55 gallon drums under floor

[Evolutionmoonbus]

What is a good way to keep them secure?
Will they be high enough off the ground when mounted on the outside?

[Njsurf73]

Originally Posted by Evolutionmoonbus

What is a good way to keep them secure?
Will they be high enough off the ground when mounted on the outside?

I have not done it yet, but have seen a couple of vids on YouTube and threads on here.
They fit pretty well between the frame rails of a rear engine and outside the frame rails on fe and conventional busses. They were oriented on their sides and built into a cradle that was secured to the ribs from the floor above.
If that helps.

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[EastCoastCB]

OneNationUnderGoat are the authority on this subject.

[Njsurf73]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

OneNationUnderGoat are the authority on this subject.

I will search his posts out and pester him as needed when I get to that point.
I am planning on using a 55 for my gray tank and a 25 for a black tank. Where they are going to live is yet to be determined. I was supposed to pick up my bus Monday, but scheduling issues have it pushed off for about 2 weeks

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[Evolutionmoonbus]

Those are some cool goats!

[Versatile]

You might check out the protective frame work around bus fuel tanks. Buy for less than you can build or have it built and mounts to the frame and stronger than anything hung from rods. You will never drag them off.

[Evolutionmoonbus]

Originally Posted by Versatile

You might check out the protective frame work around bus fuel tanks. Buy for less than you can build or have it built and mounts to the frame and stronger than anything hung from rods. You will never drag them off.

Thanks V, The tanks I want to put under the bus will be for black water, and one for grey water. My main concern is how much clearance is minimum? I assume no lower than the rear pumpkin. The last thing I want is to leave a trail of poo... These are 55 gallon drums I got for free that I would love to use. Maybe I will have to go to the junk yard and find a bunch of plastic gas tanks.

The guy I bought this bus off of (custom coach shop owner) said to just put them under the bed and get a side flush toilet ,but maximum space is very important and I don't want my bed that high.

[Rameses]

One of the many very nicely built parts of Sojourner's conversion...

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/so...html#post95930

[DoubleO7]

keep in mind that a 55 gallon drum will occupy the same space as a 75 gallon rectangular tank of the same overall dimensions.

[Evolutionmoonbus]

Originally Posted by Rameses

One of the many very nicely built parts of Sojourner's conversion...

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/so...html#post95930

Nice! That is what I'm looking for.

[dredman]

I full-timed for a year and 1/2 with plastic drums. Mine fit nicely between the rails, and I strapped them to eye-bolts bolted thru the floor.

I did lose the center strap a couple times on the rear tank as it scraped on some gnarly terrain - I do a good bit of off-roading

More details
Plumbing a freaking school bus | 3 Years

I plan to at least use the same drum for grey water this current build

[b12lewis]

I need to try this or figure away on my 1988 chevy/ Thomas bus. thanks

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by Evolutionmoonbus

Thanks V, The tanks I want to put under the bus will be for black water, and one for grey water. My main concern is how much clearance is minimum? I assume no lower than the rear pumpkin. The last thing I want is to leave a trail of poo... These are 55 gallon drums I got for free that I would love to use. Maybe I will have to go to the junk yard and find a bunch of plastic gas tanks.

The guy I bought this bus off of (custom coach shop owner) said to just put them under the bed and get a side flush toilet ,but maximum space is very important and I don't want my bed that high.

My bus has about a 100 gallon tank. I have thought about repurposing the fuel tank as a grey water tanks.

[dredman]

Originally Posted by Versatile

My bus has about a 100 gallon tank. I have thought about repurposing the fuel tank as a grey water tanks.

As long as you don't plan to drive it?

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by dredman

As long as you don't plan to drive it?

My goof. Not at all. Need more coffee. Just add another fuel tank assembly on the right side aft of the stock set up. Convert that one to greay water and while you are at it you could put another on the other side and go black water. Or both on the left side. They bolt to the frame.

There are also 40 gallon ones out there on older buses from 60's,70's.They also have protection around them.Possibilities are endless. These tanks and mounts can be real money savers.

Crawl under a bus or two and get some ideas. Memorise what the underneath of yours is and while looking under a donor bus the put those thoughts together.

Looking at mine i think it looks strong enough to smash the bus down on the steel frame and never rupture the tank.

Fuel or Stool is all the same.

[dredman]

never thought about adding a tank? and they come with a solid mounting system...wonder what $ they would go for?

Originally Posted by Versatile

Fuel or Stool is all the same.

That is pretty awesome

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by dredman

never thought about adding a tank? and they come with a solid mounting system...wonder what $ they would go for?



That is pretty awesome

You would need to buy them for scrap price. Not as used parts for a bus in a school bus fleet.

I think about $150.00 each including the tank. A rip off at $500.00 per tank but you will still be way ahead of the game. Also i think a large tank will be baffled. They bolt in to the frame with triangle bolt patterns on mine. A plus would the be unbolt it and save the bolts. You cold also add another huge fuel tank instead of sanitary. A wild idea would be to have a float inside that tells you the level in the grey water tank. Just thought baffles will rule out the black water plan.

[Versatile]

Maybe you don't want to use the fuel tank. Still you can use the steel frame work and add in 2 50 gallons tanks. I think mine measures 26" wide by 16" tall. I think you could run a large dozer over mine and not crush it.You will not injure it if you hit and drag a low spot.

[Stu & Filo. T]

I used a 112gl fuel tank for grey, fit between the frame rails real nice, I also took another 112gl fuel tank cut it in half & removed another 3in off one half then welded 1/4in plate on the bottom. Fit perfectly where the muffler used to be

[Stu & Filo. T]

Grey, using a Macerating pump to suck waste out