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07-24-2018, 03:02 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
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MPG differences if any?
Can anybody tell me if there are significant differences (more than 2 MPG) in a Diesel Short Bus (Conventional, not a van style, ~24 passenger), vs. a Full size ~65 passenger bus school bus?
Or between a stripped out bus (no seats, no nothing, vs. a fully converted skoolie, sink, shower, stove, supplies, walls, water tanks, etc.)
I'm trying to plan out a future purchase. Part of me doesn't want to drag around extra crap I don't need and blow $$$ on fuel and engine wear.
However, if the fuel savings cost is negligible, then I can stop worrying about it, and just buy a school bus that works.
thanks in advance!
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07-24-2018, 03:16 PM
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#2
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Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: GA
Posts: 129
Year: 1998
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 78
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From what i can gather its the hole in the air you are pushing through that effects mpg more than anything, weight may factor some but not that much.
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07-24-2018, 08:20 PM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Weight makes a big difference in mountains.
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07-24-2018, 08:25 PM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: near Christiansburg VA
Posts: 692
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 44 or 66? 11 rows
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Weight makes a big difference in bars and clubs, too.
Oh. The bus...
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07-24-2018, 09:24 PM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07
Weight makes a big difference in mountains.
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Good read so far. thanks.
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07-24-2018, 09:25 PM
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#6
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dapplecreek
Weight makes a big difference in bars and clubs, too.
Oh. The bus...
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Yes it does. It makes a big difference everywhere. Especially with wicker.
Thats why I assumed Skoolies wouldn't defy the laws of physics..
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07-24-2018, 09:46 PM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
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Instead of mpg's think of it as hours of run, drive time/idle time per fill up.
I know I am beat when I drive and burn up a tank of fuel. But sometimes I drive little and let the engine idle so that's where hours come into fuel use too.
John
__________________
Question everything!
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07-24-2018, 09:55 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackJohn
Instead of mpg's think of it as hours of run, drive time/idle time per fill up.
I know I am beat when I drive and burn up a tank of fuel. But sometimes I drive little and let the engine idle so that's where hours come into fuel use too.
John
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I understand. MPG is a point of reference for me. For the last 15 years I've been driving a Kia, and just changed over to a Jeep JK unlimited. So, I want to "shock" myself early with ~10 MPG so when it happens I won't be so bummed..
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07-24-2018, 10:04 PM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
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Just finishing 2 months on the road with a 37’ bus. Fuel is only one consideration. Also 2 MPG is a huge difference when you are in the single digits. I have been getting 6-8 MPG and while those sound similar, there is a significant cost savings.
I also towed a Jeep to use to get in and out of places the bus couldn’t go. A smaller bus could get away with no tow behind and could also fit down a lot of roads that a bigger bus can’t.
Sections of the PCH were difficult in a full size.
Acceleration is another issue. Pulling out into traffic takes patience when you have a long heavy full size.
I am still glad I have a full size bus because I have a family and animals etc., but I’ll tell you without a doubt that having taken a full size bus on the road, I can imagine enjoying a short bus.
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07-24-2018, 10:15 PM
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#10
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07
Just finishing 2 months on the road with a 37’ bus. Fuel is only one consideration. Also 2 MPG is a huge difference when you are in the single digits. I have been getting 6-8 MPG and while those sound similar, there is a significant cost savings.
I also towed a Jeep to use to get in and out of places the bus couldn’t go. A smaller bus could get away with no tow behind and could also fit down a lot of roads that a bigger bus can’t.
Sections of the PCH were difficult in a full size.
Acceleration is another issue. Pulling out into traffic takes patience when you have a long heavy full size.
I am still glad I have a full size bus because I have a family and animals etc., but I’ll tell you without a doubt that having taken a full size bus on the road, I can imagine enjoying a short bus.
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Thanks for the help. Yes, the plan is to be able to buy a short conventional bus, and probably tow the jeep. National Forests, dirt/gravel roads. Nothing Crazy though. No mudding, rock crawling, etc. (Jeep or any vehicle.). I thought the short bus looked like it had the clearance to go where I want. My bigger concern is getting an engine/transmission fit that doesn't break the bank on gas or repairs, but I'll save that for another thread.
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07-24-2018, 11:40 PM
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#11
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Montana
Posts: 581
Year: 2000
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I have averaged 9.82 MPG since I moved into my 28' "Extra Medium" bus.
I tow my Subaru Crosstrek and I do not see any significant difference when towing - I tend to get better MPG when keeping the bus at or below 55MPH - and it drops significantly when I go over that.
__________________
- Roger (Dog.Rescuer)
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07-24-2018, 11:54 PM
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#12
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer
I have averaged 9.82 MPG since I moved into my 28' "Extra Medium" bus.
I tow my Subaru Crosstrek and I do not see any significant difference when towing - I tend to get better MPG when keeping the bus at or below 55MPH - and it drops significantly when I go over that.
Attachment 24402
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Very cool. thanks for sharing.
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