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Old 12-20-2018, 03:55 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 134
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cat C7
Bought a Bus

Well, we did it. Will do a fly and drive to fetch it, but probably not until April.

2005 Thomas, 23’ b to b
Cat C7
Allison 2000
47k miles
No rust, Texas bus

We wanted small for maximum flexibility in national parks and such. We’re stoked obviously and will share our build.

Joe
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Old 12-20-2018, 06:19 AM   #2
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 480
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
Cool looking rig! How long will the return trip be?
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Old 12-20-2018, 06:35 AM   #3
Skoolie
 
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Cool looking rig! How long will the return trip be?
1600 miles.

Joe
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Old 12-20-2018, 08:17 AM   #4
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Location: Houston, Texas
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Year: 1946
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Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
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Not familiar with the C7 but that bus looks great! And it appears to have MUCH better windows than your typical (leaky) Skoolie arrangement.


Best of luck on the trip home and keep the pix coming!
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Old 12-20-2018, 08:52 AM   #5
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Year: 1997
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Great looker Joe, now study up on that C7.
Let the fun begin, congrats!


John
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Old 12-20-2018, 05:34 PM   #6
Skoolie
 
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Year: 1992
Coachwork: sturdivan
Chassis: E-350
Engine: 7.3l IDI
Rated Cap: 10,000lbs
@TeacherJoe , aw shucks you got the size bus I wanted. I settled for a E350 but I really wanted a real bus frame with the engine out front, but as short as possible. It is easier to park but I hate working on the engine of a van.


have fun on the build. I'm only a few weeks ahead of you. I'm still working on changing all the fluids, filters etc.
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Old 12-21-2018, 06:31 AM   #7
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Oct 2018
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Chassis: Freightliner
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Great looker Joe, now study up on that C7.
Let the fun begin, congrats!


John
Thanks, John. I understand that the C7 loves premium filters and fluids. There’s an aftermarket inline secondary oil filter that can be installed upstream from the HEUI system and an upgraded oil cooler gasket that may be good PM. I need tires too. Otherwise this thing is awesome shape.

Joe
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Old 12-21-2018, 06:47 AM   #8
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
My wife's uncle is a fleet manager and has had some C7's with injector and HEUI problems, so those are probably good ideas.
If I were you I would totally get to know that engine extremely well. Sounds like you're off to a good start.
Take the journey easy and enjoy the scenery!
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Old 12-22-2018, 07:55 AM   #9
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Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cat C7
I guess Step 1 is deciding what to do with rear heat and a/c. If I take them out, would anybody want them?

Joe
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Old 12-22-2018, 08:05 AM   #10
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Chassis: Freighliner FS65
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I need AC and wouldn't turn down a heater!
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Old 12-22-2018, 08:17 AM   #11
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Chassis: Freightliner
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I need AC and wouldn't turn down a heater!
I’m guessing I want them out. This thing is so tiny I need all available space.

Joe
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Old 12-22-2018, 08:25 AM   #12
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
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Mine's almost the same size but I'm not going to live in it. Mostly just haul my dog around in it and maybe camp a few weekends per year.
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Old 12-22-2018, 05:12 PM   #13
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I learned the history of the bus. First it was used by the federal government at the White Sands Missile Range. Then it was bought by a nursery school in Texas. Now it’s mine. Things take a funny path.

Joe
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Old 12-22-2018, 09:04 PM   #14
Skoolie
 
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I REALLY like your bus.
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Old 12-23-2018, 06:03 PM   #15
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Very nice bus, Joe. Enjoy!
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Old 12-25-2018, 07:51 AM   #16
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Edit- nevermind
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Old 01-05-2019, 02:26 PM   #17
Skoolie
 
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Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cat C7
I’ve been playing with layouts. Our floor space is 14.5 x 7.25. Any suggestions?

Joe
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Old 01-05-2019, 03:14 PM   #18
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Once again...if you can keep all your wet connections on one side of the bus (preferably the driver side) your life will be much simpler. Running water & drains across from side to side can be a real bear. And campsites are set up to service drains and fill tanks that are on the driver side. You can go against the flow but it just makes for unnecessary complication.
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Old 01-05-2019, 03:32 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
Once again...if you can keep all your wet connections on one side of the bus (preferably the driver side) your life will be much simpler. Running water & drains across from side to side can be a real bear. And campsites are set up to service drains and fill tanks that are on the driver side. You can go against the flow but it just makes for unnecessary complication.
Definitely drivers side. I would also suggest that you place them further after rather than forward.

I have stayed at a handful of places that had the hookups at the back of the site.

First one I stayed at caused me to go out and buy 2 sewer hose extensions and a 50amp power exten$ion cord.
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Old 01-05-2019, 03:38 PM   #20
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Posts: 134
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cat C7
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll look at keeping wet connections to one side. However I’ll not be hooked up very often to city water or electric. Small gray tank under sink, gray tank under shower, compost toilet.
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