Carpe Diem Skoolie

[PapaTom99]

Purchased a 2014 Blue Bird 48 pass to convert last night.
Picking up and driving 600 miles this coming weekend so will get a good sense of what needs to be done before we start gutting and spending $$$.

Its factory LP so already going to be an interesting trip home. Hope MPG and fueling are not as stressful as the posts on message boards.

Feel free to follow my wife LaLa_CarpeDiem on twitch to watch the live progress. I'll post links to more content as we proceed.

thanks
PaPaTom99

[La Camioneta]

https://lpgstations.com/

and some fleet reports
https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum...TOPIC_ID=18955

Maybe 300 mile range @4mpg?

Let us know how your real-world numbers compare.

Have a safe and uneventful trip back!

[PapaTom99]

Thank you La Camioneta. We are hoping 4mpg. that would take some of the stress for the unknown away.

We will keep you informed for sure.

LP Finder for USA
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/propan...&show_map=true

[PapaTom99]

Thank you. Hoping for 4mpg. That would allow us to easy make these stops along the way.

LP Centers in USA
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/propan...&show_map=true

I'll keep a good log so we can compare some of the numbers in the threads you provided.

Tom

[joeblack5]

Good luck, you are one of the few daring to blaze
a new trail.
What engine does it have?
How much did it cost if I may ask?
Johan

[PapaTom99]

Originally Posted by La Camioneta

https://lpgstations.com/

and some fleet reports
https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum...TOPIC_ID=18955

Maybe 300 mile range @4mpg?

Let us know how your real-world numbers compare.

Have a safe and uneventful trip back!

Thank you for your interest. Yes I will provide realtime MPG data and feedback.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Good luck, you are one of the few daring to blaze
a new trail.
What engine does it have?
How much did it cost if I may ask?
Johan

bluebird vision.. itll have the ford V10 gas converted to propane.. good luck to the OP if he can keep the pistons in it.. lots of issues with the propane visions talking to people who ran them in their fleets..

[PapaTom99]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Good luck, you are one of the few daring to blaze
a new trail.
What engine does it have?
How much did it cost if I may ask?
Johan

It has the Ford 6.8L LPG

I've done a little research on fueling options for the 600 mile trip. I made some phone calls late at night this week to Loves, Flying J and a few other Truck stops along the route and most have LP avail during the normal hours (8a - 5p). There are also U-haul centers, RV Centers, Co-ops, etc along the routes that we will reach out to and see what might work and the challenges of getting LP during the trip.

[PapaTom99]

Originally Posted by La Camioneta

https://lpgstations.com/

and some fleet reports
https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum...TOPIC_ID=18955

Maybe 300 mile range @4mpg?

Let us know how your real-world numbers compare.

Have a safe and uneventful trip back!

Talked to the mechanic that oversees the regional fleet of propane busses and he is not seeing any piston / valve issues. They replace all the fleet around 8 years , 100k due to contract requirements. Bus ran great today, Only did 180 miles(60-65 mph) averaged 7.5 mpg. Filled up at a local propane co. For $2.32 per gallon

[joeblack5]

Looks like great numbers to me. Congrats..
Have a safe trip.

Johan

[PapaTom99]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Looks like great numbers to me. Congrats..
Have a safe trip.

Johan

Thx Johan, Day 2 is 290 miles so we will have some better numbers today.

[La Camioneta]

Originally Posted by PapaTom99

Talked to the mechanic that oversees the regional fleet of propane busses and he is not seeing any piston / valve issues. They replace all the fleet around 8 years , 100k due to contract requirements. Bus ran great today, Only did 180 miles(60-65 mph) averaged 7.5 mpg. Filled up at a local propane co. For $2.32 per gallon

Wow! Good for you, pretty great mileage for a gasser and $1/gallon off gasoline.

Thanks for the update and please keep them coming.

[PapaTom99]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Looks like great numbers to me. Congrats..
Have a safe trip.

Johan

Day 2 - 288 miles. Averaged around 7.3 mpg
Day 3 - 237 miles. down a little bit, many more hills and starting and stopping but still in the low 7's mpg.

Recap of fillups
Nash Gas in Missouri was $2.35 (Day 1) 19.0 Gallons ($44.65)
U-Haul $3.59 (Day 2) 24.4 Gallons ($93.50)
U-Haul $3.59 (Day 3) 30.0 Gallons ($114.96)
Day 3 Additional Fuel used 31.0 Gallons (Approximate)

766 Miles / 107.4 Gallons of Propane = 7.13 MPG
We had no problem getting propane, had to show a little for best price. Weekend fillups are not the best for pricing. Travelling during the week and having access to gas companies and dealers that sell to public are far better pricing than U-Haul and mainstreem Truckstops that fill propane (Loves, Flying J, etc)

[joeblack5]

Did you get where you wanted to go? It would be nice to hear if your trailblazing ended up well.

Johan

[PapaTom99]

Thank you Joe Black,

We made it back to Nashville. And have begun the renovations
Seats are removed, and new flooring has been installed. We make a roadtrip to NC to visit the folks at Skoolie.Com to purchase an AC lift and some roof risers for a small back platform. We are currently in the process of designing the inside and will begin regular updates later this fall.

[sportyrick]

Nice information on LPG mileage, happy for you and keep us posted on conversion.

[PapaTom99]

I will do that SportyRick. I think we will make alot of progress late september/ early October.