Oh man! He's so spot on! We got a 36 year old Prevost Le Mirage XL II Angola, we call her "Miss Mae". At first I thought I'd never learn it, it seemed complicated and expensive. I actually do all the servicing myself and learn how to service or repair as it comes along and believe me you, they don't stop coming along and it's still expensive! We'd never not have Miss Mae now! I know her pretty darn good now even though she'll throw me a curve ball, but between the manuals, online forums, Prevost FB groups, and UA-cam channels it's possible! Thank you for that!
Prevost is an absolutely beautiful coach. Nothing can touch Prevost in terms of luxury and status ( I rank the Newmar King Aire as the next-best thing). My former boss from ten years ago also had an 18-year-old Prevost-a 1992 model. It was absolutely stunning! I was always asking him if he planned a weekend in the Prevost on Fridays. Invariably, he answered “Nope, it’s getting fixed again.”
We have a 1947 Greyhound bus that rodents completely chewed the wiring out front to back. I'm rewiring the entire coach. What a mess. I completely understand. Beautiful Coach!!!
Thanks so much...live in mouse country and those special sound machines have saved me in my garage...nice to know there are fancy coach ones...Like all of the high level ones...well..mid to high level ones..there are issues...but both of you...got what i consider some of the most beautiful and well made coaches in their class and ohh the wood in this Liberty...to die for...and both fixable to ones taste...thanks you two for update..still a one of a kind gorgeous Prevost when wood beauty was so "in" and all the other gorgeous things.
This is so funny listening to what Rob has been experiencing. I don't have a Prevost but we bought an '05 Monaco Executive 45' in 2018. We never owned an RV. driven one, or been camping before and I've been going through all of those exact same feelings. probably mostly the panic feelings though LOL. I have been extremely lucky though as the support I'm getting from the previous owner has been priceless.
It's great that he is honest, and telling people what to watch out for with these rolling works of art. I want to get either an older Prevost or Newell some day, probably a Prevost because I am a bus person, and I love the polished stainless siding on these amazing coaches. His is way above my pay grade and he has already spent quite a bit on his after purchase, but once everything is dialed in, it's just maintenance and knowing what to look for. He has a beautiful coach, and I am proud for he and his wife. Gods speed and safe travels.
I met a man on a flight from Charlotte nc to dallas tx. Sitting next to me was high end coach represented mechanic. He was flying to oversee a repair. Verry interesting time. Made the flight short with stories and sharing. If you dont have problems it's because its parked and not used...
All buses have their issues. Online support is very important. The mice issue is an issue that is endemic to anything that sits whether it is a bus, boat, tractor, etc. I appreciate your honesty Rob. My Wanderlodge has it's issues too. Thank again Andrew. You have the best RV channel on the tube.
i like how Rob embrace everything that is happening with his Prevost (the good and the bad). He's expecting brighter days ahead, he sees the glass half full, I'm like that too. Andrew what a great interview, we learned so much about the ins & outs of owning a used luxury custom coach. Like Rob says, it takes time to learn how everything works, Liberty did a lot of customization, now you need to be familiar with it, there is a learning curve, be patient and have deep pockets so you can stay on top of it and keep the coach in top shape.
Hey Andrew, another honest video as always. I sold my old Newmar diesel pusher after 6 years of ownership and bought a new Mercedes diesel Class C. Gave up a lot of space and some comfort but also a lot of maintenance and repair expenses. So far we are happy! 😎👍🏻
As a heavy truck mechanic, I can tell you that most of the coats you incurred could have been spared had you known what to do and look for. These things are big and contain many systems but it’s all just nuts and bolts,in the end. The alternator bracket cost was alarming to me,I don’t know how that could have been over 500 in parts assuming the belts were shredded and you needed a new bracket and hardware.
John you are right , friend of mine ask me abut opinion on used big brand coach and i told him don't buy , he ask me why 1 Anything goes wrong on engine V8 92 is nightmare to fix and huge money , 2 electrical components on bus are very difficult to trace regular automotive technician won,t know where to start ,you need to take to rv place and i am telling anyone from my experience some rv garages i will run out names i would like to call them . My friend took my advice and buy super c Peterbulit rv with huge slide and he extremely happy now .
I had just told Andrew when he was here that it was not the initial purchase of the bus but rather the cost to maintain. that people should be aware of that. Hats off for stepping to the plate and making people aware. I think it’s a very important message to pass along. Safe travels
@Prevost Life “stabilized”. Ya I thought that too during my prevost ownership.... one last visit to prevost winter garden prior to delivery to new owners, $11k! Then same problem appeared while I was orienting them. Buh bye..
I bought a 2001 Corvette. It had 53k miles within 3 years of ownership. I washed it, did all the maintenance, and enjoyed every minute of it. I bought the toy, so I enjoyed the toy.
Lived on a boat for 19 Years. Loved it as well. But that was back in the day when it was fairly inexpensive. Unless you're loaded, it's pretty expensive plus more and more marinas have stopped allowing live-aboards.
I really appreciate the honesty. I've had similar experience with our Monaco we purchased used (2007) last year. I hope things are better for you and I in the future of RV ownership!
Thanks Rob and Andrew! I can totally relate to this video. I bought a “new” 2014 Winnebago Forza 34T in 2016. It had never been titled but had about 2,000 miles on it. There were numerous issues, some small (windshield wiper blade flying off the arm) and some significant issues (defective slide mechanism) out of the gate. Then you sort of settle in and start to enjoy the lifestyle to the point that you want to do it full-time...except we are not full-time...yet. I just spent about $9,000 on new tires, servicing slides and A/C units and about to spend another $1,500 on oil and filter, fuel filter and new air filter. So...BOOM!...$10,000+ in preparation for a 2 month trip from Texas to Sun Valley, ID. Like Rob mentioned, a coach sitting in storage increases costs...tires dry rot, water systems have to be flushed multiple times, etc. But, my wife and I love our 36’ money pit! Andrew and Rob...great, real perspective on motorhome ownership and the lifestyle! Thanks for telling it like it is!
1500 for oil change and service are you kidding me? I’m an owner operator truck driver and you can get that done at most shops for maybe $400. Now I’m picky and do my own service on my truck and Dieseal Pusher and it’s cost me less than 200 for oil change, filter and two fuel filters.
@@jameshowey9958......I own a couple of 18 wheel car carriers an I’m lost to the prices these guys r paying for tires oil changes an other things. These guys r getting hosed!
Mice proofing a class a is up to the owner, that's the first thing I did with mine when I bought it. I don't care what make or model there's a hole somewhere one can get in.
I converted an MC-9 from Church bus to RV. Owning a bus is crazy rewarding and very terrifying as wel. The threat of expensive mechanical failure is the terrifying part of the adventurel. Very informative and honest video.
"Honesty is the best policy" is not just a catchy phrase. People who live by that little mantra are the best people you can meet and befriend in life. Not only will they not lie or sugar coat things but in general they're also the people most likely to stand behind their word and treat a handshake like a signed contract. I will definitely be checking out this gentleman's channel. Thanks for introducing us all to another stand up human being Andrew...
