New to the board

[Wleach11]

Hello my name is Bill. I just purchased a 1988 Blue Bird 66 passenger bus with a 366 and a 5 speed with a 2 speed rear end. I picked her up from a church school who put a new GM 366 in her 15,000 miles ago. I paid 2,000 and she had a full tank of gas.

I plan on building a camper/toy hauler out of her. I was looking at carrying 6-8 ATV's on the roof. Has anyone else done this. I looked around and haven't seen any pictures or post of it being done. I was planning on using a hoist mounted on the roof with a winch and having a platform with rails on top.

I'll have pictures up soon. I picked up a beat up camper for parts over the weekend for free.

I'm sure more questions to come.

 

[GreyEagle-SKO]

Check this one out http://houston.craigslist.org/rvs/2523119410.html
Houston area

1991 Ward 71 passenger Turbo Allison Diesel School Bus. This bus has been remodeled. Seats have been removed to convert it to a toy Hauler/Camper. This bus has a remote leather bench which folds down to a bed. It has airconditioning and the front 1/3 has been extensively insultated to keep the cab cool for traveling and sleeping. Area for bunk beds. Back area has shelves and good storage. Built in heavy duty ramps. Back door customized for wide loads. This bus is perfect for those wanting to take ATV's, dirt bikes, motorcycles out for a weekend or a road trip. Perfect for a deer lease. Drive up and camp. Lots of room in the back for your equipment/gear.
Very econimical getting 11-12 MPG.

Thank you for your interest.

Asking $7000 cash and local pick up only. will consider reasonable offers.

 

[GreyEagle-SKO]

Towing a trailer would be easier, probably less expensive
just food for thought

 

[Wleach11]

Towing a trailer would be easier, probably less expensive
just food for thought

This will be what I do at first. Just ideas in the head right now and a parts gathering.

 

[lornaschinske]

But, unlike in TN, you have to tag those trailers!

 

[TheRainbowBoxer]

Sounds like a bit of a hassle getting them up and down, but on the positive side, it can double as a place to hang out when you are parked. There are several busses on here with decks. I like "Der Bus" for a good example of a sweet deck. http://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5517&p=71976&hilit=albus#p71976

 

[Wleach11]

Sounds like a bit of a hassle getting them up and down, but on the positive side, it can double as a place to hang out when you are parked. There are several busses on here with decks. I like "Der Bus" for a good example of a sweet deck. http://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5517&p=71976&hilit=albus#p71976

I saw that and that is what gave me the idea. I thought after the atv's were off I could throw up a couple of porch umbrellas and and a few chairs. Good If I go over to Kansas Speedway or any other event.

 

[Wleach11]

But, unlike in TN, you have to tag those trailers!

I already have a tagged car trailer so no biggie I guess.

 

[The_Stuff]

tried to post earlier but it wouldnt let me...


anyhow ive seen buses on here with patio decks up top. shouldnt be too hard to make. just getting the beasts up there..

 

[Diddly]

Given that the average bus is 10-11ft tall, and the average atv is 4-5ft tall would leave me pretty uneasy at rural bridges/overpasses and gas stations. :shock:

 

[Wleach11]

Given that the average bus is 10-11ft tall, and the average atv is 4-5ft tall would leave me pretty uneasy at rural bridges/overpasses and gas stations. :shock:

My bus is 9 foot 6 inches, None of our 4 wheelers are over 4 foot tall. 13 foot 6 inches is the normal semi height.

 

[Wleach11]

So I have the seats all out. Insulation and sub floor mostly down. I've picked up an apartment size fridge, an apartment size gas stove with propane conversion, a stove hood with a 12 volt fan, a roof top a/c unit, an amplified TV antenna, a LCD tv and wall mount.

Now to start on the electrical system. I'm going to need an inverter/chager. I have a 50 amp service box I got off Ebay. What inverter of choice? How is wired in? Does everyone use a transfer switch? I have a generator I was going to put under the bus also. I think the 120 side scares me the most in this project.

Thanks for any help. I'll get pics up soon.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Between the 5 speed tranny and 2-speed rear end, I'm thinking the mpg you get out of that 366 should be pretty decent for a rig that size. Any figures yet?