The Coach-Builder's Bulletin

    ~~~ Dedicated to the exchange of coach conversion information ~~~


    For years, a publication was needed for coach-builders who design, construct, and maintain their own bus conversions. Starting in the Summer of 2000, that publication was The Coach-Builder's Bulletin. It provided straight, detailed, do-it-yourself information from people who have successfully built their own bus conversion motor homes. It was free of hype, generalities, and factory conversions. Unfortunately, fuel prices and other factors has cut the number of people starting new conversions, which were the primary customers for this publication. In the summer of 2007 the last issue was published.

    Most of the information in The Coach-Builder's Bulletins is timeless. What worked when the articles were written usually works just as well today. Therefore, most of the information is just as valuable now as when the issue came off the press.

    All 42 back issues of this publication are still available.
    They can be ordered by faxing Epic Conversion Support's Fax Order Desk at 1.937.426.9850.

    Back issues cost $4.00 each for from 1 to 5 when mailed to an address within the U.S. For 6 to 10 issues the price is $3.50 each. For more than 10 issues, they are $3.00 each. Postage is included. Mailed to Canada, they are U.S.$4.50, US$4.00 and US$3.50, respectively.

    See the list below for what is in each issue.
    Please order by Volume and Issue number.

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    ~ 2007 ~

    May, June, 2007 - Volume 7, Issue 6
    A Quiet Generator for the Orange Blossom Special II || Tire Minder || When White Isn’t White || Bay Drawers || Temperature Monitoring (weather) || Seat Pedestals || Article Index

    March, April, 2007 - Volume 7, Issue 5
    Be Gone False Fronts (Bathroom Sink Drawer) || White LEDs || A Low-Cost Rock Guard for a Toad || Measuring Light || From the Internet || One More Reason (For a Coach) || A Ladder Locker || Tow Bars Wear Out? || Water Conservation

    January, February, 2007 - Volume 7, Issue 4
    Front Slide-Out Storage || Finding and Fixing the Faults (part two of Smoke, But No Fire!) || Bay Locks || Tale of Two Lights || Voltage vs Current

    ~ 2006 ~

    November, December, 2006 - Volume 7, Issue 3
    Air Wipers || Smoke, But No Fire! || A Real Train Whistle For the Orange Blossom Special II || Door/Brake Interlock || Stair Storage

    September, October, 2006 - Volume 7, Issue 2
    Air Horns || Installing An Air Throttle || Water/Waste Tanks || Canadian Tax Refund || Air Shifters || Spring Brake Valve || Storage Pockets || Propane Over-Pressure Valve || Stove Ventilation

    July, August, 2006 - Volume 7, Issue 1
    Service Brakes || E-Z Water Fittings || Cooling the Transmission || Life on the Road as a "Most Timer" || Medex Plus || Steering Controls

    May, June, 2006 - Volume 6, Issue 6
    Air Supply System || Computing In A Coach || Dozing at the Wheel || Bring It Along!

    March, April, 2006 - Volume 6, Issue 5
    Painting Progress || Trailer Hitch Supports || DD3 Brake Chambers || Engine Heater || Invisible Antennas || Bussin’ 2006, Press Release || Towing Physics 101 || Liquid Suspension || NFPA 1192 - The RV Code || What’s New in the Code || Overflow

    January, February, 2006 - Volume 6, Issue 4
    Baseplate Installation Tips || Filter Minder || Marine Toilets || An Airplane Cockpit Look for the Orange Blossom Special || Fuel Pressure Gauge || Your Owner’s Manual || Digital TV

    ~ 2005 ~

    November, December, 2005 - Volume 6, Issue 3
    Bus Wiring || GPS Basics || Rubber Rub Rails and Trim || Backing Up a Towed Vehicle || Two Great Safety & Dollar-Saving Systems for Tires || The Last Rallies of the Season || Wheel Bearing Lubrication Revisited

    September, October, 2005 - Volume 6, Issue 2
    Sliding Footrest || The Will To Power || Winterizing Made Easier || E-Mail on the Road || Overcoming Wiring Gremlins || Too Hot Water