I owned a 2006 XL2 Prevost conversion (RV by Marathon) for 6-years. The coach was driven close to 100,000 miles over that time and total repairs were $186,000. These things are very complicated; and everything breaks. Don't fool yourself and don't listen to the guys who tell you they are not expensive to own (these guys don't own one). If you drive it; expect $1-2.00 per mile for maintenance.
People have no clue that engine for Prevost bus new in the crate is 50.000$ plus for that reason i order Western Star 5700 XE with dual axles on the rear, that truck have DD 13 bulletproof engine and best part with super C RV you can stop to any garage that fix big truck's , maintenence is very simple and strait forward. Super C rv you are much safer due to long nose on Western Star ,one more fact DD 13 engine fuel milage is fantastic and that 1 million miles engine is very reliable .
love your "as it is" approach. No BS. I would buy a Coach from you since you won't hide anything. Good guy. Everyone wants to hide the bad stuff. Bad stuff happens, how you deal with it sets you apart. Love it. I have a Class A, I understand the process.
It is called Tuition of Life and it never ends, the good news is; the costs vary, it is not always $5,000 it may get to where it is $500 once in a while. Nice coach, appreciate you time.
As a mechanic in Florida for 40 years. Mice and rat have cost people alot of money. Always stay on top of these issues. It get expensive very quick 🐀🐀🐀👍👍👍
Rob’s discussion of his view of ownership at 15:00 should be mandatory viewing for anyone who is considering one of these fine coaches. His description is EXACTLY how it works, or should work! The first few months can be a shock to anyone expecting to blissfully roll off into the sunset! If they are unprepared for these costs, and the effort required to make the coach into what they envision, they will be disappointed. Education costs money and that’s what you get when you face the challenges and overcome them. The ownership experience for Rob will get better and better because he has the right attitude for ownership of one of these fine coaches. Round numbers - Even for what appears to be the perfect coach, I tell people interested in coaches like these to set aside $10K post purchase for unexpected hits IF they are DIY’ers. If they plan on using their “plastic wrench”, that number could easily double. Of course, these numbers do not include new tires & batteries, which will almost certainly need to be replaced within the first year - and that will be another $10K!
I'm a Entertainer Coach Driver. I've lived on the road for 40 years with millions of miles. First he was overcharged for some of the things mentioned. If it's a bus it's gonna break and it's going to be expensive. A good rule of thumb is carry spare everything. Belts, hoses, alternator, clamps, pulleys, tire, and airbags. This may sound excesive but if any item listed above breaks and you have to get it fixed on the road the bill will be more than what the entire list above would cost. Example last year I had a air hose break it was about an $80 dollar part but the roadside bill was $1250. I kinda laughed when he said now he knows his coach. The real answer is know he's experienced that problem. After 40 years on the road I still have problems that I've never seen before. (But not many) these builders are trying to go too high tech and it's harder to find and fix problems so look for simple systems. Also if you've never driven one hire a professional driver to teach you how to drive it. This isn't your mini van, one simple mistake can cost you an absolute fortune. One small tree branch can destroy a $25k paint job. And that's just to start! You can't replace experience but you can learn from others what not to do.
Thanks for the great information I am in the process of buying a new coach and this helps tremendously thank you for all that you do I can’t wait to get on the road !! Like They say you always have to take the good with the bad , Nothings ever perfect , it’s the adventure that counts!
I’ve had two 50ft boats and basically this a big boat with the advantage of not having to worry about sinking. With that said, I loved my boats and as I explore motor coaches, I suspect I will love these things as well.
I used to own an airplane. It's kind of the same deal. Each aircraft has a lot of custom stuff, requires research to maintain, and usually require immediate maintenance attention when you buy a used one , even if it looks great on inspection.
I'm an old guy who, through the years, have owned a class A, two class C's, a Cab Over camper, and finally a little high top Class B. After modifying the Class B with a much larger fresh water supply, although cramped, that Class B was the most economical and trouble free home on wheels. The worse was the Class A getting 6 mpg highway. The Cab over camper and both Class C's developed roof leaks. Now I'd just rather stay in a hotel or motel with a restaurant. No more hassles looking for water, dump stations, or propane.
Lol..... Thanks for that info... My wife is 65, and I'm 63. Thought about purchasing one of these. I'm a 25 year class a driver. But, I think I'll pass on buying one of these. Yes, hotel and restaurant sounds much better. Although, we may look into renting one for a few weeks. Just to give it a try
100% - just stay in a hotel or have a tent on top of your roof. maybe a tear drop trailer. you can rent one of these things if youre dying to. my buddy bought a nice boat, used for $35000. he has it on the market now after one season & just taking it out twice. its alot of work.
we just bought an 01 liberty, went through Gil and Prevost. We have a small squawk list, but we are a group of jet mechanics. That learning curve on the pneumatic, hydraulic, water, waste and house lasted a week. The manuals are there to read! every one of them from the dvd, to the engine and beyond. Glad you are coming around to enjoying your coach
JustPlaneMX Hey guys, love your name!! Guess it would really take another jet mech to really appreciate it!! My wife and I are looking to find our first coach a bit later this year and would love to run into you on the road sometime, some place down the road!! We are currently in NC but hopefully we will be full time next year. I spent 10 years in the USAF and was a jet mech. Most of that time was spent on the flight line /test cell/trim pad and a couple years in shop doing tear down/buildup and gearbox work. Enjoyed the work immensely and it carries over into everything you do in normal life and you become a perfectionist cause good enough my be ok for your Yugo but not the F-15! Take care guys, stay safe out there and we we will catch ya across the wild blue yonder down the road soon!!
@@1982MCI My son is an f15e pilot so thankyou for your service and thank god youre all perfectionists...my son talks about the scrap heap of brand new items where if they dont meet required perfection they are thrown away...the cost means nothing where lives matter.
BusyBeeCompany hey there BusyBee!! When it comes to those aircraft, cost is not even in the equation of things when we are reviewing a repair. We just don’t care!! It’s not a care which you can have different levels of repairs, but when you have an aircraft you are repairing, there is only one way and that is absolutely the correct way, and it’s not open for discussion !!!! If you want that aircraft to fly again then it will be perfect so sleep good tonight knowing that your son has good people making sure he isn’t gonna have any issues at all. We want him landing that plane in one piece just as bad as you do!!! I promise, our mechanics have him flying the best aircraft he can fly, each and every time he goes up!! I have the utmost respect for your son!!! I had a 2 hour flight in the F-15 and those pilots are the best there is!!! I already respected those guys before but after I flew that day in one, I gained a whole new level of respect for them!! Those pilots are my hero’s, they are incredible men and you’ve got to be proud of him, I am for sure!!! Take care!!
@@1982MCI he is thankful for the ground crew as he is for the tax payer, he thanks everyone who thanks him for his service...his wife is a nurse for delivery and works with new borns and premies so im equally proud of them both and my brand new grandson they are finding out can be stressful as much as their jobs and they are just as much perfectionists with his welfare as you all are for him, thankyou for your service...pilots flyplanes but without you all theyd be very expensive climbing frames.
