What It's Like To Drive A Prevost - Prevost for Newbies - Part 7
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- čas přidán 29. 01. 2018
- Instead of giving a long-winded description, I'll let the video do the talking. Yes, there's a lot of talking in this video and the topic of the day is: What Is It Like To Drive A Prevost.
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I had a friend who owned a large motorhome dealership which carried Prevost coaches and from time to time they would need help taking coaches to motorhome shows and FMCA conventions. I drove to different shows across the country and I must say, Prevost were a pleasure to drive and as you say they didn't beat you up and were relaxing to drive. Even in heavy traffic and congested areas I always felt relaxed and after many thousands of miles I decided Prevost was the coach to own.
I drove buses for 43 years and the Prevost H3 40 with the crash 6 speed was my favorite. I ran them for many years. I also ran the H3 45 coaches. Nice handling coach. Prevost had the best handling of all the buses I have ever driven.
Wow! What a beautiful prevost! Thanks for sharing! You're living the dream my friend!
I drive for a tour company, we put about 120k miles a year on our buses. Prevost h3-45 is by far my favorite bus to drive over van hool or mci, most of trips are 8-9hours a day on tipical 8 day trips!
youved never drove a SILVER EAGLE yes/no,,,
Could not agree more. Drove h3-45s and Prevost super coachs (entertainer coachs) they are the best. MCIs just are not the same.
Prevosts are the Toyotas of buses that last forever. There are some in tour fleets with some of them that are over 23 years old with 3 million miles on them still doing 75k miles per year, re-wired, interior re-done with synthetic wood floors and LCD screens, overhauled 11.1L and 12.7L Series 60 powertrains, LEDs everywhere and re-capped so that they are indistinguishable from 2007 and 2015 buses. The only signs that it was from another era is the builder plate and that retro 1990's dashboard.
Prevost H3-45 absolutely my favorite coach to drive in tour fleet...and my dream to own the conversion rv style. Only other bus I’ve liked driving tour and long distance was the Setra s417...
Volvo9700? Any comments
EZ Pass is great, we use it on all our trips. It makes it so much to travel the toll roads with less stopping, and saves lots of money. Thanks for sharing the video, I hope one day to be able to upgrade from our current setup to a Diesel Pusher.
My 2018 45’ Newell doesn’t squeak, amazing driving coach. I’ve owned 2 Prevost H3-45’s and 2 Blue Bird Wanderlodge coaches. A 43’ LXi and an M 450. All were great driving coaches, but the Newell has more power and is extremely responsive, solid, and comfortable.
GOOD BAS
You hit the nail on the head. I've driven ALOT of commercial vehicles from Tractor Trailers and Motorcoaches to School Buses and Dump Trucks, being a professional driver being on the road for any reason is work and work is tiring both mentally and physically. Over the years I have found that my comfort driving range without a break is about 200 - 250miles in about 3hrs, but a full days work turn out to be about 550 - 625miles over 9hrs. with about 4 or 5 pit stops after that I am just totally spent. It's a shame but there are only a handful of vehicles that I have driven that were so easy to drive and handled so smooth that after 9 or 10 hrs. of driving I felt I could keep driving another couple of hours, Prevost is one of those vehicles. The air ride seats sitting on top of the air ride suspension that takes it easy on your back and joints, plus the countless seat positioning configurations coupled with the fully adjustable steering wheel that make driving the coach so comfortable and natural. Then having the controls you use the most during cruising speed right on the steering wheel making it unnecessary to reach or stretch for toggle switches, buttons, or the radio. You take all of that and put it inside of a solid frame so you don't have to fight for control of the vehicle from the wind or drag of passing vehicles, it's so quite you don't have to yell over engine and road noise or strain to hear over the very same conditions. Plus it cuts down on the chances of being sucked into highway hypnosis. That's what it's like driving a Prevost. Lol
Thanks for the reassurance PiCKUpMaN:)
PiCkUpMaN4230 I ran buses for 43 years, and ran Prevost for many of those years. My shift was 12 hours up and 11:45 hours back on the next day. With a Prevost you can do that and not be exhausted. Great bus!
