Hi Folks
I posted almost a year ago about obtaining an RTS and possibly putting it to work before doing a conversion.
Well, I just completed my first charter run, which included an 80km (50mi) section of active logging road that has been very heavily rained upon over the last few months.
I have to say, I am very happy with the ride quality of the RTS - it soaked up 95% of the potholes with hardly a bump felt, and at no time did I feel that the bus was complaining about it. Also had to ford a few streams that washed over the road in the recent monsoons. On the highway, aside being limited to 90kph, it drives like a dream. We had wind gusts up to 90kph, and I had no problem holding my lane.
While this is not really a conversion unit (yet), I am planning on mods to make it more amenable for my charter service, such as adding rear cargo area, and slide-out drawers underneath for tools/spares/chains. For passenger convenience I am considering on-board fridge and lavatory.
RTS's might not be apropos for married full-timers, but should be on the radar for bachelor(ettes) or weekenders.
Cheers
Ken
I've had bus drivers from NY write me and say how the the RTS is impervious to pot holes. The RTS is a dream to drive, and it goes like a bullet down the road. Add 350 HP and a 4:10 rear end and you have the king of the highway.
--Geoff
'82 RTS 350HP 4:10 gears 80 mph
I have an AMGeneral transit that is very usable as a long term RV. Geoff's RTS is just about the classic example of what can be accomplished with that bus. I hope you can see Geoff's bus in person sometime. Good Luck, TomC
Is Geoff's the one with what looks like a "river" mirror on ceiling? I stumbled on that one somewhere and that made me think more of a high end yacht than a bus conversion.
Ken
Ken--
I see you found the RTS Yahoo group. There should be pictures of my RTS in the photo section.
--Geoff
ken
dont forget the facebook group also, a lot of great people over there! plus we need more rts people over there lol
Geoff lol you made Facebook
the bus conversion group on FB
Hi
Thanks for the pointer, but I don't do the FB on principle.
I have worked in IT for over 2 decades so have an idea of what is happening with user data. I have no interest in making MZ richer, nor being a product.
If the page is public viewing, I will check in, but not participate.
cheers
Ken
You don't have to put your life history on F/B why people do that is beyond me,Google scares me I very seldom use Google
Quote from: luvrbus on March 12, 2016, 07:15:35 PM
You don't have to put your life history on F/B why people do that is beyond me,Google scares me I very seldom use Google
Google owns the DNA site 23 and me ... well sort of...
Anne E. Wojcicki is an American biologist and the co-founder and chief executive officer of the personal genomics company 23andMe. She is the former wife of Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin
that's scary...
Quote from: eagle19952 on March 13, 2016, 11:38:36 AM
Google owns the DNA site 23 and me ... well sort of...
Anne E. Wojcicki is an American biologist and the co-founder and chief executive officer of the personal genomics company 23andMe. She is the former wife of Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin
that's scary...
ZOINKERS! That is food for thought...
Anyhow, a few updates on my journey
Since my last post, I have completed 2 charters and learned more things about my bus.
Lesson 1, fuel gauge reads 1/2 actually means empty. Tuition $500 (for service call to re-prime)
Lesson 2, Battery charge equalizers are a great thing to have working! Tuition $600 (beats treating start batteries like deep-cycle & killing them)
Lesson 3, I am restricted to 90kph on a freeway trip where the posted is 120. Tuition for that class will be $500, but they can bump HP up in same class.
Lesson 4, 20 year old seals on cooling system are pretty worn out. Belts & hoses are fine, but O-ring on coolant reservoir sight-glass has never been replaced.
Lesson 5, CHECK TIRE PRESSURES at start of trip. Tuition for emergency road-side $250.
Lesson 6, DD50 is super fuel-efficient! Cullen diesel tech pulled logs for me from DDEC; 2.73 US gallons per hour over lifespan of 13,000 hrs - this would include all the idling and stop & go city traffic. 2.73 USG = 10.3 litres/p/h - if I average 50kph on a trip, that could resolve to 20l/100km. I have owned big-block cars and pickups that I WISH could have achieved that. In fact, most of the km I will be driving, will be non-stop between 40-80kph, with minimal idle time. I will be keeping logs to see how it actually plays out.
Also, officially in business now and accepting charters.
Cheers
Ken
PS STILL drives like a dream; I don't recall where I posted about selecting RTS for rough-road use, but someone replied saying they had taken their RTS on a gravel road and HATED the experience. My bus is more like the old float-mobile Cadillac; the only vehicle that I have had a smoother ride on that road is my Caprice wagon.