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 02-02-2015, 05:05 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 14
School bus for hot shot hauling?

To start, hot shots are the guys with full size diesel trucks who haul commercially. CDL's, DOT #s, etc. I'm considering a career change as being a mechanic is becoming less and less lucrative.

I guess the guys over at a hot shot forum don't have the same vision I have. One of the biggest parts of a hot shot budget are the vehicle and lodging. Fuel being the other one. I see a shorten school bus with a fifthwheel solving 2 of those problems. You can buy a bus for cheap, and then "berth" in it. The hot shot guys said my biggest problem will be when I show up in a converted school bus, they'll laugh and tell me to leave without the load. I think if the conversion is done right and looks like it was made that way, they'll think twice.

Personally I would use an FE with the cab shortened, but enough frame out back for the fifthwheel attachment. Remove and clad over most of the windows, remove all the yellow/red lights and the 'hoods', repaint white, insulate, ac unit, etc. Shower and sink would be nice, but maybe later.

Seriously though, concerns I have are the DOT and insurance. Does anyone have any genuine input or experience why this idea wouldn't work?

Stilldream'n is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2015, 05:45 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I'd get a classic cabover pete....
Bus is medium duty, you want class 8.
Get a older pete, mack, or even kenworth and put a custom sleeper on it.
A "toterhome" is what they call it, I believe.
Driving a bus 800 miles with the Peterbilts and Volvos screaming past on grades makes you wish for class 8 hardware, man. Just my 2 cents on it.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2015, 06:46 AM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 14
Thought about this. An idea was to buy a longer bus with a larger motor, and shorten the hell out of it. I'm shortening the cabin considerably, might as well move the rear axle up. Fuel tank will be a small challenge. If I can get a MD3060 and have the OD unlocked, I'd be golden.
Stilldream'n is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2015, 11:29 AM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
BB made some All Americans with 8.3 ISC engines.

IC made a few FE buses with big HP DT466 engines.

But big is sort of relative. 285-300 HP is not a lot if you are trying to move 30K+ lbs at highway speeds.

Can it be done? Yes but at the end of the day I think you will be disappointed in the results
cowlitzcoach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2015, 09:53 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 14
Hot shot haulers don't haul 30k lbs. Closer 20k max....
Stilldream'n is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2015, 08:57 AM   #6
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
biggest issue is see is finding a FE with something other than a 5.9, granted if you had a tranny other than 545 you could turn the fuel up some

If traveling out west of Mississippi....you would hate life with that little motor

and no jacks would suck also

I would do class 8

My next project is a late 70's COE, lots of chrome and shiny paint...Break 19...
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2015, 08:59 AM   #7
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I can't wait Bansil. We seem to think along the same lines.
This bus trip I just took has me wanting class 8!
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2015, 09:29 AM   #8
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
I had the same idea about making a bus a hot shot hauler.

This thread used to be here. Now only on pirate 4x4.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/tow-r...-haul-all.html

Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."

Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
nat_ster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 08:23 PM   #9
Bus Nut
 
Hank's P-O-S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MB
Posts: 279
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Tomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 54
Here is a picture I found.
Apparently this is not a new idea?
From the angle the picture was taken at it looks like it migh be an old chevy or gm.
Attached Thumbnails
image.jpg  
Hank's P-O-S 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


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:29 AM.


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