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04-14-2021, 10:01 AM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
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Getting my bus home from Alabama (to Maryland)
Hello all,
I am currently stuck in a bit of a pickle, recently purchased my bus through an auction which is located in Alabama (I'm in Maryland) and while working through getting this bus shipped, all of the shippers backed out.
I would head down and drive it up myself (roughly 722 miles), but I do not have a commercial license and although the seller assures me it "starts and runs great", I know it has been sitting in the auction yard for a long time, so do not know what kind of shape it is in.
I'd love to find out if anybody has suggestions, I am currently lost as to what to do next.
Details on my bus: 2005 Freightliner FS65
Thanks!
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04-14-2021, 02:38 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
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There is a member on here handle: Cheese-Wagon, who has driven busses for new buyers. Don't know what he charges, or if he could do your work but his email is on the bottom of his posts.
Edit: Here is his contact info:
anomaly.va@gmail.com
Good luck...
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04-14-2021, 03:17 PM
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#3
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
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Thank you, I will try to reach out to see if he can help!
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04-14-2021, 03:42 PM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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I've driven em back with no tags enough times. If you have insurance and a title you're good to go. If it starts and stops and has oil it should be fine.
That's just how its always went for ME.
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04-14-2021, 03:51 PM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
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Lol, knowing my luck, I'll probably get pulled over as soon as I get on the highway.
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04-14-2021, 04:08 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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IDk I got the Charlie Brown luck and I've been alright. Hell one bus was from CO and my friend drove it all the way home. I've never had a tag for a used bus to get it home, only in Texas once.
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04-14-2021, 04:17 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 6,995
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Chassis: CE 300
Engine: DT466e
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
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722 miles represents a tiny fraction of the distance covered by a school bus in its lifetime, so there's some chance the catastrophic mechanical failures (which are coming) will hold off until you get home. If you do go get it yourself, absolutely buy a BlueFire to take with you and monitor your temperatures closely.
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04-14-2021, 04:23 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
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Thank you for the tip, I will look into BlueFire!
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04-14-2021, 05:17 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,755
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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dont pay someone money to drive it.. learn how to pre-trip and hop in the seat and drive it home.. cheese-wagon did a nice write up on how to pre-trip a bus.. its Golden!
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04-14-2021, 06:46 PM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Central Alabama
Posts: 541
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC/2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 12-valve
Rated Cap: 1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skool Munkee
I am currently lost as to what to do next.
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Take the advise given and drive it home.
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04-14-2021, 07:07 PM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia
Posts: 1,043
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: C7 Cat
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yep agree, what they ^ all said. Do the fast study, read Cheese's must check list and go get it. Prepare as much as you can and get it done, that's the thrill.
Good luck and keep us informed
Cheers
Oscar
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04-14-2021, 07:48 PM
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#12
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 260
Year: 1980
Coachwork: Crown Coach
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 671T
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I agree with the other posters, you should head down and get it. If possible, drive down with a friend/SO so you have a "Bandit" car with you for the ride home. This way you have a support system should something go awry (super unlikely), and the moral support of another person on the journey. Make sure you bring some walkie-talkies.
Most states allow you to drive a vehicle without registration or plates for 5-10 days after purchase. In RI we get 5 days from date of sale. As I have been told by police, the rules of your home state apply, so as long as you have a recently dated bill of sale and proof of insurance, you should be good.
If MD does not allow this, temporary registrations or trip permits are available in most states for cheap money. They are usually valid for less than 30 days and will allow you to drive home without fear. Not sure how covid has affected the ability to get one in AL but its worth a shot if you really want to go that route.
Honestly though, a school bus is damn near invisible to police on the highway and I would just send it.
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04-14-2021, 08:54 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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In 2 trips across the country with no tags, twice I was told "You really should have a temp tag." My reply both times was similar to "Sir, we are at exit #14, I'm going to be out of your state in about 12 minutes, just passing through." Both replies, "Have a safe trip". I happened to be pulled over on my own both times and they stopped just to check on the bus on the side of the road. They didn't pull me over. I'm a firm beleiver that you have to drive really stupidly to be noticed, everyone ignores school buses on the road. 700 mile trip is perfect to familiarize yourself with the bus with mostly long stetches of road with out a lot of inexperienced manuevers.
__________________
I Thank God That He Gifted Me with Common Sense
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04-14-2021, 11:01 PM
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#14
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia
Posts: 1,043
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: C7 Cat
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
In 2 trips across the country with no tags, twice I was told "You really should have a temp tag." My reply both times was similar to "Sir, we are at exit #14, I'm going to be out of your state in about 12 minutes, just passing through." Both replies, "Have a safe trip". I happened to be pulled over on my own both times and they stopped just to check on the bus on the side of the road. They didn't pull me over. I'm a firm beleiver that you have to drive really stupidly to be noticed, everyone ignores school buses on the road. 700 mile trip is perfect to familiarize yourself with the bus with mostly long stetches of road with out a lot of inexperienced manuevers.
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I heard somewhere that if you're pulled over on the road that gives the Five-o the right to stop and check you out as a safety on the road thing so it's better if you can to get off the highway to a service station or such to avoid that type of questioning? Thoughts?
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04-15-2021, 12:47 AM
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#15
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oscar1
I heard somewhere that if you're pulled over on the road that gives the Five-o the right to stop and check you out as a safety on the road thing so it's better if you can to get off the highway to a service station or such to avoid that type of questioning? Thoughts?
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I had nothing to hide, State of Ga. allows me to drive for 30 days on a BOS, they automatically cover me in any vehicle I buy for 7 days. and I had a fresh BOS. I had no worries, my crime was not worth the time.
__________________
I Thank God That He Gifted Me with Common Sense
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04-15-2021, 09:07 AM
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#16
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
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Thank you all for your advices, I believe I will put myself at the mercy of the fates and drive this bad boy home as many have suggested! Wish me luck!
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04-15-2021, 10:21 AM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Check the tire pressures and air up at a truck stop if needed. Keep some extra 15w40 oil in case it needs a top off or two. Should be fine. Good luck and have fun!
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04-17-2021, 04:02 PM
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#18
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
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Just wanted to give an updated for everyone, I flew down to Alabama at the crack of dawn on Friday and picked up the bus. Thankfully the seller was true to his word, bus started and run without breaking down.
Had some scares early due to not being familiar with driving a bus, but toward the end I got familiar with way this thing handles and honestly had a blast!
I want to thank everyone on this forum for your advice and for saving me $$$ and allowing me to take the proper first step to building my skoolie!
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04-17-2021, 04:06 PM
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#19
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skool Munkee
Just wanted to give an updated for everyone, I flew down to Alabama at the crack of dawn on Friday and picked up the bus. Thankfully the seller was true to his word, bus started and run without breaking down.
Had some scares early due to not being familiar with driving a bus, but toward the end I got familiar with way this thing handles and honestly had a blast!
I want to thank everyone on this forum for your advice and for saving me $$$ and allowing me to take the proper first step to building my skoolie!
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CONGRATS, pal!
No one's ever guaranteed anything, but these bus auctions are usually pretty much the same. I've got one bad bus in 6 and it still made it home and never fully FAILED.
Glad to know it went well. getting the bus is half the fun, and talking to the bus folks when you pick it up... IDK I just love a good auction bus!
Get some pics up!!!
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04-18-2021, 05:17 PM
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#20
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia
Posts: 1,043
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: C7 Cat
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That’s great to hear all went well. Congrats on the maiden voyage!
Cheers
Oscar
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