Traveling pool players need Class C Motorhome.

[Island Drive]

Another reason why i like the idea of buying a vintage bus over anything else in the 40k-50k range (including restoration cost) If you buy a regular RV, with high miles,and a bit outdated (40-50k range) value continues to fall on it.

On the other hand, if you buy a vintage bus around 10k and add 20k or so into it, there will always be a buyer (will have to find them) around what you have into it. No doubt in my mind, i could buy that bus i posted, put 20k-30k into it..drive it for 5 years, and sell it for close to what i have into it. Always will be a vintage market. Same for old used Air-Streams

One basic item I learned from being in Repair a 1/3 of my working years is. I hate vehicles of Any type that are designed improperly and thus cause problems because of their mechanical design. I ran a Fleetwood dealership and still saw the gamut of brands here in CO and they all came to visit for a spat. If you can find a good Winnebago, they are like the Older Volvo 240's. The spacing for furnaces, frigs, venting, plumbing and such is laid out in a ''design that works'' way, and I saw VERY few of them come in for any repairs. I'm talking about the coach/home only, the drivetrain is the drivetrain on all of em. But they build the house properly. They may not be the prettiest but they have the fewest problems of All from my experiences, and we averaged 10-15 units a day during a 6 month span. Get a basic Class A BAgo, with a good engine and everything else will be fixable and work as one would think they should.

 

[swami4u]

Big difference between having a slide in/tow behind for long weekends or week long trips, too having one for your permanent home.

My suggestion of a class A would only apply to a person or group that plans on using it everyday, for a long period of time.

But the FACT is, if you use a rv as your home, you need to have a diesel class A. Unless your a multi-millionaire, your not going to have a Prevost, so what are the options.

For 10-15k a old diesel pusher. And dump 20-30k into right away, or do not do it.......That nets you a home that should last you 500k+ with basic upkeep.

Or find one already done and maintained (airstream) around 30-40k

It's a well known fact. A smaller gas RV with what one would consider an
average living arrangement will cost the same as a class A diesel After 200,000 miles of use. The money comes in bigger chunks on the class A
but the Gas RV comes more frequent, and in smaller chunks. But the end result is the same IF you use the thing all the time, over 200,000 miles.

You will be more happy in the Class A over a year or three.
MUCH MORE SAFE also. Gas gens sets are loud, and dangerous.
To match a diesel genset, you need a huge gas gen. Can't run the
gas gen enclosed (should never). A standard Northern lights gen set, taken care of right, will last 20000 hours without a problem..........



Cummings diesel engines (vintage, not the new ones) will give
500k miles +, Assuming proper maintenance.


So factor in the amount of repairs you expect to have on a gas engine, gas gen set, if you are have to use it 500,000 miles

Diesel cost is even with a gas RV in the long run.......And not blowing up
due to gas fumes is always a nice thing also.

 

[Island Drive]

Some people like to make fun of staying in a parking lot. I have more then once woke up in the morning to find a hundred thousand rig parked a few spaces away They have obviously spent the night there. It is the convenience. You pull in make a little dinner get some sleep and be on your way in the morning.

When I traveled with my Toyota Chinook 22R Engine 4 cyl motorhome, pop up/fiberglass, here's the move, the best of all. Find an area in a city you want to explore, and then find a 24 hr. fitness. Tell em you thinking of moving to the area and want to ck out their 24 hr gyn. It's the perfect move, parking, unlimited use of the facility, security if it's a big gym, you get to work out and pee and shower Whenever and they will glady take your $50 for a month to try it out. Can't lose with this move, therefore I'd get a Van and do it this way for cost. A set of tires on a Bago with duallys in the rear are a fortune. And if ya get a flat in a home at high speed, the steel belted radials with tear up the wheel well and whatever is in that area. Those repairs minus the tires can be in the thousands.

