01/07/05, 07:23 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SE TN/SW NC
Posts: 313
|
|
|
Kenneth, I forgot to tell you last night when we talked on the phone. When I drove my full-sized Chevy school bus back down to florida empty in 1999, I averaged 12 MPG. Coming back loaded to 26,500 lb however I averaged 7 MPG. During the 1997 trip, pulling 5,000 lb of travel trailer and loaded to 26,000 I averaged 5 MPG. So fuel economy depends greatly on how much weight you add.
One of those short or mid-sized handicap buses we talked about would do better for fuel economy, as long as you didn't load it too heavy. Compare that to these two Dodge 1 ton 15 passenger vans I have, empty about 10 MPG, and loaded about 8 MPG, there's not a whole lot of difference in fuel economy. There is a big difference in interior space however. I bought both of these at a government auction in Alabama, and only paid about $500 for the pair. If you take the time to shop around, you can find some fantastic buys.
There were a few of those short and mid-sized buses in the $500 or less catagory in the school board listings. I did not get the chance to call around today to talk to the maintenance garages at those school districts to find out the maintenance histories or conditions of those we discussed last night.
Even though some of those buses may be closer to you or I, condition is pretty important. It may be worth driving a little further to get one in better condition. Maintenance is usually not an issue. The school boards have to keep those buses well maintained in order to transport children in them. Once a school bus goes over the age or mileage limit, they can only be used as spares or backups until they are sold off.
My daughter wants a full sized bus for her RV conversion, so I'm looking for one for her as well. There's several full-sized buses listed for $150, 2 for $75, and 1 at $25, but I seriously doubt any of those are in running condition. Those are usually wrecked, burned out, or stripped for parts.
Having driven school buses off-road, through wooded trails, and using one once to push down trees, they are really hard to get stuck. They have a lot of weight over the drive axle, which makes a big difference in traction.
If you have your heart set on 4WD, then a search at a few truck graveyards should be able to turn up a compatible front axle and driveline components to convert any bus to 4WD. After all, they use the same frame and driveline as other heavy trucks made by the same manufacturers, they just have a bus cab/body bolted to the frame.
As much work as I've done on the school buses I've owned and still own, I think you would spend less in the long run to convert one to 4WD than trying to locate a large 4X4 vehicle.
Bob
__________________
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
George W. Bush 8/5/2004
source: White House Web Site
Last edited by BobBoyce; 01/07/05 at 07:25 PM.
|
