Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-09-2019, 10:40 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: A bus
Posts: 104
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: Cummins 5.9 + Allison 3060
Rated Cap: Full size
My wrists are on fire - how to replace the wheel?

I have been driving Friendly Thomas a lot this week, like multiple thousands of miles. The wheel is too big and has terrible ergonomics. I've been developing a terrible ache in my fingers and wrists from overuse and having them splayed out to the sides all day every day.

Has anyone replaced the wheel on their bus? What did you pick and how is it going?

I'd also appreciate any other tips on driving more comfortably in the meantime.

OlgaAK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2019, 10:43 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
HazMatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
Have you looked for an appropriately large cushy wheel cover?
I keep my palm-padded, fingerless bicycling gloves at hand, for long drives.
(Hows tricks with the accident's aftermath?)
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
HazMatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2019, 12:45 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
While not legal in all 50 states, those "Trucker's Knobs" aka "Necker's Knobs", are helpful aids in handling the repetitive steering motions for long haul truckers.
Maybe one of those would help you?

Since I'm "legally/certified" as handicapped, I'm allowed to use one on any vehicle I drive. I actually had one on a minivan a few years back but it really didn't do much for me so I ended up removing it.
If I was to be behind the wheel of a full sized bus for many miles, I'd probably put one on to ease the effort in steering the beast in traffic!

Something like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-NOR...ss!03835!US!-1

I say something like this, as this one is damaged and junk IMO. There are plenty of other ones to choose from on ebay & amazon and for less than this "vintage" unit is being offered at...
peteg59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2019, 01:56 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,751
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
and here I hate the seemingly Small wheel that my 3800s have.. i miss the nice big wheel the S-series busses have!
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2019, 03:52 PM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
HazMatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
Yup, an armrest that rotates!
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
HazMatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2019, 05:50 PM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Seriously look at a captain's chair with armrests to replace that seat (got mine from a salvage yard dirt cheap!). Good arm support makes ALL the difference in driving comfortably and safely. If you are using the armrests and have good shoulder support, the wrist and finger problems should go away. When I first started driving professionally, my first semi did not have armrests. My shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers hurt all the time. When I got swapped into a truck with arm rests all those problems went away in very short order. The steering wheel lent itself to a more comfortable grip with using the arm rests properly. Since then all my vehicles have adjustable armrests so I can adjust them to my needs. The only vehicle without armrests is my wife's mini-van. I'm very uncomfortable in that thing, even worse when I'm driving it (rarely).

I hope this helps.

M
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2019, 08:35 PM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
Second on the armrests. I had a truck without 'em and the ergonomics on it were terrible, especially for much driving. Most of the rest have had 'em. On a school bus which gets a lot of stop-and-go driving and very little highway time, armrests may not make much sense, but for a highway cruiser that's another matter. A few extra bucks for a *GOOD* seat will make a lot of driving a pleasure instead of a chore.
Brad_SwiftFur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 09:09 AM   #8
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 242
Quote:
Originally Posted by HazMatt View Post
Have you looked for an appropriately large cushy wheel cover?
I keep my palm-padded, fingerless bicycling gloves at hand, for long drives.
(Hows tricks with the accident's aftermath?)
/\ /\ /\ This is a good idea. Hold the wheel as lightly as NEEDED. Remember it has power steering.

Maybe now is a good time to make sure the front end is greased??

make sure those kingpins get plenty of grease
Mekanic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 01:41 PM   #9
Bus Nut
 
REDD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: ...little north of Toronto Ontario
Posts: 606
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Thomsass
Chassis: FreightShaker
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 5 speed
Rated Cap: 2 ATV's and friends
Click image for larger version

Name:	002.jpg
Views:	25
Size:	175.0 KB
ID:	35481


I personally found the padded wheel to thick to drive with.
I found the arm rests really help, you can use one, both or none.
The wheel knob helps in tight spots, like a ten point turn...when you have crank the wheel a lot.
My $.02
__________________
Mule Bus Toy Hauler
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/mu...ler-10055.html
REDD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 02:17 PM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
HazMatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
Yeah, but to be fair; most of us don't use a logging chain to steer!
Gotta admit to liking your treatment of the clutch & brake pedals, particularly that they're set so's not to let all of the luck to run out.
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
HazMatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 03:50 PM   #11
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mekanic View Post
/\ /\ /\ This is a good idea. Hold the wheel as lightly as NEEDED. Remember it has power steering.

Maybe now is a good time to make sure the front end is greased??

make sure those kingpins get plenty of grease
Do you mean tie rod ends? Just asking.... Kingpins are usually what the fifth wheel clasps when hooking to a semi-trailer.....

M
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 05:17 PM   #12
Bus Crazy
 
somewhereinusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by M1031A1 View Post
Do you mean tie rod ends? Just asking.... Kingpins are usually what the fifth wheel clasps when hooking to a semi-trailer.....

M
Most if not all heavy duty front suspensions have king pins. It's what pivots when you turn the wheels.
somewhereinusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 05:34 PM   #13
Bus Crazy
 
HazMatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
No Mekanic had it right on the money. Literally...
While it steered and handled just fine, my $50 NH state inspxn cost me $2200 after the cost of a new king pins set and the excessive hours getting the seized old ones out.
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
HazMatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2019, 10:13 PM   #14
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 242
Remember i said steer lightly now I can explain what and how that works.

When I was 13 years old (1977) Mom and Dad bought a new house in our same town and this one had a 2 acre back yard.

Dad also bought a new mower,.....a real honest to god mower. A walk behind gravely. a full 900 lb beast. For those that have not had the pleasure of running one. the dealer we had it serviced at told me and dad "Just let it work. Guide it, Do Not try to manhandle it". they were right there were a few time when I would forget and try to steer the beast of a mower and my arms would get cramped up. until I'd remember the dealer advice.
Mekanic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 11:17 PM   #15
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
I am in the process of replacing my king pins.
When I got the first pin out the bottom side had no grease and the thrust bearing look like there was mud in it and did not move with any ease.
Believe it or not o got Moog king pins from Wallymart website for about $85. The other websites I went to wanted between $120-$220 for the same item.
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.