Not a skoolie - Page 2

joeblack5 · 06-10-2017, 07:06 PM

cool, will see how it works, this bus comes from govdeals.

Brad_SwiftFur · 06-10-2017, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeblack5

This is a short version. still a gvwr of 28000. Are most buses that heavy? It should be 32 feet with another 4 feet bike rack.

. . . . .

Not sure what to do about the title transfer... or better do I drive back to PA without registration?? I think I can get a commercial insurance for a week or so but what to do about a plate?

That's a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, *NOT* it's empty weight. I would expect closer to 18,000 empty.

You'll probably want to do the title in your home state. I'm not sure about PA, since I live in GA, but all I have to do here is show proof of purchase (Bill of Sale, Proof of Sale or the like) with the VIN along with insurance and GA will provide a temp. tag valid for ... I think 30 or 45 days. You can get up to one additional temp tag if the first expires, but after that, they expect you to be getting a permanent tag.

Rameses · 06-10-2017, 11:01 PM

NC DMV doesn't offer any kind of temp tag.

You can get one from a dealer if you buy a car from them, but if you buy one from a private seller (transit companies included) there's no way to get one.

I'd check with the PA DMV and see if they offer a temp tag. If they don't, I'd just get in it and drive. Don't do anything dumb and you shouldn't get pulled. If you do get pulled, just be super polite and explain that neither the state you bought it in, nor the state it's going to offer a temp plate and you can't get it registered until you get it home. As long as you have insurance, you'll probably be fine.

Brad_SwiftFur · 06-11-2017, 12:17 AM

If a temp tag can't be had, just be sure to keep proof of insurance, and proof of purchase with you to prove your claims.

cadillackid · 06-11-2017, 07:03 AM

I often see onb the freeway in my travels a sign on the back of various thinbgs "VEHICLE IN TRANSIT".. perhaps thats what you do in states where they dont offer temp tags?

and then yes have your insurance card and bill of sale from the auction with you.
-Christopher

EastCoastCB · 06-11-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeblack5

cool, will see how it works, this bus comes from govdeals.

I can pretty much guarantee you won't be getting any temporary tag from a govdeals seller.
But the savings vs buying from a stealership will be huge.

joeblack5 · 06-11-2017, 09:27 AM

Thanks all for talking some courage into me.
Paid about 5 K for this one. Some of the others went for 3700 so i guess did not do a great job on this auction.
The one i checked out is for sale by a dealer in PA was 5900 and 2 yrs older and rusty and banged up.

2002 Thomas SLF-200 Bus

found a dimension drawing of this bus
so i can start planning a little bit.

joeblack5 · 06-11-2017, 10:21 AM

hmm. if i add up the dimensions then this is 28 ft bus. the one i bought has one more seat in between the wheels and one more row behind the rear wheels. making it about 4 feet longer... so a 32 feet

I need to get an air brake endorsement on my PA drivers license so that I can take it into Canada.
I will try to get this bus on a RV registration at 26000 lbs so that I do not need a class B.

A lot to do before i can get to the fun stuff
Later J

Brad_SwiftFur · 06-11-2017, 12:45 PM

If you're going to get an air brake endorsement, you might as well consider the Class B ... I don't know about PA, but in GA, as long as it's not a CDL, I believe it simply consists of the knowledge test (or at least it used to, last time I checked). This license is common for farmers.

joeblack5 · 06-11-2017, 03:47 PM

I agree getting B would be better but I am stressed for time. I think you are right on the written test part for the endorsement. Have to renew my license in two month from now, see if I can squeeze that in. The class B seems to be a real exam on the road.

later J

joeblack5 · 06-12-2017, 05:32 PM

Today I wired the money and got a commercial insurance.
The shop parts specialist seemed OK with letting me copy the repair manuals so that would be a huge help.

This bus seems to be a computer controlled setup. Anybody has any information about the scan tool required for this.

I have asked the seller to fedex the paperwork to me so that I can get it titled and bring a plate when I am going to pick it up.

Thinking about making a hitch on the bus bumper to dolly my car back , would imagine that the bumper of a bus would be strong enough to hold my old mercedes 300td.

later J

Rameses · 06-14-2017, 08:26 AM

I'm not sure on the specifics of the interface cables and/or whether or not there's a standalone scanner for that engine. I know that the laptop I've used to plug into a whole bunch of stuff has pretty much every engine manufacturer's software on it except Mercedes Benz.