    July, August, 2005 - Volume 6, Issue 1
    Toad Light/Voltage Converter || Back up Alarms || Auto Greasing & Oil Refining Systems || Toilet Pedestal || The Networks on DirecTV || The Bus Look || Prevost Slide || Low Cost Conversions || Through the Trees || Inverter Installation || Air Cleaners Revisited || Tow Bar Pins || Daily Trip Check List

    May, June, 2005 - Volume 5, Issue 6
    Shifting Problems || Fiberglass Skin || Valve Stems || Welding on a Coach || TV Mount || DC for A/C || MaXair Vent Covers || Equalizers || Selling your Coach || Buying A Coach || What the Buyers Want to Know || Fuel Cost Comparison || How Much Heat || Our Heating and Power Cost

    March, April, 2005 - Volume 5, Issue 5
    The Networks on DirecTV || Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks, The Latest in Coach TV and Surround Sound || Drip, Drip, Drip || Breathing Clean || Installing New Fender Flares || Bussin’ 2005 || IBP, Inc || Accessory Air || Satellites Lie || Signs of the Times

    January, February, 2005 - Volume 5, Issue 4
    Yes Virginia, Any Coach Can Have Rust Damage (Reskinning an MCI-8's front end) || RV Antifreeze || Seals, Edge Guards, and Trim || What’s New ( Products seen at the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association Show) || Easy, Low Cost Magazine Rack || Fancy Facades || Brand Preference || Refrigerator Rods || Where Ya’Been || The Coach-Builder’s Bulletin Article Index for July, 2000 to January, 2005

    ~ 2004 ~

    November, December, 2004 - Volume 5, Issue 3
    Another Dream Coach, Ideas from Pete & Jean Smith’s 1981 Eagle || Fan-Tastic Vents || Electric Wiper Motors & Wet Arm Washers || Bussin’ 2005 || Holiday Gifts || Tubing Care || Dashboard Design || NOAA Weather Radio || Pyrometer || Belt Length || Worn Wheels || DieselChat || Power Washers

    September, October, 2004 - Volume 5, Issue 2
    Crankshaft Pulley || Happiness Is In The Imagination || A Cheap Backing Camera || Copilot’s Footrest || RV Antifreeze || Holding Tank Antifreeze || Rally Guide - Part II || Or Rally 'round the Food Boys || Lighted Flagpole Bracket || Removable Water Supply || Ask George, Fluorescent Ballasts || Plumbing Protection

    July, August, 2004 - Volume 5, Issue 1
    Expecting the Unexpected || Sanitary Dumping || Wireless Internet Access on the Road || Handy Hand Cleaners || Our Latest Adventure || 240-VAC Tester || Coolant Drain || 15, 20, & 30-Amp Outlet Tester

    May, June, 2004 - Volume 4, Issue 6
    Roof Mounting Solar Cells || Two Hitch for an MCI || Hitch Mounted Flag Pole Holder || Tightening Lug Nuts || Danger!!! UFO’s Inside Your Coach || The Gathering || Just For Fun || Air Control Valves || Rally Master’s Guide || Kitchen Drains || Window Shades || Stud Length

    March, April, 2004 - Volume 4, Issue 5
    A Different Power Plant (It runs on cooking oil)|| Brake Release || A Dream Come True (Acquiring a bus at a bus auction) || Water Management I & II || Busin’ 04 || Bus Auctions || Starter Solenoids || Rope Lighting || Temporary Step || Generator Exhaust Stack Update || Tips On Making That Lockable Hitch Pin Last || Rod Ends (Replacing tie rods on a 4106)

    January, February, 2004 - Volume 4, Issue 4
    Building Your Cabinets || Breaking Brake Chambers || Screws || Shore Line Extension || Bus Museums || Flaming Heaters || Gate Valve Cleaning || A Bay Window || Angled Hydraulic Hose Ends || The Coach-Builder’s Bulletin Article Index for July 2000 to January 2004

