Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-31-2017, 07:17 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Bus length?

I anticipate buying a Skoolie in the next few months. My criteria is getting refined. Here's a question:

I rarely see bus length but I do see "72 passengers", "77 passengers", even "94 passengers" etc.

Does that speak to the length, or how it's outfitted? I want a long blunt nose. I want a long one.

Whats the deal on length? (interior square footage really)

Thanks!

raindogs451 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2017, 07:25 PM   #2
Skoolie
 
dmattarn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 120
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466E Allison 3000
Rated Cap: 84 Kids/56 Adults
I have an 84 pass flat nose I believe, it's 40ft long and has about 210sqft of usable space behind the driver

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
__________________
"Once you get it, you got it."
dmattarn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2017, 07:25 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
Njsurf73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
Usually people talk in windows or passengers.
I measured my 12 window bluebird re. It's just under 35' (with the bumpers)

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Njsurf73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2017, 07:30 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Njsurf73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
Oh as far as usable space... 29' behind the driver. 7'4" wide

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Njsurf73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2017, 08:04 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
By long blunt nose, I'm guessing you're talking about a long dognose (type C) bus. You're in luck. Those are easy to get because just about everyone else wants a rear engine (RE) long bus. There are advantages and disadvantages to every model.

So if you buy a 40' dognose you're going to loose about eight feet to the nose and driver's area. A flatnose bus, RE or FE, does have more floorspace than a dognose bus.

It's all about choices.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 03:01 PM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Passenger count is NEVER an indication of true length. 9 row, 12 row, 14 row refers to window count and some (few) are listed by row count. Most by seat count. It's not uncommon to see a 40 something passenger count bus that is 40 feet long. The pax count is low because it's a wheel chair bus. Without being there or seeing pics, the only way to know is to look up the VIN on the manufacturer's website.

For a general idea, the windows are 25" wide with a 3" gap between them. Blue Bird makes this tricky by throwing in a few 32" emergency windows. My bus is a 13 row 84 pax bus, RE, flat nose. Exterior bumper to bumper is roughly 40'2". Interior glass to glass is roughly 39'4". Behind the driver's seat is roughly 34'.

Looks like Njsurf73 got a defective bus since Blue Birds measure 89 3/4" for interior width. ;)

City buses and coaches are wider than skoolies.
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 03:05 PM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
CaptSquid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
I have an 84 passenger RE Thomas. Roughly 240 sq ft of floor space (30' measured from the line to the doghouse) and 8' wide inside,
CaptSquid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 04:51 PM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brewerbob View Post
Passenger count is NEVER an indication of true length. 9 row, 12 row, 14 row refers to window count and some (few) are listed by row count. Most by seat count. It's not uncommon to see a 40 something passenger count bus that is 40 feet long. The pax count is low because it's a wheel chair bus. Without being there or seeing pics, the only way to know is to look up the VIN on the manufacturer's website.

For a general idea, the windows are 25" wide with a 3" gap between them. Blue Bird makes this tricky by throwing in a few 32" emergency windows. My bus is a 13 row 84 pax bus, RE, flat nose. Exterior bumper to bumper is roughly 40'2". Interior glass to glass is roughly 39'4". Behind the driver's seat is roughly 34'.

Looks like Njsurf73 got a defective bus since Blue Birds measure 89 3/4" for interior width. ;)

City buses and coaches are wider than skoolies.
I have one 8'6" city bus that was 36' long. wish the skoolies were that width, as the extra width was nice. That width is pretty much illegal, but all the years I owned it, no one ever bothered to check. I just had to be a little more careful on the secondary roads. One of my friends in Molalla oregon has 3 of them.
__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
chev49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 06:57 AM   #9
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by chev49 View Post
I have one 8'6" city bus ...
102" is the limit isn't it? As long as that's exterior you're at the legal limit.


Quote:
One of my friends in Molalla oregon has 3 of them.
They aren't kittens!!! Why would you need more than two; a long and a short.
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 07:13 AM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
Njsurf73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
102 is the limit not counting safety appliances such as mirrors or bumpers that may protrude a little further

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Njsurf73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 07:25 AM   #11
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Njsurf73 View Post
102 is the limit not counting safety appliances such as mirrors or bumpers that may protrude a little further
Because physics and bridges care?
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 09:12 AM   #12
Bus Crazy
 
Njsurf73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brewerbob View Post
Because physics and bridges care?
I don't know... Because mirrors snap off or bend in? Lol

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Njsurf73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 09:20 AM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Njsurf73 View Post
I don't know... Because mirrors snap off or bend in? Lol
So do bumpers.
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2017, 03:44 AM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
Dixie Bushcraft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Kemper County, MS
Posts: 43
"Dog Nose" ???
"Blunt Nose" ???

Ya'll crack me up with the "terms".