BusyBeeCompany that’s awesome and hits a bit close to home as my wife is also a nurse but she always said there’s no way she would ever be able to handle something as bad as labor and delivery, it would mentally scar her forever so she spent the next 14 years as a burn and trauma nurse, I know, lol 🤪 but that’s the way she’s wired and this world needs nurses that can handle both ends of the spectrum. Just more proof that it takes all of us to somehow try to survive this crazy world, we are all on the same team and have the same common goal!! Take care and stay safe out there!! I’ll keep your son on my prayer list to keep him safe!
One thing you can do to protect the wiring in like the main area where all the relays and fuses are in the side compartment outside kinda under the driver is get something like CRC Marine heavy duty corrosion inhibitor for electrical connections and engine components and spray all the exposed wiring you can with it. (Make sure it's for electrical wiring connections). The chemicals that coat and protect them will also keep mice from eating them. The reason mice eat wiring is because the wires coating has peanut oil in it. So coating them with electrical corrosion protection is great for the wiring, and the chemicals in it not only keep them from corroding, but it also covers the smell of the peanut oil and makes it to where the mice don't want to chew on them. Deer, Squirrels, mice, and other animals chew wiring for the same reason, they like peanut oil. lol.
I'm on disability and the government low balled me (as they do with almost everyone) and I found a 1987 Fleetwood bounder, just like the one in Breaking Bad and though I'd never owned an RV I decided to give it a shot. I paid $2000 for it and that was eight years ago. I'm sitting in it at my dinnet as I send you this comment right now. When I purchased it it had 59000 miles on it and it has almost 62000 on it now. In all the time I've owned it I replaced the alternator and the fuel pump and the rest has been regular maintenance. It's been great! I haven't really traveled in it as yet because my disability benefit won't permit it, but I and my dog have lived in it day in and day out for the length of time I've had it. I've never had it in a motor home park, but instead have been boondocking the entire time I've been in it and I live in Raleigh, the capitol city of North Carolina which is a good sized town. I've become pretty adept at finding creative ways to do the "urban camping" thing without offending anyone or being chased by the police. In fact, over the years I've gotten to know many of the officers in my area and they'll call in to say they're doing a "welfare check" and come aboard to enjoy a cup of coffee with me. They often recommend new places where I can put in for the night or hang out for a few days and they've become a terrific resource. This town has an awesome police force. This motor home has a GM 454 engine and gets roughly five miles to the gallon, so I try to move it as little as possible but aside from being my home, it's also my only transportation and I bomb around town in it like it's a Honda car. For being 37 feet in length it's pretty maneuverable and I handle it just fine. It's beginning to look a bit on the tired side now but considering that it's 34 years old it's still pretty trim and everything works fine. You commented that no one would want an RV of this sort and most probably wouldn't but this thing has never left me stranded ...EVER! I'm warm and dry in it, I have AC in the summer, it's been stone cold dependable and I probably got my money out of it in the first few months I was in it so I love this old thing. I've had brand new vehicles that weren't nearly this good. Just thought you'd like to know. Sure, I'd love to have a nice new Marathon H3 45 Quad Slide, but I'd keep my Bounder around just in case! By the way, I enjoy your videos! Thanks!
Love the editing as he discussed out of pocket expenses. I was Waiting for the three stooges. LOL. Good video. I’m learning that if I purchase a Prevost I should stick to the brands on my coast, meaning Liberty, Featherlite and the likes, but honestly prob better off renting for a month or two, take a vacation, then return it cleaner and nicer than I received it to it’s respective owner, then do it again the following year. Good stuff here Andrew. I’d suggest interviewing high end rental Co’s. So many rental Co’s are hurting (Bands that tour) etc.
I feel for you! I was 5 years total with my XL2. took 3 months off and traveled the country completely trouble free BUT, over my 5 years I spent right around $75k on maintenance and repairs. Happy day to see it sold. Just became too stressful and I own a plane and a boat so I know what expensive toys cost to run.
Whaaaaaattttttt......a manual that is 2-3 inches thick??? That is a deal killer for me. I went to school in NC and can't negotiate that obstacle hehehehe Thank you very much, Andrew, for sharing this story!! Hat's off to Rob and Cara for their purchase, sharing their experiences, and staying on top of maintenance!
Have Rob on again. Bend is a great place to be in the RV life. Rob is real about the hypersensitivity of owning a Class A. This is a cool journey and keep it going!! Get in the mode of enjoying it. Great work on learning it and good job Andrew.
Yea but it sure is nice to have a second home that you can actually live in. I have thought about it but I wouldn't use it enough unless I did live in it. I have a friend that bought one but he is very mechanically inclined and can do most of the repairs himself. If you can eliminate most of labor cost by doing it your self it is a win win. He actually has one for sale right now. It was used in the entertainment business.
It's a LUXURY COACH and Liberty is at the top. Nobody builds a better coach, Period. Liberty is the Bentley / Rolls of Luxury coaches. New coaches start around 2 million dollars. The previous owners neglected and probably monkeyed with it. So it's not a "RV" and definitely not for the financially challenged.
If you have a mechanical background 60 -70 percent of these costs will go away ... Heavy truck shops and mobile mechanics typically charge 130-150.00 an hr here , a lot of the problems are not difficult to fix most 1000 dollar repairs are 3-400 in parts , you are really paying for someone’s time.
@@JohnDiMartino very true, even with that said if paying $2900 to replace an alternator scares people then this probably isn't the RV for people like that.
I think that more new RV'ers need to hear that there is a learning curve and that there can be problems. The Camping World type of dealerships tout their warranties but people need to know that it can take days to fix this, weeks to get that fixed, etc. Great video!
This gentleman is quite spot on..I had owned Prevost busses for about 27 years, I would estimate the annual cost in maintaining a coach is 5-7,000 per year. This does not include fuel of course. That can just be a start.....depending!
Rodents find a permanent home anywhere as they’re of perfect size and dexterity. Fumigation is the best choice or live traps considering the multiplicitious variations inherently built into the structural rigidity of one coach vs another. The hidden difficulties of functions in coach electrical maintenance requires quick easy access as well a complete grasp of Feynman diagrams. Plus a spare fuse or two.
Thanks Andrew and Rob for the truthfulness surrounding ownership cost(s)! I’d love to find an affordable, well kept, 1995-2000 (non slide) coach. The potentially expensive repairs scare me - as I’m also a perfectionist. Unfortunately there is a long learning curve. I’m looking at a 1996 American Coach - which I’ve read used simpler systems. When you buy a coach “used”, you don’t have the reference of how everything “should” work. A new/strange sound may not be noticed. Will Rob do any of his own routine maintenance - like oil changes? Seems like a Prevost owner needs to be part mechanic - and most used coaches I look at have a full array of tools stowed away in the bay!! It’s definitely a toy - and things like mice, can’t be predicted. I’d like to see more on how you prevented the return of mice. Thanks, Tom
Well hearing that it's 18 years old far from brand-new anymore that sounds normal to me of certain things breaking down it's called wear and tear but Rob you did a good job and letting us know and you fix most of your problems and now you're enjoying your Liberty Coach so I commend you and I thank you for sharing your information about your RV I am new to this I don't even have the money to buy one but I dream of one day of owning an RV so having this knowledge ahead of time will help me greatly, when I do get my RV finally someday. PS, unfortunately, I don't see an RV as a toy, I see it as a (home on wheels) that's what I like the most Home away from Home. In other words My Second HOME. Be Safe out there.