    ~ 2003 ~

    November, December, 2003 - Volume 4, Issue 3
    Our Cover Story is A 1961 Coachette Bus || Shower Pans || Jake Brake: What Good Are They || Low Bridge || Construction Techniques || Paper Work || Drop-Down Bed || Busin’ 2004 || Tips & Hints || Overnight Restrictions || Keep It Clean (A Deflector) || Pot Luck || Holiday Gifts || Another Deflector

    September, October, 2003 - Volume 4, Issue 2
    Replaceable Hose Ends || Power Plant Fumes || Better to See With || Jake Brake Stop Light || Cabinet Construction Options || A Rose By Any Other Name || Coach Cabinet Design - Special Considerations || Cabinet Shelves

    July, August, 2003 - Volume 4, Issue 1
    The Allure of Buses, My Next Project || Speedometer/Odometer || Full Extension Drawers || Building Interior Panel Doors ForYour Bus || Disappearing TV || Door Options || Coaching Events || On the Road, At Last || Travel Costs || Cell Antennas || Folding Bed

    May, June, 2003 - Volume 3, Issue 6
    Installing a Genset || Fuel/Air Separator || A Universal Ignitor Board Plus || Hose Connections || Autotransformers || More Light || Ups and Downs || FMCA Converted Coach Chapters || Satellite Acquisition

    March, April, 2003 - Volume 3, Issue 5
    Busin ‘03 || Fastening Problems to Cry Over (And you will) || Oil in the Engine Coolant || Bay Floor Shoreline/Water Access Port || Air Throttles || My New Collection || Soap Dispensers || Portable Cooking Appliances || Shoe and Boot Storage

    January, February, 2003 - Volume 3, Issue 4
    Prevost || Emergency Help || Air Dryers || Angled A/C || Fire Safety || Maintenance Photos || 4106 Leveling System || Spring Brake Controls || Frozen Air Lines || Bedding || Reversible DC Motors || Shop-Air Connections || Trash || Butyl Putty Tapes || The Coach-Builder’s Bulletin Article Index for July 2000 to January 2003

    ~ 2002 ~

    November, December, 2002 - Volume 3, Issue 3
    America (The Coach) || Driving With Air Brakes || Automatic Defrost Disconnect Switch || Skinner Valve || Manual / Emergency Shut Down || Generator Exhaust Stacks || Blocking a Coach || The Skinner Valve - What Good Is It? || The Canny Dipstick || Bathroom Storage || Coaching News: Busin’ 2003 & The New Great Lakes Converted Coach Chapter of FMCA

    September, October, 2002 - Volume 3, Issue 2
    Labeling Control Panels || Adhesive Bonding Tape || Medical Emergencies While Traveling, Part 2 || Brake Application Gauge || Brake Adjustment || Air Brake Information Sources || Wet Dishes

    July, August, 2002 - Volume 3, Issue 1
    Pick a Paint || Heat "On Demand" || Coach Club Rallies || Templates || Air Line Antifreeze || Medical Emergencies While Traveling, Part 1 || Spring Brakes || Leveling System Update || Basket Case

    May, June, 2002 - Vol 2, Issue 6
    $50 Paint Job || Low Cost, No Hole in the Roof, Antenna Alarm || Compounding/Anti-Compounding || An Easy, Inexpensive Drinking Water System || Propane || Outside Steps || Next Stop- Europe || Clothing Storage || 120 Refrigerator Latch

    March, April, 2002 - Volume 2, Issue 5
    Polished Aluminum Siding || Toe Kick Tray || Bus Mechanics || Welding Games, Buying a MIG Welder || From the paint shop || Ask George || Busin’ 2002 || Ventilation || Plumbing Systems for Coach Conversions

    January, February, 2002 - Volume 2, Issue 4
    Fueling Around || Welding For Everyone || For Bars & a Cadillac || Welding Games || From the paint shop - Why not to paint in the cold || The Regulation (Actually Non Regulation) of the RV Industry || Ask George - Bunk Beds || Our Kitchen Table || The Coach-Builder's Bulletin Article Index July 2000 to Jan 2002

