Looking to get started in CA. Need help please!

[Mountain Gnome]

I believe the gwvr means the MAXIMUM weight this vehicle's suspension, drivetrain, and tires can handle, not the actual weight of the bus plus cargo load. If you cut off some of the bus, it can then just carry more cargo weight. The GVWR stays the same.

[magnakansas]

Yes you can change the gvwr of a truck/bus. From what reading I have done there are federal government procedures to follow for doing so. Most of the time it appears that "derating"happens during the build process of the truck.

From reading, I would be inclined to say that the process is more than most would want to put up with. Things like axles would have to be rated for the derating,
example 2005 ford f450 the rear axle as it is in the truck is rated at 11,000 lbs, but this axle, a spicer S110 is rated by spicer as a 13,000lb axle.

Ford de rates the axle for use in the f450, the same axle in an International Terrastar is a 13,000 lb axle.

same part just different numbers on paper.

I would take a look at swapping, data plate with numbers that match. Illegal - yes - bet it is not the first time this has been done either.

short answer yes, but shorten the bus, get the CDL take some of the springs out, soften the ride, and keep the data plate that came with the bus.

Or get a shorter bus, put the bigger motor in it.. with a data plate for less than 26,000 lbs......

I know this is probably not what you wanted to hear. You still have a spot to work on a bus?

best wishes, don't give up, a short bus you are okay with will appear. You might have to go a little farther away to get it. and if you wait, one will show up near you.

william

[rymorris]

Originally Posted by Mountain Gnome

I believe the gwvr means the MAXIMUM weight this vehicle's suspension, drivetrain, and tires can handle, not the actual weight of the bus plus cargo load. If you cut off some of the bus, it can then just carry more cargo weight. The GVWR stays the same.

Ah. OK, just trying to avoid having to get a CDL lol. Thanks!

[rymorris]

Originally Posted by magnakansas

Yes you can change the gvwr of a truck/bus. From what reading I have done there are federal government procedures to follow for doing so. Most of the time it appears that "derating"happens during the build process of the truck.

From reading, I would be inclined to say that the process is more than most would want to put up with. Things like axles would have to be rated for the derating,
example 2005 ford f450 the rear axle as it is in the truck is rated at 11,000 lbs, but this axle, a spicer S110 is rated by spicer as a 13,000lb axle.

Ford de rates the axle for use in the f450, the same axle in an International Terrastar is a 13,000 lb axle.

same part just different numbers on paper.

I would take a look at swapping, data plate with numbers that match. Illegal - yes - bet it is not the first time this has been done either.

short answer yes, but shorten the bus, get the CDL take some of the springs out, soften the ride, and keep the data plate that came with the bus.

Or get a shorter bus, put the bigger motor in it.. with a data plate for less than 26,000 lbs......

I know this is probably not what you wanted to hear. You still have a spot to work on a bus?

best wishes, don't give up, a short bus you are okay with will appear. You might have to go a little farther away to get it. and if you wait, one will show up near you.

william

Thanks for the ideas! We would love to stay in the law on this as we don't want any complications.

We do still have the location but it may not be available for much longer. We cant keep asking him to wait on us. We look almost everyday and send a lot of emails with a few offers. Either rejected or never heard back.

We will keep trying though, thanks for the support!

[rymorris]

Found these 3 tonight.

We really like the top one. It says no CDL needed so hopefully under weight and everything. It looks promising, what do you guys think? We sent em all emails.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...690654504.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/c...685974246.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/r...670736510.html

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by rymorris

Found these 3 tonight.

We really like the top one. It says no CDL needed so hopefully under weight and everything. It looks promising, what do you guys think? We sent em all emails.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...690654504.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/c...685974246.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/r...670736510.html

Don't know where you are to reply specifically to your state, but in most areas once the seating capacity is less than 16 you won't need a CDL. Your state may require one for anything over 26K lbs.

[rymorris]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Don't know where you are to reply specifically to your state, but in most areas once the seating capacity is less than 16 you won't need a CDL. Your state may require one for anything over 26K lbs.

We are in California. When we asked at the DMV they sent us to some other department's website that stated we dont need a CDL for any 2 axle vehicle 26k GVWR and under.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by rymorris

We are in California. When we asked at the DMV they sent us to some other department's website that stated we dont need a CDL for any 2 axle vehicle 26k GVWR and under.

delete

There may be an exception to that if the seats are all still in it.

[magnakansas]

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/r...715173623.html

will

[magnakansas]

It is in florida and you dont want to drive that far... on the other hand if you watch the videos you can see what you are getting if you purchased it.
It is short. negotiate, could be inexpensive.....http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...tml#post293563

william

[magnakansas]

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/c...708081109.html

william

[BlueFish]

https://www.busbarnoftexas.com/inventory.aspx?newused=u

one of these might work

[magnakansas]

how is the search going?

william

[Mark carr]

I was reading the posts and looking online at a bus for myself. When i came across this guys listing
He must have forty buses getting ready to go on ebay. I live in NY so i dont know if this is a problem for you in cali.
THE FOLLOWING BUSES ARE CONVENTIONAL'S (WITH HOODS) "CALIFORNIA LEGAL":
(3) 1996 INTERNATIONAL/BLUEBIRDS, DT-466, AT545 ALLISON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION,AIR BRAKES, DRIVER'S AIR RIDE SEAT AND AIR ENTRANCE.
I have no idea what a California legal is
As long as its not stolen its NY o.k.

[magnakansas]

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d...720999335.html

dt466E

transmission 545

This seems to be a pretty short wheel base, ought to turn in pretty tight spots.

five hours drive to check it out.... if you are interested.

william

[rymorris]

Sorry for the AFK, we didnt receive any new notifications of posts and have been really busy with moving for work. Move will be complete by Nov 1, and we will start looking again.

Thanks!
-Ryan

[rymorris]

Hey!

We had the last of our things delivered yesterday and are officially done moving.

We stopped looking because we werent sure where we would end up in South Bay. We didnt decide to move till about 2.5 weeks before we had to because our old place decided to raise our rent by almost 10% to $2725 for a one bedroom apartment... Fortunately, we found a place a bit closer to work and to where we can store the bus that is a bit cheaper than our old place. It's not as nice but heh its $325 cheaper! The bay area is really sucking the soul out of me lol.

Thanks for all the help!
-Ryan

[magnakansas]

Still after short bus? or are you willing to do the work to make a long bus, short?

william

[magnakansas]

international 3700, already painted white, there are no lifts to undo, no school bus lights to undo, I think an offer a little lower will buy it. needs to checked out.
https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/...735513028.html

If the transmission bugs you, I say buy the bus, then the transmission can be replaced later on after you have a conversion up and running.

the 3700 is supposed to be a lighter duty than the 3800, but due to lack of sales, international dropped it from the bus line up.

big honkin short bus.

william

[magnakansas]

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/f...742340013.html