I say UPGRADE anything that breaks. I had a VW 80s diesel Rabit that had lots of breakdowns. Including the Alternator Brackets. Instead of Buying one I had a Welding shop weld it THEN had them weld an extra flat steel bar heated and bent to shape then welded onto the bracket to increase its strength. It added less than 1/4 Lbs and will not break again It was one of many common issues. Later in life as a diesel mechanic, I did the same. Wiring, Switches, sensors all upgraded if they broke or preventive if I heard or read about common issues. Wast water tanks I upgraded in my Coach with Hi presure spining sprinkler heads with a home made venturi tube to inject cleaners. After draing the tanks thus the sensors are washed clean as new. These I installed when I got new biger tanks. I hope this helps someone.
So true, if you can’t afford the toy don’t buy it. Note to self; you cannot afford a Prevost... Much appreciate the naked truth concerning cost of Prevost ownership. 👍
We bought a brand new 5th wheel in 2004 in Illinois where we took delivery. Paid $23k. Still using it till this day. Probably spent $5k total in maintenance and repairs since purchase. Bought a brand new 1 Ton Lariat Ford in the marching paint scheme for $37k to go with it. 200k on the truck about 25k on the 5th wheel in miles.
A buddy of mine bought an rv conversion and the refrigerator didn't work. We pulled it out and turned it upside down and after one day upside down we reinstalled it and it works just fine. It doesn't have a compressor simply uses an electrical heater 24 volt 15 years later it still works fine after an rv shop quoted $3900. When there not used it's not unusual for all the oil to go to the lowest point in the system. Since we got it working he's always kept it plugged in so it is always working.
We own a lot at LVMR (Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort) and also love the resort. High end or lower end coach, you're going to have issues. I'm still learning about our coach after two years of ownership.
when we bought our first RV we were so excited, asked the salesperson what was the first thing he recommended we buy for it = "A really good toolbox" turned out to be very prescient.
Wow, that’s an eye opener. Love, love, love the shiny metal, very sharp looking bus. Oh and the story too, its an eye opener, no don’t love hearing you have misery with it, sort of, I mean it’s very interesting the problems. Would love one (the bus, not the problems that go with it), ....this is not coming out right, lol. Would love one but it’s way out of my league, so I’ll settle with looking and making the sounds, “ouh” and “ahh”. Lol. Appreciate the candour of reality, thanks to you both. Cheers 🍻
Prevost Life well, I can tell ya I’m gonna end up with one................. somehow!! You can’t ever quit dreaming and having goals!! If you do that, your dead!!
I have had absolutely no problem with my Prevost motor coach, .....none, ...zero, ...nada. Albeit my Prevost motor coach is a dream, and so I imagine, it will always be problem free.
18 year old coach that's to be expected , go out and buy a ten year old semi you will get the same thing . Systems are old and out dated , coaches are parked for long periods of time . Shops are expensive know all about it diesels last a long time but parts wear out , and there are many parts on that Prevost . Appreciate the honesty and should have more topics on the maintenance costs of operating a class A motor coach .
Andrew, so it is said that tires have a 4 digit number in an englongated circle on the side wall. The first 2 numbers indicate the week number in the year it was made. The second 2 numbers indicate the year the tire was made. People say not to run tires over 7 years old , because of dry rot. Many times when buying a rig that old the owner has failed to keep up with the maintenance and would rather sell then put that kind of money in it to bring it back to like new. Great video. How about putting out a book on , where to park or long stay with a big rig rv.
replace them every 5 years period.. not worth the risk. I had a front left tire blow out once on a bluebird.. not fun, no one died. Previous Prevost owner.
Tanks are always a black hole. Learned in the 90s to know where to look to know what everything is doing when traveling daily. Never trust the electronics. Listen, look, peek, feel and when in doubt get looked at the next city. Traveling by airplane is very similar. It's worth it, and it's still fun after decades
Andrew Steele, if you come across another coach like this in the future, please contact us. We are in the market for one. Rob's is awesome and Perfect!
Amazing how people can drop $20,000 like a drop in a bucket, I would of given up at the first $5,000 repair, I've had 20 year old Class A's and Class C's, But, They are like $500.00 repairs, Thank you Andrew for this video, BTW, I play Guitar and Rob can play a Classical guitar, Outstanding !!
@Prevost Life This guy is my favorite, He just moved to California pretty close to me, I'm sure you'll know who this is, Fasten your seat belt. 👍 ua-cam.com/video/S33tWZqXhnk/v-deo.html
Oh man! He's so spot on! We got a 36 year old Prevost Le Mirage XL II Angola, we call her "Miss Mae". At first I thought I'd never learn it, it seemed complicated and expensive. I actually do all the servicing myself and learn how to service or repair as it comes along and believe me you, they don't stop coming along and it's still expensive! We'd never not have Miss Mae now! I know her pretty darn good now even though she'll throw me a curve ball, but between the manuals, online forums, Prevost FB groups, and UA-cam channels it's possible! Thank you for that!
So like a boat, happiest days are the day you buy it and the day you sell it.
@jim harley .. Sorely aproprate!
Same with some airplanes too.
Your honesty is refreshing! Much appreciated!
Prevost is an absolutely beautiful coach. Nothing can touch Prevost in terms of luxury and status ( I rank the Newmar King Aire as the next-best thing). My former boss from ten years ago also had an 18-year-old Prevost-a 1992 model. It was absolutely stunning! I was always asking him if he planned a weekend in the Prevost on Fridays. Invariably, he answered “Nope, it’s getting fixed again.”
Rob has the right attitude! Appreciate his candor, as well. Another excellent video!
We have a 1947 Greyhound bus that rodents completely chewed the wiring out front to back. I'm rewiring the entire coach. What a mess. I completely understand. Beautiful Coach!!!
Thanks so much...live in mouse country and those special sound machines have saved me in my garage...nice to know there are fancy coach ones...Like all of the high level ones...well..mid to high level ones..there are issues...but both of you...got what i consider some of the most beautiful and well made coaches in their class and ohh the wood in this Liberty...to die for...and both fixable to ones taste...thanks you two for update..still a one of a kind gorgeous Prevost when wood beauty was so "in" and all the other gorgeous things.
WOW !! What a beauty . It doesn't look like an 18n-year-old coach .
GREAT VIDEO. I appreciate the very candid approach. Honesty above all else.
I love Rob’s attitude! And Yes, it’s a lifestyle. Bravo Rob!!!
This is so funny listening to what Rob has been experiencing. I don't have a Prevost but we bought an '05 Monaco Executive 45' in 2018. We never owned an RV. driven one, or been camping before and I've been going through all of those exact same feelings. probably mostly the panic feelings though LOL. I have been extremely lucky though as the support I'm getting from the previous owner has been priceless.
It's great that he is honest, and telling people what to watch out for with these rolling works of art. I want to get either an older Prevost or Newell some day, probably a Prevost because I am a bus person, and I love the polished stainless siding on these amazing coaches. His is way above my pay grade and he has already spent quite a bit on his after purchase, but once everything is dialed in, it's just maintenance and knowing what to look for. He has a beautiful coach, and I am proud for he and his wife. Gods speed and safe travels.
