1st trip with the Skoolie!!

Scooter141 · 08-15-2013, 11:35 AM

I asked a question about flooring here a couple months ago. Got wayyyyy too busy trying to scramble to get it ready for a very short notice 10 day Creede Colorado camping trip. Our favorite campground is primitive with a pit toilet, only has 4 camp sites and is usually empty and QUIET!!!

I scored free carpet and padding that was less than 1 year old, so its got carpet in it for now.

Everything worked perfectly!!!

Here are some pictures.

I was peeling off the stickers and HAD to get a picture of this... Thought about leaving it like this, but i dont need a reason to get stopped by the PO-PO...

Alamosa Colorado. Picked up a passinger.

Here is our camp spot.

Packed up, headed home.

bansil · 08-15-2013, 12:01 PM

congrates

Hex · 08-15-2013, 12:02 PM

Looks like fun was had ...

Scooter141 · 08-15-2013, 12:58 PM

My fuel mileage got better as i learned how to drive it.
My 1ton van (5.7L vortec) got about 7-9mpg towing the same route no matter how hard i drove it.
The bus (5.9 cummins),,,,,,, not so much. Got 6mpg the first 120 miles! Backed off the throttle a little and got between 8-12 the rest of the trip. Wind makes a HUGE difference with the bus.

PDBreske · 08-16-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter141

My fuel mileage got better as i learned how to drive it.
My 1ton van (5.7L vortec) got about 7-9mpg towing the same route no matter how hard i drove it.
The bus (5.9 cummins),,,,,,, not so much. Got 6mpg the first 120 miles! Backed off the throttle a little and got between 8-12 the rest of the trip. Wind makes a HUGE difference with the bus.

That's because speed makes a huge difference with a bus. Loaded weight doesn't make as big a difference as some people think, but the fuel mileage can go up radically if you decrease speed just 5MPH. If you maintain a constant ground speed with a headwind on the way out and a tailwind on the return trip, you'll find the drive home much more fuel efficient.

Motobus · 08-16-2013, 10:04 PM

Would you say a 12 window vs a 6 window will get close to the same fuel mileage, driven the same? What would that be in weight difference, about 4k?

PDBreske · 08-17-2013, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motobus

Would you say a 12 window vs a 6 window will get close to the same fuel mileage, driven the same? What would that be in weight difference, about 4k?

I don't think a smaller bus would get the same fuel mileage as a larger bus, but the same bus loaded lightly or heavily will usually not get a vast difference in the miles per gallon. That same bus, however, driven a few miles per hour slower, will see a huge increase in fuel efficiency.

JakeC · 08-17-2013, 07:14 PM

Idk...my 13 window dog nose gets 9 mpg, with a heavy foot, raised governor, and backed out fuel screw. I think I could substantially raise that (10-11?) if I backed off the throttle. I think the 3 biggest factors are aerodynamics (bad, lol), speed, and transmission. I don't think bus length (with identical drivetrains) will cause much variance.

roach711 · 08-17-2013, 07:35 PM

Back when I was into bicycling I learned that wind resistance goes up by the square of the speed. This means that in order to double your speed you need to quadruple your power. Vehicle weight effects fuel mileage when you're in stop and go traffic and when climbing hills. Once you get up to speed on level ground most of your power goes into overcoming air resistance. That's why drafting is such a big deal in racing; You're basically driving into the hole the other guy just spent so much energy punching in the air.

bapos · 08-17-2013, 07:59 PM

Don't feel bad about the "HO BUS" I think its kind of cool. This coming from someone who has titled his bus the "Bigasspimp Mobile"

Nice bus I really like the interior.

Keep up the good work.

roach711 · 08-17-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bapos

Don't feel bad about the "HO BUS" I think its kind of cool. This coming from someone who has titled his bus the "Bigasspimp Mobile"

"The Roach Motel" isn't the classiest possible name either.

Motobus · 08-17-2013, 10:11 PM

Thanks for the info all. I think the HO BUS is awesome. Nice new style front end, Cummins, perfect length for day or weekend trips. I would guess that bus weighs about 12K, pulling 6-7k?

Scooter141 · 08-19-2013, 02:40 PM

I liked the HO BUS, but i didnt want to attract the wrong kind of attention!

Last time i weighed it she was 13,100. The Sploder and trailer are right at 6K. Add 1500-2000 lbs of camping chit too.

It been regeared to 3:77's so its not screaming at 65-70mph.

I put the stock pump plate back in and instantly noticed a drop in power, but have been told by alot of dodge boys that i should get better mileage with the high HP plate...??? IDK, im new the the whole desiel ricer thing.

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