Tandem axle shuttle question?

[jovi]

I am looking for a ford shuttle to build a toy hauler out of. I want one with the passenger door,7.3,rear door and no wheelchair lift. I found 3 close to me but two are tandem rear axles are there and drawbacks to this set up? I plan on a rear ramp to load motorcycles. The extra weight capabilities would be nice. I plan on hauling at least 4 bikes around 700 lbs each. I picked out a 1998 E450 tandem axle 7.3 with 186,000 miles no rust for $2600. Thanks been reading on here for a longtime, hope to learn a lot.

[somewhereinusa]

Are you talking tandem axle or dual wheel? Tandem axle would have two rear axles dual wheel would be single axle with four wheels on it. I would think a tandem axle shuttle bus would be pretty rare if it exists at all.

[ennonne]

A thread about someone looking for one.

Sounds like it's too late to suggest you should avoid it?

I had a 1977 E350 based motorhome with a tag axle. It was in the family about 30 years and we put almost 200,000 miles on it. Running a vehicle with a 11,500 GVWR rating at 14,000 pounds takes a toll. LOTS of maintenance. Brakes, wheel bearings, trans, engine, everything on the chassis is highly stressed.

What tag axle does it have? Ours was a Mor-Ryde setup that completely replaced the rear suspension. There's a few other systems out there.

[ennonne]

And a picture of a newer one. They are rare. For a reason.

[o1marc]

Everything is possible and probably has been built. Here's a couple examples, seems they are not that rare.
How about a random front and rear.

Just google "Tandom Axle Shuttle Bus" , there's lots of examples.

[jovi]

I dont really want a tandem set up. But want a long one with a diesel and no wheelchair lift. And of the three I found two are tandem. The one thats not is rough and they want $5500 for it with high miles. The only reason I considered the tandem is mileage and shape.

[jovi]

This is the bus.

[Mark_In_MA]

When you get to something that long, I'd just go for a full-size bus. I haven't seen anything particularly good from those tag-axle buses - they're typically close to overweight empty, they use the thinnest flooring and frame possible to keep the weight down, and you end up paying a ton for an overtaxed van that takes an extra pair of tires.

Also, with all that window on the side, what exactly is holding the roof up? That must flex like crazy going down the road.

[jovi]

I ended up buying a x uhaul truck. 1989 International 7.3 5 speed with 188.000 miles. Air bag rear suspension 26 foot box. I am looking to do a spicer 7 speed swap. ESO66-7B trans.

[ennonne]

There's quite a few U-Haul builds documented at pirate4x4.com in the trailers and tow rigs section of the forums. Tons of information there if you poke around.

This ought to get you started there.

[Gregorydean]

Originally Posted by jovi

This is the bus.

Im looking for a tandem axel shuttle bus like this can you help me please