I met a man on a flight from Charlotte nc to dallas tx. Sitting next to me was high end coach represented mechanic. He was flying to oversee a repair. Verry interesting time. Made the flight short with stories and sharing. If you dont have problems it's because its parked and not used...
All buses have their issues. Online support is very important. The mice issue is an issue that is endemic to anything that sits whether it is a bus, boat, tractor, etc. I appreciate your honesty Rob. My Wanderlodge has it's issues too. Thank again Andrew. You have the best RV channel on the tube.
i like how Rob embrace everything that is happening with his Prevost (the good and the bad). He's expecting brighter days ahead, he sees the glass half full, I'm like that too. Andrew what a great interview, we learned so much about the ins & outs of owning a used luxury custom coach. Like Rob says, it takes time to learn how everything works, Liberty did a lot of customization, now you need to be familiar with it, there is a learning curve, be patient and have deep pockets so you can stay on top of it and keep the coach in top shape.
Hey Andrew, another honest video as always. I sold my old Newmar diesel pusher after 6 years of ownership and bought a new Mercedes diesel Class C. Gave up a lot of space and some comfort but also a lot of maintenance and repair expenses. So far we are happy! 😎👍🏻
As a heavy truck mechanic, I can tell you that most of the coats you incurred could have been spared had you known what to do and look for. These things are big and contain many systems but it’s all just nuts and bolts,in the end. The alternator bracket cost was alarming to me,I don’t know how that could have been over 500 in parts assuming the belts were shredded and you needed a new bracket and hardware.
Eggzzactly! I own a few Peterbuilt car carriers an that alternator price is nutts.
@@icebergslim3743 -
I’ll bet they use shops that cater to these RVs and probably get charged a premium. Just a guess.
Labor, labor, labor!!
Thank you, a machine shop could have made brackets BETTER than the original for less than $600
John you are right , friend of mine ask me abut opinion on used big brand coach and i told him don't buy , he ask me why 1 Anything goes wrong on engine V8 92 is nightmare to fix and huge money , 2 electrical components on bus are very difficult to trace regular automotive technician won,t know where to start ,you need to take to rv place and i am telling anyone from my experience some rv garages i will run out names i would like to call them . My friend took my advice and buy super c Peterbulit rv with huge slide and he extremely happy now .
I had just told Andrew when he was here that it was not the initial purchase of the bus but rather the cost to maintain. that people should be aware of that. Hats off for stepping to the plate and making people aware. I think it’s a very important message to pass along. Safe travels
Exactly! See you guys soon!
@@RVingwithAndrewSteele This is one of your best Prevost RV videos ever, @Rving with Andrew Steele.
@Prevost Life “stabilized”. Ya I thought that too during my prevost ownership.... one last visit to prevost winter garden prior to delivery to new owners, $11k! Then same problem appeared while I was orienting them. Buh bye..
I bought a 2001 Corvette. It had 53k miles within 3 years of ownership. I washed it, did all the maintenance, and enjoyed every minute of it. I bought the toy, so I enjoyed the toy.
Thank you Rob for sharing that information.
I lived on a Harley and just loved it. I’m old but still think a boat is next.
Lived on a boat for 19 Years. Loved it as well. But that was back in the day when it was fairly inexpensive. Unless you're loaded, it's pretty expensive plus more and more marinas have stopped allowing live-aboards.
You have to be someone who enjoys the learning and gets satisfaction from working on and maintaining your rig.
Half the fun is the journey.
I really appreciate the honesty. I've had similar experience with our Monaco we purchased used (2007) last year. I hope things are better for you and I in the future of RV ownership!
Thanks Rob and Andrew! I can totally relate to this video. I bought a “new” 2014 Winnebago Forza 34T in 2016. It had never been titled but had about 2,000 miles on it. There were numerous issues, some small (windshield wiper blade flying off the arm) and some significant issues (defective slide mechanism) out of the gate. Then you sort of settle in and start to enjoy the lifestyle to the point that you want to do it full-time...except we are not full-time...yet. I just spent about $9,000 on new tires, servicing slides and A/C units and about to spend another $1,500 on oil and filter, fuel filter and new air filter. So...BOOM!...$10,000+ in preparation for a 2 month trip from Texas to Sun Valley, ID. Like Rob mentioned, a coach sitting in storage increases costs...tires dry rot, water systems have to be flushed multiple times, etc. But, my wife and I love our 36’ money pit! Andrew and Rob...great, real perspective on motorhome ownership and the lifestyle! Thanks for telling it like it is!
1500 for oil change and service are you kidding me? I’m an owner operator truck driver and you can get that done at most shops for maybe $400. Now I’m picky and do my own service on my truck and Dieseal Pusher and it’s cost me less than 200 for oil change, filter and two fuel filters.
@@jameshowey9958......I own a couple of 18 wheel car carriers an I’m lost to the prices these guys r paying for tires oil changes an other things. These guys r getting hosed!
Wow!!!
Great video!!!!
Like you said, if you can't afford to fix or repair the unseen potential problems, don't buy it.
Mice proofing a class a is up to the owner, that's the first thing I did with mine when I bought it. I don't care what make or model there's a hole somewhere one can get in.
Tell us more old wise one your insight is overwhelming
I converted an MC-9 from Church bus to RV. Owning a bus is crazy rewarding and very terrifying as wel. The threat of expensive mechanical failure is the terrifying part of the adventurel. Very informative and honest video.
Excellent content. Really appreciate the brutal honesty. After Rob is done with the repairs and upgrades, the coach will be like new.
"Honesty is the best policy" is not just a catchy phrase. People who live by that little mantra are the best people you can meet and befriend in life. Not only will they not lie or sugar coat things but in general they're also the people most likely to stand behind their word and treat a handshake like a signed contract. I will definitely be checking out this gentleman's channel. Thanks for introducing us all to another stand up human being Andrew...
I owned a 2006 XL2 Prevost conversion (RV by Marathon) for 6-years. The coach was driven close to 100,000 miles over that time and total repairs were $186,000. These things are very complicated; and everything breaks. Don't fool yourself and don't listen to the guys who tell you they are not expensive to own (these guys don't own one). If you drive it; expect $1-2.00 per mile for maintenance.
This seems to be closer to the preventative maintenance, repair, and fuel consumption realm of owning a small Yacht.
People have no clue that engine for Prevost bus new in the crate is 50.000$ plus for that reason i order Western Star 5700 XE with dual axles on the rear, that truck have DD 13 bulletproof engine and best part with super C RV you can stop to any garage that fix big truck's , maintenence is very simple and strait forward. Super C rv you are much safer due to long nose on Western Star ,one more fact DD 13 engine fuel milage is fantastic and that 1 million miles engine is very reliable .
After watching i would be more into buying early 2000's beaver thunder I think over this
love your "as it is" approach. No BS. I would buy a Coach from you since you won't hide anything. Good guy. Everyone wants to hide the bad stuff. Bad stuff happens, how you deal with it sets you apart. Love it. I have a Class A, I understand the process.
Great talk with honesty and laying it out like it is.
"How much did it cost?"
"It varies; you just keep putting money in till you're broke and hope for the best.."
My estimates were pretty accurate. You need about $10,000 in the bank at all times to operate one of these.