If it has a hood out front, it is called a "Conventional".
If it is flat on front, it is a "Cab-Over". (COE-cab over engine / COA- cab over axle)

And YES, 102" is the widest you can be. It is LAW, and also about as wide as you really want to be driving down the road. You lose a lot of "wiggle room" in your lane.
__________________
Just starting out. Hope I can help others and learn.
My twitter: @DixieBushcraft
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DixieBushcraft/
Dixie Bushcraft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 04:00 PM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
BartStephens's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 41
Year: 2009
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner EF
Engine: Cummins 6.7L ISB220
Rated Cap: Not sure. 29' length
Why Rear-Engine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
...just about everyone else wants a rear engine (RE) long bus. There are advantages and disadvantages to every model.

Newbie here. Getting started. WHY does everyone want a rear engine?

FYI, we are starting to look for our bus. Want to stick to to +/- 36' so we can get National Park campground spots. Beyond that, we want to get the most mechanically sound vehicle we can: best-driving, comfortable, etc.

I strongly prefer the aesthetics of the 'traditional' front-engine school bus, but aesthetics is a secondary concern.

So, what is the deal with rear-engine? What are the advantages? Any other thoughts welcome.

Thanks.
Bart
BartStephens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 04:11 PM   #16
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
There are a number of reasons.

RE buses tend to be higher specc'd. Many were originally ordered as trip or activity buses. They frequently come with bigger engines, better transmissions and other goodies.

The wheelbase is longer ... mine is 23 feet between the axles. That means a more comfortable ride on the highway at the expense of turning circle. It also means a very short rear overhang.

They are much quieter, and cooler to drive. You are not sitting on the engine. By the time mine is fully insulated, the engine will be a muffled noise 35 feet away.

They have more useable space up front. The floor from the driver seat to the stairwell is flat and unobstructed.

They all have a side door, usually driver side, and many have higher ceilings.

Many have four-bay pass-through storage lockers under the floor.

These buses commanded a substantial premium when new, and only a small extra payment now, if you find one. Our school district bought three Thomas RE's two years ago, fitted for activities. They cost $160000 each.

The flip side.

They don't make tight turns.
They have no handy rear door
They cost more
Access to engine is harder than Dog Nose but easier than FE Transit
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 04:13 PM   #17
Bus Nut
 
Jdawgsfanasty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 973
Quote:
Originally Posted by BartStephens View Post
Newbie here. Getting started. WHY does everyone want a rear engine?

FYI, we are starting to look for our bus. Want to stick to to +/- 36' so we can get National Park campground spots. Beyond that, we want to get the most mechanically sound vehicle we can: best-driving, comfortable, etc.

I strongly prefer the aesthetics of the 'traditional' front-engine school bus, but aesthetics is a secondary concern.

So, what is the deal with rear-engine? What are the advantages? Any other thoughts welcome.

Thanks.
Bart
They are out back, out of the way...you lose no usable space...with a CE...there's some space lost the engine in front of the windshield...mostly personal preference, I guess

Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk
Jdawgsfanasty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 02:29 PM   #18
Mini-Skoolie
 
BartStephens's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 41
Year: 2009
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner EF
Engine: Cummins 6.7L ISB220
Rated Cap: Not sure. 29' length
Very helpful. Thank you.

To clarify:
There are RE school buses,...and these are different than RE “highway” or greyhound type buses? Isthat correct?

One item I appreciate about a school bus is the elevated ground clearance. I would happily sacrifice some ground clearance in exchange for more storage.

In short, I am trying to understand if a RE school bus is the same as a greyhound, or are they a type of hybrid between a hwy bus and a school bus???
BartStephens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 03:39 PM   #19
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by BartStephens View Post
Very helpful. Thank you.

To clarify:
There are RE school buses,...and these are different than RE “highway” or greyhound type buses? Isthat correct?

One item I appreciate about a school bus is the elevated ground clearance. I would happily sacrifice some ground clearance in exchange for more storage.

In short, I am trying to understand if a RE school bus is the same as a greyhound, or are they a type of hybrid between a hwy bus and a school bus???
Greyhound buses are coaches. They are a completely different construction but, like all coaches, they too have a high floor.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 06:07 PM   #20
Bus Crazy
 
CaptSquid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
Bart - the RE concept keeps that noise-maker (engine) far away from the front of the bus. On a school bus, this shortens (considerably) the drive train, allowing for under-body storage. A FE bus has the drive shaft running the length of the bus, which may eliminate any decent under-body storage.

The BIGGEST disadvantage to a FE Transit-style (I hesitate to use this term, FLAT NOSE) is access to the engine. Noise and heat come in a very close second place. On my beast, I drove Brunhilde from Kankakee, IL to Billings, MT. Heat generated by the engine was a non-issue and I could actually hear my stereo without having to resort to headphones.

The true disadvantage to Transit-style buses is you have a front seat to any front end accidents. You are protected by a thin wall of fibreglas and the windshield. On a Conventional bus (again, Dog-nose), your protection is enhanced by that block of cast-iron (engine). But, you sacrifice interior space.
CaptSquid is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.