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 11-25-2010, 07:39 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 13
Year: 1996
Chassis: E350
Engine: 7.3l Powerstroke Diesel
Looking at my first mini-bus...any tips?

Hello all,

I'm looking at buying a '96 E350 15-pass van, powerstroke, auto, 200k miles. It's a minibus, not a standard 15-pass, and was part of a fleet. It's a dually. It has 4.10 gears. The sticker says it's "equipped with the ford rv prep pkg". The previous owner, who bought it last april from a local transit company, has done a partial conversion: ripped out seats, added a bunk bed in the back, fridge, microwave, AC, table and chairs. I'm not planning to fully convert it, though I like the idea of it as a spare room. I'm planning to tow a travel trailer, somewhere in the range of 24 to 32 feet. I was looking for a powerstroke truck, but I haven't had luck finding one, and this is cheaper. Here's a pic:



The seller is asking $3500. Thought that was pretty good at first; but I've since wised up. It's looking like it's worth closer to $2000, give or take a couple hunded. Does that sound like a fair amount? Someone in my area just sold a PAIR of these -- same year, model, etc -- for $3000, and while one wasn't running, the other ran fine and had had the tranny replaced and motor rebuilt only a few thousand miles ago. I don't know what has been rebuilt/replaced on the one I'm looking at; the seller has called the transit company to get the service papers, but it's gonna be a few days til they can get them. What are the odds this vechile would still have the original trans? Assuming best case scenario -- both trans and motor rebuilt in the last few thousand miles -- what other big repair issues should I be on the lookout for?

Finally, has anyone here ever towed with one of these? I'm pretty sure the powertrain could handle a small/medium camper, but I'm worried that any hitch I could put on it might be too far behind the back axle. I'm hoping a weight distribution hitch would solve this problem, but I don't know. Also, do these buses come with a pseudo-tow package due to their heavy-duty use, or would I need to add a trans cooler to be safe? Would it be hard to add a trans cooler myself? If anyone here has actually towed a camper with one of these, I'd love to get their two cents. I've never bought a vehicle like this before, and I'm feeling over my head here. Anyway, thanks in advance, and happy turkey day...

Cheers,
Tim

timmygyu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2010, 11:26 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
opus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,626
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All-American R/E
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Looking at my first mini-bus...any tips?

What engine? 460, I would say no. V10 and it will pull it all. You might want to consider pulling a fuel tailer behind you though, as well.
opus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2010, 12:01 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 13
Year: 1996
Chassis: E350
Engine: 7.3l Powerstroke Diesel
Re: Looking at my first mini-bus...any tips?

Engine is diesel; 7.3 liter, 8 cylinder powerstroke. Would that be sufficient do you think? Thanks for the suggestion about the fuel trailer; I'll keep it in mind.
timmygyu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2010, 03:13 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Stuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,485
Re: Looking at my first mini-bus...any tips?

Quote:
Originally Posted by opus
What engine? 460, I would say no. V10 and it will pull it all. You might want to consider pulling a fuel tailer behind you though, as well.
he said it has a powerstroke so I assume the 7.3L in it.

It should pull okay. It will have the tranny cooler and a large transmission already. I plan on using mine to pull my camper some day.

My rig - 1990 E-350 Goshen with the 7.3L non turbo.

The TT - 2010 392FLFB salem villa estate. 42' long 11klbs emty (went and got it with my father's truck because the bus doesnt have a hitch or trailer brakes on it yet and was kinda all apart inside..)
Stuff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2010, 03:16 PM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
opus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,626
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All-American R/E
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Looking at my first mini-bus...any tips?

Wow, I must still be in a turkey coma to have missed that!
opus 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
Tips for making under-bus storage? dentedvw Conversion General Discussions 1 06-12-2010 02:23 PM
Inverter Tips? SoulFire Electrical, Charging and Solar 5 11-07-2008 08:35 PM
Tips on what's for me?? SoulFire Conversion General Discussions 0 08-18-2008 04:09 PM
Whistle Tips Chainsaw Elbows Conversion General Discussions 22 07-31-2008 12:04 AM
Tips for installing Dometic 510 PeterBird Plumbing, Water and Waste 3 02-28-2008 10:34 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:46 AM.


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