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Post by the_experience03 on Mar 12, 2006 3:51:29 GMT -5
So I did it...I fulfilled a childhood dream recently and bought a school bus to convert into a camper. Here's the specs: "Havoc" 1989 Ford B700 chassis w/ 65 pax Wayne Lifeguard body 6.6L Ford/New Holland "Brazilian" diesel 401 ci, 185 ahp, 475 advertised ft. lbs. Allison AT545 4 speed non-lockup auto 22,500 lbs Spicer rear and 7500 lbs Spicer front 40,000 lbs GVWR 8.5 mpg at 63 mph (top speed with 2600 rpm governor setting....for now) My plan is to convert it into a decent camper to make all kinds of fun trips all over the country. What does this mean to anyone on this board? Well I can haul my truck and show up in anyone's driveway now ;D You can check it out (along with some other randomness) at www.havoconthehighway.comdial up beware....and the site is in dire need of an update, but my webmaster is in Europe for two weeks so ya know... |
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Post by 94cnytoy on Mar 12, 2006 9:39:40 GMT -5
Are you doing the "half-cab cut?
That's my personal favorite.
You end up with a full size van enclosed area
plus a 22' flatbed.
The metal cut off the back works great for filling in the "extra" windows all over.
My wife killed my purchase of a "short bus".
She'd rather have the $78k "store bought" camper.
Needless to say, I have no bus nor camper.
Stew
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Post by the_experience03 on Mar 13, 2006 0:17:54 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear about your bad luck. Ever notice that no one cares when a $100,000 motorhome pulls up next to them, but everyone smiles and waves at school bus conversions (skoolies)? I'm just looking forward to being able to lay out the floor plan so that it best suits my needs.
I'd like to cut the back and use it as a hauler, but I think I'm going tio have to just use the trailer. I just can't part with all that space. We (my friends and I) go to concerts, etc so we need all the space for bunks, the porta-shitter, a shower, etc that we can get. On top of that it HAS to fit a couch so ya know....
I guess that just means I'll have to buy another one ;D
It's too bad too because with the air brakes and 30,000 lbs GVWR this one would make a fantastic toy hauler.
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Post by 94cnytoy on Mar 13, 2006 11:24:11 GMT -5
The key is this....
Keep it clean and decent looking.
Attention=trouble.
Also.....
Remember, when you're alone in a car its one thing...
When you have 6 to 20 passengers.....you've got alot more responsibility.
A bus(personal) rolled in the entrance(5mph) to a local show here a few yrs back. 12 people were injured.
The driver was ok on the road, but had little exp driving a vehicle this size. The people were injured due to lack of seat-belts and flying debris/furniture.
(yes, more than a bong got broken....)
Keep it safe and clean.
Stew
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Post by the_experience03 on Mar 13, 2006 23:49:51 GMT -5
I'm not worried about a bong getting broken  All the furniture will be securely held down. As for clean....I know what you mean. No one wants to be anywhere near a hippie bus. My buddy is a painter so I'll have him do a simple beige or other bland color and just add a little color trim. The thing is a dream to drive....it's actually easier to drive than my truck. It handles better on the road and actually requires LESS forward thinking to operate safely. I like to think of my truck as being the ultimate driver's ed vehicle ;D Oh and don't worry.....not that I need it, but I'm going to get my Class B CDL so I don't have to hassle with cops arguing that it's a bus and not an RV despite the plates. |
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Post by bhlarctic on Apr 18, 2006 14:01:16 GMT -5
THAT'S SWEET!
I didn't know that you could pick up a bus in that condition for so little $$$. Was it a chance buy or are there many buses like that out there being sold?
Can a bus floor be lowered? Your website says that you were removing the floor? Maybe you're just taking off the current floor for new flooring?
Anyways, nice work and enjoy. Skoolies are great.
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