Recommendations wanted!

[Ceefiveceefive]

Hello all!
Im looking for suggestions of what to start looking for to fit my needs. What specific minimums should I be looking for in a bus to purchase used for engine and tranny?

1. Largest possible bus length desired - no less than 37 feet

2. Travel will generally be sporadic and varied. It will range from staying in a location every 2 to 3 months to sometimes 6 months at a time before moving on to the next location.

3. Locations will all be in lower 48 states generally within 100 miles of a major urban area.

4. Would want to tow a car if possible

5. Will experience all climate extremes north and south.

What other considerations do I need to keep in mind?

 

[o1marc]

With that criteria I would look for a Cummins 8.3 if it's an RE and a Navistar DT466E if it's an FE. The Allison 3060 is probably your top choice for trannies in a bus that size, you don't want an Allison AT545. You would be looking for a bus older than an 04, due to problematic EPA regluations that did nothing but add problems and expense to the motor. 37 is only one size smaller than the largest you can get at 40', 14 windows as opposed to 15.

Then a complete gutting of the inside floors, walls and ceiling in order toproperly insulate for where ever you end up.

 

[Ceefiveceefive]

TY for your response!

Where is the recommeded area(s) to search for buses to purchase?

 

[o1marc]

TY for your response!

Where is the recommeded area(s) to search for buses to purchase?

Draw a 1000 mile radius circle starting in Northern Maine and don't buy anything inside the circle. You might get lucky in there, but it pays to travel for a correct bus. You should have $1000 in the budget to fly there and fuel home. It's worth every penny.

 

[Ceefiveceefive]

Is there a specific dealer or website folks have good success with?

 

[o1marc]

Is there a specific dealer or website folks have good success with?

Do a search for "auction site" or "places to by a bus" and it will bring up all the places we use. Dealers will charge 2-3x's what they paid for the same bus you could have bought at the same price they did.