das Bus

[CaptSquid]

I took the plunge and purchased an 03 Thomas HDX, simply because rent in this town is obscene!

Brunhilde was previously owned by the South Bend schools and was purchased from Midwest Transit in Kankakee, IL. I was advised that I should get around 5-6 mpg. I averaged 7.5 mpg on the way back to Montana

She's powered by a Cat C7 7.2l and has an Allison pushbutton tranny. All 6 tires are almost new.

I hired two kids to remove the 1400 lbs of seating and have installed carpeting on the front and back 1/3rds and linoleum in the center. A full bed is installed longitudinally in the rear on a custom bed frame with 18" of clearance under the bed.

After last night's single digit temps, a propane heater is DEFINITELY on my shopping list.

[EastCoastCB]

Cool, welcome aboard!
Get yourself some extra heat for sure, I'm told its been COLD out your way lately!

[CaptSquid]

Calling it cold is an understatement of astronomical proportions!

[EastCoastCB]

Yeah I just enjoy the tropics.

[FlyboyHPD]

Welcome to the madness . Are you planning to do a complete makeover on the inside? If so, I look forward to your pics and seeing your progress. I'm taking the plunge myself in another few months. Good luck !!

[CaptSquid]

Complete makeover is pretty much in the works. Flooring is installed, as is a full-sized bed. Privacy is accomplished through the use of kraft paper and $12 worth of curtain fabric. Heater purchase on Thursday.

[katoranger]

We don't live in Minnesota anymore for a reason.

[RHOMBUS]

I left Forsyth about a year ago and picked up a bus from Kankakee as well. In SD right now. Far from doing anything on the interior yet. Welcome aboard!

[CaptSquid]

Interior was my first and highest priority after getting Brunhilde back to Billings. Rent in Billings is obscene. Paid $340 for two kids to strip the seating. Flooring was next. Then, the bed.