Hello from Tahoe

2M

2martins

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2018
Posts
513
Location
Tahoe
Complete newbie here who took a leap of faith with my son and bought a 40' deisel International T444E rear engine bus with 120k miles. It's in Oregon and we need to get it to Tahoe over spring break. It has one seat and seat belt. It drives fine and I'm getting the minor things needed done before driving it but I'm still nervous about driving it without facing checked to see if the automatic snow chains and sanders work, etc.

I figured we'd get a manual and read it before then, lay out the route carefully to avoid problem areas, and take some kind of class on line at least before hand. Any recommendations for the best class on line or near Medford Oregon?

I'm sure there are dozens of things we haven't thought of yet!!!! I'll be reading more over the next week. My son and I are somewhat handy and I have some tools and there are a couple of locals with experience we can ask for help I think. ... Glad to have found this forum!!
 
Welcome !

2martins said:
Complete newbie here who took a leap of faith with my son and bought a 40' deisel International T444E rear engine bus with 120k miles. It's in Oregon and we need to get it to Tahoe over spring break.
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Oh, alright. I can crash with you in Tahoe for a few months to oversee this project, but just until the snow melts....:campfire:
 
Spent 2 weeks in South Tahoe last year while we did our lap of the US. Beautiful place if you can look past the road construction! Saw a big ass bear too.
 
More details and photos

1997 International model 3800 flat nose.
I haven't figured out what kind of transmission it has yet, nor verified whether or not the auto chains work. I live in the mountains so the chains and the auto sanders would be really awesome if they work or I can get them to work.
 

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brokedown said:
Spent 2 weeks in South Tahoe last year while we did our lap of the US. Beautiful place if you can look past the road construction! Saw a big ass bear too.
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In my yard I have seen bears, bear cubs, coyotes, and Bobcats multiple times! I know how to deal with wildlife but I have a LOT to learn about our skoolie.
 
2martins said:
In my yard I have seen bears, bear cubs, coyotes, and Bobcats multiple times! I know how to deal with wildlife but I have a LOT to learn about our skoolie.
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Looks like you are doing just fine. Nice bus. Hope is wasn't you who backed-it into that overhang...

What is the plan for youse guys?
 
So where in Oregon do you have to pick it up? I can make it to Carson City from here in about 10 hours so I don't think you'll have any problems. And that wasn't even going through Trukee.

I recently saw a bobcat kitten that was still walking wabbly. Lots of dogs and cats disappearing.
 
Grants Pass. In my car speeding it only took 6 hours. It should take significantly longer with the bus!! Must learn to drive bus before picking it up...... Suggestions? RV class?
 
2martins said:
Grants Pass. In my car speeding it only took 6 hours. It should take significantly longer with the bus!! Must learn to drive bus before picking it up...... Suggestions? RV class?
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That's where I'm at, lol. Got the money for a bus now, but no bus driving skills. Watching an auction that ends Friday, and if I win I'm gonna find someone to pay and drive it back for me. It's local (45min car ride, not speeding) so I'm gonna ask the delivery guy at work to drive it home for 100, and then see if he can give me some hands on tips
 
2martins said:
Grants Pass. In my car speeding it only took 6 hours. It should take significantly longer with the bus!! Must learn to drive bus before picking it up...... Suggestions? RV class?
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I suggest a Jr. College CDL class. You don't need the license, but they teach you about safety checks and the components. Was a blast- you get to drive an 18 wheeler around town and back-it into loading bay.
 
You bought it. Now drive it like you stole it. Haven't you ever driven a flatbed truck? It's close to the same feeling. I'm not saying to do it if you're uncomfortable in any way. You know best. We just encourage everybody to take that white knuckle adrenalyn filled first 30 minutes of the ride home as the crash course. You'll adapt to it very quickly.

We have a theory that school buses are invisible and you can drive them around even without license plates on them. Someone crossed three states a few years back just seeing how far they could make it because they couldn't get a temp tag. Insurance is always a good idea. It shows effort.
 
Robin97396 said:
We have a theory that school buses are invisible and you can drive them around even without license plates on them. Someone crossed three states a few years back just seeing how far they could make it because they couldn't get a temp tag. Insurance is always a good idea. It shows effort.
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I may or may not have driven a bus from Texas to Illinois with no plates and blew through every toll. :tongue:
 
2martins said:
Grants Pass. In my car speeding it only took 6 hours. It should take significantly longer with the bus!! Must learn to drive bus before picking it up...... Suggestions? RV class?
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Little old ladies drive these things in the dark, narrow streets, and screaming kids...you'll do fine

Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk
 
Sounds right at about six hours, because Grants Pass is about 4 hours south of me. That is a nice drive and I'd expect the pas to be clear this time of year, and you can look at the traffic cams online. You know they should be clear, provided we don't get the dreaded late freeze after the plants start budding from the current warm temps. Odd weather we've been having.

Good luck with your choice. Be careful about listing to much information here before the auction closes.
 
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