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Old 01-22-2018, 10:41 PM   #1
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Flip for Bus

So I officially have something to work with to get a bus. Got this Airstream as a finders fee for finding my buddy an impossible to find 78 Airstream Argosy 20 motorhome. Made the deal just before Christmas and priority was to get the MH to my property to ease my buddies mind. Took until today for me to go get this thing home. Murphy rode with me as I had thought I had everything I would need to accomplish the task today and not have to go back again, it was only 45 miles,but still didn't want to waste gas on un productive trips. Had a set of trailer lights wired and ready to tape to the aluminum bumper, sockets for what ever size lug nuts were on it. A jack to jack up to change tires if need be. 1/2" drive ratchet, cheater bar, gloves. I think that's everything. So I get there and one tire is flat and won't take air from my pump. Then I find a spare inside the empty shell (a plus as it's on a matching mag wheel), it's flat also and the valve threads messed up just enough so the pump nozzle won't screw on. So I go to jack it up and realize I forgot the blocks of wood to gain the height needed from my small jack. So I got out the scissor jack for my truck and had to jack from the axle from inside the trailer (no floor, bare frame). Go to get the sockets and realize all the sockets I brought were big , but were 3/8" drive, no biggie, I'll use my Ryobi impact driver and see if that will do it. Nope left the 3/8" adapter for the drill on the bench at home. Pulled out the standard L tire iron from the back of the truck and lo and behold it is the right size. Got eh tire off and loaded both in the back of the bed to go to the tire shop and have them aired up and see if they hold air. Decide to go ahead and hook the trailer to the truck to pull it forward to ease the tire change and notice the hitch on the trailer looks bigger than my 2" ball. I hook it up and take the jack and jack up the tongue and it slips right off the ball, text the seller and he tells me it's 2-5/16" Okay 2 stops to make, one to air the tires and one for a new ball. Hook up the lights and they work, OMG, something went right. I head into town to fill the tires, no charge, but they leak all around the bead. So we break the bead, clean up the sealing surface and fix the leak issue, $23. Go to Advance Auto on the way back to buy the ball, none on the shelf, finds one in the back and ask if I can install it there, guy at the tire shop removed my 2" from the mount. brings out the 2-5/16", it's $12.99, reasonable. But immediately find it has a 1" shaft and my mount a 3/4"shaft. So he offers me a 3 way for $44. I go to the shelf and see the 1" mount is only $23. So $24 and my $13 ball, $37, cheaper than the $44 3 way. I get back to the trailer and everything goes smoothly, tire mounted, lights work. Lay on my back to get under the truck to hook the safety chains and a cloud burst dumps a bunch of rain on me. Start heading down the road and it pulls fine, but I start to notice a pretty good vibration and notice the trailer acting like his a huge flat spot, oh well is what it is. Finally make it home without further issue. It's mine, well at least for a little while. Hopefully for a very sort while. I will clean it up and list it so I can get money to buy the bus. Airstream guys tell me this concession type shell is worth $3-$5K as is.
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Old 01-23-2018, 12:37 AM   #2
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Cool airstream, great story!
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Old 01-23-2018, 07:31 AM   #3
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Good deal, wow Murphy had it in for you, nice thing is that as long as we talk Murphy mostly it ends up ok.
Love those panoramic windows,may be a school bus can be cool but this would be hard to beat and a lot more universal.

good luck,
later j
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Old 01-23-2018, 09:34 AM   #4
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I love the old Airstreams (the new ones suck)...but have never seen that "concession" configuration. Very cool...congrats on the find.
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Old 01-23-2018, 09:52 AM   #5
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I originally was going to use it for a bike hauler, the only entrance is on the front end. The towing arm is a single 5" removable tube and not the conventional Y shape end. So in order to load bikes into it you would have to unhook from the tow vehicle, remove the tow arm and then load, attach arm, hook to the tow vehicle. Too much work for that. So flip it it is. Seller wanted $3500 for it but I negotiated it down to $750 in a package with the MH. My friend who I was getting the MH for didn't want the trailer and gave it to me as part of my finders fee for getting him the MH, he is still ecstatic that I found him the MH.
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Old 01-27-2018, 01:30 PM   #6
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Well this happened quicker than expected. I just sold my "free" Airstream trailer for $3500 plus $150 for gas to take it to Ct. where I'm taking the motorhome next week anyways. Guy who bought it is in R.I.
So I have bus money and challenge you guys to find me deal on a Bluebird All American A3FE or equivalent with a big motor, why trans, with no rust for less than $3K. I'll send $100 to whoever finds the bus I buy. I am working on a deal now for an 01 Thomas MPV-EF with 16k miles for $2500, but I haven't verified it is a 40'er, 12 window yet
Ready to pull the trigger.
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Old 01-27-2018, 01:38 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Well this happened quicker than expected. I just sold my "free" Airstream trailer for $3500 plus $150 for gas to take it to Ct. where I'm taking the motorhome next week anyways. Guy who bought it is in R.I.
So I have bus money and challenge you guys to find me deal on a Bluebird All American A3FE or equivalent with a big motor, why trans, with no rust for less than $3K. I'll send $100 to whoever finds the bus I buy. I am working on a deal now for an 01 Thomas MPV-EF with 16k miles for $2500, but I haven't verified it is a 40'er, 12 window yet
Ready to pull the trigger.
My 40' MVP has 14 windows ... just sayin'

