Maiden Voyage

[flamedeep]

Okay, I had planned a trip from Cincinnati to the Grand Canyon before buying my skoolie. I bought a party bus from a college kid and had just over two months to convert it from party bus to motorhome. It's a 1992 Bluebird with a 6.6 diesel. I got it about 95 percent converted before leaving. I had a fan clutch go out and was stuck in Amarillo for three days waiting on a crappy dealership that never got the part for us. I went on to Albuquerque where the dealership had the part and had us back on the road in under three hours. We didn't get a chance to camp in the bus before we left so we had some minor repairs to plumbing while on the maiden voyage and decided to change the floor plan to make better use of space, now that we are back.

Had a tire blow out just 40 miles from our campground in St. Louis yesterday. Our new Good Sam roadside assistance was useless and I have cancelled my membership. Trip interruption only covers a crash (with another vehicle) not break downs.....They also found a place to charge me $600 for a tire when I located one for $200...

Had no trouble with campgrounds allowing us in. We mostly camped in KOA campgrounds. In Amarillo we stayed at the Amarillo RV Ranch and while being checked in the guy that "escorts" you to your campsite started looking out the window at the bus and then asked " Does that thing have sewer connection"? Other than that, lots of thumbs up and waves by people driving by on the highway. Even a nod from an outlaw motorcycle gang member riding by. We had a blast, we had our 4 kids with us and will never forget the trip. Now on to finish the remaining 5 percent of the bus! This site has been instrumental in getting us where we are today! check out pics at http://www.skoolie.net/gallery2/v/Skooli ... erbullett/

 

[bus-bro]

If that's your maiden voyage, what are you going to do for an encore?

Looks like you had a great trip, except the germlins that seem to like to go for bus rides too.

 

[syke]

... Cincinnati to the Grand Canyon.... just over two months to convert ..... 1992 Bluebird with a 6.6 diesel..... had a fan clutch go out and was stuck in Amarillo for three days... had some minor repairs to plumbing .... decided to change the floor plan to make better use of space....Had a tire blow out just 40 miles from our campground in St. Louis.... Good Sam roadside assistance was useless....Had no trouble with campgrounds allowing us in.... We mostly camped in KOA campgrounds...stayed at the Amarillo RV Ranch ....the guy that "escorts" you to your campsite asked " Does that thing have sewer connection"?..... lots of thumbs up and waves by people driving by on the highway.... Even a nod from an outlaw motorcycle gang member riding by.... We had a blast, we had our 4 kids with us and will never forget the trip.

Sounds like an epic trip to me! I dug the pictures also.

 

[browncrown]

lots of thumbs up and waves by people driving by on the highway. Even a nod from an outlaw motorcycle gang member riding by

The thumbs up always make you feel good don't they? Even if they come from outlaw gangs
Congrats on a great trip. From the pics, looks like you all had a great time.

 

[The_Stuff]

it aint a trip unless it starts with a boost and ends with a tow

glad you had fun!

 

[keith-SKO]

so what do i need to look out for with that good sam's road assis which i have,i have my own spear ,u think they will try to charge me to change it out on the road ??

 

[gbstewart]

glad u had a blast every time you go camping it will be fun thats the best part.
what was the problem with good sam did they not want did they not want to change the tire?

I have CAA RV put I havent had to use it (knock on wood)

gbstewart

 

[chev49]

coach.net is also good, besides the good sam platinum.

 

[flamedeep]

I had Good Sam Platinum and even if I had a spare they would have charged me to change it. That I don't have a problem with, it was the "We always go through Goodyear when buying tires" statement which ended up being waaaayy over priced, and an additional $130 to change the tire! I don't care who you go through, I want you to find the best deal!! I told them to forget it and cancelled my membership soon as I got back. I will say that they did cancel with no hassell. I think it's 30 days from the time of purchase even if you use their service. Im in contact with Coachnet now and will likely go through them. I was very disappointed in Good Sam, I have always trusted their service....

 

[gbstewart]

sounds like a blast!! dont mean to jack the thread, but I was under the impression that road side assssistance good sam or caa would change tires no charge, as well as limted tows and boost. I have Caa rv premier, never used it for the bus knock on wood, and I was planning on getting good sam or some other road side just in case. I just want as much coverage as I can afford, breaking down with a bus is wont be much fun if you have to depend on a tow truck driver with his hand in your pocket.

gbstewart

 

[lornaschinske]

I too was under the impression (pretty sure I read it someplace) that Good Sam changed tires for free. Like Coachnet, they DO charge for the tire if you don't have a space (no problem). Perhaps things have changed. Based on what I have read on the RV forums, I choose Coachnet when we hit the road again.

Some of you sound you travel with our luck. We EXPECT a break down other than a flat. Or are we the normal ones?

 

[bansil]

You areright Lorna....every trip with any vehicle I plan for the worst

 

[chev49]

its a good idea to always travel with a spare tire. many busses have them underneith unless "borrowed" . also a good jack and 1in air wrench n hose is handy cause you can often change a tire out way sooner than waiting 3hrs for the tow truck to change it. i would never travel without a spare tire for the bus, and all trailers, etc., and the proper tools.

 

[GreyEagle-SKO]

I always carry more than I could possible need...... Food, water, tools, spare tire, Jacks, spare parts, blankets, coats, hats, gloves and more tire chains, shovels, sand.... tarps.... just in case.
I figger if I've got a spare it won't break but just let me leave home without it and boom!

DW ask what if we break down? I told her we would pull off the side of the road, set up a mail box and plant some flowers...

 

[gbstewart]

I dont have a spare, really dont have room for one, really dont want to lift it, or change it anyway. :shock: If I get a flat on the rear should be able to limp into the next town and hope for a repair. if I blow a steer tire , have one taken off the rear and place it on the front, you can make to the next town. my tires are like new so hopefully less chance of a flat, when i do get new tires ill keep one as a spare not sure where to put ,figure out in the mean time.
CAA does to flat changes for free.

gbstewart

 

[lornaschinske]

We do not have a spare either. More to the point we do not want a spare. I'm afraid that David would have another heart attack if he tried changing one of the tires on the bus. At 51, I'm too old to be trying to change a tire on the bus and to be honest, I don't think I can anymore. Back when I was younger and installing cabinets, no problem. Now... no problem, call Coach net!

Seriously, David had to change the tire on the Class C a few years ago and hefting the tire around on the side of the interstate wasn't easy. I do not want to attempt to move the behemoths that's on the bus.

 

[bus-bro]

If you're up to jacking up 8 plus tons, breaking nuts loose that may take 1000 foot-lbs, dismounting several hundred pounds of tire on rim, then do the reverse--though only about 450 foot-pounds of torque, all on the side of the road; go for it. Plus you've got to find a place to put the tire and all that other stuff. Most just buy breakdown insurance, and travel with a credit card with some serious headroom.