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08-04-2019, 09:15 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Towing Hardware
Hello all,
I was wondering if people had any suggestions for towing hardware. I'm planning to tow my Chevy Express van, and I have already bought a driveshaft disconnect for it, but I could use help with a tow bar selection and/or any other hardware to tow a vehicle.
Thanks,
Daniel Perry
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08-05-2019, 12:57 AM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,856
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built Bus
Chassis: Freightliner FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
Rated Cap: 71 Passenger- 30,000 lbs.
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You might want to post the make/model of the vehicle that will be doing the towing.
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08-05-2019, 01:02 AM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
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I talked with the people at etrailer.com. I talked also with Curt and Draw Tite. Etrailer was by far the most helpful and knowledgeable. In my case it was for exact dimensions for an uncommon installation.
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08-05-2019, 05:55 AM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Native
You might want to post the make/model of the vehicle that will be doing the towing.
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I have a `96 blue bird RE and I'd be towing a 2010 Chevy express 3500
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08-05-2019, 06:31 AM
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#5
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: The West
Posts: 1,210
Year: 1998
Coachwork: MCI
Chassis: 102 EL3
Engine: DD 60
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Wow - a ~6,000 lbs toad!! I'd suggest considering a much smaller/lighter tow vehicle as well as one that doesn't take nearly the work/expense to make towable. The weight of the toad vs. the weight of the towing vehicle is a very good indicator of how well the vehicle will tow.
The RV community has towing down to a science. I've been towing my Jeep Wrangler for quite a few years and many thousands of miles. I have a Ready Brute Elite tow bar that makes connect and disconnect super quick and easy. I mounted a Blue Ox baseplate to the Jeep. In my case, an additional wiring harness needed to be added as well as the cable to the brake pedal. All that varies based on vehicle on what you use for a supplemental braking system.
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08-05-2019, 07:01 AM
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#6
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New Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Well,
I have 7 kids, so I need a large vehicle when bus is stationary.
I'll look into your suggestions, thanks.
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08-05-2019, 07:07 AM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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What did you use to add a hitch to your bus?
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08-05-2019, 08:03 AM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Montana
Posts: 581
Year: 2000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Queueless
What did you use to add a hitch to your bus?
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I went to a local welder who installed a hitch and welded it to the frame. I’d recommend that route.
__________________
- Roger (Dog.Rescuer)
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08-05-2019, 10:29 AM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: The West
Posts: 1,210
Year: 1998
Coachwork: MCI
Chassis: 102 EL3
Engine: DD 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Queueless
What did you use to add a hitch to your bus?
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I did lots of measuring, talking to welders, and browsing for options. Eventually the folks at e-Trailer were helpful in finding a hitch that would come close to fitting. I ordered it, made the necessary modifications, and bolted it on. My frame is stainless steel and has lots of electronics so welding was not a very good option. Figuring out the wiring is then another project... 
What is the gross weight of your bus?
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08-05-2019, 10:32 AM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo
All that varies based on vehicle on what you use for a supplemental braking system.
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Is supplemental braking a must?
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08-05-2019, 10:35 AM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: The West
Posts: 1,210
Year: 1998
Coachwork: MCI
Chassis: 102 EL3
Engine: DD 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Queueless
Is supplemental braking a must?
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As always, nothing is simple...
Towing Laws | Brake Buddy®
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08-05-2019, 11:34 AM
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#12
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Queueless
Is supplemental braking a must?
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Yes. In all states. Weight of toad varies, but 6000 will apply just about everywhere. Break away system required just about everywhere too.
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08-05-2019, 12:05 PM
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#13
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Queueless
Is supplemental braking a must?
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that depends on what your tow vehicle is, how large the toad is etc - check your local DOT for that info
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08-05-2019, 04:18 PM
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#15
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Queueless
Well,
I have 7 kids, so I need a large vehicle when bus is stationary.
I'll look into your suggestions, thanks.
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HAHAH I hear ya buddy, my 5th is on it's way in Nov. I too have a 1 ton van, I just made a trailer out of a 30' class a motor home frame that I scrapped out. Tow bar just didn't seem safe enough and I can put some cargo on the trailer also and well the van weights 5800 empty and I know it will be loaded with junk likely too.
I'm also trying to work out a hitch situation but I think I'm going to use one I pulled off a motorhome (rated 5k but I'm going to reinforce it) then just make mounts, bolt and then weld it up together.
__________________
If you would like to check out my website that has all sort of information especially for the T444E/7.3PSD engines check out www.PatrickTheSalvageGuy.com I've got helpful downloads and articles as well as a link to my YT for other how to videos mainly on the F series trucks.
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08-14-2019, 03:43 PM
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#16
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 17
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I too would like to know what kind of hitch you add to your bus? 1998 bluebird all american
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08-14-2019, 04:19 PM
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#17
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Satellite Beach Fl
Posts: 16
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Rated Cap: 65
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Hiway. Flat tows my 2 door Jeep with no brake system at all no problem in the mountains tows great
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08-15-2019, 12:04 AM
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#18
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 271
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Bolting a hitch on be sure you use locktite! And tighten it up with an impact wrench.
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08-15-2019, 10:28 AM
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#19
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtdoctor
Bolting a hitch on be sure you use locktite! And tighten it up with an impact wrench.
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Would grade 8 bolts be needed?
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08-15-2019, 11:54 AM
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#20
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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 PNW_Steve
Would grade 8 bolts be needed?
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Absolutely, you should be using grade 8 hardware on any of the tow hardware.
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