Couple of Questions

Chunderboy · 02-09-2018, 06:50 PM

Greetings from FL. I have a couple of questions....

1) Has anyone developed something like a buyers guide for School Buses and posted it here? e.g. you want this feature, these are the buses that fit the bill
2) Similar to above, any buses/equipment to avoid like the plague

I haven't bought a bus (yet) but I some of the things I believe I want to have/do are as follows:

a) Classic shape (probably got a term about a nose but I don't know what it is - educate me!)
b) Long body (aka not a shortie)
c) Decent headroom so I guess I want to do a roof raise
d) I want to travel in it for long periods of time
e) saw a video of a bus with a large swing open handicapped door near the front and thought that would be a good thing to have

much appreciated...

brokedown · 02-09-2018, 06:57 PM

A lot of it comes down to taste/personal preference. EVeryone will tell you to get a Cummins or Navistar drivetrain and to prefer a transmission other than AT545, but beyond that you have to have an idea of what you're looking for. Details make big differences!

Jdawgsfanasty · 02-09-2018, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunderboy

Greetings from FL. I have a couple of questions....

1) Has anyone developed something like a buyers guide for School Buses and posted it here? e.g. you want this feature, these are the buses that fit the bill
2) Similar to above, any buses/equipment to avoid like the plague

I haven't bought a bus (yet) but I some of the things I believe I want to have/do are as follows:

a) Classic shape (probably got a term about a nose but I don't know what it is - educate me!)
b) Long body (aka not a shortie)
c) Decent headroom so I guess I want to do a roof raise
d) I want to travel in it for long periods of time
e) saw a video of a bus with a large swing open handicapped door near the front and thought that would be a good thing to have

much appreciated...

My understanding is this:
CE= conventional engine; it's out front
FE= front engine; engine is up front, but under bus body...basically next to driver...like some vans
RE= rear engine; engine and tranny in the back
Diesels put more torgue on the ground; better use of fuel
CEs drive more like a car because the steering wheels are out front
FEs and REs the steering wheels behind driver
Welcome to skoolieville...

Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk

Rusty · 02-09-2018, 09:36 PM

Here ya go Chunder.

http://www.ncuaqmd.org/images/BusTypeDefinitions.pdf

The Seven Different School Bus Types - American Bus Sales

and Welcome !

Chunderboy · 02-10-2018, 07:18 AM

Fantastic, thanks to all of you for the info. I already feel smarter.

For the longer buses do you need a different kind of driver's license? like a CDL? I have never owned an RV so I have no clue.

Rusty · 02-10-2018, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunderboy

Fantastic, thanks to all of you for the info. I already feel smarter.

For the longer buses do you need a different kind of driver's license? like a CDL? I have never owned an RV so I have no clue.

Here you go:
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f18/cdl-8309.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/ne...lie-13209.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f18/wh...needed-13.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f18/th...ion-17077.html

EastCoastCB · 02-10-2018, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunderboy

Greetings from FL. I have a couple of questions....

1) Has anyone developed something like a buyers guide for School Buses and posted it here? e.g. you want this feature, these are the buses that fit the bill
2) Similar to above, any buses/equipment to avoid like the plague

I haven't bought a bus (yet) but I some of the things I believe I want to have/do are as follows:

a) Classic shape (probably got a term about a nose but I don't know what it is - educate me!)
b) Long body (aka not a shortie)
c) Decent headroom so I guess I want to do a roof raise
d) I want to travel in it for long periods of time
e) saw a video of a bus with a large swing open handicapped door near the front and thought that would be a good thing to have

much appreciated...

You should come over some time and lets talk buses and have a beer or six.
My bus is out on Ondich Rd off Round Lake Rd.

I can also help you out quite a bit with roof raise ideas. i did one and it came out great.

Rusty · 02-10-2018, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

You should come over some time and lets talk buses and have a beer or six.
My bus is out on Ondich Rd off Round Lake Rd.

I can also help you out quite a bit with roof raise ideas. i did one and it came out great.

Better check with the Wife first....