Bus Tires size?

[universalschoolie]

Hey all-
I need to know how big bus tires are, and how much room they take up inside the bus. I'm looking to convert a bus but haven't been able to see a real bus yet; but am designing nonetheless. Am looking at 40' by 9-10' buses, older model with front wheels under the hood area. Any drawings or blueprints for bus schematics/dimensions would be greatly appreciated. :Thanx::biggrin:

 

[Brewerbob]

Hey all-
I need to know how big bus tires are, and how much room they take up inside the bus. I'm looking to convert a bus but haven't been able to see a real bus yet; but am designing nonetheless. Am looking at 40' by 9-10' buses, older model with front wheels under the hood area. Any drawings or blueprints for bus schematics/dimensions would be greatly appreciated. :Thanx::biggrin:

First, welcome. Finally have my bus but still a newbie too.

Second, no you aren't. School buses are 8' wide. Motorcouch buses are 102" wide. Anything wider than 102" is an oversize load.

Third, dog nose buses seem to be eaiser and cheaper to find but a flat nose gives you more living space for your 40' than a dog nose bus. You lose 5(?) feet with the hood.

Attached is a 2003 Thomas. Can't seem to get my hands on a Blue Bird drawing which is the bus I ended up with.

 

[Brewerbob]

Oh something else to consider is a roof raise. The Thomas buses tilt inward at the base of the windows. Blue Bird and International are straight.

 

[Robin97396]

Welcome universalschoolie

What Brewerbob said is right. Additionally, my wheels don't take up room inside the bus. Are you talking about the spare tire? I do keep my spare inside, but that's because I haven't built an external spare tire hanger underneath yet.

So you're wanting a dog nose bus? That's not as adventurous as driving an forward control bus. You would loose a few feet of interior living space. These FE buses do have a different feel while driving until you get on highways and freeways.

Since you've got time before choosing a bus I'd suggest talking to folks here about the various types of buses before making a purchase. Most of us change our minds pretty often based on new information.

Either way, have fun with it.

 

[Robin97396]

Ok, my mistake. I believe you're talking about the wheel wells intruding into the living area?

Do you realize some buses don't have wheel wells that protrude into the living space? If you get a special needs bus you'll have a completely flat floor as well as a wheelchair lift to get your wood stove in and out of the bus. It's not a big deal but sometimes the wheel wells do get in the way during builds. Wheel wells do determine where some of your interior items will be out of necessity. i.e. closets over wheel wells.
It's a learning experience. Dive in. You'll enjoy it, eventually.

 

[Brewerbob]

Are you talking about the spare tire? I do keep my spare inside, but that's because I haven't built an external spare tire hanger underneath yet.

Robin,
Because dimensions/sketches/etc. I think he's talking interior intrusion of wheel wells.

Note to self: I need to figure out what size lug nuts I have and buy that size impact socket.

Since you've got time before choosing a bus I'd suggest talking to folks here about the various types of buses before making a purchase. Most of us change our minds pretty often based on new information.

Uni,
This. But better still, ... go get dirty!! Find a local dealer and crawl around on, in, and under their buses. Don't worry if they want $15k for a rust bucket. You aren't there to buy. You are there to take pics, measurements, and just get a general feel of this bus would be great for ___ but this other bus is better because ___. Go find a Blue Bird, Thomas, and International. If you're left coast and can afford those funny buses go check them out too.

 

[Brewerbob]

i.e. closets over wheel wells.

Or the aforementioned wood stove.:wink1:

 

[Robin97396]

I've seen some very clever uses of wheel well areas on this site, so much that you don't realize there is any intrusion into the living area.

I find these flat floor buses so much easier to work with. Fewer limitations. If you're planning to replace the floor, everyone complains about how hard it is to get the L-track removed from the floor. I don't think they were meant to come out, but grinders work.

There are literally so many options for buses, most of which we learn about after purchasing our own buses. That second and third bus are going to be much easier.

 

[Brewerbob]

That second and third bus are going to be much easier.

Spoken like a true addict.

 

[Robin97396]

Addicted, oh yeah! I've got two older gasser shorties still setting here in the yard. They're like storage containers, but you can drive them.

I like this TC1000, but nothing drives like a shorty. I really don't need this much space just for myself and my dual sport bike in the back. I'm getting weary of the parking issues with this 26' bus. I have owned a 40' bus previously, but there aren't enough corn fields to turn around in. Parking is a constant issue if you're in town.

The thing is the short buses get nearly the same mileage as this medium bus. That plus I really don't want to do the insulation process again. It depends on what kind of deal I might find in the future. But yeah, still addicted.

 

[Brewerbob]

I have owned a 40' bus previously, but there aren't enough corn fields to turn around in. Parking is a constant issue if you're in town.

Haven't driven mine much in town but I fit in 2 Walmart spots with a slight overhang front and rear. Navigating the parking lots is more trouble than finding a parking spot.

If I'm ever living out of this one, I could see buying a shorter second bus for an RV. Probably whatever the shortest flat-nose is.

 

[Njsurf73]

I have a 72 pax approximately 34 ft re. I haven't had too much issue getting around town. Parking in big lots is easy... Just a longer walk. But if you want to grab a rock star spot right in front of the cafe... Not happening lol

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[RD501]

According to a quote that I just got, the Overall Diameter of 40.00 and Section Width of 10.00 equated to a SKU Desc:10R-22.5/14 M-170 TL RB (tubeless) and also a SKU Desc:1000R-20/14 R-1200 TT RB (Tubed) and now I see that this is not relevant at all to the question (tried to delete) But I needed to know this, I'm borrowing these 22.5 wheels and tires will replace my 10.00-20 Wheels and 30+ year old tires, before driving my rig home from Bozeman, MT.