Is an LPG skoolie a bad idea?

[SourKettle]

I'm currently looking at a couple school buses for my conversion. They are in amazing shape, one with only 72000 miles, and I'm pretty sure I can get them for a steal. I've tried researching LPG buses but there is really limited info on the web about them. It's a 2014 blue bird vision running the 6.8l lpg conversion. Any thoughts on converting one of these, or any known issues?

 

[DoubleO7]

Look around for where you might get the tanks filled.
Not every propane grill tank filling station is equipped or willing to fill a vehicle tank they can't weigh.
And the ones that can or are willing are open 8 till 5 M-F only, etc.
Far travelling takes a lot of research to insure you can make to the next filling station.
If you have a 1000 gallon propane tank for your house, you can maybe install your own filling station.
Can be difficult to start when below freezing.
Vehicle tanks have to be requalified something like every five years or so per D.O.T. regulations.

 

[SourKettle]

Thanks for the reply. Luckily I have a few propane fueling stations close to me that take large vehicles. Would something like a block heater help with the cold starts?

 

[john61ct-SKO]

Warm up the tank, gently.

Can always refil from a BBQ tank in a pinch, just learn to do so safely.

Dodging the tax man though...

 

[o1marc]

While there's a couple of fill stations near you, do you plan ever to go a distance. Propane can be a PITA to acquire compared to diesel fuel. While propane is cheaper than diesel, it makes considerably less torque

 

[Sehnsucht-SKO]

I'm with o1marc, the uncertainty of fueling options along a route might become a limiting factor in your travel plans. LPG seems like a good solution for fleets that return to the yard daily but less practical for one-way or multi day journeys that outrange the fuel capacity. It's the same limitation that's going to make electric semi trucks attractive for LTLs and final mile services but not long haul truckers. Even if the infrastructure is there, no one's sitting around for hours waiting for a recharge. At least as far as I know refill time isn't a factor with LPG, it should be comparable to diesel fuel in terms of refill time but if it's busy there could still be a line because there's not as many of these pumps as there are diesel pump lanes.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

There is no place LPG is not readily available.

If you limit yourself to autogas stations maybe but again that's just a tax distinction.

 

[s2mikon]

I have had a few LPG powered vehicles and found that just about every medium to large truck stop had LPG. Also small farm communities also had LPG stations too.

 

[WIbluebird]

They are so slow they can't get out of their own way. Not particularly ideal for skoolie usage, particularly if you travel a lot.

Some parts of the country may have a handful of LPG vehicle stations but they're a rarity in most areas.

Most of those cheap propane buses you see have expired tanks that cost a small fortune to replace, hence the reason they get auctioned off.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

I thought fixed vehicle LPG tanks were ASME regulated?

Only the DOT-spec'd ones have inspection dates, I thought those were just the portable ones?

I never heard of "expiration date".

 

[Rucker]

I'm currently looking at a couple school buses for my conversion. They are in amazing shape, one with only 72000 miles, and I'm pretty sure I can get them for a steal. I've tried researching LPG buses but there is really limited info on the web about them. It's a 2014 blue bird vision running the 6.8l lpg conversion. Any thoughts on converting one of these, or any known issues?

Vehicles running LPG are usually used within a very specific area-like a city, or some other area where LPG fill locations have already been set up.

Totally useless as a skoolie unless you never intend to explore, or are willing to deal with the limitations.

You will never get money back out of that vehicle, if that's a consideration.

 

[s2mikon]

Pretty hard to siphon gas from a LPG truck!

 

[peteg59]

As mentioned, there are limitations on where you can fill up a school bus LPG tank. They're not on every street corner or highway exit.
So, depending on your anticipated usage the short answer to your question: Yes...

 

[s2mikon]

Here is some info on this system https://www.roushcleantech.com/wp-c.../pdf/ROUSHcleantech_BB_TrainingPowerpoint.pdf

 

[sportyrick]

There cheap because they can't give them away. I scanned the Roush article and didn't see anything about aging tank certification. I would look into that, I looked into CNG and basically you have to buy a new tank every 10 years because of high pressures, they are composite not steel.

 

[s2mikon]

I used to install LPG conversions 45 years ago and ASME tanks did not have to be re tested then. Those were vapor systems not at all like the Roush systems. Those are liquid injection. I have driven ford pickups with the Roush and they run just as good as gasoline engines.

 

[aippolito]

There cheap because they can't give them away. I scanned the Roush article and didn't see anything about aging tank certification. I would look into that, I looked into CNG and basically you have to buy a new tank every 10 years because of high pressures, they are composite not steel.

The OP asked about LPG, which is relatively low-pressure to CNG.

One big advantage to LPG is that you almost never need an oil change and engine wear is extremely low.

 

[schoolbuscraig]

I just seen this post. I work on these buses every day, the 6.8l with the Roush system is fantastic. It might be a little harder to find LP in some places, but others it’s not terrible. There is a lot of information on where to get fuel on the Alternative Fuel Data Centers page on where to get fuel. The Roush system meets OBD2 requirements, you can access some engine data with a generic scan tool.
There are always pros and cons to any engine, everyone has there own opinion of what is a good choice for engine options. Please feel free to reach out to me with questions. I currently have 56 propane powered school buses, with 22 of them being the Bluebird 6.8l Ford with the Roush Fuel System
https://afdc.energy.gov/stations/#/find/nearest

 

[sportyrick]

I was and I guess some others like me were thinking of the older buses with converted diesel engines not specificly designed LPG engines by Roush. So there is someone in your corner that knows what they are talking about, schoolbuscraig makes it sound like thats the way to go.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

I currently have 56 propane powered school buses

Any based on GM 8.1L?