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 06-18-2014, 09:49 AM   #1
Site Team
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: southwest lowsyana
Posts: 542
Year: 1988
Coachwork: ward
Chassis: international
Engine: dt360a
Rated Cap: 65
newby with a dream

Howdy folks! I have lurked for awhile, and finally figured the "email address wont let you register thingy. I am in the process of buying a bus to convert and looking to retire in what is left of America. I have 4 years to full retirement so plenty time to do the conversion.
I really appreciate the site and all who have taken time to post their conversion pics and share the info so those like me dont make costly mistakes and can get it right the first time. lol

thanks for being here!

claydbal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2014, 10:10 AM   #2
Skoolie
 
Sara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 138
Re: newby with a dream

Welcome to the madness!
Sara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2014, 12:59 AM   #3
Bus Nut
 
gmarvel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Danville, California
Posts: 345
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: DD6-71T
Rated Cap: 78
Re: newby with a dream

Welcome to the Skoolie Life. What kind of bus are your looking for?
__________________
______________________
Greg and Donna Marvel

Danville, California
https://www.transtraks.com
gmarvel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2014, 02:00 AM   #4
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The Valley - Arizona
Posts: 644
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freight-shaker (Freightliner)
Engine: Cat 3126b 250 HP
Rated Cap: Only 1 seat
Re: newby with a dream

Welcome aboard!
Docsgsxr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2014, 06:59 AM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
gbstewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,208
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: 3800 International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 72
Re: newby with a dream

welcome to the dreams
4 yours for this kid to
gbstewart
__________________
my bus build viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5931
gbstewart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2014, 07:30 AM   #6
Site Team
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: southwest lowsyana
Posts: 542
Year: 1988
Coachwork: ward
Chassis: international
Engine: dt360a
Rated Cap: 65
Re: newby with a dream

thanks yall. found the bus, its a IH S1700 6 diesel auto. 30 ft behind driver seat. as soon as i sell bike i buying it. preciate the welcome!
claydbal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2014, 11:25 AM   #7
Site Team
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: southwest lowsyana
Posts: 542
Year: 1988
Coachwork: ward
Chassis: international
Engine: dt360a
Rated Cap: 65
Re: newby with a dream

Maybe spoke too soon. may have found another bus. please give me yalls opinions on this one, as a fellow may want to trade it for my bike. it is a 1988 gmc chassis with a ward snub nose body. 454? chevy and allison auto trans. he has already done most work of transferring all electrical and plumbing and appliances from a motor home. also 2 roof a/c's and central propane heat. have searched but cant find any info on the funky snub nosed bus. thanks for ANY opinions and give me hell! i have very thick skin!

thanks
claydbal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2014, 08:02 PM   #8
Bus Nut
 
PDBreske's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 635
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bookmobile body by Farber
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: Navistar DT466/Alison MT643
Rated Cap: 1
Re: newby with a dream

I think you'll get varying opinions on the gas engine, but I would avoid it. That huge V8 will chug fuel to the tune of 5-6MPG or less. I'm not saying a diesel is miserly by any means, but I get 10MPG from my DT466 and I'm pretty happy about it. Diesel fuel is more expensive, but the added cost of fuel is offset slightly by the increased range of a full tank.
PDBreske is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2014, 08:37 PM   #9
Skoolie
 
serpent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Black Rock City
Posts: 113
Year: 198x
Coachwork: Crown & MCI
Chassis: 40ft Tandem/40ft MC-9 Tag
Engine: Cummins 855 BCT/6V92TA, RTO-910/HT-740
Rated Cap: 47,000lb/38,000lb GVWR
Re: newby with a dream

I agree. My previous (and alternate) coach is a 1978 GMC w/a 455 Oldsmobile gasoline engine. I love the coach and will keep it around for a long time to come. But every year I've had it I've always wished I had a diesel when it came to being under load. The gas engine was fine for the most part when I wasn't pulling a trailer or loading it up with too much and just enjoying a short trip. But even then it doesn't do much better than 8-10MPG.

My Crown will be capable of >4X the GVWR of my GMC and when loaded will probably be in the 7-8MPG. To me that makes a huge difference. During heavy loads I won't have to worry about having two gas vehicles in my caravan.
serpent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2014, 09:02 PM   #10
Site Team
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: southwest lowsyana
Posts: 542
Year: 1988
Coachwork: ward
Chassis: international
Engine: dt360a
Rated Cap: 65
Re: newby with a dream

thanks guys. i was (am) concerned about fuel, and the other bus im considering is a dt366. any other pitfalls/good points about the gas burner? what about the ward body or gmc chassis?
claydbal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2014, 12:07 AM   #11
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Re: newby with a dream

Diesel is the way to go for both mpg and durability. There are plenty out there, just take the time to find the right platform to build on.
Tango 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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Unnamed Northern Newby longroadhome Short-Bus Conversion Projects 7 03-11-2019 06:39 AM
Newby needs help shortbusshorty Short-Bus Conversion Projects 4 08-27-2011 08:16 PM
A SCHOOL BUS FOR A DREAM!!!!! PRyberg Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 2 01-29-2011 05:04 PM
Newby has some questions ARaddict Conversion General Discussions 0 08-13-2007 02:54 PM
What to do first?? Questions from a newby...... eggman Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 3 06-03-2006 11:20 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:27 AM.


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