I’m hearing drivers! but motorhome people usually don’t drive 10hrs at one time. Just look at the mileage on used motorhomes unless they’re owned by race teams. If your buying 2 to 3 million dollar Motorhomes your looking for outside looks and livability and looks on the in side.
good lord that has a tight turning radius. cranks over like a drift car steering angle. very impressed with how quiet and smooth it is.
A great video. This model Prevost is my #1 bus!
Prevost's electric cooling fan retrofit upgrade package is available for X3-45 and H3-45 coaches going back to 2011 model. Did you retrofit yours yet? Up to 20 horsepower recovered by removing the single large fan and clutch, and two feet of engine workspace added.
Great video and beautiful coach, thanks for taking us along.
Thanks Erik!
My wife and I rode in a 2007 H3-45 between Buffalo and Rochester (seated line run coach) and gotta tell you. very smooth ride.
I have over 2,000,000 miles under me in a 30' dump truck, the longer the wheel base , the HARDER to ride on a Steel suspension , It's like riding the mechanical Bull All day, I told my wife when I get off the road this year I wouldn't ever leave the house again, but You have forced 2nd thoughts on me to consider the prevost .... thank u , John
Andy thanks for this series was always gona go with a Newmar not anymore will be looking for a good used Prevost.Also your right about to many distracted drivers gave my scooter up last year,keep the shinny side up and the rubber side down
Ugh! Love it so much!
What drives my work efforts (well lots of things really)? Getting to where we are able to own and house our Prevost.
I watch Marathon/Prevost videos and get excited about something I can only dream about.
You're bragging about the "Sun Pass" for traveling on Florida's toll roads and you opine that every state should have this. Here in Arizona, we don't have toll roads so we don't need it. Our tax dollars pay for the roads so there is no need to pay for them again. As an RVer, I detest traveling in states with toll roads and I avoid them at all costs.
I agree 100%. We now have toll roads in NC. I took one down to the beach in the car one way and the cost was $5. I took it again in a truck and camper and the cost was $15. It's the cheap way out for the state but I don't agree with the method. Tax and be done with it.
@@DLTJR1959 I agree with you, but so long as the voters will not approve raising the gas tax, there's not much alternative to the toll roads. I live in an extremely fast growing area in Texas and we need the roads like 10 years ago. In the end it was either toll or nothing. In that scenario I'll take the toll, partially because, it usually reduces traffic on the roads that remain free.
I just hate all the state with Tolls, it take the "freeway" as spead bumps
Hallelujah, I hate till roads,.. don't get me started.
Well, here in Texas, you can simply choose another route (and likely more scenic), but if you Iike driving your vehicles (not buses) 85-90mph, they're fun!
👍👍👍I hope that you do a lot of these driving / Systems / Living in Prevost Videos..
Thank You!
That's a dream I'll never attain...I'm so jealous...gorgeous coach!
Buy an older Prevost H3-45 tour bus for $30k to $60k and gradually re-build it.
You'll make it happen. Hopefully you have already.
Beautiful coach!
Outstanding videos. The more shots of the bus underway from the exterior, the better. Subscribed...
Thank You!
Ha, Sunpass..... when I went to Florida last year I got that with my rental vehicle and boy am I glad I paid the extra fee for it. I was up and the the FL turnpike during the trip. I drove from Miami to Fort Luadurdale and then Orlando.
Great video, and a beautiful coach . Hello from just west of Toronto
Thanks Joe!
I'm a FL resident and I got a NC Quick Pass transponder, it's good in NC of course, Florida (SunPass), Georgia (Peach Pass) and all states that use E-ZPass, mostly all of the NorthEast and Midwest.
Prevost is definitely your more solid and handling bus. My Blue bird wonder lodge is a close second. Drove both many miles.
Andy, Gil Johnson is a World Of Knowledge about Prevost and I want to thank You for all your Videos, and Loved meeting your Co-Pilot.. Great Addition to any trip
I have EZPassVa. I can used my EZ Pass in all states except Florida toll road because EZ Pass is not on the SunPass system. It's been a while since I was in Orlanda though, so it may have changed.
