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Old 01-18-2015, 02:30 PM   #1
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New Skoolie Help

Just hoping to get an opinion from the forum about a bus my wife and I are looking at. It is a 2003 freightliner 28 footer i think from bumper to bumer. It has 250,000 Km I think roughly 180,000 miles on a 5.9 turbo Cummings. It is a automatic with hydraulic brakes.

It is certified and I have him talked down to about $3500.00 Cnd " $2900.00 U.S". It was in service as a school bus until six months ago.

Just wondering the Forums ideas on this bus and if it is a good deal,or are there problems with this bus and motor,ect?
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Old 01-18-2015, 04:15 PM   #2
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Thats a good motor. Getting on in miles, but if it's been well-maintained, youll be good for sometime. Will you be driving many miles/year? Definitely look for rust, that is a decent price if the tires/engine/rust situations are good to go. Get the best bus ya can! If the tires and body are good, do it!
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:55 PM   #3
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250000 kms is exactly 155343 miles. I'd say that isn't so bad for a Cummins 5.9l, or any diesel for that matter. Does the bus have an hour-o-meter?
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Old 01-20-2015, 08:39 PM   #4
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Nothing to add from me, but a hello from a fellow Ontarian. Happy to connect here
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Old 01-25-2015, 05:59 PM   #5
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The bus looks strong from a distance, but note that it has the low roof. The roof goes down after the driver's position, not straight back or up. If you or those who join you are tall, it could be a problem.
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Old 01-25-2015, 06:08 PM   #6
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Good Eyes on that roofline! Gotta wonder why they would option in an especially since you'd think its more trouble to drop down behind the driver...
That would definitely make me think twice on the bus
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Old 01-25-2015, 09:31 PM   #7
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Well we are both about 5`9 lol And its just for us.
From the measurements we got from the seller it is 72 inches in the center at the back. Not sure if it makes a difference that it is the handy edition, with the wheel chair lift.
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Old 01-28-2015, 04:27 PM   #8
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just remember when you walk you get taller, and if you put anything on the floor or ceiling it can get cramped
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Old 01-28-2015, 04:33 PM   #9
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just remember when you walk you get taller, and if you put anything on the floor or ceiling it can get cramped
This is why I'm going, slightly reluctantly, with a raise. I want to insulate the hell out of it, and I can't afford to lose the headroom that my flooring is going to eat up. So up, up up it shall go
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Old 01-28-2015, 10:18 PM   #10
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Well I have it now. There is no turning back. It is government certified,licensed and insured.
I have 6feet 2 inches down the center. I will lose an inch on the floor and the ceiling when I start the conversion. So with both of us vertically challenged,it may not be a issue for us.

May be a roof lift latter in the future. Who knows. We will figure it out.

I do know I just drove it 800km home 500 M and it was a Blast to drive! Lots of power and plenty to spare. No mechanical issues.

I am hoping the shorter roof line will be a asset for us sneaking into some of the bush roads up here in Algoma Country where we fish and hunt. There is a method to my presumed madness.

This year it will be us getting it ready for this fourth coming season. Learning what to do and what not.
Really looking forward to getting started.
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Old 01-29-2015, 05:20 AM   #11
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Thats awesome, I love the return trip with a bus!
Have fun, and be safe!
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Old 01-29-2015, 08:17 AM   #12
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I do know I just drove it 800km home 500 M and it was a Blast to drive! Lots of power and plenty to spare. No mechanical issues.
Great news! What school district did it come from? Somewhere in Southern Ontario I presume?
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Old 02-02-2015, 04:36 PM   #13
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Yep came from the Berry District. Already started getting out the seats. Plans being worked and reworked now that I have a better idea of what I am dealing with.
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