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Bumpyroad's avatar
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 15, 2016

an interesting tow vehicle for a fiver.

saw a combination on I-70 this am.
a reasonably large fifth wheel hooked onto an old school bus that had the front half "normal" in appearance, and the back half was a flat bed with a 5er hookup.
sort of struggling up bradock mountain however.
bumpy
  • Some of those little front engine flat nose buses that converted to fifth wheel haulers are pretty interesting. Other than smaller 19.5" wheels and tires, those little buses are pretty stout, typically with air brakes, a B series Cummins and Allison transmission. With only 160-190 hp they aren't speed demons, but we all know that the B series Cummins is easily tuned up to 300+ horsepower without giving up too much in longevity. The ride sucks, but maybe 4 corner air ride can be added.
  • Around here they turn them into convertibles and use them in the melon harvests.
  • N-Trouble wrote:
    Probably on their way to Burning Man. Should make it to NV by Labor Day weekend...LOL


    since they were headed East, they will probably be late. :)
    bumpy
  • Probably on their way to Burning Man. Should make it to NV by Labor Day weekend...LOL
  • You.have chassis part of.equation. but up part with a.school bus is not there. Many only had 150-200 up motors. All they have to get to speed wise is 50 for the most part. Some of the larger 50 passenger buses ha the 125-135 hp IDI navistar 6.9/7.3 motors in them. If you thought those motors were gutless in a pickup.....imagine at 30-35,000 lbs!

    Marty
  • Looking at the tails of some these short buses you linked makes me want see how they handle loading and unloading weight off the rear. Do they prop supports under the rear or does the front start to float upward?
  • I've seen modified school buses before, but none pulling a 5th wheel.
    They're mostly carrying a race car.

    Flatbed School Bus Some of them are interesting.
  • There is a similar set up here in my town...except it's a V10 Motorhome chassis. There was a fire in the back bedroom. A mom and pop auto repair shop bought it...removed about 1/4 or 1/3 of the walls and roof..added a new back wall and mounted a fiver hitch on the frame rails where the bedroom use to be.

    They haul fivers to and from the local campgrounds for a fee. Pretty interesting rig to see all loaded up pulling a monster fiver. But it keeps folks from having to buy a pick up truck. Lol

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah