Das Boos

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 12:59 PM

And so it begins...

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 01:07 PM

I'd like to share a confession with all y'all fine folx here in the Skoolie community. I love bacon.

No, really; I looo-ove me some bacon!

Everything's better with bacon. There is only one thing that can possibly improve bacon. Yup, you guessed it:

MORE bacon.

It's a good thing that I enjoy bacon so much, since I recently acquired several tons of it, from the $3000 initial outlay on a '98 IH 3800 pig-in-a-poke...

Took seemingly forever before the seller brought it up to me from Taxxachusetts. Then interminal delays to get Officer Friendly out to do a VIN verification, so I could then head down to town hall, with their quaint, rustic, and very limited hours of operation, not to mention that the NH DMV's computers were down for several day for PMS.

And having to backwoods engineer the backup lights- one was blown and the other bulb broke when trying to take it out to buy replacements. Badly corroded sockets that I replaced, and cut some thin gage Al for beneath the bulbs to make new reflectors in the non-reflective face of the bulb housings.
Finally! I could make plans to take her to a truck shop for that $49 inspection sticker.

The price turned out a scootch more...

$2600

The Masshole I bought it from told me the inspection ought be no more than a mere formality. Sure, I had the oil and filters changed, not having service records, and I had a receiver hitch mounted so I can dolly my New Beetle behind, too.

A blown LR hub seal that was in imminent danger of going catastrophically wrong sweetened the deal as well. I'm starting to feel like Ron Popiel, here-
But wait, there's more!!!

No, not Ginsu Steak Knives that can cut thru a car, and still slice a tomato paper-thin.

Both king pins in completely crap shape. The shotgun side alone piling up a day and half's worth of labor heating, hammering, and ultimately cutting out.
Effectively doubling it's purchase price.

=============================

Has anyone any experience, and knows what recourse may be available to me? Do Lemon Laws apply here?

Sure, I found it on Craig's List, which I've felt for years was a place for sketchy people to congregate.

Fortunately, while I was shopping around, I'd CnP the post's text into my initial vendor contact emails. This is what I was offered:

1998 International 3800 School Bus - 7.3l Diesel (conversion ready)
$3500. 141813 miles. 1998 International 3800
7.3l International Diesel (Power Stroke)
5 Speed Spicer Transmission
141,813 miles
Hydraulic Brakes
23.5k lbs GVWR
NO RUST
Good tires all around
New batteries and spare tire
Included roof top air conditioner (needs install)

The "buildable" space behind the driver seat is 20ft by 8ft. Currently road legal, registered in Maine as a motor home and has insurance so it can be driven where needed. No CDL required, could be registered in Mass as a "van" with the GVWR and hydraulic brakes.

Very solid, everything works as it should. Clear coat on hood is peeling but I was planning on painting it anyway. I bought this bus in West Virginia (no salt) and drove it home 1000 miles. The interior has been stripped prepping it for a mobile home conversion. Instead of finishing this project I decided to buy a vacation home and no longer have time for the bus.

Sure sounds good, don't it..?

Stay tuned, kids! More to come.

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 01:17 PM

Anyone know of resources to check road regs in the various states, particularly on driving a yellow bus with it's school marking no longer on display?

Likewise, is there a nav app out there that includes low bridge clearances? I'm a big fan of Waze, but head space concerns aren't problematic with a VDub!

Want to safely strap my kayak and a travel tub to the roof. Planning on building a top deck at some point, so what are the options for temporary stowage up top?

I have other questions that aren't coming back to me right now, and I've dawdled long enough putting this chronicle on the road. Now, on to marginally more productive endeavors...

Twigg · 10-22-2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960

Anyone know of resources to check road regs in the various states, particularly on driving a yellow bus with it's school marking no longer on display?

Likewise, is there a nav app out there that includes low bridge clearances? I'm a big fan of Waze, but head space concerns aren't problematic with a VDub!

Want to safely strap my kayak and a travel tub to the roof. Planning on building a top deck at some point, so what are the options for temporary stowage up top?

I have other questions that aren't coming back to me right now, and I've dawdled long enough putting this chronicle on the road. Now, on to marginally more productive endeavors...

Rules applied to driving a yellow bus, no longer in service, are determined by the state it is registered in. Some demand it be painted, some don't (mine doesn't).