 

[swami4u]

One basic item I learned from being in Repair a 1/3 of my working years is. I hate vehicles of Any type that are designed improperly and thus cause problems because of their mechanical design. I ran a Fleetwood dealership and still saw the gamut of brands here in CO and they all came to visit for a spat. If you can find a good Winnebago, they are like the Older Volvo 240's. The spacing for furnaces, frigs, venting, plumbing and such is laid out in a ''design that works'' way, and I saw VERY few of them come in for any repairs. I'm talking about the coach/home only, the drivetrain is the drivetrain on all of em. But they build the house properly. They may not be the prettiest but they have the fewest problems of All from my experiences, and we averaged 10-15 units a day during a 6 month span. Get a basic Class A BAgo, with a good engine and everything else will be fixable and work as one would think they should.

Solid advice. Now explain too people interested enough to still be reading this, why an old diesel is better to own then a new diesel. Let me give you a hint to get you started, 2000 rpm vs 3600 rpm

The old bago's are good, but i would still argue for the air-stream or old greyhound conversion. Alum. body, enough said. Just got to make sure you check the chassis!

Buy the old RV you like, with a low rpm diesel. Cummings old Detroit etc etc...Anything that has a rpm rating over around 2000, (newer) unless your rich, forget about it. My suggestion

 

[swami4u]

When I traveled with my Toyota Chinook 22R Engine 4 cyl motorhome, pop up/fiberglass, here's the move, the best of all. Find an area in a city you want to explore, and then find a 24 hr. fitness. Tell em you thinking of moving to the area and want to ck out their 24 hr gyn. It's the perfect move, parking, unlimited use of the facility, security if it's a big gym, you get to work out and pee and shower Whenever and they will glady take your $50 for a month to try it out. Can't lose with this move, therefore I'd get a Van and do it this way for cost. A set of tires on a Bago with duallys in the rear are a fortune. And if ya get a flat in a home at high speed, the steel belted radials with tear up the wheel well and whatever is in that area. Those repairs minus the tires can be in the thousands.

Man would you PLEASE stop giving out these secrets! If too many people use this, it will go away! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

That there tells me this guy has traveled! Ain't talking no crap....

If your in a car, or a small camper without any shower's, then his advice is gold.

I have used it many times.

When traveling you need (unless your a dam pig)

Stay clean
a place to sleep
food

Staying clean is the hardest of all, believe it or not. You can sleep in the car/truck, with money you can eat anyplace on earth, but finding showers without a room at a hotel is harder.

With the 24/7 membership that problem is solved really well, plus you can kill 2-3 hours just lazing in the place also. I had a state wide chain membership, and some of the places had outside pools! So i would go shower, then go sleep around the pool like i'm tanning. Just set the cell phone timer, to roll, so you don't turn into a lobster.

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

Cummins not Cummings

Big difference between having a slide in/tow behind for long weekends or week long trips, too having one for your permanent home.

My suggestion of a class A would only apply to a person or group that plans on using it everyday, for a long period of time.

But the FACT is, if you use a rv as your home, you need to have a diesel class A. Unless your a multi-millionaire, your not going to have a Prevost, so what are the options.

For 10-15k a old diesel pusher. And dump 20-30k into right away, or do not do it.......That nets you a home that should last you 500k+ with basic upkeep.

Or find one already done and maintained (airstream) around 30-40k

It's a well known fact. A smaller gas RV with what one would consider an
average living arrangement will cost the same as a class A diesel After 200,000 miles of use. The money comes in bigger chunks on the class A
but the Gas RV comes more frequent, and in smaller chunks. But the end result is the same IF you use the thing all the time, over 200,000 miles.

You will be more happy in the Class A over a year or three.
MUCH MORE SAFE also. Gas gens sets are loud, and dangerous.
To match a diesel genset, you need a huge gas gen. Can't run the
gas gen enclosed (should never). A standard Northern lights gen set, taken care of right, will last 20000 hours without a problem..........



Cummings diesel engines (vintage, not the new ones) will give
500k miles +, Assuming proper maintenance.


