Looking at the van busses

[SassyLass]

Million-mile motor?

...Thats all great info that Cow posted-but a point I've brought up in the past (and did a survey to try to see how many miles everyone puts on a year)-we all use out buses way lighter than they were designed for. People are passing on a certain bus because it doesn't have a "million mile "motor. When all you'll end up putting on the bus a couple of thousand miles a year.

Just to clarify, I personally wasn't asking for a million-mile motor, but for a power package to suit my purposes. I do not plan a use anywhere similar to the usual of a "to and from" school bus that was built for doing a lot of stop-and-go, low speed driving on flat land for relatively short distances with minimal load.

I expect that 15-20,000 miles/year will be more the norm than exception, with most trips fully loaded, at highway speed, and with some big grades thrown in to make it all interesting. ;-)

I really don't want to change out a power package to achieve that, nor do I want to blow up/burn out a power package that was never designed to accommodate my purposes in the first place.

 

[GoMel]

Well, I'm back. And I have looked, and then stopped. What really paralyzed me was the fear that I might get a diesel bus, and have no idea where to take it if it breaks down. I'm no mechanic, and certainly could be fooled rather easily by any type of mechanical issues.

Ultimately, I was looking at a diesel over a gas one because I am hoping to avoid feeding the fossil fuel shell game. I am definitely not going to feel comfortable driving a bigger than van sized bus, as I have driven an rv, and anything beyond 25 feet is overwhelming. It would be nice if I could find something that is at least 15 mpg if that is at all possible. And at that rate I wouldn't mind it being gas ... I guess. Though I really would prefer not to keep feeding the fossil fuel addiction we humans have, or did I mention that already?

That said, there is one Ford on offer locally, and this is it. 2003 Ford Econoline E450 powerstroke Diesel Van School Bus 30Passenger

I just don't know if it's worth this much money. And I don't know if I will be able to carry the biodiesel I buy long enough distances to find the next biodiesel station. I do get that biodiesel is not the best solution either, but I'd prefer it until we get an all electric, solar powered vehicle with enough power to carry me and some furniture around the country for a few years. Thank you for all the info and help.

 

[EastCoastCB]

 

[nat_ster]

Yup, not possible.

Nat

 

[Crazy]

I am hoping to avoid feeding the fossil fuel shell game.

You keep talking about avoiding fossil fuel, have you considered this mode of transportation. Are you aware how biodiesel is made? Methanol mixed with potassium or sodium hydroxide. Not exactly organic oatmeal with maple syrup.

And you can forget about a 25 foot bus getting 15 mph.

 

[GoMel]

Thanks for the facetious sounding info and advice Crazycal. I appreciate it nonetheless. Walking has already been considered. Thanks for the laughs too. So how about a regular gas powered small bus? Is that what you're referring to when you say I can forget about 15mpg?

 

[leadsled01-SKO]

I have a Ford shuttle bus with the 5.4 L gas engine. I get real close to 15 mpg if I keep my foot out of it and the roads aren't hilly and I keep it under 60 mph. Have you considered a shuttle bus?

 

[Crazy]

I have a 1997 Ford regular passenger van with a V10. The fuel gauge drops so fast when I'm driving it, I sometimes think the tank has a leak. Nowhere near 15 mpg.

I had a 2000 Ford E350 SRW with 7.3 PS. That got around 15 mpg.

I also had a 1998 Ford E450 with a 7.3 PS. That was the biggest bus Collins made and it didn't get 15 mpg, maybe 12.

I find it hard to believe any gas powered bus would get anywhere near 15.

 

[GoMel]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Thank you. eastcoastCB!

crazycal, "I had a 2000 Ford E350 SRW with 7.3 PS. That got around 15 mpgl" I am a total nube, and basically pretty clueless. So bare with me. SRW= single rear wheel? And PS= power something? You are speaking of a Diesel engine, yes?

 

[EastCoastCB]

lol
You got it all right... and PS is PowerStroke. Ford's nomenclature for the 7.3 international.

 

[GoMel]

Woot! I got something right. So you got 15mpg on a diesel!?!?! Was there furniture in it?

 

[Crazy]

It looked like this but one less window. I am 5'8" and I had to crouch when I stood up inside.

 

[EastCoastCB]

We occasionally bid on those^^
And of course, regular vans too. Gonna eventually win one and do a weekend camper.

 

[roach711]

Best mileage we've managed so far is 13 on our 2000 7.3l. That's 95% highway at 60 - 65 mph with no wind.

 

[GoMel]

This is disappointing, but important to know. Thank you all. Though I'm still unsure whether it's best to go with gas or diesel. On the one hand, it looks like the diesel might get better mileage. On the other, diese is more expensive and mechanics who are versed in these are not as ubiquitous. I'm hopeful big to drive cross country, wanted to take a year or so to do it. I'd hate to be always on the lookout for a diesel mechanic. But I hear the engines last longer, though not always the trannys. Decisions decisions.

 

[nat_ster]

Diesel 5.9 cummins in a short full size bus is about as simple and low maintenance as it gets.

You can't get a good simple engine in these little one ton crappy buses.

10 miles to the gallon is a Real number that is obtainable. 15 is pure bullcrap from people that don't know how to calculate mileage.

There is simply no discution about gas vs diesel. Gas engines have a ton of parts to break down, and wear out that the 5.9 mechanical cummins won't.

The cummins is like a tractor. Always there to start and work when you need it.

Nat

 

[Crazy]

10 miles to the gallon is a Real number that is obtainable. 15 is pure bullcrap from people that don't know how to calculate mileage.

Amen to that.