At around 10' 8" for a maximum height bus you shouldn't have any low bridge concerns. If you raise the roof, you might have as some are as low as 11' 6". Truck routing GPS and planning tools will help. You will have no problems on Interstates or major highways.

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

Rules applied to driving a yellow bus, no longer in service, are determined by the state it is registered in. Some demand it be painted, some don't (mine doesn't).

At around 10' 8" for a maximum height bus you shouldn't have any low bridge concerns. If you raise the roof, you might have as some are as low as 11' 6". Truck routing GPS and planning tools will help. You will have no problems on Interstates or major highways.

Thank you sir! I'm hoping there might be a single source for that info, w/o wading thru every state Ill be transiting's DMV sites.

I've downloaded a couple truck apps for Android, soliciting opinions on which are the best to go with.

It wouldn't hardly do to discover the app is buggy if it flakes out at a bad time.

Which is naturally when such fails seem to happen. Particularly since that tub is >10"... [emoji33]

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 02:37 PM

Here's another one for you with more mileage under your (fan)belts:

What's the best side-to-side angle to set those nose-mounted convex mirrors?

Seems I'm seeing an awful lot of hood in them the way they're set right now, especially shotgun side. Can almost see the L fender-mount flasher in it.

Doesn't seem like I need to monitor my grill while cookin' down the road..

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 03:22 PM

Ok, maybe my Captain Obvious is showing on this one.

My upbringing inculcated the belief that there aren't any stupid questions.

Experience has taught that there are a lot of inquisitive idiots out there.

*raises hand* wth, its 420 somewhere right now.

Anyhoo, thoughts on best placement of heaviest items:

Over/near rear axles,

Midway between fore and aft axles,

By the bumper,

Evenly distributed side to side and front to back..?

Inquiring idjits wanna know!

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

EastCoastCB · 10-22-2017, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960

Ok, maybe my Captain Obvious is showing on this one.

My upbringing inculcated the belief that there aren't any stupid questions.

Experience has taught that there are a lot of inquisitive idiots out there.

*raises hand* wth, its 420 somewhere right now.

Anyhoo, thoughts on best placement of heaviest items:

Over/near rear axles,

Midway between fore and aft axles,

By the bumper,

Evenly distributed side to side and front to back..?

Inquiring idjits wanna know!

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

was a marvelous 4:20

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

was a marvelous 4:20

Thanx, Charlie.

From the tie-dye motif, I am utterly, totally, and absolutely un-amazed that you liked that.

Unfazed enough to ask if you've got any Charlie Brownies you'd care to share..?

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

EastCoastCB · 10-22-2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960

Thanx, Charlie.

From the tie-dye motif, I am utterly, totally, and absolutely un-amazed that you liked that.

Unfazed enough to ask if you've got any Charlie Brownies you'd care to share..?

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

ALways got something good to share.
Come on over, man!

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

ALways got something good to share.
Come on over, man!

Shise!

I may well have picked the wrong hurricane zone to assist recovery efforts in!

Oh well, I reckon those impacted by Irmageddon will just have to manage w/o me. [emoji85] [emoji86] [emoji87]

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

EastCoastCB · 10-22-2017, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960

Shise!

I may well have picked the wrong hurricane zone to assist recovery efforts in!

Oh well, I reckon those impacted by Irmageddon will just have to manage w/o me. [emoji85] [emoji86] [emoji87]

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

I've been cleaning up non-stop since Irma.
We'll be having another semi-annual skoolie get-together sometime this "winter". You should come on down!

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 05:17 PM

If I may, I will. In my experience, winter is the only time FL is habitable! [emoji48]

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

EastCoastCB · 10-22-2017, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960

If I may, I will. In my experience, winter is the only time FL is habitable! [emoji48]

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

Oh, well I love the tropical summers. I don't even have AC in my work van!
I mow lawns for a living down here.

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Oh, well I love the tropical summers. I don't even have AC in my work van!
I mow lawns for a living down here.

I imagine tropical summers are best spent on a sailboat cruising around the Caribbean. Nah, I'm not a Parrot Head...

While my paternal ancestry is Mediterranean, my heat/humidity tolerance is definitely dialed into my Celtic heritage.

