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 07-12-2016, 05:13 AM   #81
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 53
No, I haven't weighed it yet, I only have the side posts up for the sleeper, but I will weigh it as soon as I get done.
Thanks for the kind words! Don't forget to post your project on here if you get one started, I'm sure we would all like to see it!

mr.friend is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2016, 06:52 AM   #82
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 14
We're onto something huge here...

My friend, you're an inspiration to us all, with your thinkin (& performing)out of the box. As I stated b4, I've already built similar to what u have, believing a medium duty Isuzu FTR 4door, straight six diesel,4sp Allison, 22.5GVWR, 14' Cab to Axle, then 13' Axle to end of beaver tail, was ideal Ca$h Cow with potential to gross $200k/yr as a Haul&Tow, pulling 2travel or cargo Trlrs. Heck, 99.9% of RVs(TT's & 5th whl's) are pulled by $20k-$70k 1ton trucks that then never get backhauls. & these skoolies have same engines(5.9TD, 7.3TD, 8.1 Vortec, etc) that p/u trucks have,& bigger like 3126, DT466, that're staples of class 6-8 trucks. My Isuzu
FTR gave decent 10mpg, but was hard to find parts for and expensive ($3500 radiator, $4000 inject'n pump, $3000 brakes,)assuming I found mechanics to work on it.
These skoolies are what I plan to use to build a fleet of Haul&Tow fltbds. Having 5.9 Cummins or DT466's or 7.3 DT444's w/Allison5&6spds, derated for longevity, we're just SO lucky nobody wants them, making skoolies the best value available. I wish more of the 26k to 30k gvwr ones could be rated down for those of us without CDL-A's. Kudo's to our friend, MrFriend for opening our eyes to how easy and cheap these trucks can surpass the needs of farmers and for hire truckers everywhere.
BogistJoeSr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2016, 10:43 PM   #83
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 53
My goodness BogistJoeSr, thank you!

I drive trucks and operate equipment for an asphalt company, and our company has hundreds of machines and all of our fuel trucks are just old, some new, box trucks that they through a fuel tank in and an air compressor, and they all have 5.9 cummins' or smaller even, and they can barely pull a load of diesel, let alone a couple of 55gal barrels of hydraulic fluid and engine oil and then spare parts, and just joked around one day about how we should start using buses. Not only would they have MUCH more room, but if you got one with a DT466 or something, plenty of power to pull it! And more reliable than just about anything new these days, and sooooooo much cheaper! I guess I might ought to say something to someone that would make these decisions, haha!

Then again, maybe we shouldn't introduce buses to businesses, lol, because then Skoolie enthusiasts wouldn't be able to get their hands on a bus, lol.
mr.friend is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2016, 05:33 PM   #84
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 53
Anyone have any suggestions about connecting and sealing of my soon to be 'sleeper' to the existing cab.

Someone suggested to do it like a truck sleeper and build a partial wall all the way around the existing body and soon to be body and use an accordion type rubber seal. Buuut, it was also mentioned that would be EXTREMELY difficult to pull off..

The connection would need to be somewhat flexible being the the 'sleeper' is connected to the bed and moves separately from the existing body.

Any suggestions or ideas?!?!
mr.friend is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2016, 06:47 PM   #85
Skoolie
 
New2Skool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Bemidji MN
Posts: 209
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Carpenter Body
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 65 to Zero. Folding Chair
Other Option

The majority of folks here suggest finding a new bus which, is certainly a safe option.
I have never seen anything like this before but, I wouldn't give up yet.
I had to reskin my bus and I did a lift.
Part of me thinks, it would have been easier to remove the roof panels, ribs and bringing everything off.
Starting with a true flat bed working surface.
You could start from scratch, you could make your own super structure, skin it with anything you like, make it as tall as you want, you could create pop out sections, anything.

I don't see this as a crushing blow and I hope you don't either.
This window may have shut but, I see a blank canvas to work with too.
You have options with your bus, it may be very unique compared to everyone else's skoolies here.

Good luck and have fun.
__________________
D.L. Jones III
"The Independence"
98 International
New2Skool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2017, 08:26 PM   #86
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 53
I haven't forgetten about y'all! I haven't done anything to the bus since my last post, work has been pretty slow and I haven't been able to get any more materials for it, but I plan to get my butt in gear and do what I can! Also didn't help that I bought a Polaris rzr... Haha! But now I have to gett'er done now!
I messed around and let the batteries get cold this winter, but I got'em charged up and she stills starts the first turn of the starter! Hopefully I will get to update y'all soon!!
mr.friend is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2017, 10:43 PM   #87
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Well it is about time. And not even a photo of your new rzr. Does that have a garaged place in the bus? Anything that fits in a bus keeps us on topic.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2017, 06:58 PM   #88
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 53


Here is my rzr! It's a 2017 xp 1000 with ride command!
mr.friend is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2017, 06:59 PM   #89
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 53
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
Well it is about time. And not even a photo of your new rzr. Does that have a garaged place in the bus? Anything that fits in a bus keeps us on topic.
It will be on the flatbed
mr.friend is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2017, 07:59 PM   #90
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Close enough. We're still on topic.

That looks like a fun ride.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 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 12:15 AM.


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