Now for my thoughts on buying an owner converted coach - hold on to your hat.
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I am going to use my bus as the basis for my discussion. This is especially topical, since I have thought often about selling our bus since we don't use it as often as we should and I hate to see it sit.
In order to follow this discussion you should read my project pages (link in my signature). My project pages can serve to help the reader understand some of the cost and labor involved in an owner conversion. However, I am going to use those pages to emphasize some points about owner conversion.
The biggest factors in an owner conversion in my mind are: 1) was it done with safety in mind; 2) were the mechanical components properly addressed; 3) were the rust issues properly addressed and preventative measures taken; 4) were quality parts used in the conversion; 5)was the interior conversion done at an acceptable level of quality ?
Obviously the safety issues are the major factor. One of our members had an Eagle that was so rusted that the engine was about to fall out. On older Eagle the brakes were smaller than the model 10/15/20 and they were marginal. Obviously repairing all of the brake and steering system components becomes important with our older buses. The other major safety issues are wiring and gas plumbing. Wiring is a huge subject unto it's own. Obviously the big wiring items involve correct wiring practice and proper use of protective breakers.
Item three is hard to evaluate. Many of the structural tubes rust from the inside out. The critical tubes around the engine area need to be tested with a drill or an ice pick to make sure that the tube walls are not compromised. Since most Eagles have rust issues, the main issue in my mind is the caliber of the rust repair. As many of you know, I can be a bit anal about some things and this is one of them. Most repairs are done with MIG welders and that is a huge concern for me. MIG welders are fairly cheap to buy and a new owner can learn to make decent looking welds with a little practice. However, learning to get strong welds takes a lot of practice. Getting good penetration is an acquired skill. When a tube repair is done by cutting and splicing in a new tube section, I cringe. That repair relies on a butt weld and only very experienced welders can make that repair as strong as the original structure. I prefer plating the area or "double tubing" the weak tube (adding an adjacent tube welded to the old tube). Bottom line, a potential buyer needs to be aware of the quality of the rust repair.
I will address items 4) and 5) in another reply.
Jim