As a charter bus driver. I driven MCI, Silver Eagles, Prevost, and several other makes. Prevost are solid like driving in a Cadillac.
KEEP them coming! 5- STAR
Very informative and easily able to understand what is being said.
Great video. I love the Prevost. Is the drivers area a step down from the main living area?
I have a DSDP, but one day, hopefully, a Prevost. You said you can relax while driving... I’m exhausted from the DS.
8:24 Love this section of the FL Turnpike that runs parallel with I-95.
Prevost conversions have weight and wheelbase for stability and ride quality. My 450 Lxi Wanderlodge has it too.
The prevost is thee best bus I ever drove with the mci d4505 running a close second
Nice video and Happy New Years.
Other than being an excellent opulent home on wheels, The thing that I have noticed is that you have to Park it some where, and even that cost big bucks. There are just very limited places to do that. Great way to travel but, you have to have a place to go, turn around, park, dump and fill, and those seem to be few and far in between. Not to mention it’s expensive.
There's nothing better than a Prevost; Newell is a close second.
A mci d4505
Great Video- Sun Pass is a great option in Florida- very easy to purchase and activate, can even wait a few days after using tollways and activation will retro act resulting in no fines.
We are currently in the market but for a much older like '98 or so and am trying to average a daily expense staying in coach for several days vs a nice Luxury Park which seems to be in the $80- $125 a day rate for an decent resort.
Also average fuel economy.
Any advise?
You give a sensible impression of the Prevost Coach experience. But I think comparing a product that is essentially an interstate bus to glorified rv’s is like comparing a pickup truck to a big rig. Prevost is in the category of GREYHOUND Buses with durability as the bottom line. Winnebago, Newmar and Tiffin are the top contenders of a lower category of vehicle. If there are worthy bus chassis conversions, they should be the appropriate comparison. Perhaps something produced on an MCI chassis ...
Andy.. Great job as usual. watching from Motorcoach Resort Port St Lucie West. The adaptive cruise control is wonderful. My dashcam also has lane alerts built in. Additionally I highly agree with your 250 to 300 miles per day traveling .. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Rob! Say hello to the folks at SLW. I'm using the Magellan dash and I turned off the lane departure warnings as it wasn't accurate. Possibly it's the placement I have on the dash. I like that one as the speed is always on the screen. Which dash cam are you using?
My dashcam is Thinkware 770. works nicely for us
The toll pass I have you can drive through 14 states except Fl. you can go to all these states with e-zpass. Delaware
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Maryland
New York
Virginia
Massachusetts
West Virginia
New Hampshire
Illinois
Maine
Indiana
Rhode Island
Ohio
@Rata 4U try waiting in line at the cash booths.
Yeah FLORIDA has to be "Special" 😂✌️
At 1:12.....Do you have to Use your BLINKERS to back out of the RV spot ????
A dream of mine to own and drive one of these !
Other premier RV's (non-bus conversions) scare her?! Glad you love your Marathon, but com'on. Like saying we should only be using School Bus shells if you can't start in a Prevost.
Axle ratios greatly influence vehicle acceleration. The tall axle ratios on the X3-45 saves fuel (9.5 mpg highway or more) but kills the acceleration. An older Prevost 400hp bus (1450 ft.Ibs. torque) with a 4.30 or 4.56 axle ratio has quicker acceleration than a newer 500 hp Prevost bus (1750 ft.Ibs. torque) with a fuel-saving 3.58 axle ratio.
I bought a wanderlodge last summer it handles like a Prevost.
would love it even more if i could have it in right hand drive..as i am from the uk, but tour europe a lot, and prefer them over left hand drive..even though i have issues on small roads with overtaking.
I have an 09 Country Coach Magna, 650 Cummins. I also drive charter buses. H3-45 Prevosts are best. Not the power of the Magna but handling and highway noise superior in the Prevost. Some have ZF transmissions, most have the Alison six speed. Smoother gear shifting in the ZF but Alison's get to high gear quicker. Some driver's complain about the small toll booth window in the H3-45, I like it. Larger window in the Magna but in some wind conditions kind of noisy. I have to agree with the guru, structural integrity in the Prevost is hard to beat. I have never driven a Newell. Some day!
