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Re: (Driving) School Bus

To: "Charles R. Schultz" <n2pua4@peoplepc.com>,
Subject: Re: (Driving) School Bus
From: "Patrick Washburn" <washburn@dwave.net>
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 07:58:56 -0500
Nice segway for me...it's my bus and it's for sale.  It makes a great 
hauler IMO.  Advantages are that you don't mess around with a trailer, you 
can pull over and live anywhere, with the Turbo Diesel you get an average 
of 11 MPG at around 72 to 75 mph cruising speed, liscenced as a motorhome 
the registration fee's are a pittance, has a certain amount of gawk factor, 
it's FUN.  Downsides are it's pretty big (but no larger than many 
motorhomes I see at events), you need to be carefull about buying one 
that's been well maintained, they are getting very hard to buy on the 
aftermarket, it is not new, doing the conversion.  (You should do it 
yourself...no matter what an older bus is not a new enough vehicle to merit 
hiring out an expensive conversion.)  Don't mess around with gas 
engines...DT series diesels are the only way to go.

Mine is carpeted, insulated and panelled.  Wired for 110 and 12v.  Has a 
power converter, kitchenette with stove and oven, plenty of overhead 
cabinets, microwave, 2 sinks with running water, bathroom with shower, (no 
blackwater tank, so a portapottie works for now.), convertable couch bed 
for tall people, dinette, 4 speaker stereo system,...

No structural problems with the conversion if done right.  Chassis is more 
than capable of handling loads, and body structure consists of lateral 
hoops designed for rollover protection.  (Yes, we've done structral calc's 
to prove all my work.)  Let me know if you want more information of pics.  
Thanks for bringing up the subject!

Pat


> OK, Phil E.'s comments about his white bus got me thinking about an idea
> I've played with on and off in the past:
> 
> Does a school bus make a good camper/hauler conversion, and, if so, what
> are the pitfalls?  What are the advantages?
> 
> I was always concerned about affecting the structural integrity of the
> body by making a hole big enough for a car in the back.  Is this concern
> well founded, or not?
> 
Patrick Washburn
C-Tech Trailer Cabinets
Designed for the Racer
Wausau, WI
www.racecabinet.com
715-355-8842

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