1st time watcher. Great video!! Appreciate the transparency. Hard to find.
It is called Tuition of Life and it never ends, the good news is; the costs vary, it is not always $5,000 it may get to where it is $500 once in a while. Nice coach, appreciate you time.
As a mechanic in Florida for 40 years. Mice and rat have cost people alot of money. Always stay on top of these issues. It get expensive very quick 🐀🐀🐀👍👍👍
How do you stay on top of critter issues
@@dieselcowboy777 many rat traps and keep the environment clean
I will say this. It's a Liberty Coach. It's beautiful . I wish you could give us the tour. Love that it's a non slide.
Rob’s discussion of his view of ownership at 15:00 should be mandatory viewing for anyone who is considering one of these fine coaches. His description is EXACTLY how it works, or should work! The first few months can be a shock to anyone expecting to blissfully roll off into the sunset! If they are unprepared for these costs, and the effort required to make the coach into what they envision, they will be disappointed. Education costs money and that’s what you get when you face the challenges and overcome them. The ownership experience for Rob will get better and better because he has the right attitude for ownership of one of these fine coaches.
Round numbers - Even for what appears to be the perfect coach, I tell people interested in coaches like these to set aside $10K post purchase for unexpected hits IF they are DIY’ers. If they plan on using their “plastic wrench”, that number could easily double. Of course, these numbers do not include new tires & batteries, which will almost certainly need to be replaced within the first year - and that will be another $10K!
rob we own a 1982 prevost and love it we rebuilt most of the unit but have kept most original
I'm a Entertainer Coach Driver. I've lived on the road for 40 years with millions of miles. First he was overcharged for some of the things mentioned. If it's a bus it's gonna break and it's going to be expensive. A good rule of thumb is carry spare everything. Belts, hoses, alternator, clamps, pulleys, tire, and airbags. This may sound excesive but if any item listed above breaks and you have to get it fixed on the road the bill will be more than what the entire list above would cost. Example last year I had a air hose break it was about an $80 dollar part but the roadside bill was $1250.
I kinda laughed when he said now he knows his coach. The real answer is know he's experienced that problem.
After 40 years on the road I still have problems that I've never seen before. (But not many) these builders are trying to go too high tech and it's harder to find and fix problems so look for simple systems. Also if you've never driven one hire a professional driver to teach you how to drive it. This isn't your mini van, one simple mistake can cost you an absolute fortune. One small tree branch can destroy a $25k paint job. And that's just to start! You can't replace experience but you can learn from others what not to do.
Love your attitude “The adventure of owning one is really the joy” that’s kind of how I thought of my kids when they were growing up.
lol
Beautiful coach! Well worth the costs of keeping it up.
So right, you start looking and seeing problems everywhere.
Alot of expense in RV's are the crooks in your pocket.
Thanks for the great information I am in the process of buying a new coach and this helps tremendously thank you for all that you do I can’t wait to get on the road !! Like They say you always have to take the good with the bad , Nothings ever perfect , it’s the adventure that counts!
I’ve had two 50ft boats and basically this a big boat with the advantage of not having to worry about sinking. With that said, I loved my boats and as I explore motor coaches, I suspect I will love these things as well.
I used to own an airplane. It's kind of the same deal. Each aircraft has a lot of custom stuff, requires research to maintain, and usually require immediate maintenance attention when you buy a used one , even if it looks great on inspection.
Except RV on ground airplane in air. Just minor diff
Thanks for your honesty and showing us the down side, many would never admit these troubles.
Thanks for the truth about this. Its so hard to get honesty now days.
I'm a 18 wheeler owner operator. I've experienced the same problems. Lol
I'm an old guy who, through the years, have owned a class A, two class C's, a Cab Over camper, and finally a little high top Class B. After modifying the Class B with a much larger fresh water supply, although cramped, that Class B was the most economical and trouble free home on wheels. The worse was the Class A getting 6 mpg highway. The Cab over camper and both Class C's developed roof leaks. Now I'd just rather stay in a hotel or motel with a restaurant. No more hassles looking for water, dump stations, or propane.
Lol.....
Thanks for that info...
My wife is 65, and I'm 63.
Thought about purchasing one of these. I'm a 25 year class a driver.
But, I think I'll pass on buying one of these. Yes, hotel and restaurant sounds much better.
Although, we may look into renting one for a few weeks.
Just to give it a try
100% - just stay in a hotel or have a tent on top of your roof. maybe a tear drop trailer. you can rent one of these things if youre dying to. my buddy bought a nice boat, used for $35000. he has it on the market now after one season & just taking it out twice. its alot of work.
A great watch/view for my Monday morning which for me is a Saturday! Thank You 😊
Prevost mechanic here, these are beautiful machines, just like a BMW, you need to bring it up to speed and then maintain.
Watching a lot of Prevost videos 📹 makes me satisfied that our purchase will be a Newell coach.
we just bought an 01 liberty, went through Gil and Prevost. We have a small squawk list, but we are a group of jet mechanics. That learning curve on the pneumatic, hydraulic, water, waste and house lasted a week. The manuals are there to read! every one of them from the dvd, to the engine and beyond.
Glad you are coming around to enjoying your coach
JustPlaneMX Hey guys, love your name!! Guess it would really take another jet mech to really appreciate it!! My wife and I are looking to find our first coach a bit later this year and would love to run into you on the road sometime, some place down the road!! We are currently in NC but hopefully we will be full time next year. I spent 10 years in the USAF and was a jet mech. Most of that time was spent on the flight line /test cell/trim pad and a couple years in shop doing tear down/buildup and gearbox work. Enjoyed the work immensely and it carries over into everything you do in normal life and you become a perfectionist cause good enough my be ok for your Yugo but not the F-15!
Take care guys, stay safe out there and we we will catch ya across the wild blue yonder down the road soon!!
@@1982MCI My son is an f15e pilot so thankyou for your service and thank god youre all perfectionists...my son talks about the scrap heap of brand new items where if they dont meet required perfection they are thrown away...the cost means nothing where lives matter.
BusyBeeCompany hey there BusyBee!! When it comes to those aircraft, cost is not even in the equation of things when we are reviewing a repair. We just don’t care!! It’s not a care which you can have different levels of repairs, but when you have an aircraft you are repairing, there is only one way and that is absolutely the correct way, and it’s not open for discussion !!!! If you want that aircraft to fly again then it will be perfect so sleep good tonight knowing that your son has good people making sure he isn’t gonna have any issues at all. We want him landing that plane in one piece just as bad as you do!!! I promise, our mechanics have him flying the best aircraft he can fly, each and every time he goes up!!
I have the utmost respect for your son!!! I had a 2 hour flight in the F-15 and those pilots are the best there is!!! I already respected those guys before but after I flew that day in one, I gained a whole new level of respect for them!! Those pilots are my hero’s, they are incredible men and you’ve got to be proud of him, I am for sure!!!
Take care!!
@@1982MCI he is thankful for the ground crew as he is for the tax payer, he thanks everyone who thanks him for his service...his wife is a nurse for delivery and works with new borns and premies so im equally proud of them both and my brand new grandson they are finding out can be stressful as much as their jobs and they are just as much perfectionists with his welfare as you all are for him, thankyou for your service...pilots flyplanes but without you all theyd be very expensive climbing frames.
