Just a bus curiosity question

[TrainChaser]

Sometimes I run across photos of old school buses converted for camping, and some of them look GREAT!  I wouldn't want anything that large, but I'm curious about what kind of gas mileage they get?  Do they use regular gas or diesel?

 

[ArtW]

Skoolies are available in various sizes, which will affect gas mileage, and the smaller ones were available in gas
there's a skoolie owner on this site, hopefully that person will weigh in with more and better information for you
Personally, I could see doing a 'special needs' skoolie, it'd be like a class C

 

[TrainChaser]

Yes, I forgot about those little ones. That would be more do-able.

 

[ArtW]

just as long as you're willing to do the work
apparently they can develop[ leaks and require we caulking just like any rv
unfortunately, i never see them for sale

 

[bullfrog]

Most 366 Internationals mated to a computer shifted Allison transmission in a sixty six passenger bus get around 10 MPG. Older Ford gasoline engine drive trains get 5 to 6 MPG. That's the good and the bad of it, everything else is in between.

 

[ArtW]

What about the 21 passengers buses they used for the special needs kids (we called them 'retarded' back when i was in school) the ones that were basically cutaways?

 

[bullfrog]

Sorry old age got to me that is a DT466 International not 366 and that is a diesel. The thing most expensive about school buses are the tires and some parts because manufacturers sometimes use odd leftover production parts to cut costs, like brakes made for the Brazilian Army Trucks that ended up on Amtran buses for one year only.

 

[bullfrog]

Most school bus mechanics felt the van type drive trains were over worked and did not last as long as cut down truck types.

 

[squatting dog2]

Bertha bus... Gas.. Ford 391 industrial eng 5 sp + 2 sp rearend gave me an honest 10 mpg average.
Joy bus... Gas...  big block dodge 318 eng 5 sp + 2sp rearend gave 11 mpg.
2 penny circus bus...Gas... 283 chevy 4sp gave 8 mpg.
Buslightyear... diesel.. 8V71 Detroit 2 stroke 4 sp grumpy trans gave 7 mpg

 

[masterplumber]

Did those buses come with the 2 speed rear end, or did you retrofit them? I've never seen a 2 speed rear end in a bus, that would be kind of cool. I assume since they were gassers the rear shifter was vacuum actuated?

 

[squatting dog2]

Did those buses come with the 2 speed rear end, or did you retrofit them? I've never seen a 2 speed rear end in a bus, that would be kind of cool. I assume since they were gassers the rear shifter was vacuum actuated?

Yes, all the 2 speeds were factory, and vacuum actuated. and yes, they were in the gasser buses. I suppose with modern technology and multi speed automatics, that you don't see many 2 speed rearends anymore. Shame since they were so simple and easy to repair. 

 

[Headache]

The only reason I don't get a bus and convert it is trying to get insurance. No one will cover full timing and contents unless it's been professionally converted. BOO!

 

[Fatdog6]

View attachment 9937

Sometimes I run across photos of old school buses converted for camping, and some of them look GREAT!  I wouldn't want anything that large, but I'm curious about what kind of gas mileage they get?  Do they use regular gas or diesel?

I have a (shuttle) bus literally was a special needs bus its an 2005 E-450 with the 6.8L v10 gas, It's 26' bumper to bumper 176" wheelbase with 6'5" of headroom after Insulation and floor I get 10mpg as long as I stay around 60mph which ain't easy as it like 65-70 which gets me ~8mpg have logged about 8k miles on her so far and loving it. yes I am fulltime

 

[DannyB1954]

Here in Nevada I could not get insurance for a commercial vehicle with any auto insurance company. I could not get commercial coverage because I was not a business, (commercial carriers don't want individuals). A couple of RV carriers said I would have to convert it first and send them pictures. I asked what the rates were. They refused to answer. So I would have to spend money to convert it, then it might cost a fortune is premiums.

Insurance rules vary not only by company, but also by State regulations. Take down a VIN number from the type of bus you want, then call around for quotes. When they run the VIN, they will tell you yes or no and how much.

After three days I gave up on the idea.

 

[TrainChaser]

Danny, which state do you live in?

If any of you have run into similar problems, which state do YOU live in?  And, if you had it converted to an RV, were there many changes in coverage, or in premium?

Headache: "No one will cover full timing and contents unless it's been professionally converted."

Most regular auto insurance doesn't cover contents, either.  Did you ask about just the usual coverage, and NOT insuring the contents? I'm wondering because other people have done it; when I don't know anything about stuff, I don't even know what questions to ask.

 

[DannyB1954]

I live in Pahrump Nevada. Nye County.

 

[angeli]

Florida Church Bus, the big dealer of castoff buses down here, claims to help with paperwork to transfer to RV status, as part of their menu of services.  At any rate, it's a great site to look in on and see what's available and they are really good about answering questions as well.  I've been following them for years, planning and plotting!  They've been quite patient and helpful so far.