So factor in the amount of repairs you expect to have on a gas engine, gas gen set, if you are have to use it 500,000 miles

Diesel cost is even with a gas RV in the long run.......And not blowing up
due to gas fumes is always a nice thing also.

Hi swami4u



You misspelled Cummins, and some of your facts about Cummins engines are off my friend.

Back to pool
I think I could fit a pool table in the cargo area of my coach.
I just need a way to pull it out and level the table :thumbup:



MMike

 

[swami4u]

Hi swami4u



You misspelled Cummins, and some of your facts about Cummins engines are off my friend.

Back to pool
I think I could fit a pool table in the cargo area of my coach.
I just need a way to pull it out and level the table :thumbup:



MMike

Thanks, your 100% right, the engine is a Detroit 671 not a Cummins. Thanks for the correction. Most of my knowledge of diesel comes from Marine use. I got the names mixed up.

But the point is still right, the 671DD engine can do 500k non stop easy if maintained right. The new higher rpm engines wont give the same life as the old slow turn diesels did.

So that info. from everyone, should give Gene something to think about when looking for a rolling home.

 

[billiardshot]

Depending on what Gene traveling for... Pool Tournaments, Pool Rooms, instruction, etc.. and how many days at a time. Park at pool room during the evening,,, Walmart at night,,, City park during the daytime..

This what I use for boondocking shower..
when I bought mine it was $15.95.
contain can be fill with luke warm water.

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Shower-Batteries-Cigarette-Lighter/dp/B000V1UALM

Checkout these youtube video for those thinking of using a RV for Road trip..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgrya7yJg24&list=UUtCfnSx5EPykiTxkEiQ5oDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGZAWn1cqbw&list=UUtCfnSx5EPykiTxkEiQ5oDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGp8TdgdpEo&list=UUtCfnSx5EPykiTxkEiQ5oDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmHKIcjo-2A&list=UUtCfnSx5EPykiTxkEiQ5oDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvN3u41H94&list=UUtCfnSx5EPykiTxkEiQ5oDA


If you take a break from Pool then you might do this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBzRMvKrL-o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtYNT3_lbPo

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL22DA9A8C7023483F

This one if you want to be homeless in Va Bch

Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Volunteers of America Chesapeake's Lighthouse Center is a day program for homeless adults. The center offers shower facilities, case management and life skills training, plus an address and telephone number for homeless individuals to receive mail and phone calls.

Operating year-round since 1997, the program is available to residents of Virginia Beach and the surrounding area.

http://www.voachesapeake.org/Services/Homeless-Services/Lighthouse-Center

And the nice thing it located behind the Police Station, Fire Station, Public Library and 9 blocks from the Beach

But then Gene can just park the RV at another PoolPlayer house use their Sewage [Clean out connection], water, and Elec.

By the way City / Residence Sewage clean out are the best way to dump if you don't want to pay dump fee.

 

[Island Drive]

Sneakin' In just for the fun of it. + it's Free

Man would you PLEASE stop giving out these secrets! If too many people use this, it will go away! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

That there tells me this guy has traveled! Ain't talking no crap....

If your in a car, or a small camper without any shower's, then his advice is gold.

I have used it many times.

When traveling you need (unless your a dam pig)

Stay clean
a place to sleep
food



Staying clean is the hardest of all, believe it or not. You can sleep in the car/truck, with money you can eat anyplace on earth, but finding showers without a room at a hotel is harder.

With the 24/7 membership that problem is solved really well, plus you can kill 2-3 hours just lazing in the place also. I had a state wide chain membership, and some of the places had outside pools! So i would go shower, then go sleep around the pool like i'm tanning. Just set the cell phone timer, to roll, so you don't turn into a lobster.

If your just passin' thru:
And if you like some Fun on the road, you'll show up on a Friday night, middle America Anywhere USA and watch the guys working the desk, make sure ya got your ditty bag and when the right Babe walks in the guys are Gone, ya just waltz in, take a shower and its invigorating getting away with it, when ya can. All front desks at these 24 hr joints are different, but the BABE is a constant.