BusyBeeCompany that’s awesome and hits a bit close to home as my wife is also a nurse but she always said there’s no way she would ever be able to handle something as bad as labor and delivery, it would mentally scar her forever so she spent the next 14 years as a burn and trauma nurse, I know, lol 🤪 but that’s the way she’s wired and this world needs nurses that can handle both ends of the spectrum. Just more proof that it takes all of us to somehow try to survive this crazy world, we are all on the same team and have the same common goal!!
Take care and stay safe out there!! I’ll keep your son on my prayer list to keep him safe!
REALLY APPRECIATE UR HONESTY. thx.
One thing you can do to protect the wiring in like the main area where all the relays and fuses are in the side compartment outside kinda under the driver is get something like CRC Marine heavy duty corrosion inhibitor for electrical connections and engine components and spray all the exposed wiring you can with it. (Make sure it's for electrical wiring connections). The chemicals that coat and protect them will also keep mice from eating them. The reason mice eat wiring is because the wires coating has peanut oil in it. So coating them with electrical corrosion protection is great for the wiring, and the chemicals in it not only keep them from corroding, but it also covers the smell of the peanut oil and makes it to where the mice don't want to chew on them. Deer, Squirrels, mice, and other animals chew wiring for the same reason, they like peanut oil. lol.
I'm on disability and the government low balled me (as they do with almost everyone) and I found a 1987 Fleetwood bounder, just like the one in Breaking Bad and though I'd never owned an RV I decided to give it a shot. I paid $2000 for it and that was eight years ago. I'm sitting in it at my dinnet as I send you this comment right now. When I purchased it it had 59000 miles on it and it has almost 62000 on it now. In all the time I've owned it I replaced the alternator and the fuel pump and the rest has been regular maintenance. It's been great!
I haven't really traveled in it as yet because my disability benefit won't permit it, but I and my dog have lived in it day in and day out for the length of time I've had it. I've never had it in a motor home park, but instead have been boondocking the entire time I've been in it and I live in Raleigh, the capitol city of North Carolina which is a good sized town. I've become pretty adept at finding creative ways to do the "urban camping" thing without offending anyone or being chased by the police. In fact, over the years I've gotten to know many of the officers in my area and they'll call in to say they're doing a "welfare check" and come aboard to enjoy a cup of coffee with me. They often recommend new places where I can put in for the night or hang out for a few days and they've become a terrific resource. This town has an awesome police force.
This motor home has a GM 454 engine and gets roughly five miles to the gallon, so I try to move it as little as possible but aside from being my home, it's also my only transportation and I bomb around town in it like it's a Honda car. For being 37 feet in length it's pretty maneuverable and I handle it just fine. It's beginning to look a bit on the tired side now but considering that it's 34 years old it's still pretty trim and everything works fine.
You commented that no one would want an RV of this sort and most probably wouldn't but this thing has never left me stranded ...EVER! I'm warm and dry in it, I have AC in the summer, it's been stone cold dependable and I probably got my money out of it in the first few months I was in it so I love this old thing. I've had brand new vehicles that weren't nearly this good. Just thought you'd like to know. Sure, I'd love to have a nice new Marathon H3 45 Quad Slide, but I'd keep my Bounder around just in case! By the way, I enjoy your videos! Thanks!
I wonder if anybody read this story I didn’t.
Great eye opening video. Thank you Rob for your transparency on the issues you experienced. Excellent interview, thank you Andrew. Happy trails!
Helpful content presented...Thank you...
Im right with you on the 20 plus thousand our bus was repoed 3 times and abused it’s whole life.
Great tips and good to know some of the gotchas in owning a coach.
Awesome Guy, he is going to have to much fun in that Beautiful RV.
@Prevost Life Plus Nice to have $$$$
Love the editing as he discussed out of pocket expenses. I was Waiting for the three stooges. LOL. Good video. I’m learning that if I purchase a Prevost I should stick to the brands on my coast, meaning Liberty, Featherlite and the likes, but honestly prob better off renting for a month or two, take a vacation, then return it cleaner and nicer than I received it to it’s respective owner, then do it again the following year. Good stuff here Andrew. I’d suggest interviewing high end rental Co’s. So many rental Co’s are hurting (Bands that tour) etc.
I feel for you! I was 5 years total with my XL2. took 3 months off and traveled the country completely trouble free BUT, over my 5 years I spent right around $75k on maintenance and repairs. Happy day to see it sold. Just became too stressful and I own a plane and a boat so I know what expensive toys cost to run.
Does 75 grand include fuel and, oil changes?
Whaaaaaattttttt......a manual that is 2-3 inches thick??? That is a deal killer for me. I went to school in NC and can't negotiate that obstacle hehehehe
Thank you very much, Andrew, for sharing this story!!
Hat's off to Rob and Cara for their purchase, sharing their experiences, and staying on top of maintenance!
Have Rob on again. Bend is a great place to be in the RV life. Rob is real about the hypersensitivity of owning a Class A. This is a cool journey and keep it going!! Get in the mode of enjoying it. Great work on learning it and good job Andrew.
I thought I always wanted a Prevost I’m starting to rethink this I could rent a lot of motels for what these things cost to maintain
Yea but it sure is nice to have a second home that you can actually live in. I have thought about it but I wouldn't use it enough unless I did live in it. I have a friend that bought one but he is very mechanically inclined and can do most of the repairs himself. If you can eliminate most of labor cost by doing it your self it is a win win. He actually has one for sale right now. It was used in the entertainment business.
It's a LUXURY COACH and Liberty is at the top. Nobody builds a better coach, Period.
Liberty is the Bentley / Rolls of Luxury coaches. New coaches start around 2 million dollars.
The previous owners neglected and probably monkeyed with it.
So it's not a "RV" and definitely not for the financially challenged.
If you have a mechanical background 60 -70 percent of these costs will go away ... Heavy truck shops and mobile mechanics typically charge 130-150.00 an hr here , a lot of the problems are not difficult to fix most 1000 dollar repairs are 3-400 in parts , you are really paying for someone’s time.
@@JohnDiMartino very true, even with that said if paying $2900 to replace an alternator scares people then this probably isn't the RV for people like that.
I would sleep in my car before I have to listen to the doors slamming in a motel all night!
I think that more new RV'ers need to hear that there is a learning curve and that there can be problems. The Camping World type of dealerships tout their warranties but people need to know that it can take days to fix this, weeks to get that fixed, etc.
Great video!
Agreed 100 %
100% correct. Dealerships will let your rig sit on the lot for months. They hope you give up and pay someone else to fix your problem.
This gentleman is quite spot on..I had owned Prevost busses for about 27 years, I would estimate the annual cost in maintaining a coach is 5-7,000 per year. This does not include fuel of course. That can just be a start.....depending!
Thank you for the truth!! I appreciate it!!
Rodents find a permanent home anywhere as they’re of perfect size and dexterity. Fumigation is the best choice or live traps considering the multiplicitious
variations inherently built into the structural rigidity of one coach vs another. The hidden difficulties of functions in coach electrical maintenance requires quick easy access as well a complete grasp of Feynman diagrams. Plus a spare fuse or two.
