Anyone in MA/CT/RI on this board?

[gumby223]

Anybody in NewEngland on this board?
I would like to find folks local to me if possible.

 

[Jarlaxle]

New Englander here.

 

[Ryan Grimm]

Concord MA here

I'm in Concord MA, but will be moving to Hudson for a few months. I'm looking to buy and build a skoolie, thinking of living in it while I do intinerant timberframing.

I'm a handyman/timberframer/do-it-all guy, so the work shouldn't be TOO hard. The one thing that worries me is the learning curve on the bus mechanicals. I've been a car/motorcycle mechanic, engine rebuilder, machinist.
Any advice?

So far I've been paying attention, looks like a BB or Carpenter will better suit my 6'2" height.
And a bus with a DT466 is the way to go, preferably with a stick for milage, yes?

Advice always welcome.

 

[TravelingMan-SKO]

It's just a long truck. I think only possible worry you would have is distributing the weight.

 

[vonslatt]

I'm just off 495 in MA.

When I was looking for my bus I too was put off by the mysteries of diesel engines and air brakes. So, I went to the library and got a couple of books and read about poor Rudolph Diesel and his engine. An interesting read, and interesting too to read about his relationship with a previous employer of mine, Robert Bosch.

I was still a little wary of a rear engine design, but I really wanted the quieter ride of the RE.

Once you have spent a little quality time with your bus you will feel much more comfortable with it. I spent a bunch of time just going over the engine compartment identifying everything I saw.

If you've got the skills to rebuild a car engine you have the skills to work on a bus - you just need some larger wrenches!