how to live and travel the world from your van

   Overview    Who Needs This?     Excerpts    Order Book    Pictures    Chapters
    Answers    Reviews    Destinations    Free Stuff    More     Contact Us      Bookmark and Share

Before creating the Vanabode travel style I ran a motorcoach website. This page is one of many bus articles I wrote for coach buyers before closing that website.

Bus for Sale Guide
Seven Commandments for Success

Seven commandments governing the purchase of any make or model bus. Break just one of these rules and you will probably be sorry for the rest of your life, possibly ruining your bus ownership experience altogether.

motorhome built from bus foundation

I - Thou shalt NEVER buy a bus that has heavily rusted critical areas such as the frame or engine mounts unless you have researched the cost to repair this and can afford to do so.

II - Thou shalt NOT buy a particular bus for which you have not determined your source for repair and replacement parts. If you can't find a supplier in a month then you probably will never find that part. Many are surprised when they see attractive $30,000+ buses sitting idle and don't realize it is normally due to replacement parts problems.

III - Thou shalt NOT purchase a project bus, one in need of substantial conversions or repairs, without a clear, accurate cost estimate, deadlines and plan for completion. "Great bus buying deals" can quickly become embarrassing "projects that never get done".

IV - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus until you have identified exactly what problems you are trying to solve or what needs you are trying to meet with the vehicle. The needs of a church for an inexpensive shuttle bus vary greatly from those of a wealthy musician traveling 90,000 miles a year. You may have many choices in the market but only ONE will be your best solution - and the path to happiness starts with identifying exactly what you need...NOT which pretty bus the salesman can get you financed for the quickest.

V - Thou shalt NOT buy a bus without a complete professional inspection of major parts, engine, transmission, frame, electrical, and air conditioning. Warranties, service records, and history of vehicles use can be very valuable in helping determine value.

VI - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus without an absolutely verifiable title with year of original production in place. For instance, it is legal in many states to "re-title" an older bus, say a 1980 model. First the dealer will make repairs and renovations up to DOT standards. Then they can legally re-title it. The new title will say, for instance, year made, 2004. There is nothing wrong with this as long as it is disclosed and the price reflects the value.

VII - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus for charter use or church transportation without having a complete business plan in place, including insurance costs (which are routinely underestimated), license fees, maintenance costs, repair estimates, and breakdown contingency plans. Financing is typically the single most important issue to handle correctly.

 

buy vanabode book


click to buy Vanabode which shows you how to happily live, travel and camp in your van forever on $20 a day

Home     Contact Us    Copyright © 2007-2016    Free Guide    They Hate Me

    Privacy Policy     Terms and Conditions    Media Press    Affiliate