Well, sure! With that work, you're outside.

Plus, you have that gas-powered fan throwing out some wicked windage to keep you kewl!

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

EastCoastCB · 10-22-2017, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haz.matt.1960

I imagine tropical summers are best spent on a sailboat cruising around the Caribbean. Nah, I'm not a Parrot Head...

While my paternal ancestry is Mediterranean, my heat/humidity tolerance is definitely dialed into my Celtic heritage.

Well, sure! With that work, you're outside.

Plus, you have that gas-powered fan throwing out some wicked windage to keep you kewl!

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

None of my lawn equipment cools me down in the slightest!
Celtic heritage, eh?
We're having a Scottish wedding in March.
Our favorite team are Glasgow Celtic!

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

None of my lawn equipment cools me down in the slightest!
Celtic heritage, eh?
We're having a Scottish wedding in March.
Our favorite team are Glasgow Celtic!

Well, of course not, not if you don't position the mower vertically to avail of that rotary fan's impressive air-displacing suction! Shuh...

One of the many things I'll miss is the annual autumn NH Scots-sponsored Highland Games. Been every year for @ a decade now, ostensibly honoring my Scot/Welsh forebears.

In truth, it's because the event is a hoot, mon...

Guaranteed my Utiliti-Kilt will be traveling with me!!!

Anyway, its a 3-day event, but if I can only do one day, that'd be Friday- the only day Sheepdog Trials are held.

March, huh? Sounds like a great time. Just don't save me any haggis.

It's bad enough I have spotted dick...

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

cadillackid · 10-22-2017, 06:58 PM

I love hot sticky summers.. I have and Use A/C when im on the freeways.. however my preferred method of working is on my computer outside.. and yeah I can often outlast my computer in the heat..

I tend to spend more time in florida during the spring-summer-fall than I do in winter.. well actually i just spend alot of time in FL period.. LOL
only time I really Hate the heat is when its sleepy time.. then I want my A/C Bustin cold.
-Christopher

HazMatt · 10-22-2017, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I love hot sticky summers.. I have and Use A/C when im on the freeways.. however my preferred method of working is on my computer outside.. and yeah I can often outlast my computer in the heat..

I tend to spend more time in florida during the spring-summer-fall than I do in winter.. well actually i just spend alot of time in FL period.. LOL
only time I really Hate the heat is when its sleepy time.. then I want my A/C Bustin cold.
-Christopher

Hiya Christopher,

What can I say? Lots of folx are tolerant of those conditions, judging by FL's population density.

I don't happen to be one of 'em!

While I am morally & ethically opposed to CFCs, I'm not a fanatic.

I'm all about engineering controls, & not the least bit squeamish about running a fridge or A/C, when conditions so warrant.

If I can coop with only an open window next to me, maybe with a fan doing the air exchange thing, that is when I sleep best.

My lifelong philosophy is cold weather us best- I can always layer up.

When its stinkin' hot, there's only so far I can strip off before getting cited for inadequate exposure...

===================

Fly slow. Stay low.

cadillackid · 10-22-2017, 09:09 PM

my big issue has always been I have maybe what 3% Body fat? layer up and i just sweat.. a cold sweat

deal with the north and the seeming fascination with keeping all buildings, restaraunts, coffee shops, shopping malls, etc.. at a temperature of 70 or below winter and summer results in me doing a lot of sitting on my hands, shivering, and otherwise being unable to function.. in ohio I seek out a lot of places with sunny large windows in winter... (when the sun actuallty shines)

I do agree that the period of time from about 10am till 5pm or so in texas , florida, arizona, etc is pretty oppressive on some days.. but oh those great late night coding binges sitting on the ground outside of a techno club on a sultry night!! extreme-productiveness!

I enjoy cool weather to sleep for sure... I just totally Dont dig layers when im awake.. short-sleeve shirt and a pair of jeans.. thats how I roll winter or summer..

and I build cool HVAC systems and controls to maintain said comfort wherever I may be.. if im in ohio,.. yeah im the guy with the furnace on 78 when its 0 outside.. then I go into my bedroom zone where the heats been turned down all day to a nice 65 or so for sleeping..

energy companies love me.. Greenies Hate me.. though the stuff I build I do try to do with high efficiency in mind..

-Christopher

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