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

detroit

Thanks, your 100% right, the engine is a Detroit 671 not a Cummins. Thanks for the correction. Most of my knowledge of diesel comes from Marine use. I got the names mixed up.

But the point is still right, the 671DD engine can do 500k non stop easy if maintained right. The new higher rpm engines wont give the same life as the old slow turn diesels did.

So that info. from everyone, should give Gene something to think about when looking for a rolling home.

my coach has the 8 71 318 Detroit.

I know of zero cummins engines in the V, VT, N,NH, NT, NTC, NTCC NTA NTTA series cummins that went 500.000 miles .
I worked for cummins most of my life. retired master mechanic Cummins/Hitachi Mining div.
All Cummins liners have a problem with electrolysis 300.000 miles is average
The PH level in the coolant is the key to getting to the 300.000 mile mark.
but at 300.000 miles the upper rod bearings are due to be changed .
also the heads need to be rebuilt. and injectors ,turbo, air compressor are due to be replaced.
There was also cam shaft problems. At 300.000 mile its time to be inframed overhauled.
500.000 miles between over hauls for a older Cummins in a unreal number.

MMike

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

This is what I know about diesels.

When I was an owner/operator, I fully supported the diesel mechanics.

At the end of the month after paying the bills, fuel, repairs, etc, I was always scratching my head wondering what was left over for me.

Wasn't the smartest financial move that I ever made in my life.

God, she was a nice Freightliner tho.

PS - I also know that when you have a 5th wheel rebuilt and it doesn't work properly, you can drop a fully loaded trailer in the middle of a busy road, which is costly and more embarrassing. The boys at the shop repaired the truck that day for nothing.

 

[swami4u]

my coach has the 8 71 318 Detroit.

I know of zero cummins engines in the V, VT, N,NH, NT, NTC, NTCC NTA NTTA series cummins that went 500.000 miles .
I worked for cummins most of my life. retired master mechanic Cummins/Hitachi Mining div.
All Cummins liners have a problem with electrolysis 300.000 miles is average
The PH level in the coolant is the key to getting to the 300.000 mile mark.
but at 300.000 miles the upper rod bearings are due to be changed .
also the heads need to be rebuilt. and injectors ,turbo, air compressor are due to be replaced.
There was also cam shaft problems. At 300.000 mile its time to be inframed overhauled.
500.000 miles between over hauls for a older Cummins in a unreal number.

MMike

100% right, last post, i corrected myself. I was talking about the old Detroit Diesel 671. I just mixed up my manufactures. :thumbup:

D.D. 671 http://www.yachtingmagazine.com/gear/equipment/jimmy-rules-detroit-diesel-6-71

That is the company/engine that OWNED long haul for many years, until they
built a engine that pissed off the whole industry. Another story i'm sure you know.

Only reason i know anything about diesel engines, is doing research on long range cruisers (marine)

Wish i had need for a bus right now, but i think i'm starting to sprout roots out my' toes! [:

 

[Tramp Steamer]

100% right, last post, i corrected myself. I was talking about the old Detroit Diesel 671. I just mixed up my manufactures. :thumbup:
D.D. 671 http://www.yachtingmagazine.com/gear/equipment/jimmy-rules-detroit-diesel-6-71

Just for fun, the 671 refers to the supercharger (blower) used on many of these engines.
Does anyone know where the numbers 671 come from?
You have sixty seconds to come up with an answer. :smile:

 

[swami4u]

Just for fun, the 671 refers to the supercharger (blower) used on many of these engines.
Does anyone know where the numbers 671 come from?
You have sixty seconds to come up with an answer. :smile:

