DIY towing a large bus

[Trybabytri]

Hello everyone,

Glad to finally join the ranks here! I had a large Schoolbus about 20 years ago that I bought on ebay for 800$. It lasted only a few days before I blew a main bearing and had to sell it to a mechanic for a ride to the airport then got a 1500$ Shortbus on craigslist about 6 years later that had piston compression leaking into the cooling system which was making me sick and I had a mechanic try fixing it after pouring more money into it then I paid I abandoned it to him. Now I just bought an all American bluebird 2007 with 8.3 commons and Allison electronic 6 speed at the punta gorda Copart auction for 3500$ Salvage title out the door but once again the cost to fix a bad transmission, and a few other things would be more then the bus I found out. So while I was looking for a parts bus I actually found a almost ready to go bluebird all American that only needs some fuel lines replaced at best or maybe a fuel pump to run. My second blue bird was only 2000$ Clean title out the door. So now I need to set up a flat tow system to tow one heavy bus with another because my free towing good sam roadside membership will probably not pay 1200$ to tow her (2 miles) for me too many more times. Any ideas? I saw a few heavy duty military surplus tow bars on ebay that can handle 39000lbs but what kind of tow hitch should I get? Ideas? Pics? Am I crazy? I heard that I can tie the air brakes from the mule to the back bus to assist breaking.

Btw I’m going to register in vermont as a motorhome. And needless to say my more expensive bus will become my parts bus oops. Also I’m buying rural land at suburban estates near orlando to keep my parts bus at.

Cheers and looking forward to getting to know more of you! Christian is my name

[rossvtaylor]

Here's a description of what we've done, which would probably apply to your plan...hope it helps:

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/f...ead-35883.html

[Trybabytri]

Hi Ross, awesome post. Thanks that helps. I’m curious what you searched for to find other threads like ours? I couldn’t find any including yours.

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by Trybabytri

Hi Ross, awesome post. Thanks that helps. I’m curious what you searched for to find other threads like ours? I couldn’t find any including yours.

Haha! I cheated, because the search function truly isn't very helpful sometimes. I remember that I had mentioned the "Brake Buddy Vantage" so I searched those words and found it. What, you mean you didn't search for "Brake Buddy Vantage?"

[BamaBus]

After seeing the story on the bus accident I wonder if that rear axle will allow it to be flat towed. Story includes video of the accident. https://thelehighacresgazette.com/ne...inor-injuries/.

[Trybabytri]

Wow you’re good! Yes the drive shaft and rear pinion were broken and one of the u bolts was broken along with its corresponding axle bracket and the axle itself was knocked off of its spring guide nub. I plan on jacking the chassis up then jacking the axle up and sliding it back in place with a come along then replacing the broken parts before I tow it. I also drove out to the school that wrecked the bus and talked to the driver involved. He said it’s a great bus but the transmission housing was cracked so that’s why I made it into my parts bus. I’m having a great time anyways this is fun,

[Trybabytri]

I’m curious how hard it would be to replace the broken pinion. Hopefully i just unbolt the old one and new one just bolts on. By the way I have a blue bird all American parts bus if anyone needs parts. It’s got a cat c7 engine.

[richie23]

Originally Posted by Trybabytri

Hello everyone,

Glad to finally join the ranks here! I had a large Schoolbus about 20 years ago that I bought on ebay for 800$. It lasted only a few days before I blew a main bearing and had to sell it to a mechanic for a ride to the airport then got a 1500$ Shortbus on craigslist about 6 years later that had piston compression leaking into the cooling system which was making me sick and I had a mechanic try fixing it after pouring more money into it then I paid I abandoned it to him. Now I just bought an all American bluebird 2007 with 8.3 commons and Allison electronic 6 speed at the punta gorda Copart auction for 3500$ Salvage title out the door but once again the cost to fix a bad transmission, and a few other things would be more then the bus I found out. So while I was looking for a parts bus I actually found a almost ready to go bluebird all American that only needs some fuel lines replaced at best or maybe a fuel pump to run. My second blue bird was only 2000$ Clean title out the door. So now I need to set up a flat tow system to tow one heavy bus with another because my free towing good sam roadside membership will probably not pay 1200$ to tow her (2 miles) for me too many more times. Any ideas? I saw a few heavy duty military surplus tow bars on ebay that can handle 39000lbs but what kind of tow hitch should I get? Ideas? Pics? Am I crazy? I heard that I can tie the air brakes from the mule to the back bus to assist breaking.

Btw I’m going to register in vermont as a motorhome. And needless to say my more expensive bus will become my parts bus oops. Also I’m buying rural land at suburban estates near orlando to keep my parts bus at.

Cheers and looking forward to getting to know more of you! Christian is my name

wow i bought property a year ago in holopaw im 10 minutes away from suburban estates i live in NJ right now and just bought a school bus to move out there end of this year. i am going to try and start a towing business. I will be working on my bus very soon.

[BeNimble]

Originally Posted by richie23

..just bought a school bus to move out there end of this year. i am going to try and start a towing business.

Ha! So going to convert the bus into a wrecker? The Gambler guy didn't like that idea. Live in it and use it to as business towing/transporting could be great way to go. It's a profitable business, can work when you want.

[Trybabytri]

Originally Posted by richie23

wow i bought property a year ago in holopaw im 10 minutes away from suburban estates i live in NJ right now and just bought a school bus to move out there end of this year. i am going to try and start a towing business. I will be working on my bus very soon.

That’s amazing what a coincidence. Look me up when you get down to florida would love to see your bus and share resources! Any idea when you’ll be down here?

[demoman]

I can't imagine it would cost anywhere near 1200 to tow a bus 2 miles unless you are a few hours away from the nearest city with a tow truck. Here in sacramento the heaviest semi wheel lift wrecker charges 250 an hour. If your pinion is broken you would save money by removing the axles ahead of time and cage the spring brakes to allow it to roll and not turn the differential. Make sure to have it properly chocked. You will need hub covers to stop the oil from leaking out. Please don't try to flat tow it. There is no quick safe way to tie into the brake system, turning will be difficult with all wheels on the ground. If you get seen by commercial officer doing that it will not end well. A tow truck will save a lot of time and be safer.

[Mr4btTahoe]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

Ha! So going to convert the bus into a wrecker? The Gambler guy didn't like that idea. Live in it and use it to as business towing/transporting could be great way to go. It's a profitable business, can work when you want.

Actually I did like the idea... however the cost of a roll back bed was nearly 5x what I paid for the bus. Not worth it.

[Trybabytri]

It’s all about the 2 hour minimum. 600$/hr ouch. I’m looking at getting a break buddy vantage to do the remote braking for me but if I get into a pinch I might have a friend sit in it and break when he sees my break lights.

[demoman]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

Ha! So going to convert the bus into a wrecker? The Gambler guy didn't like that idea. Live in it and use it to as business towing/transporting could be great way to go. It's a profitable business, can work when you want.

Towing and transport cab be a profitable business but not one where you can work when you want. When someone needs a tow it usually is right now because they are broken down and need to get it moved now. If you only work when you want you won't get a good reputation and no repeat business. Transport on the other hand lends itself more to planning and putting together jobs that work well with each other. Several vehicles going the same way at the same time over longer distances. Either way a bus would not work as a tow platform but it could work well as a mobile office and living space.