12 windows is likely 35' overall.
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Old 01-27-2018, 02:17 PM   #8
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My 40' MVP has 14 windows ... just sayin'

12 windows is likely 35' overall.
I wouldn't know, you have a 22 page build thread and not a single pic of the outside of the bus.
As long as it's 70+ passenger
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Old 01-27-2018, 03:44 PM   #9
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I wouldn't know, you have a 22 page build thread and not a single pic of the outside of the bus.
As long as it's 70+ passenger
Here you are:

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/171129/item/DA3235
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Old 01-27-2018, 03:56 PM   #10
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That rear engine bus sold last month for $4k
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Old 01-27-2018, 04:03 PM   #11
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That rear engine bus sold last month for $4k
You asked for pictures of the outside of my bus. Yes, that bus sold. I bought it
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Old 01-27-2018, 04:10 PM   #12
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You asked for pictures of the outside of my bus. Yes, that bus sold. I bought it
Gotcha, I didn't understand the reply. I want one just like yours, but front bigger engine. And of course with fewer miles and cheaper.:big grin:

Is that the one you bought, or a similar one?
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Old 01-27-2018, 04:12 PM   #13
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Gotcha, I didn't understand the reply. I want one just like yours, but front bigger engine. And of course with fewer miles and cheaper.:big grin:

Is that the one you bought, or a similar one?
That is the one I bought.
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Old 01-30-2018, 11:26 AM   #14
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Plans changed in my favor. Both new Airstream owners are coming for their units. I don't have to go anywhere, Yay.
So I'm actively in the market for a 40' bus. Any leads on what I'm looking for for less than $3K?
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Old 01-30-2018, 03:01 PM   #15
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Yay.
So I'm actively in the market for a 40' bus. Any leads on what I'm looking for for less than $3K?
A lot of people have done well on GovDeals auction site. Some have gotten deals off eBay. I would avoid Craigslist unless you are familiar with vehicles.
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Old 02-05-2018, 08:03 PM   #16
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Got my eye on one in the morning, wish me luck. Need to get started on one to pull me out of this funk I've been in since my parents died.
It's a 2004 Thomas 84pass. FE
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Old 02-05-2018, 08:34 PM   #17
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Got my eye on one in the morning, wish me luck. Need to get started on one to pull me out of this funk I've been in since my parents died.
It's a 2004 Thomas 84pass. FE
Good Luck ! Know your pain limit, then go a bit above that. Don't bid in even increments- $2012 , $3262, etc always a tish over a psychological level.
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Old 02-05-2018, 09:53 PM   #18
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Good Luck ! Know your pain limit, then go a bit above that. Don't bid in even increments- $2012 , $3262, etc always a tish over a psychological level.
It was at $1350 the other day and i put in a low bid just to see how it worked. Sure enough someone came in and bid it up till it hit my $1500. Ends tomorrow morning. My max is $2500 and I just noticed someone has come in and it's up to $2100. My bid will come in th last minute it it's still low enough. There's a bunch coming up in Ala. soon.
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Old 02-06-2018, 01:50 AM   #19
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It was at $1350 the other day and i put in a low bid just to see how it worked. Sure enough someone came in and bid it up till it hit my $1500. Ends tomorrow morning. My max is $2500 and I just noticed someone has come in and it's up to $2100. My bid will come in th last minute it it's still low enough. There's a bunch coming up in Ala. soon.
I guess there are three of us bidding on those AL buses.
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Old 02-06-2018, 10:23 AM   #20
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It was at $1350 the other day and i put in a low bid just to see how it worked. Sure enough someone came in and bid it up till it hit my $1500. Ends tomorrow morning. My max is $2500 and I just noticed someone has come in and it's up to $2100. My bid will come in th last minute it it's still low enough. There's a bunch coming up in Ala. soon.
What site are you using?
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