I'll play

In my link..."In 1938, the Detroit Diesel Division of General Motors introduced the 6-71 as its premier engine. The numerals 6 and 71 stand for the number of cylinders in line (6V designates a V-6, which appeared in 1957) and the displacement of one cylinder in cubic inches (actually 70.93 cubic inches). Every engine in the 71 series had a bore of 4.25 inches and a stroke of 5.0 inches. Tuned for commercial duty, it produced 165 horsepower. The battle-rated version made for the U.S. Navy developed 225 horsepower. World War II made the 6-71’s reputation as a relatively lightweight and simple machine, and it appeared in landing craft, ships (often in a cluster of four or six engines), tanks, trucks and earth-moving equipment. Stan Grayson in his book Engines Afloat (www.devereuxbooks.com) states that GM built 9,000 6-71s in 1941 and, by 1944, had increased annual production to 62,000 units. That figure does not include the engines made for Gray Marine. The grand total for the war years was about 100,000 engines."

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I'll play

In my link..."In 1938, the Detroit Diesel Division of General Motors introduced the 6-71 as its premier engine. The numerals 6 and 71 stand for the number of cylinders in line (6V designates a V-6, which appeared in 1957) and the displacement of one cylinder in cubic inches (actually 70.93 cubic inches). Every engine in the 71 series had a bore of 4.25 inches and a stroke of 5.0 inches. Tuned for commercial duty, it produced 165 horsepower. The battle-rated version made for the U.S. Navy developed 225 horsepower. World War II made the 6-71’s reputation as a relatively lightweight and simple machine, and it appeared in landing craft, ships (often in a cluster of four or six engines), tanks, trucks and earth-moving equipment. Stan Grayson in his book Engines Afloat (www.devereuxbooks.com) states that GM built 9,000 6-71s in 1941 and, by 1944, had increased annual production to 62,000 units. That figure does not include the engines made for Gray Marine. The grand total for the war years was about 100,000 engines."

We have a wiener! Someone send swami4u a tee-shirt.

 

[Eric.]

Man would you PLEASE stop giving out these secrets! If too many people use this, it will go away! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

That there tells me this guy has traveled! Ain't talking no crap....

If your in a car, or a small camper without any shower's, then his advice is gold.

I have used it many times.

When traveling you need (unless your a dam pig)

Stay clean
a place to sleep
food

Staying clean is the hardest of all, believe it or not. You can sleep in the car/truck, with money you can eat anyplace on earth, but finding showers without a room at a hotel is harder.

With the 24/7 membership that problem is solved really well, plus you can kill 2-3 hours just lazing in the place also. I had a state wide chain membership, and some of the places had outside pools! So i would go shower, then go sleep around the pool like i'm tanning. Just set the cell phone timer, to roll, so you don't turn into a lobster.

Man, anyone ever hear of a truck stop??

Places, like a Flying J, etc have showers for rent. Food, overnite parking, some have laundries...


Eric >work smart, not hard

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Eric, you should see some of the really big truck stops in the USA.

They cater to the drivers and not a joke like the truck stops in Canada.

Anything from laundry to free movie theaters. And the food doesn't suck.

I have never been to one as big as this but I was told by another trucker that some will come and pick you up in a golf cart after you've parked.

One of my first stops would be Fargo, ND. I wouldn't eat breakfast in order to get to a small dirt parking lot truck stop just outside of Souix City Iowa.

The little old ladies that worked the kitchen served up serious home cooked meals.

They made sure your plate was full and so was your tummy.

I broke down in Tennessee late one night. I walked up a hill thru the bush to get to a truck stop. I walked to the shop and a bunch of good ole boys were sitting around chewing and spitting. They sent a tow truck down to get me, fixed my truck, was a simple fix and didn't charge me a dime, except for the tow.

Many of the stops in the USA have a trucker side and the other for non truckers. The trucker side is full service and the non driver side was self serve.

Lets not leave out the Lot Lizards. That is a completely different service. Many of the truckers have a decal on their side window. It is a Lizard with a circle around it and a bar thru the Lizard. No Lot Lizards. Otherwise the skanks will stand on your fuel tanks and knock on your window and wake you.

