Bus weight

[Whalby]

Hi. I have done a roof raise and am starting my inside build. I’d like to make the beds and other things out of metal but I’m beginning to worry about max weight. With water tanks and everything it’s going to add up. Is this something I should think about or are these things built like over engineered tanks and I’ll never have a problem. I have a 2007 bluebird all American pusher. Her name is LOLA. Thanks!

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Whalby

Hi. I have done a roof raise and am starting my inside build. I’d like to make the beds and other things out of metal but I’m beginning to worry about max weight. With water tanks and everything it’s going to add up. Is this something I should think about or are these things built like over engineered tanks and I’ll never have a problem. I have a 2007 bluebird all American pusher. Her name is LOLA. Thanks!

Your bus was built to haul 10,000 pounds or more of children plus the weight of their seats, none of which is in your bus any more. You have a large margin to play with, not really a big thing to worry about.

[bigskypc50]

I never once worried about weight. Doing my build. (find your data tag with you weight limits)

I have what you could say is a heavy build, 3/4" TG pine on everything washer and dryer full bathroom two bedrooms. And fully loaded with tools and 100 gallons of water , I weight in at 26K according to the cat scale and I am rated for 33K. I could add a 30ft sticks and staples RV trailer and just be at my limit

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by bigskypc50

I could add a 30ft sticks and staples RV trailer and just be at my limit

Just curious: would that be road-legal? That would make one hell of a long train.

[bigskypc50]

HA HA, I doubt it, I am 41ft long mirror to bumper (bare bus), likely not. Can't say it would be all the nice to drive that heavy either.

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Just curious: would that be road-legal? That would make one hell of a long train.

[OrionsComfortBus]

Find your weight tag. should show seperate front and rear axle weight limits and the GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Mine is 25,500 with a empty weight of 16,800. Plenty to play with. Good Luck in your build, May it bring you many miles of good memories.

[miltruckman]

You might want to check out my thread:

“How much does your conversion weigh vs GVW”

Bill

[NavigatedChaos]

Could always just use lighter weight materials. You don't need to cover the entire bus in thick wood to make it look pretty when you can use laminate or other things. If you've got plenty of money for this project, you could do a majority of the framing with aluminum to cut out the weight as well. I like to think that wood is heavy and aluminum isn't. I think someone did a van build once and for their cabinets, they used foam insulation. Obviously some things you can't skimp on but be creative if you're worried about weight?