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01-17-2018, 10:37 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
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Best under 30' Buses for High altitude, Snow & Ice.
I'm considering converting a skoolie predominantly for snow chasing purposes and full-time living, at least for a few years. I'm curious if this incredibly helpful seeming community can make some recommendations on what type of under 30' bus would be most suitable for roaming around the Rocky Mountains during the harsh winter months.
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01-17-2018, 10:45 AM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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A few things I would like/want off the top of my head...
1. Larger diesel engine
2. 5 or 6 speed full lockup tranny (NOT AT 545)
3. Extra insulation (you will have to add)
4. Retarder, driveline brake, Jake Brake (some alternate braking system)
5. Auto Chains on rear wheels
6. High output heater/defroster system
7. Altimeter
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01-17-2018, 10:50 AM
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#3
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
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I should have probably added that I have absolutely no experience with repairing or driving vehicles as large as a school bus. Any good threads about high altitude friendly conversions you have seen?
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01-17-2018, 12:41 PM
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#4
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Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: southern maine
Posts: 114
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Coach & Equipment MFG
Chassis: ford E350 superduty
Engine: 5.4 liter v8
Rated Cap: 7 passenger
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you don't say how many people you need to accommodate, if it is just one or two you should look into a short bus based on a van (ford E350 or chevy),..
they are easier to have repaired as parts are common,.. not as hard to drive or park,.. if you are planning on roaming in cold areas i would avoid a diesel engine (hard to start in the cold if you don't have a place to plug the block heater in)
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2010 ford e350 superduty v8 7 passenger bus
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01-17-2018, 01:11 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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I'm sure there was a time when you didn't have any experience with taking care of a car too. If you take your car to the shop, it's likely you'll do the same with a bus. They will likely identify problems with the bus before you will. Nothing wrong with that, and you'll learn.
As said, the cutaway buses will provide a normal feeling driving experience (like a pickup truck) and they can often park in single parking spaces. Serviced at normal garages and easy to get parts for. It's a tradeoff of more space versus a better driving experience. As I'm sure you've been told, it all depends on how you're going to use it.
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Robin
Nobody's Business
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01-17-2018, 01:23 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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Many Colorado buses will come with just about everything you need for high altitude/mountain driving. Most are equipped to handle those conditions. You won't find one in Florida that comes that way.
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01-17-2018, 02:41 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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Not even the alpine area of Florida?
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Robin
Nobody's Business
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01-17-2018, 03:16 PM
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#8
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Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: southern maine
Posts: 114
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Coach & Equipment MFG
Chassis: ford E350 superduty
Engine: 5.4 liter v8
Rated Cap: 7 passenger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396
Not even the alpine area of Florida?
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i made a map of Florida in my past life as a mapmaker,.. the highest point if i remember correctly was 231 feet above sea level,.. so i would expect temps there would be approx 4 degrees lower,...i'm sure drastic measures would be required to keep a bus operating in such mountainous terrain,....
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2010 ford e350 superduty v8 7 passenger bus
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01-17-2018, 03:40 PM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
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Not experienced in this respect at all but would expect that altitude makes a big difference as to power requirements due to less air/oxygen for combustion. So lots of torque, hp and turbo would be a must, along with a chain setup for the drive axle. Maybe a snowblower mounted front and back just in case, electric socks and underwear ...or maybe just stay in the ski lodge till Spring.
John
__________________
Question everything!
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01-17-2018, 04:27 PM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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I'm guessing a computerized version would accel in high altitudes.
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Robin
Nobody's Business
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01-17-2018, 05:38 PM
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#11
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
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Thank you all for you words of advice. This will likely be a solo rig, at least at first.
The over arching goal is to attempt to match an EarthRoamer XV-LTS in terms of it's water, fuel and cargo capacities and off grid capability but without all the off-road and 4x4 mods, and obviously with the $500k pricetag attached.
I believe that a 4-5 window mini/midbus would be the ideal size.
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01-17-2018, 08:20 PM
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#12
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Fayetteville Arkansas
Posts: 419
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: GMC G3500 Vandura
Engine: V-8 5.7L Gas
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There's never too much ambition! With enough learning and determination you can make anything happen.
Make it super badass.
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