Can a bus tow a bus?

[joeblack5]

The e350 will be converted to 4*4 so I will just put the transfer case in neutral..
How do they prevent tractor trailer brakes from locking up.. I could run a vacuum pump to keep the booster operating.. Might even be possible to turn the electrical system for the ABS on. It makes it all more complicated. I would think that the brake pedal is designed to handle full braking without vacuum assist .

Any others who have experience in this.

Thanks Johan

[Ronnie]

For locomotives let me clarify that I said multiple unit control. Thiere is also remote control. Two very different systems. Remote control is by radio just like amodel airplane. Multiple unit is a direct electrical connection between locomotives that are set up for it, and each unit copies the control movement for the lead locomotive operated by the engineer.

I do know there is,already a system available for rv to operate the "toad" brakes

[Sehnsucht]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

For locomotives let me clarify that I said multiple unit control. Thiere is also remote control. Two very different systems. Remote control is by radio just like amodel airplane. Multiple unit is a direct electrical connection between locomotives that are set up for it, and each unit copies the control movement for the lead locomotive operated by the engineer.

I do know there is,already a system available for rv to operate the "toad" brakes

You are correct and thanks for clarifying. I just shorthanded my comment without getting too deliberate with nomenclature. To that end, I don't know of a road-based remote unit control in a similar manner as that used in locomotives. Remote braking perhaps but remote powertrain management, while no doubt technically possible, seems unlikely because there's no real purpose for it so no one's developed it.

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Truffles

Yea, for most trailers I have hauled, the tongue weight is only supposed to be about 10% of the trailer weight. So pulling a 30,000lbs “trailer” would only have a tongue weight of 3,000lbs, properly loaded. Assuming you can get 60% of the weight to the front of the axels and 40% after

Since you are essentially towing a wagon (front axle on trailer) I don't think that tongue weight would be the issue, rather Combined Gross Vehicle Weight aka gross combination weight rating, or GCWR might be the deal killer. In these export situations, both buses are empty, so total GCWR might be acceptable, but then unacceptable if the front bus is loaded? One of the truckers here could probably answer this, I'm just speculating.


https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-...le%20/gcwr.htm

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by kidharris

Since you are essentially towing a wagon (front axle on trailer) I don't think that tongue weight would be the issue, rather Combined Gross Vehicle Weight aka gross combination weight rating, or GCWR might be the deal killer. In these export situations, both buses are empty, so total GCWR might be acceptable, but then unacceptable if the front bus is loaded? One of the truckers here could probably answer this, I'm just speculating.

There's this, and then there's rules and laws *Specifically* exempting "Driveaway-towaway" operations, which is what this is. Unless one specifically sets up a company just for this (at no small cost, I might add), then none of us here will qualify for these exemptions, even for personal use. The driveaway-towaway exemptions are intended for temporary, one-way-trip only usage, not long term, regular usage. Now if I bought 2 buses, and towed one home using the other together, either as a business venture or for my own personal usage, chances are no one would say a thing. But if I did this on a regular basis, with the same 2 buses, eventually at some point someone is likely to pull me over and look into it more thoroughly.

[Sehnsucht]

Originally Posted by kidharris

Since you are essentially towing a wagon (front axle on trailer) I don't think that tongue weight would be the issue, rather Combined Gross Vehicle Weight aka gross combination weight rating, or GCWR might be the deal killer. In these export situations, both buses are empty, so total GCWR might be acceptable, but then unacceptable if the front bus is loaded? One of the truckers here could probably answer this, I'm just speculating.


https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-...le%20/gcwr.htm

IF you do it in this manner which was how I envisioned this configuration then tongue weight isn't really a concern but the hitch rating is still critical. There may not be weight transferred onto the tow vehicle but there's still an enormous demand on the hitch as the trailing vehicle is pulled along and then bears down against the tow vehicle when braking. This will probably end up being a pintle hook design and not the ball hitch mount.

Others have had the idea of cutting and converting the towed vehicle into a fifth wheel in which case tongue weight or really just distributed weight becomes a factor regardless.

[84chevyguyid]

I was messing around with a trailer idea in Paint one day, wondering how it might look to make a matching trailer for my bus. I have a couple buses near me that are just a few serial numbers from mine that I could pick up pretty reasonable. Thinking how nice it would be to have extra parts available for a 45 year old bus. These bodies are 102 inches wide so they would have lots of room inside.

[Truffles]

Originally Posted by 84chevyguyid

I was messing around with a trailer idea in Paint one day, wondering how it might look to make a matching trailer for my bus. I have a couple buses near me that are just a few serial numbers from mine that I could pick up pretty reasonable. Thinking how nice it would be to have extra parts available for a 45 year old bus. These bodies are 102 inches wide so they would have lots of room inside.

What a cute little drawing. Yea, a matching trailer would definitely make it worth it if possible. I have been struggling to figure out how to fit a secondary set of all critical parts and an engine rebuild kit on hand, and it has bee difficult to configure.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by 84chevyguyid

I was messing around with a trailer idea in Paint one day, wondering how it might look to make a matching trailer for my bus. I have a couple buses near me that are just a few serial numbers from mine that I could pick up pretty reasonable. Thinking how nice it would be to have extra parts available for a 45 year old bus. These bodies are 102 inches wide so they would have lots of room inside.

This is what I have on mind as a possibility for my shorty that does not have an engine. I would paint it to match the bus if I do it.

[LisaMcdowell8]

This should not be a problem as long as drivers comply with the rules. I have never seen restrictions on which vehicles can be transported and which cannot

[Sehnsucht]

Originally Posted by LisaMcdowell8

This should not be a problem as long as drivers comply with the rules. I have never seen restrictions on which vehicles can be transported and which cannot

You may have never seen them but there are plenty of rules and restrictions. We don't want to casually dismiss the existence of such rules and hope that ignorance of them is an adequate defense.

[2kool4skool]

"Can a bus" CB this one's for you

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by 2kool4skool

"Can a bus" CB this one's for you

lol!

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Truffles

What a cute little drawing. Yea, a matching trailer would definitely make it worth it if possible. I have been struggling to figure out how to fit a secondary set of all critical parts and an engine rebuild kit on hand, and it has bee difficult to configure.

Are you building a all mechanical, EMP proof, prepper bus?