After a full day driving, the only thing I was interested in was getting my fuel tanks filled, my tummy filled and a couple of hrs sleep.

Truck Stops actually sell beer. What a novel idea. And great munchies too. I would always buy a couple of king Cans, a sack full of munchies and have at her
while I was catching up on the log books for the day. Two log books were always a hassle to juggle around.

 

[jay helfert]

I had a used Cortez, a mid sized Class C motorhome, fully self contained with toilet and shower. It was only 19' long and had a slant six Dodge motor. Underpowered and it took a while to get up a hill, but it got close to 15 mpg on regular and ran like a clock. What a comfy little ride that was (very well engineered!) and I bought it for only 9K with 30,000 miles on it. Sold it for 7K a couple of years later with 40,000. Amazing how spacious and roomy that little Cortez was. Everything was so well designed. Even parking was no hassle, it just wasn't that big to bother anyone and it looked so cute most people just wanted to ask me about it. It ran nice on the open road, the secret being it's low center of gravity. It was short and squat (wide), not tall and lean :smile:. And you could still stand up inside.

I ran it up and down the West Coast back in the 80's a couple of times and that was enough. I probably broke even for my trip each time, good enough for me. I saw some beautiful country, had fun and made it home safe. That little Cortez was the nuts! They even have a big fan club for them.

 

[Island Drive]

I had a used Cortez, a mid sized Class C motorhome, fully self contained with toilet and shower. It was only 19' long and had a slant six Dodge motor. Underpowered and it took a while to get up a hill, but it got close to 15 mpg on regular and ran like a clock. What a comfy little ride that was (very well engineered!) and I bought it for only 9K with 30,000 miles on it. Sold it for 7K a couple of years later with 40,000. Amazing how spacious and roomy that little Cortez was. Everything was so well designed. Even parking was no hassle, it just wasn't that big to bother anyone and it looked so cute most people just wanted to ask me about it. It ran nice on the open road, the secret being it's low center of gravity. It was short and squat (wide), not tall and lean :smile:. And you could still stand up inside.

I ran it up and down the West Coast back in the 80's a couple of times and that was enough. I probably broke even for my trip each time, good enough for me. I saw some beautiful country, had fun and made it home safe. That little Cortez was the nuts! They even have a big fan club for them.

UnderDog had a similar set up, saw him even as far away as Olathe KS. His was a Chevy, little tight in his shower area compared to yours, big surprise eh?

 

[macguy]

I had a used Cortez, a mid sized Class C motorhome, fully self contained with toilet and shower. It was only 19' long and had a slant six Dodge motor. Underpowered and it took a while to get up a hill, but it got close to 15 mpg on regular and ran like a clock. What a comfy little ride that was (very well engineered!) and I bought it for only 9K with 30,000 miles on it. Sold it for 7K a couple of years later with 40,000. Amazing how spacious and roomy that little Cortez was. Everything was so well designed. Even parking was no hassle, it just wasn't that big to bother anyone and it looked so cute most people just wanted to ask me about it. It ran nice on the open road, the secret being it's low center of gravity. It was short and squat (wide), not tall and lean :smile:. And you could still stand up inside.

I ran it up and down the West Coast back in the 80's a couple of times and that was enough. I probably broke even for my trip each time, good enough for me. I saw some beautiful country, had fun and made it home safe. That little Cortez was the nuts! They even have a big fan club for them.

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you make money? I was no champion but I always made plenty of money. I was on the east coast and ran around mostly in the south. I was always under the impression that the West coast was like a Garden of Eden back then)70's) for a pool player. Were you pretty much vacationing and just playing a little pool along the way, not really trying to make money?

Jim Matz had I think an Open Road camper. He showed me his set up and I loved it. He was a money making machine when he was no the road with that camper. He also sold cues along the way. I viewed it as a job and treated it that way. It was fun but making money was the real object.