    ~ 2001 ~

    November, December, 2001 - Volume 2, Issue 3
    Antique Coaches || Nutty Nut Nests || Why Supplemental Braking || Supplemental Braking Systems Fundamentals || From the Paint Shop - Sanding, Filling, & Priming Techniques || Levels of Maintenance || More Tips on Cabinets || Front Wheel And Tag Axle Bearings || Know Your Coach || The 2001 Bus Conversion Convention

    September, October, 2001 - Volume 2, Issue 2
    Speedometers || LP Circuit Cards || Cost Analysis for a "Go'na Bees" || Bedroom Air Conditioning || Ask George || Aged Mechanical Lock Rivets || Getting From B(us) to R(V) || Basic Intelligence Collection || Safe Wiring || Cabinet Lighting || Tips & Hints - Preserving your Paint

    July, August, 2001 - Volume 2, Issue 1
    Co Pilots Adjustable Desk || Breakdowns on the Road || Safety Triangles || Professional Cabinets for Conversion || From the Paint Shop || Storage || Towel Bars || Cabinet Efficiency || Ask George || Leveling revisited || Battery Charging || Storage Checklist || Self Drilling Screws || Under Couch Storage || Fluorescent Lighting || Tips & Hints || Valve Cap || The Wayward Wallet || Classified Ads

    May, June, 2001 - Volume 1, Issue 6
    Low Cost Shells || Convenient Fresh water system || Spring Cleaning || Leveling System || Extra Cooling || Fires, Tires & Screwups || Low Cost Split Air Conditioner Units || From the Paint Shop || General Checkup || Air Conditioner Cleaning || LP Checkup time || A Big RV Equipment Catalog || Series Parallel Switch || Tips & Hints || Urethane Paint || Zerk Fittings || Annual Flea Market Outing || Ask George || Floor plans || Classified Ads

    March, April, 2001 - Volume 1, Issue 5
    Reference Planes || Crimp-less Terminals || LP Preventive Maintenance || Shore Line || Looking Up || LP Compartments || Coach Insurance || Tips & Hints || LP Distribution || Electrifying LP Water Heaters || Air Suspension 101 || Low Cost Leveling || And Many Spring Check Up Tips

    January, February, 2001 - Volume 1, Issue 4
    Crimp-Terminal Tools || To Raise or Not to Raise (The Roof) || Crimp-Terminal Installation || Color (Interior) || Cabinet Security || Satellite Radio || Quality Crimp Terminals || Terminal Tool Sources || Hints and Tips || Dates to Remember

    ~ 2000 ~

    November, December, 2000 - Volume 1, Issue 3
    Water Heating Options || Foam (Upholstery) || Siding Installation || Routine Water Heater Maintenance || Coaching For $$$ || Alternative Shells || Bus Conversion Convention || LP Water Heater Operation & Repair

    September, October, 2000 - Volume 1, Issue 2
    RV Refrigerators || Upholstery 101 || Installing RV Refrigerators || Improving LP Refrigerators || Sliding Generator or Utility Tray || Flxible Owners International || Flx Coaches || Air Conditioners- Mechanical Trouble Shooting || Rooftop Lounges || Refrigerator Alternatives

    FIRST ISSUE - July, 2000 - Volume 1, Issue 1
    The Converted Coach Hobby || Air Conditioners - Electrical Trouble Shooting || Bus Conversion Sources || Cabinet Door Installation Fixtures || Hints and Tips || Circuit Tracer || Torque-Seal Putty, a $2.95 Timesaver || Ask George? || Warning Label in Disguise || BNO - Bus Nut Online - www.busnut.com || The Code || Fresh Water System Fittings

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    Please CLICK HERE to go to our EPIC CONVERSION SUPPORT web site to see our additional items for sale!

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    Don't miss out on any of this valuable information, if it covers a project that you are considering for your coach.
    Call our Fax Order Desk at 1.937.426.9850 to order your copies of the back issues.


    The Coach-Builder's Bulletin

    Web sites by:
    Prestige Online Services
    Copyright © 2000 - 2007