I know it is all relative but i would like to get some idea. While at Bus-N at Rickreal last year I heard someone say their Prevost weighed 37K lbs(?) I asked why his bus was so light and was told that he had no marble or granite counter tops or other heavy construction and he was indeed "light on his feet".
So, in terms of weight, how does an Eagle compare with a Pre. I think the Eagle has bigger bays....right?
Thanks,
John
May I ask what model of Prevost that was? I'm guessing a 40' XL? I know the newer H3-45s weight that much empty.
Speaking of heavy motorhomes, I was browsing the Newell forum and can't believe how heavy those suckers are!
It's funny, they have that monster 650hp Cat / ISX, yet, after 10 minutes of 75mph cruising, the steer tire temp alarm goes off (warning of blowout) and the driver is forced to slow down to 65 mph. And that's with 315/80 tires at 130 psi! Newell acutally recommends 140psi for summer driving. Even then, Newell says to replace tires every 3 years.
Michelin pretty much developed the 365/75 tires specifically for heavy Prevost and Newell motorhomes. Those suckers can carry a 20k front axle at 75mph contiuous in summer heat, but at $1100 EACH after balancing.
Sorry for going off topic John. But I just thought it's stupid going that heavy - defeats the whole purpose of having a bus in the first place, which is a peace of mind from an over-engineered chassis.
But I'm going to guess you'll never see 57k lbs Eagles simply because they were all made before this era of supersizing everything?
John Ed here are some ratings for Eagle
45ft model 15 44,700
40ft " " 38,700
40ft model 10 38,700
40ft model 05 with 24.4 wheels Brownsville Built 38,700
40 05 with 22.5 wheels foreign built 42,000
Let the 01 Eagle guys tell you theirs I don't know
good luck
John -
These Eagle and Prevost numbers sure make the 4104/4106s seem like real lightweights at 25K > 27K by comparison, eh?
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Ahoy, JohnEd,
Here is my -01 Eagle, Cummins M-11/Roadranger RTO1110. It holds 275 gallons fuel, and 100 gallons water.
Bus is essentially complete, with 3ea vehicle and 10ea MH- ~~75 lb batteries. Genset is 12kw. Probably the lightest Eagle around, with another ~~1,000 lbs to finish it.
I'm an airplane guy, and I do watch weight.
Front 8560#
Front & Mains 27100#
All 31700 #
Main & Tag 22900 #
Tag ?
Fuel full -- less ~~30gal, Water Full
Original weight with a DD6V-92/Allison 750, nothing inside but a driver's seat:
Weight : 22240 lbs.
Deduct fuel, misc, adjusts to BARE BUS WT 21200 lbs.
Enjoy /s/ Bob
Curse you Bob. A pox on you RJ. Now I want a Eagle or maybe a 06. Just kidding my friends. Actually, I mean I "need" an Eagle or 4106. Thanks guys....really.
John
Our 81 Prevost converted weighs in at just over 30,000 lbs loaded. We carry 100 fresh 144 fuel. It's powered by a Cummins M11 so that helps a little. The fuel mileage averages just under 10 MPG. Kent
Not to change the subject, but I know in Florida that anything over 26001 lbs requires a CDL.... so are most bus nuts sporting these licenses?
In New Mexico you need a class E for over 26000 if it is private
Melbo
Texas requires a class B for RV's over 26000 # found that out the hard way lol.
We have always been exempt here in AZ for a RV but that is changing in Nov a class B will be required for a RV over 26,000 #
good luck
Kent,
Thanks. That is new(to me) and great information.
John
Clifford, what all is entailed in that class B? I am licensed in AZ. I assume they could cause you trouble if stopped by a trooper.
Quote from: JWallin on July 04, 2011, 04:25:17 PM
Not to change the subject, but I know in Florida that anything over 26001 lbs requires a CDL.... so are most bus nuts sporting these licenses?
Jim,
Check the drivers license book. Unless something has changed recently, BUSES require a CDL, but RVs do not. Last time I looked (a couple years ago), RVs only required the same drivers license as a car. We made sure our coach is titled as an RV. Jack
Texas requires a Class B for RV's over 26,001 but you can apply for exception if it is only driven as RV.
Hi Jack, Ours is also titled as an RV.... but I'll bet the weight is around the limit, depending on how it's loaded, fuel, and so forth. I'd bet that during a spot inspection alot of bus RV's would risk being too heavy.
Jim
1965 Eagle 01 with a few mods....
-stretched to 45'
-widened to 102"
-14' slide
-solid cherry interior.
-DD S60 with a 754CR
-air ride suspension added
Front weight 12610 lbs
Rear (drives & tag) 31966 lbs
Total weight 44576 lbs
I have been in your bus more than once! ;D During the winter we stay on the lot next door to where you bought it in the foothills. Do you belong to the BC Busnuts? Going to their Sept. rally?
Hi Ed,
That's right I rememebr. No, don't belong to BC busnuts...Trying to get shop built before we
head south for winter.... Maybe see you down there, we'll be on 13000 block of 53rd drive
Tim
Quote from: rwc on July 05, 2011, 05:04:31 AM
Texas requires a Class B for RV's over 26,001 but you can apply for exception if it is only driven as RV.
Huh? How do you not drive an RV as an RV?
I'm starting to get worried as more and more states require class B licenses for RVs over 26,000 lbs. It probably be the end of my bussing days if this goes widespread. I travel with friends who also drive the bus. I don't know any of them would go through the work to get a class B license.
JW - Below are the Florida Stautes listing the exemptions from the requirements to possess a CDL - Please note "private motor coach" is for 3 or more alxles - I'm assuming 2 axles would fall under Motorhome - HTH
F.S. 322.53
(2)The following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain a commercial driver's license:
(a)Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles.
(b)Military personnel driving vehicles operated for military purposes.
(c)Farmers transporting farm supplies or farm machinery within 150 miles of their farm, or transporting agricultural products to or from the first place of storage or processing or directly to or from market, within 150 miles of their farm.
(d)Drivers of recreational vehicles, as defined in s. 320.01.
F.S. 320.01
5. The "private motor coach," which is a vehicular unit which does not exceed the length, width, and height limitations provided in s. 316.515(9), is built on a self-propelled bus type chassis having no fewer than three load-bearing axles, and is primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.
Times are changing FMCA has always lobbied states about drivers license but the manufactures are making these things heavier and heavier even the Foretravel now is over 50,000 lbs now has a 650 hp engine.
I look for states to start making rules for those the same as trucks those heavy rigs do as much damage to a road as a truck,I have no problem with states making owners get a upgrade in drivers license in fact I am in favor of it some owners don't belong behind the wheel of a bus or a large RV JMO
good luck
All -
Not sure about other states, but Californication has a "Non-Commercial Class A and B" license available. Designed primarily for the big fifth-wheels and 45' coaches, it's somewhat easier to obtain than a commercial Class B-P. Of course, most technicians at the DMV counter go "Huh?" when you ask about it!
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt4_1.htm (http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt4_1.htm)
My main gripe, based on my coach industry experience, is that these non-commercial folk are not required to understand, much less perform, an air brake safety check, like the commercial folk do.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)