Re squeaking sound, it's because other RVs are boxes build around truck chassis that are designed to flex on uneven road. think of prevost as unibody and other rvs as body on frame.
Awesome coach without a doubt! The wheel input data vs. a class A I'm not buying however. I don't care what you drive, it's there unless its a toterhome you are driving. 15:35 & 16:09 into this video is a prime example. Tractor trailer comes up in the hammer lane on the coaches drivers side and you can see driver input major left steer. Video immediately cuts until tractor trailer is past the coach. Just trying to compare apples to apples here.
So, which Blue Lodge do you belong to?
Awesome video, I dream of owning one of these, don't think it will ever be possible!
You should check out pre-owned Prevost models. They are built to last. czcams.com/video/YOAjQmP74bE/video.html
What is the maximum miles or kilometres that you can put on this vehichle?
Stunning coach.
looking at Prevost used and a Newell used what do you think best why to go
Hi there from Canada. What do you have above the dash? I see something on the left, right and center of your position.
I have the backup monitor mounted on the A-pillar and a GPS mounted on the C-Pillar. In the center of the driver's side front windshield is a dash cam.
Merci to Eugène , born in a rural town in Québec, for those silky smooth machine we have today.
What can of license driver need for buy or drive an RV like this ?? Prevost Newell American coach ??
Just like driving an 18 wheeler! ;)
Not!
What about the 2009 and slightly older Bluebird Wanderlodge ????
Pucker factor... 😅👌🏽 gotta use that one. Haha
How about when you go to level when in an RV park, what’s under there to level also that big a bus plus pulling a car trailer do you need CDL drivers license?
Jerry Burwick A CDL (commercial driver’s license) is required for any vehicle that is over 26,000 pound lbs. and it has air brakes. It also applies to school bus drivers and truckers (Class A CDL)
A box truck or a school bus can be a (Class B CDL)
Plus a truck, bus or Class A RV is high cost than a Small SUV or a passenger car such as (example Camry, Accord or Altima), The low cost RV motorhomes are the Ford E-Series chassis (Class C’s)
We've had 6 RVs and the best of the bunch was a 21' Tioga Montara Special which we lived in with an old dog and 22 cats after Andrew destroyed our house in Miami. Why the best? My husband could parallel park in Key West. Most people will never be able to afford a Prevost or care if you can.
Ok surprised how shaded your cockpit is. I have to have the shades rolled down in a H3-45.
The Sunpass is good to use in
Georgia
What kind of mileage does it get
I'm a North American International Over The Road Commercial Tractor Trailer Owner operator, get ElitePass, it's EZPass / PrePass on steroids, it sucks batteries like there's no tomorrow but it gets you through every state imaginable from coast to coast!
I'm not a bajillionaire, so I can't afford a Highly Impressive Prevost, however, I have my eye on a super nice, virtually zero rust 1987 MCI 102-A3 with under 26,000 miles on it for $9,000.00... Gotta have it for Summer trips across Totally Majestic Alberta and Montana!
What type of license u half to have to drive a coach
My last remaining BUCKET LIST item is to drive a Prevost. I do have a problem that "quality" seems to be "pimping out" in motorhomes. Why can't they make them TASTEFUL?
How do these effect your hours of service logs. You're technically never on duty so I'm assuming you're only limited to daily behind the wheel hours?
Workaholic hahaha private non commercial vehicles are not subject to such government nonsense yet, irrespective of their size.
We could talk for hours about gadgets and be intrigued by one another! If you ever need any engineering explanation give me a shout! Cheers mate!
Nice video
Is it ok if I get to go 53 miles per hour
Do you have less space without slids ? the other question. I have is you don't think the Entegra coach has a strong foundation.
I will personally never own a Motor Coach with Slide Outs. They require maintenance and they will without question have problems. If its 1 day from when you buy it to 2 years. it doesn't matter the slides will have problems.
Most slides will need to be completely removed to be fixed.
