New - Looking for Advice

[clarkcrystalann]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to this forum and exploring various skoolie options, but I'm unsure which buses would best meet our needs. We want to convert a bus that can tow a 24-foot trailer with two side-by-sides. Many of the places we visit are in mountainous areas, so we want to ensure that whatever we choose can handle everything we need it to do.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Rucker]

Welcome. First thing, buses have big overhangs on the back end, and typically have poor mounting points, so two things to look for, a smaller bus (perhaps), to reduce the 'swing', and what the frame looks like right at the rear end.

Plenty of folks have towed various and sundry, so it can be done.

Second, engine and drive train makes a huge difference. Others here know far more than I and may chime in. I know that gearing and differential are huge factors. Some buses won't go above a certain speed because of gearing, and other buses may tow but you'll be pulling at 35 mpg up grades. Frankly this may be the number 1 thing, not the second.

How many of you are there? Are you truly set on a skoolie? I have a shuttle bus, which has oodles of power, but they are smaller.

 

[clarkcrystalann]

Welcome. First thing, buses have big overhangs on the back end, and typically have poor mounting points, so two things to look for, a smaller bus (perhaps), to reduce the 'swing', and what the frame looks like right at the rear end.

Plenty of folks have towed various and sundry, so it can be done.

Second, engine and drive train makes a huge difference. Others here know far more than I and may chime in. I know that gearing and differential are huge factors. Some buses won't go above a certain speed because of gearing, and other buses may tow but you'll be pulling at 35 mpg up grades. Frankly this may be the number 1 thing, not the second.

How many of you are there? Are you truly set on a skoolie? I have a shuttle bus, which has oodles of power, but they are smaller.

We arent truly set on a skoolie but mainly exploring the best option for our needs and I've always wanted to convert a bus, just think its cool. But really open to all options.

 

[nikitis]

Simplest form for me is Vans are better for drivability, Buses are better for room and living in.

You can achieve both with buses, but only one with a Van.

 

[Slapdash]

Welcome to the Loony Bin!

Echoing above what @nikitis and @Rucker said about swing and size and overhang and all that good stuff. I have a shortie, van-based 5-window, which has been great for towing. It has a 10K plus towing capacity, but I've only tugged a 2-kayak DIY trailer so far. Next up, rally car.

I've towed with a GMC Topkick, 26' moving truck, regular vans and pickups, and this one tows very similar to 'regular' stuff like that, so perhaps a shorter bus/shuttle might be easier. As far as gearing, with my tiny trailer, mine cruises very well at 75 mph, but I do slow down in the mountains (New England mountains, not Rockies), but it handles it just fine. Mine is a dually with the 6.0 gas LS too, but has plenty of power for my needs.

Good luck!

 

[Carl635]

Maybe find a rear engine bus? Those don't have much overhang, I think someone on here has one that they put a trailer hitch on. And you might look for one with an 8.3 Cummins if you are wanting to tow with it.

 

[LargeMarge-TC]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to this forum and exploring...
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

.
Acquire a likely candidate.
Toss in some car-camping gear.
Go have fun.
.
Any vehicle plusses and minuses will become apparent during your use.
.
.
[edited to add]
We built our rig in 2003.
Over two decades full-time live-aboard, it is constantly evolving.
Each change fit our RequirementsStatement in that moment:

ExpeditionVehicle build

2003, my Very Significant Other got sick. . Immediately, we wrote our goals on a brown grocery bag. Pretty high on the list -- 'holding hands while we watch the sun rise'. . Naturally, we acquired a 1997 Ford commercial truck to convert to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle. I quickly removed...

vanlivingforum.com

 

[nikitis]

Hitches on RE Models can be done but it's not bolt and play. You often have to re-enforce the frame some first which isn't terribly hard to do if you know and understand anything about Chassis. And then you have to measure the width as buses oddly have slimmer widths from C-Channel to C-Channel than even basic Ford 150's.