US-Bus in Germany

[Krakz]

Hy Guys,
we live in Germany und are heavy infected with the idea of self-building a RC Motorhome.
Not quite sure, which way we choose.
On thing is, an Ex-Military 4x4 truck (Big Germ MAN Kat 4x4 http://suchen.mobile.de/lkw-inserat/...143080270.html)
- the other ist a bus.
For the bus: More room inside, friendly look, better on -road-driving
Für the Man Kat: Looks like a Monster , it s fit for All-Terrain

So then to the bus:
Why must it be an US-Bus when living in Germany?
We have our one buses too. Sure. And technical there are not worst as an US-bus.
If you like, you coud say, in some points the german ones are much better.
But the US-Bus are made simple und they don´t have so much weight. They build up on Truck-like-Base so you don´t have so much trouble with rust and corrision
Weight is important for our driving licences und tay-system. More than 7,5 t is more complicated and more expensive
Okay and you can get them really cheap - as Ex-US-Military-Bus.
I have to pay about 12. Euro for an US-Bus 7 to 10 year's and under 100.000 Miles. A Mercedesbus would have about 600.000 km for the same price an in most cases would be over the 7,5 t weight

My Question
Can anyone say, what is the main diffrences between an US-Schoolbus oder an other US-Bus like an Transitliner
These (Types and Blue Bird) are what you can buy in Germany. Other Types like Ford Schoolbus you have to import from the USA
I have these links
Thomas Tranistliner about 8 meter length
http://suchen.mobile.de/lkw-inserat/and ... 77850.html

Thomas Freightliner Schoolbus
http://suchen.mobile.de/lkw-inserat/...167295698.html
Thank you
Krakz

[GreyEagle]

Either the Tranisliner or Bluebird will work fine. It's just a personal choice........
We kind of favor the Bluebirds because of the great reputation they have for dependability and longevity.....
Enjoy you build..

[Krakz]

Okay
Thank you

That s good to her

Because there are only a few Us-bus at Hand in Germany (about 15 at the time)

an import out of US is expensive - it is only an option für oldtimer-lovers

Did you know anythind about the weight of the buses?
I think, the Bluebird is about 6,6 t (empty without load or passengers) - so it will fit to 7,5 t (4 Person, Seats out and RC-Intallation on top)

This is important to me - over 7,5 t or 11,9 t things are different in germany (Driving Licences, Parking, Taxes, etc etc)

[GreyEagle]

Different weights for different lengths so check whatever you're looking to buy....... and keep it under the max for your requirements.
If it's 6.6 tons empty and you remove the seats that will make it even lighter, however be careful on your build as the weight will add up fast.
Water at 8.3 lbs per gallon, then you have propane, plus fuel, oil etc..... It will not take long to put you over the limit.
Maybe someone who actually owns a bus can give you some first hand info on the weight ..... me, I just like the idea of a skoolie.......
so much safer and cheaper to build than buying a motorhome.....
Good luck

[crazycal]

The first bus weighs at least 15,000 pounds. It's a front engine. The second one is at least 20,000 pounds. It is a rear engine. You need to decide which style you want.

[sdwarf36]

I've seen some MB short buses that I'd give my arm for.

[Krakz]

Thanks Guy

I know for shure: The Schoolbus 10 Meter length motor in the front has an empty weight of 6,6 t - and ist possible to drive it with my car licences - withouts the seats -you can buy one or two in Germany with registration -
if you build a RC-Motorhome ist s likely to go over 7,5 t - above 8 t we have to update our licences (Cost about 2000 Euro oder 3000 US-Dollar for each person )

The Second one - as i thought - is obviously in all case above the 7,5 t - so yust before i buy one, i have to update the licenes

Price-Level is the same for both - because they are exotic vehicles

No company in Germany will buy these busses für professional use - expect Events -and for this porpose ist must be school-yellow and have a front nose ...

The Transitliner has more Power and must be more quiet ... but i think, getting started under 7,5 t makes the point

And i don't know exact what technical changes the transitliner needs to get an greman registration - the us-military doesn't need such thing, but i do -this can be easy or even impossible


To German Buses:

First: No German Bus uses the simple frame of an truck, they build up upon a complex Framework. If this Framework gets rusty, you have a hell of work to fix it.

Second: No German bus uses simple steel suspensions, they all uses airsuspension. More comfort, but more problems too

Third: Most of our the busses don´t have an even Floor, the seats are higher, so there is a kind of tunnel in the middle. It´s not possible to remove the upper level, because it´s part of the Framework ---

Plus of German busses:
There are a legions of them here ... not only 10 pieces .. In my town Hamburg there are alway about 2000 buses on stock (because of the harbour)
Quiet driving
Better suspension
Relax driving at a speed of 120 km/h is possible
Better isolated windows
More Power and less Dieselconsumption
Easier access for used repairparts
But much more expensive with the same age and milage than the US-Military-Ones


Here you can see a real cuty one out of GB - a bit oldfashioned but in good shape
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEDFORD-CLASS ... 0837167885?

[sdwarf36]

[Krakz]

Okay sdwarf36
you got me.
This Minibus based on the legandary DüDo Transporter is something different, - There are fine, but to small for my purpose - it's not possible to stand in one of this because of the Height?
In Germany these old MB Transporters always get a good price, even with massive rustproblem

Eye-Shopping :

Look this one - obviously not the first painting - looks really good für a reasonable prise

http://suchen.mobile.de/lkw-inserat/mer ... 03280.html

This one is a real veteran and a lot mor money

http://suchen.mobile.de/lkw-inserat/mer ... 81653.html

[bansil]

Dudoo transport?

[Krakz]

Namend after the Town Dü(ssel)Do(orf) - the T2 Modell was first build in the Düsseldorf Mercedes Factory.

Very good Model - in Germany you anc still buy used 4x4 ones from the police or firedepartment. Bus in most cases they have serious proplems with rust ----