Thomas Shorty Tow Hitch

[Danjo]

Hi,

Anyone out there find a tow bar for a Thomas Short Bus?

IDK if there’s common measurements for frame rails. On this Chevy Express the frame rail measures 39 1/2” on center. I need a 4” drop to clear the bumper.

Thanks!

[dazdconfsd]

I haven't ordered this stuff yet, but what I've found so far for a Chevy chassis is

https://www.amazon.com/Buyers-Produc.../dp/B01CIO5XDO

https://www.etrailer.com/p-118392.html#/

[o1marc]

Not clear if you are looking for a tow bar for the front or a trailer hitch for the back?

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Not clear if you are looking for a tow bar for the front or a trailer hitch for the back?

Trailer hitch.

So far the only thing I’ve found are the universal hitches that need to be welded.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by dazdconfsd

I haven't ordered this stuff yet, but what I've found so far for a Chevy chassis is

https://www.amazon.com/Buyers-Produc.../dp/B01CIO5XDO

https://www.etrailer.com/p-118392.html#/

I thought the frame rails on the Thomas are wider than the stock Express/Savanna. But now I’m wondering. I’ll do some more research and reply back.

[farok]

How long of a bus is it? One other point to consider (and one I also have, as I'd like a hitch as well), is on the long short buses (is that right?). They weld extra frame rail to the end of the existing frame rails, to get the full length. Is there any concern welding or bolting a hitch to the extended frame rails on these? I would think not, assuming the original extension was welded properly, but can't hurt to ask the experts here!

Chris

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by farok

How long of a bus is it? One other point to consider (and one I also have, as I'd like a hitch as well), is on the long short buses (is that right?). They weld extra frame rail to the end of the existing frame rails, to get the full length. Is there any concern welding or bolting a hitch to the extended frame rails on these? I would think not, assuming the original extension was welded properly, but can't hurt to ask the experts here!

Chris

I wouldn’t worry about that in a vehicle that’s already done a 100K miles. It’s assured that the designers and builders of school buses aren’t going to put a bus body on a substandard frame.

[peteg59]

Would like one on mine as well.
While it will be more costly than a DIY installation, I'll be going to U-Haul for the professional install when the time comes...

[o1marc]

Around $20, strong as any commercial product.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Around $20, strong as any commercial product.

I was thinking about that. My bus has a stack of four half inch steel plates between the c channels right about where the hitch would go. I assume it’s ballast? Thanks for sharing that.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Danjo

I was thinking about that. My bus has a stack of four half inch steel plates between the c channels right about where the hitch would go. I assume it’s ballast? Thanks for sharing that.

I got lucky that there was a frame crossmember 8" behind the bumper. So I took a 1/4" steel plate and welded it to the cross member, then welded the receiver to the plate and all the way around the bumper. It ain't going nowhere. My fold up ramp slids in that hole and sits on a rack behind the plate.

[BlackJohn]

"It ain't going nowhere." Famous last words like let there be light, remember that debacle with the tail lights?



Not what I would call professional welding. Do you think your ins company will approve that? Not enough weld , no place for chain connections, doesn't look like the paint and rust was ground off before welding. Cheap yes, but no excellence built into that for someone with so much experience.
This is why insurance companies don't like home built projects.

I wouldn't be trusting that


John

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

"It ain't going nowhere." Famous last words like let there be light, remember that debacle with the tail lights?



Not what I would call professional welding. Do you think your ins company will approve that? Not enough weld , no place for chain connections, doesn't look like the paint and rust was ground off before welding. Cheap yes, but no excellence built into that for someone with so much experience.
This is why insurance companies don't like home built projects.

I wouldn't be trusting that


John

Well John, again,you are wrong on all accounts. Everything was ground to bare metal before welding by a professional. My insurance company has no regulations that I know of for mounting a hitch, nor would they have any issue with what I have.

[BlackJohn]

That is not professionally done by any means, you got taken if you paid for that. Sure you didn't weld it?
I have seen much better welding fail...just sayinn
If I were buying that bus and saw that I's run away fast! I thought you were building for ROI, hoping foir 50 or 60k$?



John

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

That is not professionally done by any means, you got taken if you paid for that. Sure you didn't weld it?
I have seen much better welding fail...just sayinn
If I were buying that bus and saw that I's run away fast! I thought you were building for ROI, hoping foir 50 or 60k$?



John

You're delusional.

[BlackJohn]

Well 01, whatever that stands for, you numero uno?



How did that (welder? )ever get a ticket to work professionally?


Is that how low a standard you are building your bus to? With all your experience, how can you allow such "shoddy" workmanship? That bus could be a showplace but it ain't even close, so 60g's might be out of line bud.



Better get that baby xrayed if you know what I mean, lottsa grapes showing.



A chimp can weld better than that with its left foot.


Whatcha plan on towing with that? With or without chains? Will you have trailer brakes? Easy to wire now while you fix the light mishap, no autopsy pics yet?


01marc, the burning man.. lights, skin, whatever


John

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Well 01, whatever that stands for, you numero uno?



How did that (welder? )ever get a ticket to work professionally?


Is that how low a standard you are building your bus to? With all your experience, how can you allow such "shoddy" workmanship? That bus could be a showplace but it ain't even close, so 60g's might be out of line bud.



Better get that baby xrayed if you know what I mean, lottsa grapes showing.



A chimp can weld better than that with its left foot.


Whatcha plan on towing with that? With or without chains? Will you have trailer brakes? Easy to wire now while you fix the light mishap, no autopsy pics yet?


01marc, the burning man.. lights, skin, whatever


John

Show me where I said it would be worth $60k or STFU


FYI- 01 was my race car number, 2 Nascar Championships and 60 feature wins.

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Show me where I said it would be worth $60k or STFU


FYI- 01 was my race car number, 2 Nascar Championships and 60 feature wins.

Well, you know how you like to tell people their bus isn't worth what they are asking, that is you isn't it?
Somebody about a week ago posted their bus and you said yours should be worth 50 to 60k. It's on record here somewhere, no denying that.


Impressive numbers indeed. What was your part in those races. Driver or head welding inspector for Nascar?


So show us some more of your work. How are you going to connect that metallic cable to your incoming ac power source?


What do you think that bus is going to be worth if not 60g's? Maybe break even, it's just one mistake after another mr experience.
So you .... no I'll show a bit more class than that statement of yours.



Buses are fun to build aren't they 01? problems, decisions, oh my!

How do you keep your insanity?



John

[o1marc]

Not worth the waste of time.

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Not worth the waste of time.

Did you google that too for the folks?


It's ok just another bad day at the bus for you.


John