Hi , and am I being realistic?

[cmillsap]

Hello John,

Welcome to the forum.

I’ll Try to answer a few more of your questions. There is a large community of “full-timers” now living in their homes that are mobile. Visit the online website https://www.escapees.com/ and their subpage https://www.escapees.com/xscapers-group for more information about their member’s experience at living the nomadic lifestyle.

Although budgeting constraints will play a major role in deciding which year and model you choose, you should be aware of the progression of Prevost motorcoaches from year to year. Generally speaking, a 25 year-old model will look a lot like a 1 year-old model. The big differences are in the improvements in the mechanical, electrical and technical aspects from year to following year.

One big change is the engines. For a few years prior to 1995, Prevost equipped their busses with a Detroit Diesel 2-cycle 500hp 8V92 engine. A '92 model will have this engine. These are great engines and serve their owners well when maintained properly. However, they have unique requirements such as oil type that the owners need to be aware of to keep them properly maintained. Also, finding a mechanic who knows how to work on 8V92 is getting more difficult.

About 1995 Prevost changed to a Detroit Diesel 4-cycle 500hp S-60 model engine which remained the standard until just a few years ago when they replaced it with a Volvo engine. This S-60 engine proved itself to be very reliable and almost bullet-proof when maintained properly. It would be my choice of engines and I would want a coach equipped with one. Given that this is your first Prevost, I would suggest looking at a ’95 and up model Prevost if economically possible. You may find that the additional initial purchase price may be offset by the added costs incurred to get an older model into reliable running condition. Also, be aware that choice and availability is increased. There are not a lot of pre-’95 busses out there to choose from.

Prevost have a factory service center in Mira Loma, CA which is about 100 miles north of you on I-15. They also have factory and authorized services centers nationwide.

Most RV parks have weekly and monthly accommodations. Prices are commensurate with the quality of the park and run the gamut a couple of hundred dollars to two thousand dollars.

I don’t know of many owners that depend on solar to keep the large battery bank charged and provide all their electrical needs although I’m sure there are some. Most busses are really designed to be plugged into 50 amp shore power for long term use. Most RV parks will have 50 amp service available along with water and sewer connections. A Prevost motorhome is usually equipped with a generator sized properly to supply your electrical needs for a few days of dry camping.

You will need to be able to hook up to utility power at your friend’s rural property. Trying to dry camp there long term without an available shore power supply may not be practical. If power is on the property, you will need an electrican to install a 50amp RV plug-in receptacle to hook your power cord into.

You will need a minimum of 3 A/C units for a 40’ bus and 4 A/C units for a 45’ bus. They will keep your cats cool and comfortable while you’re are away. Just remember, as with all electrical appliances, they are dependent upon a constant source of power. Most will not restart themselves if power is interrupted.

A Prevost is usually equipped with two or three ways to heat your bus. There could be heat pumps in the A/C units, electric baseboard heaters and a main heater such as an AquaHot or Wabasto which are diesel fired. So, there is redundancy if one or the other fails.

I hope this helps….