Slides of repairs barely seen on youtube venu by busnuts and I wish for all to be well informed on their buses as old as they are getting and we still wish to turn them into RV’s. This idea is great and admired by all that see them and makes owners very proud to show off, (I think but don’t know yet). As some of you know I have been converting my 05 model in my yard for over 20 years now. I spend much time making informative videos and slideshows on Youtube for all to see what I have purchased, have done to my Eagle and still continue doing to this very day. BUT I also see that barely anyone goes to youtube to see any of them and my intention to spend all this time making them is to better inform newbie’s wanting to do this hobby. Unless everyone objects to the administrators of these Eagle bus bulletin boards I will continue at times to post all repairs I have done on my personal vehicle. As always also I do not want to discourage bus nut enthusiasts from purchasing a bus to convert like I did also. I just want to make you aware that (No matter what bus you want there will be rust in areas that will need addressing for safety reasons when these girls get 40-60 years old, just like us). There is not one bus on the road that (cannot) be repaired and my bus might be an exception to being really really bad. If so this will be a learning curve for others as to what to look for when inspecting a bus to purchase. BUT, you have to have some skills to keep them running, repair them and make safe sound decisions as they age for safety reasons for everyone that owns a bus. When we hear of a bus accident, we all look to see what kind of bus it was and try to find out as much as possible as to what caused the crash, and we all hope it is not a reason caused by age etc. I know I do when I hear this.
This first post concerns just this with an owner I know in Florida known as Dan. He ran into the back end of a tractor trailer truck at a high rate of speed when it was stopped or going very slow. I do not remember all of the particulars as it was years ago when this horrific accident happened. BUT I seen the bus after this happened and took pictures of it and now on this first post about our aging Eagles I want you all to be informed of what you (Could) be driving especially if your Eagle was stored & was driven in Northern states with salty roads, or down South near the salty water shores of Florida that can attack these bus frames like any vehicle. Eagle in particular were designed and built to last 12-15 years in constant service and then replaced. Now we are taking these vehicles after their usefulness has expired for most bus companies and we are trying to convert them into great heavy duty RV’s for our families and us to enjoy one day after doing all the work we will have to do to accomplish this.
Now all this work is something hopefully you will be able to do as work done by a shop will truly drain your wallet and credit cards big time, believe me. I purchased my Eagle for $30,000 and have invested OVER another $50,000 for metal to replace all the rust and parts for other components on the bus and Engine etc. I have now run out of money I allotted and am now slowed down as I have to do other things to earn more funds to finish, (Which I won’t probably be able to do) because of my age of 77 last month. So before you get as involved as I have I hope I will give you food for thought. If you really have to do this hobby, purchase the latest model bus you can afford and have it inspected before you get pumped up and purchase with your heart, (Like Me). I cannot STRESS this enough. Buy a bus you can use after careful inspection by a professional, get out and enjoy it and don’t spend every week, weekend, holiday, summer and get your family in it and enjoy it. Do not do like I did and think you can repair a bus at the extent I did as It was needed as you will see in even this first post of mine to make it roadworthy and SAFE for you and OTHERS ON THE ROAD ALSO.!!
My written posts are always long it seems. I hope you read all this and it has settled in your brain to make you think before doing anything rash. The cost of fuel now days and who knows for how long in the future will surely be a deterrent to anyone of age trying to hang on to their bus and the prices will surely come down and you can bargain for a cash deal. Please feel free to FB message me with any questions or concerns I may be able to help you with. This is my intent even if I never get to drive my bus again, at least I helped others make decisions concerning their buses, especially if it is an EAGLE. Don’t forget, Prevost Bus frames at one time were all built similar to Eagle’s but I am not sure if they still are but there is not ONE bus on the road not susceptible to rust at one level or another.
Well enough of that, now for the photos I promised you; I hope you enjoy.
This is the results of the accident Dan was involved in when he lost both his legs, look closely at the reason why on this 1973 05 Eagle and then compare to what I am about to show you about mine in the same area and what I did to hopefully protect myself better than the protection Dad had.