-> A Huge Tail Gate and Departure Angle

[SlowMotion]

So I am planning for half my bus to be a car hauler and would like to do something like Parker Chassis did with theirs.



I am looking to fit taller vehicles like my IH rock crawler. I like how they left the top of the end cap in place as I think that probably helps maintain alot of structural integrity. Therefore I am thinking of dropping the floor lower, down to where the rear of my bus would be about 18" off the ground. I have something like 130" hanging out behind the rear axle so that makes for a pretty shallow departure angle.

I am looking for someone thats done something to lower the rear of their bus wether it be with skirting, a low hitch, or a drop etc. to comment on how often they drag the rear trying to get in and out of places with an incline or dip.

Thanks

[the_experience03]

I have never done it myself, but I will offer you one word of caution. I saw a stock 84 pax TC2K put it's rear axle in the air as it left our high school parking lot and got hung up on the hitch. If you have a crawler you already know how important departure angle is.

[paul iossi]

look at the millicent chronicals and go to the member list and look up trx website and build album, also checkout the photo section.

[oldog12]

All I have to say:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boocVLUncQA

[SlowMotion]

Yeah, I have seen that youtube and if my rig was that huge I guess that would be my only option. But I definately prefer the idea of having my rig/tools/etc all inside .... locked down and safe from people or weather.

IDK, on one hand I don't want to drag all over the place and on the other I suppose it wouldn't be any worse than the average MH.

[paul iossi]

is shortening the back of the bus and pulling a trailer an option for you?

[SlowMotion]

I have went back and forth with the idea of just towing behind the bus as trying to get a good floor plan figured up for just the 14' living area is challenging. My current car hauler trailer is not enclosed and I don't want to purchase one.

I am pretty set on how Parker did theirs, I think if I don't goo much lower than it currently is ... like just a couple inches lower than the rear bumper is now... I can get a 6' rear opening. Still wouldn't fit the Scout but it would fit most other vehicles and I'll probably just sell the Scout and build a smaller buggy (which I kind of want to do anyway).

[the_experience03]

Big motorhomes also have little caster wheels in the back to keep them from bottoming out. I'm not sure about where you wheel, but around here just the trailheads and staging areas could be a bit much for something with that little clearance. Heck, the paved 300 yard road to the Gilbert OHV park has set my daily driver on the bump stops going just a little too fast.

[oldog12]

Here's another one I thought to be promising:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQcNFxElghs

[NewSkewlHauler]

That is a beautiful piece of machinery!!! I love the color! My grandfather always farmed with ACs...that's why I have one now! I'd love something like that to haul it to shows and whatnot. WOW!

[SlowMotion]

Thats definately cool. Too much additional investment for me personally. Plus it leaves my vehicle out in the weather and no place to lock up my tools and ish.

Have considered raising the roof but idk, thats alot of trouble.

On the brighter side I think I have finally settled on a floor plan for my 15' living area. Now, if I could just come up with some more money

[Elliot Naess]

I would hesitate to make the bus any lower in the back. Sooner or later, you would probably scrape it -- hard.

As always, I'm all for raising the roof.

[gotmuddy]

Originally Posted by Elliot Naess

I would hesitate to make the bus any lower in the back. Sooner or later, you would probably scrape it -- hard.

As always, I'm all for raising the roof.

thats what I would do if it were me. It would be alot easier to raise the roof than lower the floor, IMO