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Originally Posted by TheLunge
Hi there folks. Im Really interested in converting a bus or buses of my own. I've never done it but im some what fixated on all the potential things I could do with and to a bus. I've been looking around to see if I can find any measurement for the insides/ over all specs, so I can be draw out designs fer mah tinkerins' lol if anyone can help me I'd really appreciate it.  |
I know the original post for this is old, but I thought I'd reply with my research for those new new-comers currently searching for answers. Also want to give back a bit, others have been so helpful as I search for answers on here, and so far, this is the only expertise I have to contribute!
Important measurements are the exterior length, but also the interior useable space, which is from behind the drivers seat to the rear.
There are two types of fronts to a bus that dictate the overall external length and internal useable space: dog nose and flat nose. The dog noses always have front engines, but the flat noses can have front or rear engines. A rear engine flat nose will have perhaps an extra 1' in length then the front engine flat noses. We'll get to how to calculate that length of a bus in a minute.
From the tip of the nose of a dog nose to just behind the drivers seat (again, to where your useable space begins) is about 9'. From the tip of the flat nose to behind the drivers seat is about 4.5-5'. The "entryway/foyer" for a dog nose is smaller then the "entryway/foyer" for the flat nose, but overall, the dognose add more length to the overall bus length bc of, well its nose. The flat nose has to have a bigger "foyer" because the engine has to stick into it, but is still overall shorter from back of drivers seat to tip of nose.
The overall external length of a bus matters not just b/c of comfort in navigation, but b/c National Parks and other campgrounds have either hard limits on length of RVs, or, just have limited sites for longer RVs. You want to find that perfect balance of external length to internal useable space ratio.
So then, how to tell how long a bus is when the seller doesnt make it clear?
You can use a window count, or a passenger count.
Each window is typically 28", and that includes the framing. This is simple of there arent any emergency exits or wheelchair doors. Therefore -
8 windows = 224" = 18'8"
9 windows = 252" = 21'
10 windows = 280" = 23'4"
And so on...
Remember, you then need to add your length for the drivers seat forward, to get the overall exterior length of the bus.
8 window flat nose = 18'8" + 5' = 23'8"
8 window dog nose = 18'8" + 9' = 27'8"
And so on ...
And then, number of passengers is often given. This is listed as, for example, "46/72 pass", and this means that bus holds 46 adults OR 72 children. Secause each pair/row of seats has a window, you can calculate length of the bus by passenger. This is helpful if the seller doesnt provide pictures that are condusive to counting windows (I have practically gone cross-eyed trying to count bus windows!). You will find however, that sometimes, they enter the data incorrectly, calling what is clearly a 6 window bus a 72 passenger, and it will drive you crazy.
There are children passengers, and adult passengers. You can usually tell if they are using child or adult numbers, if you have even a slight sense of how long the bus is based on a picture.
Each seat fits 3 children butts, or 2 adult butts.
And so if the number of passengers provided is for children, you calculate by dividing the total number of passengers by 3 (because 3 children's butts per seat), then by 2 (because 2 rows of seats in a bus). If the number of passengers if adults, then divide the number by 2 (for 2 adults per seat) then by 2 again (because 2 rows of seats in a bus).
48/72 = 12 windows, because 48 / 2 / 2 = 12
Then you know 12 windows = 336" = 28'. Then add your length for the dog nose or flat nose, and your'e all set!
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