15 passenger in tow???

[TheGreatEscape]

So I am wondering if a 15 passenger GMC is something i could tow with our 40ft FE BlueBird? I know its probably a crazy thing to consider but we are a large family of 10 and it would open a lot of options when we are stopped for a few days at a time on our trip across the states.

[Carytowncat]

Busception; a bus towing a bus


Cool!



Good luck!

[Alan N]

I have towed my work pickup (99 f350 4 x4 4 door long bed diesel with side tool boxes 100 gallon service tank torch air compressor etc etc..) with our bus. It works ok but acceleration and braking are affected.
Your van is most likely much lighter than my pickup.
If I were going to tow something that size very often I would consider a supplemental braking system.
No reason it won't work.

[cowlitzcoach]

It all sort of depends on a lot of factors.

1. Does the bus have enough HP to move much more weight than the loaded weight of the bus? 190 HP T444E or 6BT is going to have a hard time on any kind of hill towing a 3-ton+ toad.
2. Does the bus have a transmission that can handle that much more drag and weight? The AT series would not last long towing something that heave. The MT, HT, and World Trans series shouldn't have any problems towing something that heavy.
3. Does the toad have an auxiliary braking system? It is required in western Canada regardless of whether or not it is required in the jurisdiction back home.
4. Does the bus have sufficient cooling capacity to handle dragging a load that heavy?
5. Does the bus engine live in a cradle or is it bolted directly to the bus chassis? In other words, when you are towing where is the force being applied from the trailer hitch to the bus?

If the bus has a 285 HP 8.3L or DT466 with an MT or WT series transmission you most probably would be able to tow. Anything less than that you would be smart to have someone drive the van to the top of the hill.

[Deezl Smoke]

You do have to abide by each state's law that you travel thru regarding over all length. Oregon for example is 65' over all for a combination rv. That's from tip of front bumper to tip of rear bumper as they are hitched up.

Also most states will have a maximum weight that a trailer or trailed vehicle can weigh without brakes on the trailer.

It would likely be cheaper over the long run to haul the 15 passenger on a trailer that meets spec for it's weight. This way you have no custom modifications to make and can sell the trailer when you no longer have a sue for it. Otherwise, you may be looking at some sort of special braking designed for the 15 passenger. you may also cause excessive wear on the front tires of the towed vehicle with so much tail swing of a long bus.

I asked about towing a class C, 4 down, with an HDT on an rv forum some years back. Brakes were the biggest thing pointed out.

IMO.

[miltruckman]

I'm planning on setting up our 12 passenger van for towing with our bus. Only has a 5.9 6bt with an at545. I'll let you lnow how it works out.

Bill
Michigan

[TheGreatEscape]

It has a 3208 Cat engine and Allison Tran model MT-643

[TheGreatEscape]

Originally Posted by TheGreatEscape

It has a 3208 Cat engine and Allison Tran model MT-643

CATERPILLAR 3208
Displacement
10.6 liter
636 CID
Bore
4.50 in
114.3 mm
Stroke
5.0 in
127 mm
v8 natural aspiration
157 kW
210 hp @ 2800 rpm
Compression ratio - 16.5:1
I hope this helps...Not sure if it makes a dif but we raised the roof 31-1/2 inches so that will add to the space for extra weight.

[Alan N]

Cowlitz is right on , of course.
Your bus will do it.
Give it a whirl.

[milkmania]

Now this has me wondering!
How do I find the hp & torque specs for a 1989 DT466?
What I've seen is UP TO 300hp @2,200 rpm
and UP TO 860lb-ft @ 1,600rpm

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by milkmania

Now this has me wondering!
How do I find the hp & torque specs for a 1989 DT466?
What I've seen is UP TO 300hp @2,200 rpm
and UP TO 860lb-ft @ 1,600rpm

You'll need to get the ID numbers from your engine. There are many different configurations of the 466 which include many hp ratings. Not aftermarket, but from the factory. That engine was used in trucks, buses, generators, water pumps, tractors, combines, who knows all else. Each with a different configuration of fuel systems, turbo systems and governor systems.

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by Deezl Smoke

You'll need to get the ID numbers from your engine. There are many different configurations of the 466 which include many hp ratings. Not aftermarket, but from the factory. That engine was used in trucks, buses, generators, water pumps, tractors, combines, who knows all else. Each with a different configuration of fuel systems, turbo systems and governor systems.

Mystery solved 210hp - 103.2 lb-ft torque

DTA 466: Same as earlier mechanical-injection DT 466, but with an aftercooler.

[Alan N]

It can work the other way around too

[Alan N]

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by milkmania

Mystery solved 210hp - 103.2 lb-ft torque

DTA 466: Same as earlier mechanical-injection DT 466, but with an aftercooler.

The 103 is not the torque rating. It has way more than that. If you can see the tag again and on the left edge it should say what that 103.2 number represents. Maybe a fuel per stroke?
Rule of thumb to figure torque from hp at rated rpm is
hp x 5252 ÷ rpm
So 210 x 5252 = 1,102,920 ÷ 2400 = 459.55 ft/lbs torque. As the rpm drops the torque will rise to the extent of the engines designed capacity, then drop off again. So you might have about 550 pound/feet at 2,000 rpm and so forth.

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by alan n

Attachment 11955

Attachment 11956

like !!
Lol.

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by Deezl Smoke

The 103 is not the torque rating. It has way more than that. If you can see the tag again and on the left edge it should say what that 103.2 number represents. Maybe a fuel per stroke?
Rule of thumb to figure torque from hp at rated rpm is
hp x 5252 ÷ rpm
So 210 x 5252 = 1,102,920 ÷ 2400 = 459.55 ft/lbs torque. As the rpm drops the torque will rise to the extent of the engines designed capacity, then drop off again. So you might have about 550 pound/feet at 2,000 rpm and so forth.

My bad!
I'm tired and wasn't even thinking that was a low torque rating...
Left column reads: Adv Bhp@ Rpm

[Alan N]

Originally Posted by Deezl Smoke

like !!
Lol.

It was better that way than pulling it with a chain

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by Alan N

It was better that way than pulling it with a chain

I 100% agree. I was'nt laughing at your tow bar. The forum software would'nt let me reply without 10 characters. I like the tow bar and using it to tow safely. It was your reverse situation that I found funny. Towing the long bus with a short rig.

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by Deezl Smoke

I 100% agree. I was'nt laughing at your tow bar. The forum software would'nt let me reply without 10 characters. I like the tow bar and using it to tow safely. It was your reverse situation that I found funny. Towing the long bus with a short rig.

He was pushing the truck, not pulling the bus!