Can I daily drive a short bus?

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by spwath

Was just going to be something for weekend trips and such, but would be my only vehicle.
I don't believe studded tires are legal here, at least not on main roads.
Maybe ill just have to wait until I can afford to get a 4wd bus made or something interesting like that.

You should probably have a backup vehicle for convenience if you do find one. They are a lot of work to keep up for daily use and short drives will kill a diesel in those conditions. I am not to far from there and winter is long and brutal at times. Some winter driving though is good therapy for me so.. away I go and if it turns dirty out, I stay put where I am, quite comfortably. No need to get anywhere...



John

[CH777]

Originally Posted by spwath

Good thing I don't plan on pulling the floor then .

Originally Posted by spwath

I don't plan to do a full conversion, just basically a glorified tent. Only going to be using for the next couple years too.

The one thing I am concerned about is if it is reliable enough to be daily driver, and costs on repairs.

Short bus with gas engine......starts easy as a pickup...drives easy as a pickup...... Dual wheels with good "SNOW TIRES", not all season tires will get you around just fine in everything but extreme situations.
Put weight in back over rear axle.........this will greatly improve traction in snow. Carry some tire chains if you are that worried.... Heck...you can get a winch too if you think yer gonna be cruising around in the boonies in snowstorms.

And guess what........... you "CAN" buy solid buses in the rust belt...... I know...I actually live in Ohio and have done that successfully many times......and ya know what....a little rust ain't gonna stop you from "doing what you describe doing".

I do suggest you get a short bus with a gas motor & hydraulic brakes.... Cheaper to maintain and operate. Simple to work on. Start easy in the cold..... much quieter......smell better .....Cheaper to buy..easy to find parts for anywhere.... get fuel anywhere.

4 window ( not counting door) and the "van" body is what you want. I'd stick with the GMC/Chevy small block ones (SUPER RELIABLE).

ENJOY!

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by CH777

Short bus with gas engine......starts easy as a pickup...drives easy as a pickup...... Dual wheels with good "SNOW TIRES", not all season tires will get you around just fine in everything but extreme situations.
Put weight in back over rear axle.........this will greatly improve traction in snow. Carry some chains if you are that worried.... Heck...you can get a winch too if you think yer gonna be cruising around in the boonies in snowstorms.

And guess what........... you "CAN" buy solid buses in the rust belt...... I know...I actually live in Ohio and have done that successfully many times......and ya know what....a little rust ain't gonna stop you from "doing what you describe doing".

I do suggest you get a short bus with a gas motor.... Cheaper to maintain and operate. Simple to work on. Start easy in the cold..... much quieter......smell better .....Cheaper to buy..easy to find parts for anywhere.... get fuel anywhere.

4 window ( not counting door) and the "van" body is what you want. I'd stick with the GMC/Chevy small block ones (SUPER RELIABLE).

ENJOY!

You'd have to look far and wide to find a station that sells gas and not Diesel.

[CH777]

Originally Posted by o1marc

You'd have to look far and wide to find a station that sells gas and not Diesel.

Not true......... Especially out in the boonies.
But one thing is sure......... ALL STATIONS SELL GASOLINE.
A fact.


Besides....this guy wants a "short bus" and he is not a long haul trucker racking up 1000's of miles weekly...week after week.............. so diesel and it's associated costs, trials & tribulations is 101% completely unneeded and would not be cost effective or better in any way, shape or form "IN REALITY" for --"what he is wanting to do".....or.... "what he is asking for"..

Another fact!

Nuff said..........

[brokedown]

i did have a surprisingly tough time with diesel on i10 crossing florida earlier this year. 60 gallon tank on this TC2000 and I was concerned about running out of fuel.

[BlackJohn]

Gas engine will warm up quicker in winter which helps defrost time for windshield etc. For short hops that would be much more preferable, diesel is no match there.


John

[brokedown]

Diesel may also need a block heater, especially a non-glow model like my 5.9!

[Thomas1985]

I actually agree with CH777. Get one like mine. See the link in my signature vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

[CH777]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

I actually agree with CH777. Get one like mine. See the link in my signature vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Yep.... pretty much what I was talking about.

The 5 window ones are good ones as well.

PS.......... more pics in your build thread pleeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzz

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by CH777

Not true......... Especially out in the boonies.
But one thing is sure......... ALL STATIONS SELL GASOLINE.
A fact.


Besides....this guy wants a "short bus" and he is not a long haul trucker racking up 1000's of miles weekly...week after week.............. so diesel and it's associated costs, trials & tribulations is 101% completely unneeded and would not be cost effective or better in any way, shape or form "IN REALITY" for --"what he is wanting to do".....or.... "what he is asking for"..

Another fact!

Nuff said..........

Fact is , with so many regular cars running on diesel, that you would have to look far and wide even in the boonies to find a station that doesn't sell diesel. There's not enough profit in gasoline to limit what you offer.
Did you ever find that clause in your insurance?

[lockhaw]

I had a short but as my only vehicle for 3 years. You can't go through the drive up window at MacDonalds or the bank. You can't put a token in a parking lot gate. And no parking ramps but I did everything else.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by CH777

What he said.



Short bus with gas engine......starts easy as a pickup...drives easy as a pickup...... Dual wheels with good "SNOW TIRES", not all season tires will get you around just fine in everything but extreme situations.
Put weight in back over rear axle.........this will greatly improve traction in snow. Carry some tire chains if you are that worried.... Heck...you can get a winch too if you think yer gonna be cruising around in the boonies in snowstorms.

And guess what........... you "CAN" buy solid buses in the rust belt...... I know...I actually live in Ohio and have done that successfully many times......and ya know what....a little rust ain't gonna stop you from "doing what you describe doing".

I do suggest you get a short bus with a gas motor & hydraulic brakes.... Cheaper to maintain and operate. Simple to work on. Start easy in the cold..... much quieter......smell better .....Cheaper to buy..easy to find parts for anywhere.... get fuel anywhere.

4 window ( not counting door) and the "van" body is what you want. I'd stick with the GMC/Chevy small block ones (SUPER RELIABLE).

ENJOY!

What he said.

[CH777]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Fact is , with so many regular cars running on diesel, that you would have to look far and wide even in the boonies to find a station that doesn't sell diesel. There's not enough profit in gasoline to limit what you offer.
Did you ever find that clause in your insurance?

Say what??? HUH??

2,709 posts in the 7 months you been in this forum!!!

Some rough math = 387 per month = 97.75 per week = 12.9 per day = a lot of time devoted to this forum.

WOW!

Try fishing.... being outside, fresh air, relaxing.... goes a long way to an improved, stress free life.

[plfking]

Originally Posted by CH777

2,709 posts in the 7 months you been in this forum!!!
WOW!

Try fishing.... being outside, fresh air, relaxing.... goes a long way to an improved, stress free life.

He has 2 goals here......5000 posts his first year, and being the first to reply to every single new thread. Don't distract him.

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by plfking

He has 2 goals here......5000 posts his first year, and being the first to reply to every single new thread. Don't distract him.

To quote Donald Duck, "Pweese don make me waff!"


John

[Tango]

That's not Donald...that's Elmer Fudd you wacky wabbit!!!

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by Tango

That's not Donald...that's Elmer Fudd you wacky wabbit!!!

I'll stand corrected by an elder statesman with more cartoon hours on him, than I!

Maybe I need Rehab too!


John

[o1marc]

Just here to help.

[Tango]

My youth was well spent after all!

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by Tango

My youth was well spent after all!

Yes, you spent it well sir. How did I mess that up so bad? Should have been closer attention to the tube I guess.



John