As for hooking up a hitch, I'd imagine something hooked to the bumper would work fine. When delivering school buses, you often see drivers pulling a car or mini van with a tow bar that's hooked to the bus's rear bumper with a clamp setup.

My transmission computer is ready for me to pick up, so I'll be headed back up that way sometime soon-ish. Let me know what your schedule is for picking up your bus and I'll try to meet you there. There're a couple pieces missing from the bike racks I picked up at Hi Tran, and I wouldn't mind seeing if they have them laying around. And I can help you out with mounting up a hitch or anything else that needs to be done to get you ready for the trip home. I can drive my old beater work truck up with tools and a welder if you think that might be helpful.

cadillackid · 06-14-2017, 08:35 AM

rameses - did you build your laptop? ive got several pieces of software but am missing others... just wondered if its something you built or if its a work laptop.

the interface on that bus should be J1939 (it will be a 9 pin round.. probably green connector).. MOST commercial software supports the NEXIQ USB Link 2 interface box.

the softweare varies by manufsacturer.. often times you can get a "light" or "fleet" version of engine management software for not a crazy high price..
-Christopher

Rusty · 06-14-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rameses

As for hooking up a hitch, I'd imagine something hooked to the bumper would work fine. When delivering school buses, you often see drivers pulling a car or mini van with a tow bar that's hooked to the bus's rear bumper with a clamp setup.

Looks like a molded rubber bumper, different than skoolie steel.

Rameses · 06-14-2017, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

rameses - did you build your laptop? ive got several pieces of software but am missing others... just wondered if its something you built or if its a work laptop.

the interface on that bus should be J1939 (it will be a 9 pin round.. probably green connector).. MOST commercial software supports the NEXIQ USB Link 2 interface box.

the softweare varies by manufsacturer.. often times you can get a "light" or "fleet" version of engine management software for not a crazy high price..
-Christopher

It actually belongs to a friend of mine who's a mobile heavy equipment and truck mechanic. He bought it pre-loaded with all of the software.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Looks like a molded rubber bumper, different than skoolie steel.

I promise you there's some steel behind that rubber though.

cadillackid · 06-14-2017, 08:56 AM

Nice!.. I need one of those!! whered he get it from?
-Christopher

joeblack5 · 06-16-2017, 09:35 PM

I have expanded my drawing to a 32 ft version and today my wife and I took a ride on a kneeling bus o get ideas. we had a very nice driver and he showed me a little what was involved in driving these things.

Sofar the plan is to drive out there coming Tuesday and try t o bring it back on Wednesday. the longest day of the year and my moms birthday, Hope it is not going to be the longest day as far as problems go.

It is going thru the NC DMV temp tag so that I can convert it to RV and not pay the registration twice.
All looks good , now just have no problems and just do not get caught.

Later J

david.dgeorge07 · 06-17-2017, 03:23 PM

When I was shopping I saw a few of these pop up and was intrigued. Looking forward to seeing your progress with the bus!

joeblack5 · 06-19-2017, 08:19 PM

Tomorrow our older daughter and I will travel to High Point NC. and attempt to drive this transit bus back to State College, PA

I am a little nervous about the ride height and so like to ask some questions .

Are airbags normally adjusted in the middle of the travel range?

Can I assume if the bus can kneel 3-1/2 " that the total travel would be 7 " or ??

Can by increasing pressure the ride be raised to 7" to change a wheel or so , not to drive, or will the airbag damage?

How is in air ride buses the actual height controlled, is there a feedback system and how difficult is that to adjust?

Thanks lot,

J

cadillackid · 06-19-2017, 08:52 PM

on the school busses.. the air ride height is normally VERY rudimentary.. it is completely mechanical and just a Lever arm that is connected to a valve.. goes down a little, valve opens to air supply.. up too high valve opens to atmosphere..

on a kneeling bus with full front asnd rear air ride im not sure how its done. I know here in the city our transit busses succesfully pull into shopping centers and navigate city streets / freeway ramps, and the like without bottoming out.. so it seems if you stay on the main roads and not the secondaries you should do just fine.. in fact our city busses travel some of the 2 lane highway... state routes.. at leass a few miles of it on one route for sure that goes between the suburb and a park N ride spot..

all of our city busses are gillig low floor kneeling units.. my buddy thats a driver for the transit says his biggest issue when running express routes is the A/C on the busses likes to freeze up on humid days when the engine is at high RPM.. seems to happen on more than one bus.. so if you run the A/C and notice the airflow drops and doesnt seem cool inside, check it..

-Christopher

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