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 03-31-2016, 11:00 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
Question looking for feedback on a bus

Hello Kind and BrightSkoolie folk,

We know this isn't much but it is the info we have. The bus we are looking at is a 71 pax 2002 freightliner with a Thomas built body, a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, Allison automatic transmission, and air brakes. Is this a reliable engine? Any insight based on experience with this model? Thanx sooooo much in advance.

Akasha and Ally

__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2016, 11:14 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
The F-liner chassis is a nice driving chassis and isn't known for having any real issues.

The Thomas body is a good body as long as there is no rust.

The Allison is most likely a 3000 series and is one of the best transmissions out there.

The Cat 3126 is a so-so engine. It isn't big on power, the parts to maintain and repair it are expensive (it isn't known as Caterpillar gold for nothing), and they have had some issues in regards to the electronics. Having said that, if it starts and runs it will most probably go quite a few more miles without any problems.

A much better choice in engine would be the Cummins ISC or ISB.

A more problematic choice in engine would be one of the Mercedes-Benz engines.
cowlitzcoach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2016, 11:22 AM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
Thank you cowlitz. That was definitely helpful.
__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2016, 12:13 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
Posts: 1,334
Do you have a URL to a Craigslist ad or an auction for us to look at?
dan-fox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2016, 11:00 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
We are reluctant to just post that as we don't want it bought out from under us. Is that silly?
__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 12:24 AM   #6
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ally420/Akasha099 View Post
Hello Kind and BrightSkoolie folk,

We know this isn't much but it is the info we have. The bus we are looking at is a 71 pax 2002 freightliner with a Thomas built body, a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, Allison automatic transmission, and air brakes. Is this a reliable engine? Any insight based on experience with this model? Thanx sooooo much in advance.

Akasha and Ally
What's the price?
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 12:41 AM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
Its going for 3000.
__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 01:05 AM   #8
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: chicago, il
Posts: 220
Year: 2003
Chassis: IC CE
Engine: T444
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ally420/Akasha099 View Post
Its going for 3000.
midwest transit by chance?
Azuleslight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 01:28 AM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
Do not think so.... why?
__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 11:33 AM   #10
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Ally, pretty much everyone here already has a skoolie. I don't think any of us would buy an auction vehicle out from under you.
That doesn't sound like a bad price, depending on mileage and condition. These people here want to see the photos so they can point out faults or features. That's what this site is about.
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 11:39 AM   #11
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I'd be out, just cause its a Cat. I just don't wanna get into owning one, personally.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 01:53 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
Ok.

2002 Freightliner Thomas School Bus Caterpillar Diesel Allison Auto 71 Passenger | eBay
__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 01:58 PM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
I asked the guy for the mileage on all five buses. Have you looked at these buses in person at all, or are they too far away?
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 02:02 PM   #14
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Honestly by now aren't you shying away from the cat engine? It's reportedly just adequate while being expensive to maintain. There are better choices that you'll appreciate later if you let people here help you with what your decision about what you need. No body will push you to do anything, except following logic and safety.
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 02:02 PM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I'd be out, just cause its a Cat. I just don't wanna get into owning one, personally.
Why not? Too high maintenance or?
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 02:06 PM   #16
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I don't have Cat tools or much knowledge of their systems, or enough money to pay a Ring Power service center to work on one for me. They're just not as easy and universal as a Cummins or International. Much more limited and expensive when time to repair something.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 02:08 PM   #17
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
Ok.... Damn. Any suggestions with similar length and price that are currently available? Thanks.
__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 02:10 PM   #18
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Look at the 92's on GovDeals. In Ky. Mechanical engines and not from the rust belt.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 02:17 PM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 32
And being almost 20yrs old isn't something to worry about?
__________________
Floating through life with Kind and Bright Spirits.
Ally420/Akasha099 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 02:18 PM   #20
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,762
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Mines a 92. I'm not worried. Turned 24 yesterday.
Shes of legal drinking age. So is my bus.
EastCoastCB 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 06:24 AM.


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