Hello everyone

Veganswandering · 01-15-2018, 05:40 AM

Brett and Renee here. We are new. We live in Largo, FL. We have been researching tiny homes for a few years and decided on a skoolie last year. We should be buying our bus this week. It's a 2001 bluebird All American flat nose FE. It has a Cummins 5.9 24valve. Her name is Bean. We are beyond excited to get started. Our goal is to be full time by next year.

Looking forward to meeting fellow skoolies

EastCoastCB · 01-15-2018, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veganswandering

Brett and Renee here. We are new. We live in Largo, FL. We have been researching tiny homes for a few years and decided on a skoolie last year. We should be buying our bus this week. It's a 2001 bluebird All American flat nose FE. It has a Cummins 5.9 24valve. Her name is Bean. We are beyond excited to get started. Our goal is to be full time by next year.

Looking forward to meeting fellow skoolies

Welcome fellow Floridians!

How much they asking? Buying a bus in FL can be costly.

You plan on travel or living in it stationary?

Veganswandering · 01-15-2018, 06:51 AM

Yes I have noticed they are higher, rust free yada yada. $5500. 100,xxx miles. She's from Alabama. Also from a dealer. He was asking $6500.

We plan on full timing eventually. Hopefully by next year. We will park it on our property where we do Boarding and Day care for dogs. Eventually hitting the road for a couple years.

EastCoastCB · 01-15-2018, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veganswandering

Yes I have noticed they are higher, rust free yada yada. $5500. 100,xxx miles. She's from Alabama. Also from a dealer. He was asking $6500.

We plan on full timing eventually. Hopefully by next year. We will park it on our property where we do Boarding and Day care for dogs. Eventually hitting the road for a couple years.

I mean you no offense, so take this for what its worth.
But that's like a $2500-$3500 bus. Have you considered cutting out the middleman?

If its got the 545 transmission and you plan on driving a lot I'd definitely pass and find one with a better transmission.

Don't take this as criticism. Bus buying/ownership is simply a passion of mine and I'm just giving you my honest opinion.
If I'm "hitting the road for a couple years" I want a big, powerful engine and overdrive. Air ride and high headroom too. For the asking price you should get a high headroom bus.

Veganswandering · 01-15-2018, 07:17 AM

I have looked at govdeals and public surplus. One problem I have is time. Running this business is 24/7 for us right now and I cant leave for too long or overnight. Staffing sucks. It does have the 545. I have considered swapping it to the 643. Seems pretty straight forward.

Any other ideas where to get one local?

EastCoastCB · 01-15-2018, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veganswandering

I have looked at govdeals and public surplus. One problem I have is time. Running this business is 24/7 for us right now and I cant leave for too long or overnight. Staffing sucks. It does have the 545. I have considered swapping it to the 643. Seems pretty straight forward.

Any other ideas where to get one local?

An allison 2000 series would be a better replacement. But I'd just look for a bus with a better tranny to start with. If you're dealer shopping there shouldn't be too much compromise on your part. You're paying a pretty huge premium, so you ought to be able to get THE bus you want/need.
I've never bought one local. I buy mine as far west as I can. My latest bus is from TX. Before that I had one from Colorado.

Just my opinion, but that's a ton of money for a run of the mill bus. A 545 trans is ok in a shorty, but in a forty footer is just not a great choice. Especially on long stretches of interstate or in the mountains.

EastCoastCB · 01-15-2018, 07:25 AM

Have you seen this beauty??
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...910&acctid=226

Veganswandering · 01-15-2018, 07:43 AM

That one is nice

EastCoastCB · 01-15-2018, 07:52 AM

Even better than a bookmobile! Its got low miles/hours, a generator, awnings, ac, and high headroom. Probably even has hydraulic leveling and air ride.
The Commonwealth of VA's emergency command center!

M1031A1 · 01-15-2018, 09:01 AM

Vegan,

That Virginia bus is way ahead of the bus you're looking at and worth serious consideration. I own a bus with the 545. TRUST ME when I say the 643 or better transmissions are worth the wait. Since I own two buses, the other with the 643, there is a WORLD of difference between the two. I'd definitely skip on the 545 bus.

My two cents, for what it's worth.....

M

o1marc · 01-15-2018, 10:30 AM

Command bus is up over $7k now with 3 days still left to bid.

Rusty · 01-15-2018, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Command bus is up over $7k now with 3 days still left to bid.

...and still hasn't hit reserve. She'll go for double. Anybody seen the inside??? Probably crushed red velvet and stripper poles.

I like the idea of large initial outlay and getting vehicle very close to what you want up-front. There is still plenty to do to let you feel like you built it.

Command bus also has a .50 cal mounted under driver seat. pew pew.

EastCoastCB · 01-15-2018, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Command bus is up over $7k now with 3 days still left to bid.

Even at twice the current bid its a better buy than anything at a dealer.

o1marc · 01-15-2018, 10:56 AM

I messaged for inside pics, haven't received a reply yet.

brokedown · 01-15-2018, 11:00 AM

My current but has an AT542 which is functionally the same as the 545. My next bus, if I ever "upgrade", will likely have something else.

If I was spending premium money, I wouldn't settle for an AT545 or comparable transmission.

Veganswandering · 01-27-2018, 03:04 PM

Ok found another candidate. 2002 Thomas fe 5.9 with 3060 trans. 215xxx miles. The only things I don't like is the low ceiling and not as much storage under the bus. All things I can fix. No air ride either. Is it easy to add air ride?

Price is pretty high, $6000, still from a dealer. Bus came from Tennessee.

What say the experienced?

Thank you for all the input/advise.

Robin97396 · 01-27-2018, 04:28 PM

I don't believe I've ever heard of the 5.9 paired with the 3060. Hmm, learned something new today.

Yeah the price seems kind of high. That's because you're at a dealer.

I say wait for a bus that has more of the features you want. I'd pay a high price if the bus had nearly everything I wanted. Roof raise, adding air ride and more all add up on the base bus cost. All good features and you can find most of them in one bus then perhaps only have to add one thing, if that.

Veganswandering · 01-27-2018, 05:29 PM

The tag inside says it's the 3060. Not even sure I would add the air ride. I was not able to drive the bus yet so I don't know how it handles. I'm still new at this and have only driven 1 bus so far, it had air ride.

Does air ride even really make a big difference?
So far the only thing it really needs is the roof raise, but that's any bus I get really. I'm 6'3"

Robin97396 · 01-27-2018, 06:22 PM

This is one time being short is an advantage.

I'm told air ride is remarkably different, but I'm on traditional springs so I don't know.

At least make sure you get a bigger engine in whatever you choose. You won't regret that while driving though passes.

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