I understand when parked you dont have the option to have more interior walking space. but I am fine without the walking space.
I prefer the peace of mind of knowing I dont have to repair slideouts.
Just my opinion...
Can I ask you a question you must have been a bus driver
As an owner of Two Silver Eagle Entertainer Coaches. I never stepped foot into a Prevost.
Perhaps you should. You might like it.
Well said !!! Ty !
2014 Prevost is old technology, under powered and 2 slides. I mainly passed on the Prevost just because of that and the split windshield. Traded our 17 Entegra Cornerstone for an 18 Newmar King Aire because of the problems you mentioned plus no Comfort Drive . Best choice I ever made. I could go on and on about the 360 view, lane keeping, in coach technology and quiet ride. Nice Coach and hope you are happy and a used Prevost hit your price point.
Worked for Newmar, they build a decent coach. Still not a prevost... Not even close.
3:30 At first I thought you were going to differentiate between what a turnpike and highway. ;D
Awesome!
SunPass is Interoperable with Georgia’s Peach Pass and North Carolina’s Quick pass.
As far as i am concerned the Aware system is a dad idea. When you are driving long distance fatigue starts to set in and this gives the driver one less thing to dk making the driver more oassive and suseptable to becoming tired and sleepy. The more a driver has to go the more alert he is .
I'll be posting a new video demonstrating the Aware system and personally, I find it a wonderful safety feature. I'll look forward to your comments after that video is posted.
Tell you what Pop, try demonstrating it on the Cross Bronx Expressway or the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, then listen for the groans and creaks, it'll be an education.
Thinking air vents would help engine cooling
You drive it like any other coach: like a professional. I drove entertainer coaches for a bit a few years ago. Prevosts are nice and I have driven them, but in my opinion I am partial to the 2017/2018 MCI J4500s as far as looks; super slick...can turn the steering wheel with one finger, turn on a dime and give ya nickel change ...and ECAS: electronically controlled air suspension. ZF front and rear ends and steerable tag, independent suspension all the way around. I do wish that the MCI tag could raise and lower, though. I like them all, I can't lie.
Pick up my precise to travel USA. Happy happy.
Nice bus
You show a framing view, which is great, but that view is for a Prevost frame without slideouts. The slideouts compromise the rigidity of the core frame design. Can you show the framing for a typical Prevost slideout configuration? Thanks.
That "cage" photo was provided by Prevost. All I can tell you is that my bus has two Prevost slides and has 48K+ miles on the odometer. There's no squeaks or creaks.
Thanks for the quick reply. Suggested topic (if you haven't covered already): internet connectivity. I wish you the best.
Florida, Georgia and South Carolina all recognize each other’s passes.
I use my NYS easy pass anywhere I been so far.
Hi Andy.
What is the brand name of the driver's seat in your coach ? It looks very comfy.
I haven't owned this bus in a year and I believe it's an Izri air ride.
@@TheGadgetGuru Thanks. Great videos.
ISRI 5030/880 Premium Truck Seat in Brown & Camouflage Vinyl with Dual Arms
www.suburbanseats.com/p/isri-premium-truck-seat-with-dual-arms-in-brown-camouflage-vinyl
Andy, where did you hook up in Nashville?
I'm fortunate to have a Friend who allows me to dry camp in West Nashville. I've camped at Safe Harbor at Elm Hill Marina on Percy Priest Lake when I need hookups. It's a new RV park with full hookups and a few back-in spots for 45' coaches, but it's a bit tight and more designed for trailers and 5th wheels than 45' motorcoaches.
I'm glad most states have free Interstate travel.
how much for the little girl?
The MARATHON COACH is the best you can get, no flexing or twisting
The Prevost chassis gets the credit for that!
That things beautiful
Awesome
With so many coaches that have a single pane front windscreen, do you wish Prevost had one?
My personal opinion is that I prefer the safety factors that come with having a part of the frame between the windows. Whether you're in the driver or passenger seat, the view is still magnificent.
@@TheGadgetGuru And also a more solid windshield.
but Peter may see you at some point today about Delta travel.
Good old Quebec buses
She does not have her seatbelt on ??