That coach is beautiful, enjoy it to its fullest. 👍🏻
wish we could of had a tour inside I only saw the gloss wood and got excited 😃👍👍
I am doing a full restoration of a 2004 Country Coach…42’ Intrigue Ovation. It’s an amazing tank.
Watching this video in 2X speed shows these two getting more thrills over the break downs and money spent than anything else.
First thing I learned about owning my bus is you either need DIY skills or a big checkbook.
You need both.
@@matthewerwin4677 Came here to say the same thing
Thanks Andrew and Rob for the truthfulness surrounding ownership cost(s)! I’d love to find an affordable, well kept, 1995-2000 (non slide) coach. The potentially expensive repairs scare me - as I’m also a perfectionist. Unfortunately there is a long learning curve. I’m looking at a 1996 American Coach - which I’ve read used simpler systems. When you buy a coach “used”, you don’t have the reference of how everything “should” work. A new/strange sound may not be noticed. Will Rob do any of his own routine maintenance - like oil changes? Seems like a Prevost owner needs to be part mechanic - and most used coaches I look at have a full array of tools stowed away in the bay!! It’s definitely a toy - and things like mice, can’t be predicted. I’d like to see more on how you prevented the return of mice. Thanks, Tom
Well hearing that it's 18 years old far from brand-new anymore that sounds normal to me of certain things breaking down it's called wear and tear but Rob you did a good job and letting us know and you fix most of your problems and now you're enjoying your Liberty Coach so I commend you and I thank you for sharing your information about your RV I am new to this I don't even have the money to buy one but I dream of one day of owning an RV so having this knowledge ahead of time will help me greatly, when I do get my RV finally someday. PS, unfortunately, I don't see an RV as a toy, I see it as a (home on wheels) that's what I like the most Home away from Home. In other words My Second HOME. Be Safe out there.
I say UPGRADE anything that breaks. I had a VW 80s diesel Rabit that had lots of breakdowns. Including the Alternator Brackets. Instead of Buying one I had a Welding shop weld it THEN had them weld an extra flat steel bar heated and bent to shape then welded onto the bracket to increase its strength. It added less than 1/4 Lbs and will not break again It was one of many common issues. Later in life as a diesel mechanic, I did the same. Wiring, Switches, sensors all upgraded if they broke or preventive if I heard or read about common issues. Wast water tanks I upgraded in my Coach with Hi presure spining sprinkler heads with a home made venturi tube to inject cleaners. After draing the tanks thus the sensors are washed clean as new. These I installed when I got new biger tanks. I hope this helps someone.
So true, if you can’t afford the toy don’t buy it. Note to self; you cannot afford a Prevost... Much appreciate the naked truth concerning cost of Prevost ownership. 👍
Yeah not that I was going to buy one anyway but $20,000 of repairs in 4 months time is a bit outside of my comfort zone.
We bought a brand new 5th wheel in 2004 in Illinois where we took delivery. Paid $23k. Still using it till this day. Probably spent $5k total in maintenance and repairs since purchase. Bought a brand new 1 Ton Lariat Ford in the marching paint scheme for $37k to go with it. 200k on the truck about 25k on the 5th wheel in miles.
A buddy of mine bought an rv conversion and the refrigerator didn't work. We pulled it out and turned it upside down and after one day upside down we reinstalled it and it works just fine. It doesn't have a compressor simply uses an electrical heater 24 volt 15 years later it still works fine after an rv shop quoted $3900. When there not used it's not unusual for all the oil to go to the lowest point in the system. Since we got it working he's always kept it plugged in so it is always working.
Great luck to you Robm enjoy life...
We own a lot at LVMR (Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort) and also love the resort. High end or lower end coach, you're going to have issues. I'm still learning about our coach after two years of ownership.
Kenneth Sinatra LVMC is nice!
I had a hard time deciding which one was Rob he is your true doppelganger.
Wut?!!
when we bought our first RV we were so excited, asked the salesperson what was the first thing he recommended we buy for it = "A really good toolbox" turned out to be very prescient.
Andrew Steele at it again. Andrew Congrats. You never have a bad video............
Wow, that’s an eye opener. Love, love, love the shiny metal, very sharp looking bus. Oh and the story too, its an eye opener, no don’t love hearing you have misery with it, sort of, I mean it’s very interesting the problems. Would love one (the bus, not the problems that go with it), ....this is not coming out right, lol.
Would love one but it’s way out of my league, so I’ll settle with looking and making the sounds, “ouh” and “ahh”. Lol.
Appreciate the candour of reality, thanks to you both. Cheers 🍻
Prevost Life well, I can tell ya I’m gonna end up with one................. somehow!! You can’t ever quit dreaming and having goals!! If you do that, your dead!!
Thanks for sharing .. I am determining whether I want to purchase a Prevost.
I have had absolutely no problem with my Prevost motor coach, .....none, ...zero, ...nada. Albeit my Prevost motor coach is a dream, and so I imagine, it will always be problem free.
18 year old coach that's to be expected , go out and buy a ten year old semi you will get the same thing . Systems are old and out dated , coaches are parked for long periods of time . Shops are expensive know all about it diesels last a long time but parts wear out , and there are many parts on that Prevost . Appreciate the honesty and should have more topics on the maintenance costs of operating a class A motor coach .
Thanks for being straight up, good video. I hope you get plenty of enjoyment.
Andrew, so it is said that tires have a 4 digit number in an englongated circle on the side wall. The first 2 numbers indicate the week number in the year it was made. The second 2 numbers indicate the year the tire was made. People say not to run tires over 7 years old , because of dry rot. Many times when buying a rig that old the owner has failed to keep up with the maintenance and would rather sell then put that kind of money in it to bring it back to like new. Great video. How about putting out a book on , where to park or long stay with a big rig rv.
replace them every 5 years period.. not worth the risk. I had a front left tire blow out once on a bluebird.. not fun, no one died. Previous Prevost owner.
I love this coach
Tanks are always a black hole. Learned in the 90s to know where to look to know what everything is doing when traveling daily. Never trust the electronics. Listen, look, peek, feel and when in doubt get looked at the next city. Traveling by airplane is very similar. It's worth it, and it's still fun after decades
5 days in Vegas isn't an inconvenience its a blessing. :)
Great talk- thanks
Andrew Steele, if you come across another coach like this in the future, please contact us. We are in the market for one. Rob's is awesome and Perfect!
Amazing how people can drop $20,000 like a drop in a bucket, I would of given up at the first $5,000 repair, I've had 20 year old Class A's and Class C's, But, They are like $500.00 repairs, Thank you Andrew for this video, BTW, I play Guitar and Rob can play a Classical guitar, Outstanding !!
@Prevost Life what's the difference between flamingo and classical guitar? The style of music? I have a Jose Ramirez.
@Prevost Life This guy is my favorite, He just moved to California pretty close to me, I'm sure you'll know who this is, Fasten your seat belt. 👍
ua-cam.com/video/S33tWZqXhnk/v-deo.html
@Prevost Life is that a flamenco guitar? It's not pink and it doesn't have a long curved neck.
Great Video!!!
And don't forget you have to drive it. It's a bus. Who doesn't dream of being a bus driver