the necessary permits - it's not worth taking the chance - all in all, it could easily add up to more than the bus cost in the first place

[PatrickBaptist]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

I was asked to provide proof of insurance and moving permit 3 times during my 600 mile trip bringing my bus conversion home - I had the necessary paperwork, so it was no problem -if I hadn't had that, the rig would have been towed and I'd be looking at a $600 fine at a minimum - plus the cost of the tow, depending on where you, can easily exceed $1000, plus storage for the bus, taxis for myself, accommodation, and finding a place in a strange town to get the necessary permits - it's not worth taking the chance - all in all, it could easily add up to more than the bus cost in the first place

Atleast you had yer papers then eh? What were you stopped for just to be asked for papers? Blame it's worse than nazi germany over here for permits and permission, can't even get married unless the state gawd blesses it with a license. So much for this land being so free.
I had a 450-480ish mile drive, thankfully worst I got from the tax enforcement was just being looked at.

[MilesOriginal]

MacC, I can't wait, either. It's driving me crazy to have it sitting here and having to leave it be.

[MilesOriginal]

PatrickBaptist, thanks for the advice. I plan to learn everything I can about the entire bus, especially the engine and the air brake system.