Cruseing Speed

[Morella]

What make and year is your coach? (sorry if you already said so). I have a lovely dark wood table from a 70's M-M that I am considering removing. I replaced the pins recently, and it comes with a set of 2" M-M bells, all rejuved and lubed.

My hearse is being decked out for camping, and this table doesn't exactly fit because mine is a Superior, but the echelon bolt is the same. You may need other parts, if you want to go three-way. They are handy for moving cargo. I think I would rather have more sleeping room, and access to my extra electrical and temp control systems, though.

-denise

[Custom Coffin Works]

It's a 1970. I don't know if its a Miller or a Superior. It has a plywood floor in the back with just carpet. Do you have pictures of your table installed? I was also looking for coffee table books or something like that about our cars.

[mdeanr]

that is a 1970 M-M.

[Custom Coffin Works]

that is a 1970 M-M.

Thanks! Is it the interior that gives it away? I'm sorry but I'm still kinda new to this hearse thing.

[mdeanr]

i just happen to know the landau bar and the interior rear light fixture. it takes some time to learn the different hearses.

[Morella]

Unfortunately, you're going to have to look under that carpet and see if the sliding track is still there. It looks kind of like a 'Y' with two letter V's on the post instead of one. You'll also have to see if the holes for the casters (I sometimes call them bells) are there. The ones I have take 2" holes, but I know some tricks for altering the size. There are also some cranks, like window cranks, hidden in the front of the mound for changing the direction, and people do strip them out (this is the way the Superior works, your mileage may vary.)

If you plan to go with an electric table (like mine used to be), you'll need a motor, and a cable or chain that drives the table in the right direction. There are also limit switches, switches to make sure the doors are open and the seat backs forward, etc. Mine has a computer box, which may actually have vacuum tubes in it, to contol it all. Then there are switches or bushbuttons to tell the table to come in, or or stop.

If this stuff has been removed, you might not want take on such a big project, although it is not too bad if you have master skills and tools.

I really want to sell my table and bells to make a camper out of mine, and I may even put on a trailer hitch to go camping and boating, but I would not mislead anyone or make their lives miserable just to make a sale.

[Custom Coffin Works]

Unfortunately, you're going to have to look under that carpet and see if the sliding track is still there. It looks kind of like a 'Y' with two letter V's on the post instead of one. You'll also have to see if the holes for the casters (I sometimes call them bells) are there. The ones I have take 2" holes, but I know some tricks for altering the size. There are also some cranks, like window cranks, hidden in the front of the mound for changing the direction, and people do strip them out (this is the way the Superior works, your mileage may vary.)

If you plan to go with an electric table (like mine used to be), you'll need a motor, and a cable or chain that drives the table in the right direction. There are also limit switches, switches to make sure the doors are open and the seat backs forward, etc. Mine has a computer box, which may actually have vacuum tubes in it, to contol it all. Then there are switches or bushbuttons to tell the table to come in, or or stop.
.

Mine has just a piece of plywood under the carpet......I think I'll just leave it alone for now...thats stuff sounds too muck like work!

Thanks....

[Morella]

It probably would be, and if it is really stout plywood, you could cut rectangular holes and just put in rollers, if you want to haul a casket. The more I think about it, the more I'm into taking my table out and going with what you have. I had no table or bells when I got mine, and it took me forever to find them, now I can't wait to pull them out. Isn't life ironic?

I bought an inflatable mattress, body pillows, and I have enough battery and AC power to run a small A/C or heater. Tony got me a 12v blanket, and I even have a remote control for the radio. I really want to go on a long ride or a campout event, and after Jenny leaves, I can do it. Since Tony is always driving, it might just be me and the dog, who will probably have to sleep up front, and anyone else who might want a comfortable place to spend the night. I don't bite.

A hearse has a thousand uses, and a million design possibilities. I've actually used mine with the three-way table to easily load and haul many servers and other heavy equipment, perhaps as much as people who buy new minivans for that purpose, but "I don't compute" anymore. I've also taken the hard way to age 45, and I realize the importance of having a temporary place to sleep sometimes. I can go to the "cars" side at the rest stops, and I've learned all about packing for travelling from the hubby, like using those self-heating MREs that just came out...open them and you have a lasagna or whatever, without even needing a microwave.

Whatever you do, give it a little thought first so that you don't blow money. I've changed upholstery fabrics a few times, as I originally bought my coach as a truck to haul my downhill funeralracers, and now I'm using something that is more like a church fabric. It was so ugly inside when I first got it that no one wanted to get in it, and I had to pull everything apart. Now the upholstery is a little bit amateurish, but everything has been recovered at least once, so it may be a work in progress, but at least it feels like a clean used car. With plenty of ceiling to spare and tilt-tele conversion done, I was able to put in 4" of extra hi-density foam in the seat. That sure does make it easy on the booty.

-denise

[Morella]

Oh, and tip of the year...when you sew curtains, don't use polyester. It will scramble the works in your sewing machine. A $99 Singer special will easily sew cotton curtains, naugahyde welt seams for upholstery, or blend fabrics, as long as they are a soft blend. If you are making white curtains, you will also find that a cotton white sheet costs less than buying white material at a fabric store!

-denise

[Custom Coffin Works]

Good Idea on the cotton sheet! I like that kinda thinking. I'm looking at several designs for the upholstery.