Old school bus as a TV for large families?

[myredracer]

I see something interesting in a CG now and then, but this is the first time I've seen this - an old 60's era school bus being used to tow around a 30 - 32' TT. There are 2 parents, 6 kids of varying ages and 1 dog. Not sure how they all fit in the TT but the TV would have plenty of seating space. I can't imagine a long ride being very comfortable and they are a very long way from home.

[mkirsch]

Thing is, there really isn't anything else out there that would work for a family that large...

Even a 1-ton van would be pretty well maxxed out with the whole family loaded up, leaving nothing left to tow the HUGE trailer that would be necessary to house them all.

The only other option would be to run two vehicles, which would get about the same fuel economy as the one bus. Plus everyone can ride together, which I'm sure was a requirement.

[blt2ski]

That cab looks potentially like an early to late 90's IHC. As such, it could have an IDI 7.3 or the T444E turbo 7.3. If the latter, then it can be tweaked if you will to have enough power to move things at a pretty good rate of speed with taller gears than it probably had as a bus.

Marty

[Frostbitte]

Well, the bus looks like it works well. You're right though, it's probably a fairly bumpy ride. Those old busses were pretty under powered and the fuel economy is probably crappy loaded or empty but it seems to work. They certainly won't be going over payload. LOL.

[Community Alumni]

I once saw a guy who turned an old bookmobile into a pretty nice tow vehicle. He basically had a Class C for his temporary stops/rest periods and his trailer for his longer stays. The nice part about vehicles like this is that after you build them out on the inside, there's still enough payload to hook up a trailer. The hard part is keeping the combined length down and finding one geared for highway use. I love to see these oddball tow vehicles. It's something different and interesting.

[afishinado]

Often thought about how cool it would be to do one back when I was doing the races. Most of the amenities easy to get, roof platform would be super easy... Be a hell of a good platform to work with. Would be pretty hard to make one not look like what it is, but I bet it would be better built than just about any RV out there.
One of those projects I think I would be sorry I got myself into on the 2nd day.

[carringb]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

Believe me. 165 to 205 HP IS underpowered in a HUGE bus.

Yup. OLDER school buses might have 180 HP max. 6-cyl Ford gas motors were the most common for while. It wasn't until the mid to late 90's when they decided turbos actually are nice in a school bus. Even now, front engine buses usually top out at 220 HP, although some offer more as an option.

FYI - School buses with baggage bays usually have taller highway gearing. Most newer school buses have 5 or 6 speed autos, giving them decent top speed even with low gearing.

[Bird_Freak]

When I was a kid my Dad bought a 1956 Chevy school bus at a county auction for $200.00. We converted it to a camper with a old gas stove, bunk beds over the wheel wells and a full size bed in the back. Old 6 cylinder with a 4 speed. we pulled a 19ft wooden Carter Craft boat behind to lake Hartwell in N. Ga. 60 to 65 mph was top speed but it would do it up and down hills all day long.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

That's a pretty slick setup for a big family on a budget! They are not going to get anywhere fast but it looks like it works for them! Maybe friends of the Duggers? :B

moonlightrunner wrote:

carringb wrote:
I can see the pic.

Old school buses are pretty heavy and also very underpowered.

Buses are not under powered but rather geared low. Unless activity buses or had a rear end changed out, they were set up for stop/start low mph traveling.

I got friends who have a Blue Bird front engine. They've got the 8.9L diesel that you are so derisive about. They like it. They say it lives up to it's nickname "fuel pincher". Given the amount of weight they have had in their bus at one point, the engine didn't even have a problem. The bus is rated at 40,000 lbs (20 ton). The problem for many is the rear end is geared kinda low and the top speed is 65. Not a problem for them since they prefer the slower US highways rather than the hurry-up-hurry-up-must-go-faster interstates. They get great mpgs. I think that is much more important than running as fast as my RV can go. I just hope get the same engine as they did when I finally buy a bus.

Believe me. 165 to 205 HP IS underpowered in a HUGE bus.

[loulou57]

He will be pretty long. His 32' (including hitch?) and school bus at least 34'.

It works for this family so why not? Do they full time?

[moonlightrunner]

carringb wrote:
I can see the pic.

Old school buses are pretty heavy and also very underpowered.

Buses are not under powered but rather geared low. Unless activity buses or had a rear end changed out, they were set up for stop/start low mph traveling.

I got friends who have a Blue Bird front engine. They've got the 8.9L diesel that you are so derisive about. They like it. They say it lives up to it's nickname "fuel pincher". Given the amount of weight they have had in their bus at one point, the engine didn't even have a problem. The bus is rated at 40,000 lbs (20 ton). The problem for many is the rear end is geared kinda low and the top speed is 65. Not a problem for them since they prefer the slower US highways rather than the hurry-up-hurry-up-must-go-faster interstates. They get great mpgs. I think that is much more important than running as fast as my RV can go. I just hope get the same engine as they did when I finally buy a bus.

[BurbMan]

Underpowered maybe but the frame and suspension are stout! I would bet the old seats are removed and more comfortable accommodations for the kids in the back. I wouldn't want to be behind that bus pulling a 32' TT uphill, but I don't doubt it's a safe rig.

Check out school bus conversion by a bunch of kids heading to the Coachella music festival.

[carringb]

I can see the pic.

Old school buses are pretty heavy and also very underpowered. Once they adopted the Cummins 5.9L and the 7+liter engines from Cat and Navistar things got much better.

That said.... Have you thought about an e450 shuttle bus? They are much more drivable yet still have good payload and are rated to tow 10,000 pounds.

[myredracer]

Francesca Knowles wrote:


Got it bookmarked...

To O.P.:
Is this the setup you're talking about?

No, that's not the one (I hope my pic comes up now). Interesting photo and that bus is similar but a lot longer. Kinda makes all the usual questions go through your mind like payload capacity, GCWR, braking, going downhill, hitch setup, getting in/out of a gas station, backing into a site, yada, yada, yada.... 😄

[Francesca_Knowl]

2oldman wrote:
Moderator 1492 made a picture hosting app, but I'll be darned if I can find it. Perhaps go to FTS and ask him.

Here it is!

Got it bookmarked...

To O.P.:
Is this the setup you're talking about?