bus feedback

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 12:16 pm

Since this was the inaugural event for the new bus, I want to know what did and didn't work on the bus. It's critical we get all of the "kinks" worked out in relatively short order. Some of the concerns I heard/observed were.....

> battery life. Need to get an additional battery mounted. I did run the PA speakers all day on Saturday, so that had an impact to Sunday's event.
> viewing the track from the bus. I heard is hard to see out of the front of the bus considering the higher floor and lower windshield. Need a parking strategy to allow the best view of the course from the bus.
> need a setup of steps for the side door or improve the rear steps. having to turn sideways to step on the bumper and then the hitch is an accident waiting to happen.
> Great to have AC on the bus and it idled for the entire day w/ no heating issues, but it did use about a 1/4 tank of gas in idle.
> from my perspective, the front end needs alignment and the front tires balanced. That damn front end bounce has got to go.
> Need the fans reinstalled and I'd recommend buying new fans w/ a complete cage and not open in the back. Don't need Les cutting off more fingers!
> need to get the old chair from the bus in the new bus
> need to get the old solar charger installed in the new bus

That's all I've got right now. PLEASE post back so we can make/complete improvements on the bus for the next event.

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 12:33 pm

Who performed the last alignment?
Ford dealer?
We should get it back there this week.

Bus is destined for OCS June 4th and not coming back to our area until after Danville until the end of June.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 9:13 pm

Perhaps a folding aluminum step system would be best for the side rear door?

Where's the bus going to be stored after the OCS event? I might be able to help out on a day during the week.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 9:33 pm

Matt McGrain wrote:

Perhaps a folding aluminum step system would be best for the side rear door?

Where's the bus going to be stored after the OCS event? I might be able to help out on a day during the week.

^ This!!

And these v! LOTS of them!! The stale cigarette smoke is awful when you spend 6 hours in the bus!

Maybe a case or two of this also!

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 9:44 pm

Matt McGrain wrote:

Perhaps a folding aluminum step system would be best for the side rear door?

Where's the bus going to be stored after the OCS event? I might be able to help out on a day during the week.

Yeah, that's exactly what we need. Have you priced one? We may need to install a door pull on the side door as well since we removed the locking handle.

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Thu May 26, 2011 12:10 pm

ChrisSuich wrote:

Who performed the last alignment?
Ford dealer?

Capital Ford

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:46 pm

If you want to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke in it, the best way is to thoroughly clean EVERYTHING in the interior. The roof/headliner, all of the glass. If it's got cloth upholstery or carpets anywhere, clean the hell out of it. I can't guarantee that the smoke odor will be completely, 100% eradicated, but you can get surprisingly close to it. Be meticulous. It's called "detailing," not "wipedowning."

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Todd Breakey wrote:

Careful what you ask for - that looks a lot like a LeMons penalty they called the 'Chemical Ali' :lol:

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:55 am

...and we have steps! No more balancing acts on the trailer frame out the back door hopefully.

I did my best to keep them from being too heavy and other than touching up the stain (second coat was a little blotchy), I think they will work pretty well using the side door for access. The metal marine foldable steps ran about half the cost of the bus and a 100 lb. fiberglass unit was still >$400 with shipping.

-Matt

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Awesome, thanks Matt!

I would like to give my feedback from my recent drive.

As I said to a couple people earlier, the new bus is BORING. The old bus had CHARACTER. Driving it was an adventure and took some skill. This one I could drive with my knees while texting (just kidding of course).

That said, I will gladly volunteer to be bus driver for upcoming events.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

Nice work Matt! Those look great, very substantial. Thanks!

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:23 pm

BriceJohnson wrote:

Awesome, thanks Matt!

I would like to give my feedback from my recent drive.

As I said to a couple people earlier, the new bus is BORING. The old bus had CHARACTER. Driving it was an adventure and took some skill. This one I could drive with my knees while texting (just kidding of course).

That said, I will gladly volunteer to be bus driver for upcoming events.

winning post. period.

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:14 pm

Holy crap...
Did you need a building permit for that thing?!

I think we can have 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners stand on different levels for trophy photos.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:25 pm

Hahaha! I'm guessing you checked it out.

Btw, there was a strange buzzing noise coming from the cockpit area of the bus and wasn't sure what (if anything) to do about it. I think it was coming from electronic components Keith installed.

I'd hate for it to drain the battery when it comes time to drive out to the rally-x.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:46 pm

ya thanks Matt leave it booby trapped for me

Matt McGrain wrote:

Hahaha! I'm guessing you checked it out.

Btw, there was a strange buzzing noise coming from the cockpit area of the bus and wasn't sure what (if anything) to do about it. I think it was coming from electronic components Keith installed.

I'd hate for it to drain the battery when it comes time to drive out to the rally-x.

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