Distance from bottom of bus to ground

[Tcoz95]

Hi all! New to Skoolie, but been planning tiny living for a while so I have a ton of ideas of what the future is going to hold. But, I need to know how much room I have to weld my own storage. Give me your bus year, chase, ect, and let me know how much room you have from the bottom of the chasse/floor, to the ground, obviously behind your skirting. Thanks everyone!

[Johnny Mullet]

Every bus will vary depending on suspension, tire size, tire inflation, body sag, etc. I could round up 5 similar models and all 5 will have a different measurement. Don't get ahead of yourself. You got a long way to go ;)

[PNW_Steve]

I watched a gent install 55gallon poly drums under his 2001 A3RE for fresh and waste tanks.

I thought that was a great idea for reasonably priced tanks so I rounded up some barrels to use under my 2002A3RE.......

They won't fit. If I snug them up against the floor they are the lowest point under the bus by over 4".

Like Johnny said, it will vary significantly depending on year, make, model and options ordered from the factory.

[EastCoastCB]

Yup. Buses come lowered, standard, and even raised suspension.

[Tcoz95]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Yup. Buses come lowered, standard, and even raised suspension.

Is that legal? I saw a thread that said the lifted suspension on a bus wasnt legal because of the way they do it? thanks brother!

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Tcoz95

Is that legal? I saw a thread that said the lifted suspension on a bus wasnt legal because of the way they do it? thanks brother!

There is one down the road from me that is in school bus service. It is 4WD and lifted.

Next year when it comes up for auction it will be mine

[Asetechrail]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

There is one down the road from me that is in school bus service. It is 4WD and lifted.

Next year when it comes up for auction it will be mine

Probably not the same one but the lifted 4x4 shorty in service in Dixie is one bada$$ little bus,

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Asetechrail

Probably not the same one but the lifted 4x4 shorty in service in Dixie is one bada$$ little bus,

Shhhh!!!

Don't tell. I want it

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Tcoz95

Is that legal? I saw a thread that said the lifted suspension on a bus wasnt legal because of the way they do it? thanks brother!

Mine's factory.

[Biscuitsjam]

Your question really has two parts for most buses.

1. There is ground clearance for the bus, which can vary considerably - not only do you have dramatically different suspensions, etc, but the ground clearance on a bus may be very different at the door, bumper, drive train, etc.

2. You have the height between the bottom of the skirt and bottom of the frame. This is the area in which you'd actually hang all the storage boxes, water tanks, etc. which is more relevant for your question. In my bus (36' Amtran Rear Engine), this is 17". This is a fairly typical height for full-length buses. I added three 18"-high storage boxes, with a 1" bracket. The bus already had one 18"-high storage box installed also.

I hope this helps.

[Tcoz95]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

Your question really has two parts for most buses.

1. There is ground clearance for the bus, which can vary considerably - not only do you have dramatically different suspensions, etc, but the ground clearance on a bus may be very different at the door, bumper, drive train, etc.

2. You have the height between the bottom of the skirt and bottom of the frame. This is the area in which you'd actually hang all the storage boxes, water tanks, etc. which is more relevant for your question. In my bus (36' Amtran Rear Engine), this is 17". This is a fairly typical height for full-length buses. I added three 18"-high storage boxes, with a 1" bracket. The bus already had one 18"-high storage box installed also.

I hope this helps.

I'm literally just trying to get a ballpark on numbers. I just want to know if you stuck a tape measure under the bus, how many inches from the floor of the bus to the ground.

[turf]

i have things on both sides that hang down low.

on the driverside, centered between the wheel is a huge generator. there is about 11" from the road with that.

on the passenger side, i hung my waste tank underneath my fuel tank and have about 9" to the ground still. also centered between the wheels.

[Biscuitsjam]

I have not measured recently, but it is in the ballpark of 36 inches on my bus. 17" of that is covered by the skirt. I personally would NOT put anything taller than 18" under the bus, because I wouldn't be willing to lose the ground clearance. Others here have water tanks, etc that are less than a foot from the ground and are only suitable if driving on paved roads or into well-maintained campgrounds.

[Tcoz95]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

I have not measured recently, but it is in the ballpark of 36 inches on my bus. 17" of that is covered by the skirt. I personally would NOT put anything taller than 18" under the bus, because I wouldn't be willing to lose the ground clearance. Others here have water tanks, etc that are less than a foot from the ground and are only suitable if driving on paved roads or into well-maintained campgrounds.

THANK YOU BISCUITJAM, this is literally exactly what I asked for and even more. I greatly appreciate your attention to detail and actually contributing

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Mine's factory.

That's what I need for my 9 window sleddog/toy hauler/camper combo for my planned winter adventures

[o1marc]

On my International the floor has ribs for support. from the bottom of the rib to the ground is 38", from the floor pan to the ground is 40".

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

That's what I need for my 9 window sleddog/toy hauler/camper combo for my planned winter adventures

I got lucky on this one. I went outside my comfort zone when bidding on this and its paid off.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I got lucky on this one. I went outside my comfort zone when bidding on this and its paid off.

impressive

[EastCoastCB]

I normally don't bid on GA buses. these had no interest in them due to the crappy pics on Public Surplus. I'd never owned a Cat before, either.
But for $1625 I got a lifted Thomas with 64k miles and 3300 hours.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I normally don't bid on GA buses. these had no interest in them due to the crappy pics on Public Surplus. I'd never owned a Cat before, either.
But for $1625 I got a lifted Thomas with 64k miles and 3300 hours.

WOW!!