lurking in the shadows

[littlesolidkick]

Hi all,
I guess its time in introduce myself. I'm Tyler. I've been lurking around for about a year. Bought my bus in September of 2016. Drove it home from Seattle. It was a school lunch bus for about 10 years and sat for 2 more before i got it. The plan is to build a toterhome out of it.

Glad to be a part of the group.
Thanks
Tyler

 

[Robin97396]

Welcome Tyler
You sure put some time in on that paint job. That is one heap of seats in there. Does that say CrisCraft on the side. I couldn't quite make it out, but a floating bus would add a new twist to this site.

Looks like you're planning on putting a toy hauling area on the back end. I elected to put toy storage in the back third of my 26' bus. To much road grime on a long trip judging by the mess on the back of the bus, but then I live on a gravel road and spend a lot of time in the woods. Have you considered leaving the roof extended over the back porch?

I like it so far.

 

[tobeamiss]

Sweet! I wish you loads of success!
Robin....what is a floating bus?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[Robin97396]

Here's a cheap one, but there are some floating RVs they make now.

 

[littlesolidkick]

Thanks for the greetings.

Welcome Tyler
You sure put some time in on that paint job. That is one heap of seats in there. Does that say CrisCraft on the side. I couldn't quite make it out, but a floating bus would add a new twist to this site.

It says "Campus Cafe". Thats all ABS plastic they mounted to the side when it became a lunch bus. I guess in Washington they do a summer lunch program. So it was only driven between June and August for 10 years.

The plan is to put a semi 5th wheel plate on the back. I have a 25 foot trailer that has air suspension and air brakes I plan on towing with it. The trailer was used in Yellowstone as a tour trailer. It had stadium seating all the way down it. Super weird but I like it.

 

[Robin97396]

Wouldn't that give you a mighty long rig?

What do I know. I passed up traveling light a long time ago.

 

[cadillackid]

he'll have to cut it off.. no way you want a 5th wheel hitch behind the rear wheels...
-Christopher

 

[Robin97396]

I believe he's setting up a toy hauler, and that might work if the trailer isn't to heavy. For me it gets to involved with a trailer behind a fairly big vehicle. I decided to get rid of a bunch of stuff instead of taking it with me.

I've thought of doing that before, but the bus suspension isn't really built well enough to haul heavy loads. I'm also afraid of the increased demand for air from a trailer. I also think an actual fifth wheel hitch would raise eyebrows because it's leaning toward commercial grade equipment and at some time someone will try to haul a commercial trailer because it will fit on that hitch. I still like the idea.

 

[littlesolidkick]

he'll have to cut it off.. no way you want a 5th wheel hitch behind the rear wheels...
-Christopher

That is dead right. On my original post i put my photo-chopped mock-up picture(second one down) to give you an idea of the plan. Bumper is right behind the axle.

 

[littlesolidkick]

he'll have to cut it off.. no way you want a 5th wheel hitch behind the rear wheels...
-Christopher

I believe he's setting up a toy hauler, and that might work if the trailer isn't to heavy. For me it gets to involved with a trailer behind a fairly big vehicle. I decided to get rid of a bunch of stuff instead of taking it with me.

I've thought of doing that before, but the bus suspension isn't really built well enough to haul heavy loads. I'm also afraid of the increased demand for air from a trailer. I also think an actual fifth wheel hitch would raise eyebrows because it's leaning toward commercial grade equipment and at some time someone will try to haul a commercial trailer because it will fit on that hitch. I still like the idea.

It will be a bit long. Should be about 55 feet bumper to bumper.

As for the taxing on the air system and suspension, The trailer has its own air storage tank. It holds about 15 gallons. It should supplement the buses system nicely. I'm hoping the suspension will do. All it will be towing is a couple of light rock crawlers and maybe a hot rod or two.

The thing that I'm most worried about is the frame rails of the bus. Both my Peterbilt 210 and International S1800(originally hooked to the trailer) had extra thick frame where the hitch went.

I never thought about anyone lifting an eyebrow to the 5th wheel plate. That's a good perspective. Then again wasn't a school bus considered commercial grade equipment originally?:biggrin::biggrin:

Thanks for all the feed back. I like to hear what all of you think.

 

[cadillackid]

the air compressor in your bus can easily handle a trailer, the big issue is that to be Legit you should install a secondary air tank and spring brake apply.. just liek a big rig.. you shouldnt be running your trailer brakes and bus brakes on the same loop.

the compressors themselves are 13-15 PSI on school busses depending on which one you have, which is plenty to handle the bus and trailer even both having air ride.

you'll probably want to install gladhands just like class-8 stuff has.
-Christopher

 

[Robin97396]

I believe a bus is considered a medium duty truck rather than commercial.

Do you think you'll be able to make turns ok with that trailer in town?

 

[leadsled01-SKO]

What do you haul on the trailer? I love custom toterhomes......

 

[littlesolidkick]

I believe a bus is considered a medium duty truck rather than commercial.

Do you think you'll be able to make turns ok with that trailer in town?

Should be fine. The wheel base of my bus is about 250". Most of the class 8 trucks I've seen with a sleepers have 280"-320" wheel base. As long as i can get 40*-50* of steering it will be fine.

What do you haul on the trailer? I love custom toterhomes......

Ill be towing rock crawlers and possibly hot rods. Nothing too heavy. I've also always liked the idea of a toterhome. Something cool about them. Here is a picture of the Suzuki Samurai I built.

 

[littlesolidkick]

the air compressor in your bus can easily handle a trailer, the big issue is that to be Legit you should install a secondary air tank and spring brake apply.. just liek a big rig.. you shouldnt be running your trailer brakes and bus brakes on the same loop.

the compressors themselves are 13-15 PSI on school busses depending on which one you have, which is plenty to handle the bus and trailer even both having air ride.

you'll probably want to install gladhands just like class-8 stuff has.
-Christopher

Its almost like you seen the system i have mapped out for this. It will be some work but if i cant make it right i wont use the trailer. Simple as that.

 

[cadillackid]

Its almost like you seen the system i have mapped out for this. It will be some work but if i cant make it right i wont use the trailer. Simple as that.

I shouldve corrected my Typo.. compressors are 13-15 CFM.. they are standard governor of 120PSI off, 90PSI on. like most any air brake truck..

im guessing you probably have a Bendix Tu-Flo 501 (12-13 CFM) or Tu-Flo 550 (13-15 CFM).

there are others non-Bendix.. I just happen to see that 90% of school busses are using Bendix /BW Brake systems..

-Christopher