40’ 1998 Crown by Carpenter for sale

[solvo]

It is a rear engine. Rear exit door is above the engine bay.

[solvo]

Big vents on the side were for 3 air conditioner condensing units ( I think that is what they are called) which have been removed.

[solvo]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

the big vent on the driver's side made me wonder if it was a mid engine, then interior shots show a clean deck, no motor - curiouser and curiouser

There is so much room between the front and rear axles, I was planning on hanging or fabricating barn door storage house batteries, controllers, generator and misc outdoor camping components. The skirts would be trimmed of course.

[Sehnsucht]

One of the biggest reasons I want a rear engine is to maximize underfloor storage although in this type of coach that's not much and even if you don't have the driveshaft you still have the ladder-frame to contend with but a little space is better than none.

So now I will admit that this is the first Carpenter RE I've ever seen so if I recall it has a 5.9 Cummins? Is it just a small enough motor package that it doesn't require any of the interior space? Every IC, BB and Thomas RE I've seen all have some amount of rear doghouse and IC even has two air intake risers that all take up some of the interior space as well as complicate a clean obstruction free floor plan. To have an RE with a rear door would be super convenient in my opinion and unique to boot!

[solvo]

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

One of the biggest reasons I want a rear engine is to maximize underfloor storage although in this type of coach that's not much and even if you don't have the driveshaft you still have the ladder-frame to contend with but a little space is better than none.

So now I will admit that this is the first Carpenter RE I've ever seen so if I recall it has a 5.9 Cummins? Is it just a small enough motor package that it doesn't require any of the interior space? Every IC, BB and Thomas RE I've seen all have some amount of rear doghouse and IC even has two air intake risers that all take up some of the interior space as well as complicate a clean obstruction free floor plan. To have an RE with a rear door would be super convenient in my opinion and unique to boot!

Well, there is a ton of room under this bus. Not sure what ladder frame means, this bus has 2 long beams running the entire length of the bus and where the chassis is attached to the frame (all connection pints have been either tightened or replaced). Engine and transmission are behind the rear axles. There is now nothing between the axles, tons of room ~36 inches of height to the chassis from the bottom of the skirt.

If you look at the interior picture, you will see a door on the floor to reach the engine from the top. Not a problem to me since the subfloor frame [using aluminum tubing) and a matching engine door frame so they are the same with a recessed latch to open. There are 2 square platforms on each far rear side to access top of air evaporator and radiator. Again not a problem for me, I was going to use that area as the closet, hanging above and loose items below so access is not a problem.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by solvo

Well, there is a ton of room under this bus. Not sure what ladder frame means, this bus has 2 long beams running the entire length of the bus and where the chassis is attached to the frame (all connection pints have been either tightened or replaced). Engine and transmission are behind the rear axles. There is now nothing between the axles, tons of room ~36 inches of height to the chassis from the bottom of the skirt.

If you look at the interior picture, you will see a door on the floor to reach the engine from the top. Not a problem to me since the subfloor frame [using aluminum tubing) and a matching engine door frame so they are the same with a recessed latch to open. There are 2 square platforms on each far rear side to access top of air evaporator and radiator. Again not a problem for me, I was going to use that area as the closet, hanging above and loose items below so access is not a problem.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

There is normally a crossmember attached between the frame rails every 4' or so, effectively making it look like a ladder. The pass through storage boxes are usually under the frame. Love how the floor on that RE doesn't have the big hump taking up all the floor space in a normal RE.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by solvo

It is a rear engine. Rear exit door is above the engine bay.

What does OP have to say?

Looks like an FE to me. No radiator grille in the back, exit in the back and a grille on the front.

Definitely FE.

[Polarweasel]

Originally Posted by solvo

It is a rear engine. Rear exit door is above the engine bay.

Could you please post pictures of the engine and how to access it from the rear of the bus?

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Polarweasel

Could you please post pictures of the engine and how to access it from the rear of the bus?

I just went back through the thread and see where OP does say that it is an RE. I looked closely at the pictures posted and am puzzled. It sure looks like an FE.

I would love to see engine access pics.

[Sehnsucht]

Same thing here, I'm looking for something more than a floor access port but I see nothing that looks like air inlets for the intake or radiator cooling and no visible exterior panel to access an engine compartment whatsoever. And unless that 5.9 is in there sideways I don't see how the floor can remain flat throughout allowing a rear door. I also noticed no rear wheel wells visible in the interior so maybe the floor itself is at an incline or simply rides high enough that all that stuff we're used to seeing is simply clearanced enough. In any case its a cool and unique bus.

[PNW_Steve]

Definitely out of the ordinary.

We need pics!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I just went back through the thread and see where OP does say that it is an RE. I looked closely at the pictures posted and am puzzled. It sure looks like an FE.

I would love to see engine access pics.

There's a pic of the front panels opened up man. No engine in the front. Fe's have a much larger grille opening too.
Its some sort of RE by Carpenter.


Only thing I doubt is the claim it goes 90.

[Polarweasel]

See the first post this forum thread from 2001:
https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum...p?TOPIC_ID=396

Apparently it’s quite a unicorn of a bus! Only made for two years, and information seems scarce. Would love to see more pics...

[BlackJohn]

Just looking at the pics provided and the info within them, it is definitely RE.


Or I am blind,



John

[Sehnsucht]

LOL so it isn't just me!!

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Just looking at the pics provided and the info within them, it is definitely RE.


Or I am blind,



John

Looks like an RE to me too. We may both need new glasses

[solvo]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

What does OP have to say?

Looks like an FE to me. No radiator grille in the back, exit in the back and a grille on the front.

Definitely FE.

The radiator and grill is on the driver side at the back. I have serviced the bus and I can assure you it is a rear engine

[solvo]

Originally Posted by Polarweasel

Could you please post pictures of the engine and how to access it from the rear of the bus?

Access to the top of the rear engine

[solvo]

I cannot find a picture of the rear engine bay door open but I will take one as soon as I can.

[solvo]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Definitely out of the ordinary.

We need pics!

Front heater removed and in this picture I am taking up the last remaining plywood that was under the heater.