Living in a touring bus is not a bad idea if you love to always be in the party mood. You might change your mind after listening to the price of a new tour bus. Fortunately, buying a used bus is the best solution when the economy is the factor limiting your new purchase. Whether you are buying a used tour bus for your residents, for parties, or living, one thing you must understand is that it is a big investment. So, you cannot afford to take risks here; hence you must take help from a professional Touring coaches appraiser who has the right experience in finding the vehicle’s worth.
A Touring coaches appraiser can help you negotiate with the sellers and dealers to decide the final price of the vehicle. But before you can reach out to a Touring coaches appraiser, here’s what you have to do to buy and live on a used tour bus.
Why do you want to buy a used bus, and how will you use it?
Most buyers know what they want to purchase and how to categorize their purchases based on specific factors like what kind of bus they want. For example, some people love to buy a used church bus or a school bus to convert it into a tour bus. If you have a specific type of bus in your mind, here are some factors you can consider before starting your research.
Size: The first and foremost factor you have to consider while shopping for a tour bus is the number of people the bus will carry.
Expansion: Determine whether the capacity will be sufficient for a few years or you will need to upgrade the tour bus after a few years.
Comfort: Do you need a bar inside the bar? Or can you afford to have an air-conditioner inside the tour bus? Or do you want a luxurious king-size bed? Premium options are plenty; hence you have to fancy your choice here.
Mileage: Determine the vehicle’s fuel efficiency depending on the type of trip, urban or long drives.
Flexibility: Do you want to take your grandmother or father on the tour bus, you will need to look for one who has enough space to move the wheelchair on the floor.
Strength: In the end, you will need to shop for a used bus which is well-maintained for the next 8-10 years.
At last, you will also have to ensure that you don’t get tempted to the low price of larger or older vehicles because larger or older vehicles need much maintenance, and most importantly, they are not “Fuel-efficient.” When purchasing a tour bus, you have to stick to your essentials and never change your plan. We repeat never!
Why should you look for used tour buses in your local region?
Without any doubt, the internet is the best place to research and shop for a bus which will suit your needs. You will find a lot of dealership websites and apps where you can find your dream tour bus, but they will be far from home.
For example, if you find a cost-efficient tour bus in California and live on the East coast, the shipping charges might make the price so high that you cannot afford it. At the same time, you will have to keep in mind that you will have to travel the same distance to inspect the bus, and if your tour bus appraiser is accompanying you on the trip, you will also have to keep their service charges in mind.
You will have to learn to narrow your research and how to filter out all the available options. For example, if you live in LA, you will have to search for the tour bus in LA rather than looking for buses from anywhere and everywhere. A web search will be time-consuming as you will be looking for options that you will not consider or shop around.
Advantages of buying buses from dealers:
If you like to keep your purchase, you should shop for the tour bus from a dealer and not from a private owner. Well, we have to admit that not all private owners are frauds, but if it’s your first time shopping, we recommend you go with a certified dealer.
There have been various cases where cheaters operate from rented garages to forge fake documents to sell stolen vehicles. Some people had also reported that they got a different bus delivered when they ordered online. On the other hand, if you buy a stolen, used bus, the chances are high that you will never find the guy who sold the bus to you.
One of the best advantages of buying a used one from an authorized dealer is that it gives you peace of mind. Dealerships have a workspace, brand, employees, and legal responsibilities. To maintain their brand’s worth in the market, dealers will submit all the official documents associated with the vehicle before listing it.
What is the right time to buy a tour bus?
This question looks quite tricky because there is no right time to buy a used touring bus. The behavior of private fleet owners plays a crucial role in the market as they influence both price and availability of the vehicle. There is no “New Year” sales here in the second-hand bus market. Logistics and transport companies generally substitute their retired buses to provide room for newer models. Most of the time, they complete the process during winter or early spring to prepare for vacation time. Therefore, you can start your shopping during winter and complete it before early spring.
If you have a transport business or your private tour bus, you have only a few months left not to wait until it expires. At times, sudden events can drop the price of a bus; hence you have the best chance to invest. It is vital that you maintain a healthy relationship with your mechanic as they can play a crucial role in your next purchase.
So, now let us move into the next part of the blog, where you will learn how to live on a tour bus. Here are some of the interesting tips which you have to consider while living on a tour bus.
1) Be ready to clean the bus:
By now, you must be well aware of what, where, and when you should buy a tour bus. But once you have made your purchase, you have to follow certain ethics for a happy touring. The first thing you have to learn to be is to be your maid.
We cannot emphasize this enough…. Clean your mess! The front lounge in the touring bus is your leading living space on a bus; hence you have to be a good bus mate before expecting the same from your co-travelers.
2) How to sleep on a bus:
Well, this might sound crazy, but it is as crucial as any other factor because it will decide your mood on the ride. The first rule you have to learn while traveling on a tour bus is to keep your head toward the back of the bus. Unfortunately, if your bus gets crashes, you don’t want your neck to be the first place to break. It is better to break your toe or ankle rather than your head.
3) How to go to the bathroom:
When you travel on the bus for long tours bathroom becomes an important matter of discussion. Undoubtedly, you have to make the most of fuel stations and truck stops, but you also have to ensure that you learn to use liquids—most of the toilets in touring bus-only cover liquid because paper goes in the trash. The best you can do is use paper bags to do your business and throw it away. Ladies experiencing the moon cycle can use menstrual cups, which can be a game-changer on the road.
4) Learn to provide space:
Moving around on the bus can be daunting; hence you will need to be the first to provide room to your mates to avoid a crash. You also have to instruct your kids to be careful because a small error can drop the LED from the wall or damage an expensive piece of furniture. Moreover, you will also have an electric stove and hot water dispenser on the bus, which means you have to increase security to protect your kids and pets from getting severely injured.
5) Relax:
As mentioned above, buying a bus requires a lot of investment. It is daunting as well as funny. Hopefully, the bus you purchase stays with your organization for a longer time and becomes your trusty friend like this blog. It is vital to stick to your time and dealers to purchase the best touring bus.
Are you looking for a trusted Touring Bus Appraiser in the United States?
Auto appraisers play a crucial role when purchasing used touring buses. Benchmark Auto Appraisers LLC understands your economy and hence provides the best prices across the United States. They have experience as Touring coaches appraisers and appraising semi-trucks, cars, motorcycles, Motorhomes, RVs, Airstreams, muscle cars, and commercial cars. Book your free consultation at 1-877-888-6113.
Daniel “Dan” Jendrowski
Certified Public Auto Appraiser Diminish Value Experts B.C.A.A. & I.A.C.P.
For FREE Consultation with an expert Touring coaches appraiser, call
