Noob Question: Where wouldn't you take your Skoolie?

[Drew Bru]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Apparently it is state specific. Ga. allows me to drive ALL Recreational Vehicles on my standard license, regardless of weight or braking system. Illinois on the other hand requires you to have certifications for both.

Exactly. Every state will have different standards, whether for safety, money-grabbing, or something else. This is one reason that people should check with their state's DMV instead of relying on forum members from different states, with different standards, who may not have any idea what they're talking about. Heck, from looking into various RVing forums, I found that other Illinoisans were taking people's word for it that they were perfectly legal to drive their RV and found out (the hard way) that that's not the case at all. Always verify issues like this instead of taking a stranger's word for it.

[CatSpy]

We took our two shorties...21 and 23 feet...off the beaten track pretty often and have been stuck once but had a shovel, so it was no big deal to dig out. The thing is, when you do that kind of off roading in a skoolie, you tend to be careful. Ironically, we recently took our van RV down an old dirt boat launch hill and got stuck, and after trying to dig out 7 hours we ultimately had to get pulled out by a tow truck... because we weren't thinking we had to be as careful with a van. Point is, when you are in a skoolie, you are paying close attention to every little bump in the gravel and praying for a place to turn around because you are more cautious in general. You just have to assess every situation as you come upon it.

[Dirtdoctor]

25’ Amtrans handicap bus. I drive fire engines off road- I’d take that bus down dirt roads, but keep in mind - slow go and don’t be stupid. Tight curves overhangs and trees will need to be carefully traversed. The bus is a truck chassis- use the mirrors and take it easy.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by jokerone

Question : would you take your skoolie on back roads in National forests? Does it have the ground clearance, etc?

Have you had any nightmares in turning around or getting stuck someplace like this?

Short answer: Yes, do it all the time.

That doesn't really tell you anything though. NFS (and BLM) land various wildly in terms of terrain and climate. I'm like most RV'ers, I tow a Jeep Wrangler and scout possible boondocking locations/routes before driving the coach in. Getting in and then being unable to turn around/get out is not my idea of fun.

[kjurkic]

Hiya

I drive a 24 passenger Bluebird/FordB600 chassis short bus on active logging roads.

Rides like Shi-ite, but no issues with clearance.

My advice: get tire chains and know how to install them. They aren't just for winter - they can be real handy on a steep grade of loose gravel or mud as well.
If you have the $$ also look into Hercules H301 logging or industrial truck tires - I have them on all my buses and have not had a flat in 10's of 1000's of miles of logging road travel. They are OK on pavement once worn in for a bit, very noisy at first.

Having said all that - if you plan on back-roading, you should carry a spare and know how to safely re & re BEFORE you travel.

Lastly, if you wish to still have a usable spine, consider getting a second-hand air-ride seat from a semi. Can be charged with ordinary compressor so you don't need a bus with engine driven compressor.

cheers
Ken

[jokerone]

Originally Posted by kjurkic

Hiya

I drive a 24 passenger Bluebird/FordB600 chassis short bus on active logging roads.

Rides like Shi-ite, but no issues with clearance.

My advice: get tire chains and know how to install them. They aren't just for winter - they can be real handy on a steep grade of loose gravel or mud as well.
If you have the $$ also look into Hercules H301 logging or industrial truck tires - I have them on all my buses and have not had a flat in 10's of 1000's of miles of logging road travel. They are OK on pavement once worn in for a bit, very noisy at first.

Having said all that - if you plan on back-roading, you should carry a spare and know how to safely re & re BEFORE you travel.

Lastly, if you wish to still have a usable spine, consider getting a second-hand air-ride seat from a semi. Can be charged with ordinary compressor so you don't need a bus with engine driven compressor.

cheers
Ken

very cool. thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.

[EastCoastCB]

My latest shorty is lifted and powerful. Short of four wheel drive and a meaty set of 11R's I'd consider it as "back road" worthy as a bus can get.

[jokerone]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

My latest shorty is lifted and powerful. Short of four wheel drive and a meaty set of 11R's I'd consider it as "back road" worthy as a bus can get.

VERY COOL! That is basically the size of bus I'm interested. How did you lift and how much trouble and cost was it?

thanks

[Tango]

Not so much Sweet...as BAD AZZZZ!

[DWJoyce]

Yes! We have 4x4 school buses in our county, very similar to yours. That's the way to go if you go off road. Our issue is snow and bad weather.

Our setup is a 26 foot trailer and Chevy 4x4 pickup with a small cabover. The truck is great off highway, with it's lockers and such, for overnight trips in the mountains while the trailer sits in a campsite with the ladies.

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

My latest shorty is lifted and powerful. Short of four wheel drive and a meaty set of 11R's I'd consider it as "back road" worthy as a bus can get.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by jokerone

VERY COOL! That is basically the size of bus I'm interested. How did you lift and how much trouble and cost was it?

thanks

Bus came ordered this way.

[Mekanic]

You need to ask the rangers in the park.

Many of the back “roads” in some NPs such as Arches or Caynonlands are not just
4WD roads. But short wheelbase roads as well, as in 110 inches or less wheelbase.

Also there is no “pick your line” when the road is 8 foot wide and so is the vehicle.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Bus came ordered this way.

Any reason why? I don't see Douglasville as having any issues that would require a raised school bus.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Any reason why? I don't see Douglasville as having any issues that would require a raised school bus.

No idea. Douglasville seemed pretty paved and nice as far as roads go.
All my buses have had odd specifications. Every district is different.

The identical shorties they had were also lifted, too.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

No idea. Douglasville seemed pretty paved and nice as far as roads go.
All my buses have had odd specifications. Every district is different.

The identical shorties they had were also lifted, too.

It's not even in a flood area, though Six Flags right up the road has flooded a number of times. Can't think of a positive reason to have it lifted in that area, makes for a bigger hole to punch in the air.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by o1marc

It's not even in a flood area, though Six Flags right up the road has flooded a number of times. Can't think of a positive reason to have it lifted in that area, makes for a bigger hole to punch in the air.

I don't think its affecting the mileage much. Thing sips fuel.

They're GA boys. Maybe they just like riding at the same height as semi's.

I agree its an odd spec. But they had some sort of reasoning behind it I'm sure. Glad they ordered em this way, makes for a COOL bus.
I was amazed that the handling and dynamics hadn't been compromised too badly. Drives nice. Better than some of the other buses I've owned or driven.

[BlackJohn]

Maybe they had some pickups in swampy areas and to get a wheelchair student onboard they had a raised walkway, almost like a dock.
Have you checked to see if there is a prop on the back?
Glad you are liking that bus CB..run it up here sometime won't ya?



John

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Maybe they had some pickups in swampy areas and to get a wheelchair student onboard they had a raised walkway, almost like a dock.
Have you checked to see if there is a prop on the back?
Glad you are liking that bus CB..run it up here sometime won't ya?



John

IDK that's a LONG way!!

It would be the one to make it though. Thing runs like new.

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

IDK that's a LONG way!!

It would be the one to make it though. Thing runs like new.

Put that thing on HIGHBALL and it's 20 hours up here. Been there several times but can't enter USA anymore. Have something I want you to try,


John

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Put that thing on HIGHBALL and it's 20 hours up here. Been there several times but can't enter USA anymore. Have something I want you to try,


John

"Can't enter the USA anymore.", sounds like there's an interesting back story there?