Anything to gain by making your bus a non-dullie

[Gyva]

I have a 1982 superior 7 window (down one side) bus, and its more the medium sized bus. but its running on only single wheel rear wheels. I have the other 2 wheels inside the bus but didnt know if there was an advantage to running only one wheel back there instead of both.. I would think running them as a dully would be a lot safer... let me know what you think... wish I could add a image for you... do you got to have a tag to upload images like from photobucket?



Mike... [/img]

 

[the_experience03]

I lost a tire once and had to run on it flat for almost 30 miles. The difference in sway was scary. The bus just didn't handle well without the duals back there.

Here's another thing to look at...the rear axle rating that the manufacturers use to determine which axle to use in a particular application is based on it running duals. Most often, the limiting factor in an axle's strength is not the tubes, shafts, bearings, etc, but rather the load range of the tires. I would venture to guess you are probably far exceeding what the tires are rated for in a single application out back. Before you drive the bus more as is, please please please double check that for your safety and the safety of those around you. That said. I think you'd enjoy driving it better with the duals anyway as it isn't nearly such a handful.

 

[Gyva]

havet sailed her yet, this is how I bought it.. I plan on putting the duals back on after hearing what you have written... thanks... humm now where to get a jack that big, dont think my highlift is going to be able to pull this one off ha ha....


Mike...

 

[the_experience03]

A hi-life can take some of the strain off so your 5 ton bottle jack uner the axle can stand a chance at getting the thing up high enough to get some cribbing under there. Just make sure that you alternate both jacks and take your time. Otherwise you'll shear the pins in the hi-lift, have to drive to town, pick up a rebuild kit, spend the next hour trying to get it apart because it sheared and jammed, etc etc etc.....don't ask me how I know......

 

[Gyva]

I'll be safe and buy the right jack for the job, but I can see how that would work too.... I've bent my highlift jacking stumps outta the ground, never seen the pins shear off before..... crazy...



Mike...

 

[lapeer20m]

you can buy a 12 ton bottle jack for $20....seems like a pretty goood investment to me.

one thing to look for is one with a decent stroke... I bought one that only had about a 5" lift, and that was pretty worthless. My new one has at least a 10" lift and works much much better

 

[Elliot Naess]

Weigh each end of the bus on a truck scale. Read the weight limit on the side
of the tire. Axle weight needs to be less than the tire limit x 2. My 40 foot Blue Bird
could theoretically be run on just two tires in the back without exceding the tire
limits. But why? :!: Take advantage of the "flat proofing" that the duals offer.
Check them every time you stop -- just give each rear tire a bump with your hand
or your foot or a hammer or other club. One day you may find a flat -- and you
have already made it to town and didn't even know you had a flat. Cheap insurance.

 

[the_experience03]

Unless you're like the poor independent logger we were behind on our way north from Duluth yesterday. He los both tires on the rearmost axle of a trailer loaded down with cord lengths.

 

[BBTC2K]

personally, I would be leery of super singles on a school bus conversion. They may look cool, but where will you find one in the middle of the night when it blows? I much prefer the duals...mounted to Alcoa rims

shawn

 

[oldog12]

I agree with Shawn... Once again, its a case of, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"...

 

[the_experience03]

Too bad a set of Alcoas would cost me twice as much as my bus. Heck...simulators for my wheels cost around $500. Maybe I'll try the metallic silver Rustoleum. On second thought, gloss black looks good too.

 

[Steve-SKO]

I used the chrome Rustoleum paint on my old wheels and I think they came out great.

 

[oldog12]

Chrome Rustoleum huh... Looks darn good.... Hmmmmmm.....