Short skoolies MPG

[ZyxPanda]

I’m thinking about getting a short, mini, small bus but I’m having trouble finding MPG info on the short busses. For everyone that drives a mini Skoolie what’s your average mpg, what are your specs and your driving style? I want to be informed to the best of my ability before I jump in since I’m also considering getting a older van but if the fuel economy is about the same I’ll just get the bus. Thanks in advance.

[cowlitzcoach]

The Type 'A' buses on the Chevy/GMC chassis with the 6.0L/6L80 or 6.0L/8L80 power package is about as good as it gets. Depending upon load and speed they will get 12-14 MPG with an honest 13 MPG average.

The Type 'A' buses on the Ford chassis with the V-10/E4OD (or later variant) will get 10-12 MPG with an honest 11 MPG average.

The Type 'A' buses on the Chevy/GMC chassis with the Duramax will climb hills faster than just about any bus but the fuel mileage isn't that much better. Figure on 13-15 MPG with an honest 14 MPG average.

The Type 'A' buses on the Ford chassis with the 6.0L diesel usually didn't go far enough to figure out fuel mileage. Unless the engine was bullet proofed it is a $5K-$10K repair waiting to happen. Fuel miles was in the 12-14 MPG range.

The Type 'A' buses on the Ford chassis with the 7.3L got 11-15 MPG depending on weight, speed, and shape of the bus. We always got 1-2 MPG better on our buses that were more aerodynamic than the brick shaped buses.

Type 'A' buses on the Ford chassis with the 460 gas V-8 got 5-9 MPG with the honest average closer to 5 MPG than to 9 MPG.

The Type 'A' buses on the Chevy/GMC chassis with the 6.2L diesel V-8 were underpowered, slow, noisy, and not very fuel efficient. 10-14 MPG. The engines were pretty stout but underpowered in a bus.

The Type 'A' buses on the Chevy/GMC chassis with the 6.5L turbo diesel V-8 were marginally better on fuel economy at 12-16 MPG with an honest 14 MPG in there somewhere. The power was better than the 6.2L but it was no barn burner. The new 6.0L gas V-8 has more power and torque than either the 6.2 or the 6.5. The downside with either the 6.2 or the 6.5 is GM stopped supporting any parts for the them some time ago and virtually nothing is available aftermarket because so few G-models came with the turbo diesel. There are some dealer only parts and pieces that do need replacing over time that are getting into unicorn status with prices to match.

[ZyxPanda]

I’ve found a 2002 freightliner diesel with a 5.9 cummins motor it’s a 7 windowed bus would the motor be to under powered?

[boondock]

Does anyone know anything about the Chevy 2014 6.0L V8 OHV 32V TURBO DIESEL engine?

I can't seem to find anything online

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by boondock

Does anyone know anything about the Chevy 2014 6.0L V8 OHV 32V TURBO DIESEL engine?

I can't seem to find anything online

Probably because the 2014 GM 6.0 was not a diesel. It's gas, and I've read from multiple members of this forum it's a really good engine.


GM produced the 6.6 Duramax but I'm not sure it was installed in the cutaway school bus chassis.

[farok]

I have a 2003 Chevy 6.0L gas engine with a 4L80 transmission. It runs great, but I only get an average of just below 10mpg. I do have a 6-window brick of a Collins, which is just about as aerodynamic as a ... brick. It has GVWR of 12,000, and I've got a little over 10,000 in it now. It seems to get about 1mpg better with a tailwind than a headwind. I plan to run 55mph on my next trip instead of 60-65 to see how much better it does (if at all).

For what it's worth, I think the Chevy 6.0L engines past 2006 are tuned to get a bit more power than mine.

Chris

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

GM produced the 6.6 Duramax but I'm not sure it was installed in the cutaway school bus chassis.

I have a 2007 Thomas 5 window on a Chevy Express 3500 with a 6.6 liter Diramax. It gets about 12 mpg on the highway.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by ZyxPanda

I’m thinking about getting a short, mini, small bus but I’m having trouble finding MPG info on the short busses. For everyone that drives a mini Skoolie what’s your average mpg, what are your specs and your driving style? I want to be informed to the best of my ability before I jump in since I’m also considering getting a older van but if the fuel economy is about the same I’ll just get the bus. Thanks in advance.

i manage to get around 10 mpg.

[ol trunt]

My all time best mpg's with my 5.2 l Isuzu turbo diesel with a 6 spd dual lockup tranny was 17. That was on a 200 mile run on a nice flat road. I usually get 15-16 on overall driving with a sharp drop to 14 when I pull the 3000# Toad. My bus weighs just under 10,000# fully loaded and ready to camp.
Jack

[CilantroK]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

i manage to get around 10 mpg.

Hi,

I'm looking for exactly this bus.
But I can't find it anywhere.
How did you find it ?

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Originally Posted by boondock

Does anyone know anything about the Chevy 2014 6.0L V8 OHV 32V TURBO DIESEL engine?

I can't seem to find anything online

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

Probably because the 2014 GM 6.0 was not a diesel. It's gas, and I've read from multiple members of this forum it's a really good engine.

I think boondock is confusing the 6.0 Vortec withe 6.0 PowerJoke.

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

GM produced the 6.6 Duramax but I'm not sure it was installed in the cutaway school bus chassis.

Not common, but they do exist.

I'll have some highway numbers for a 2004 T444E with Allison 2000 combo soon...

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by CilantroK

Hi,

I'm looking for exactly this bus.
But I can't find it anywhere.
How did you find it ?

I'm thinking of selling.