New Here... working on my own sketches and designs

[bus-bro]

There are some great buses out there. I saw about four thirty foot dog-nose buses, each with an International dta360 and Allison mt643, go for about $2,500 a few years ago. Not much for towing, though.

That was a bus that I wish I had bought, but you could also say that about those 10 wheel Crowns, with a turbo'd 6V71, that went for $3,200.

[scooter56]

Originally Posted by Omerta

Towing capability would really come down to light I can keep the mods in the chassis to use that extra passenger carrying juice and braking power to tow a trailer.

Basically, I'd love to see a database of the specifications for buses. Does that exist on skoolie or elsewhere?

Great question. I'm a newbie too and this type of information would certainly answer a lot of my questions. Good luck on your search.

[scooter56]

Originally Posted by Omerta

Has anyone reskinned a bus with aluminum? Shed some weight? I love the airstream designs and would like to apply some principles to my own. Biggest concern would be cost and strength I would think. Cathodic protection can be done though layering the metals.

I think for the cost and complexity of that undertaking, one would probably be money ahead just getting an Airstream. That's just my two cents and I could be wrong, but it sure seems expensive. That said, I also like the Airstream designs and look and they have a very large, loyal following. I was right in the middle of an Airstream club jamboree at one of our camping trips and met a lot of Airstream owners.

[bansil]

You could always mount and airstream on a RE bus chassis...that would be

[scooter56]

Originally Posted by Omerta

ha, that doesn't save me the cost of an airstream

Yeah it could be pricy, but Al is cheaper than steel typically. I'm stacking my budget ceiling at $30k capital for a $100k equivalent in build quality. Should be do able with proper planning and patience sourcing parts.

I like the way you think.

[SeanF]

FWIW, I weighed my bus after the conversion, and it came in at around 20k lbs. This is with a roof deck of Trex decking (heavy), all appliances, basically ready for full-timing. The GVWR of my bus is 29k lbs. I would assume that most post-conversion buses come in way under GVWR, so you'd have no problem hauling a couple motorcycles, either towing or onboard, and still have plenty of wiggle room.

Good luck
Sean

[SeanF]

Interior ceiling height is around 6'1".

Deck height is (I think) around 9'.

[crazycal]

Don't think that a school bus that you have sunk a ton of money into is anything other than a skoolie. If you reskin it in aluminum, consider that money gone. You will not recoup that money when you resell. Whatever you build should be built to suit your needs and wants. If you are going to towing a trailer with car, supplies, spares and STUFF, I would try to get an 8.3 Cummins. You might want to think about building a toter.