Most of our Forum members have owned at least one bus conversions in their lifetime. Many have owned several buses and several have converted their own from a shell.
If you were going to convert another bus from scratch or have one converted or buy one ready to roll knowing what you know now, what length bus would you choose to start with assuming all buses cost the same amount of money and are all in the same good running condition and why would you choose that length?
35 Feet
40 Feet
45 Feet
Other?
I love Lee's 35' 102" eagle. He is from Missouri. Don't remember his last name. He wasn't far from you at Quartzsite with the eagle group. It is such a nice looking coach. The length is just right and only 2 axles is nice.
40' is sometimes a bit to long for some places for me.
David
The 45' DL has the same turning radius as the D3 and is easier to find.
Jim
I know you are looking for length,, after owning/using a 35 ft. for 14 years I would not consider another 96 inch wide coach.. I am now in a 38 and consider width a greater issue.>>>Dan
Not any manufacture making anything but 45 ft coaches for the highway and conversion use now anyways they turn in less radius now than a older 35 ft bus. All the rv parks,fedral,and state parks too are adjusting to the 45 ft rigs just like they did when the industry went from 30 to 50 amp service. I love my 45 ft x 102 wide RV . my vote is for the 45ft x 102 wide with a 4 stroke engine.lol 4 slides are a overkill I think but I lost that vote
I'd have a hard time deciding between 40' or 45', but I would want a 102 body.
I also agree with Clifford about a 4 stroke, I wouldn't want a 2 stroke again.
Nor would I want to convert a 2 stroke eagle to a s60 eagle again.... ;D ;D ;D
I'd go for a 35 or maybe 40. It's not just about turning radius, it's the length itself that sometimes makes things difficult.
I believe that Van Hool makes a 35.
Another 35 ft. Full timed for 12 years in a 35 ft., don't need anything longer. :)
Gary is 40 ft now single axle the question was if they cost the same money, you get a lot more for the money in a 45 ft bus plus it will be 102 wide
Waiting to get started on a seated 102D3.
I choose 40 feet for my bus conversion.
I started in the industry driving 96" x 40', migrated to 102" x 40'
Migrated to 102" x 45', DL, E, J, and H3 45
Didn't drag a 40 footer, or have to think about it nearly as much as i have with a 45 footer.
We go strange places with our conversions, even stranger than a charter driver.
Pretty rare for someone to come back on a forum or social media and report they tore the oil pan off their coach, or high centred it, or tore the rub rails off the underside of the front.
Not because it doesn't happen, but because they don't come back to report. Few people like to brag they had an epic incident.
Pick the coach that will make you happy, and drive it where it fits!!
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
I agree with Cliff, you get more bang for your bus with a 45' bus if you are looking for total square feet. I also agree there are more 45' buses coming on the market now than 40' tour buses as companies find them more profitable as they can carry more passengers for basically the same cost.
One of my concerns is that I like to take the red roads and avoid the interstates. It sometimes takes 40 acres and some side roads to turn my 40' Eagle around with a toad if I miss a turn or see something along the side of the road that I want to go back and visit. I also prefer state parks over private RV parks which are a challenge to get a 40' bus into and a 45' may not fit where I can sometimes squeeze in my 40' bus.
Most new Prevost conversions are 45' buses too, but the people that buy those pretty much stay on the interstates and in the higher end resort type campgrounds that can easily accommodate the longer coaches.
The 45' buses also have an extra bay so you can carry more stuff with you if you are a full-timer like me and you will have room for long-range water tanks if you want them.
So taking those thoughts into account, I am slightly hesitant to get into a 45' long bus when a 40' will allow me to maybe go in some of the places I like to travel, irrespective of the turning radius. Another thought, the 45' bus has a longer rear overhang from what I understand, which could potentially cause problems when turning now and then?
More food for thought.
The wheel base on a 45 footer is longer there is that not much difference in the rear overhang between a 40 and 45 ft bus if I recall the DL3 is 318 inches vs the 40 ft D of 279 inches.Oil pans I don't how people damage those but it happens as you know Gary I have a stack of those from GM's that even have braces to protect the pan and people manage some way to damage it on a 35 ft bus
We like 35' like we have now. They are comfortable. If we had a 45 footer it would be packed with stuff we don't need right Clifford, LOL
Quote from: Dave5Cs on May 30, 2020, 09:04:01 PM
We like 35' like we have now. They are comfortable. If we had a 45 footer it would be packed with stuff we don't need right Clifford, LOL
You got that right Dave,it gets down to people are happy with what ever they have lol some people
I have driven them all in charter service, like Bus Warrior. From 1957 MCI Courier 96s, to the latest J4500s and H3-45s.
My favorite bus is still my MC5C conversion. 35' X 96". It is big enough for the 2 of us. We have customized it to the way we like it over the years. I have found and installed the most comfortable driver's seat than in anything commercial I have driven. Yea, it has it's limitations: I wish it had more storage space in the bays mostly. But nothing is perfect. The late model 45 footers are nice, but I think it is too big for a camper, at least in the way we use ours. I suppose a 40 footer would be a good compromise. Like a D3. But I don't feel like building an other conversion when I have a good one already.
What is the best length? There is no answer. To each his own.
JC
Once & awhile we wish our 4104 hung over the rear axle longer because when we back to the campsite parking bumper with the rear tires it will just fit in a 20' max length campsite with the front bumper at the road. Love it for tight camping.
This will sound silly and unworkable to some of you, but I enjoy having both a 40 & 45' Eagle. The 40' with a 2 cycle sounds great, and fits in campgrounds that the 45' has trouble with, and the 45' has more room for extended family that are taller. The Series 60 has a good, but different sound. The turning radius is about as long as any of the 45'ers get, but is workable in many places. Having four bays comes in handy for storing bikes, boats, and acquisitions on the road. I can see where having a 35' would let you get in more state parks with primitive camping, and you would snag fewer branches, but would be best for two people.
Quote from: DoubleEagle on May 31, 2020, 08:41:06 AM
This will sound silly and unworkable to some of you, but I enjoy having both a 40 & 45' Eagle. The 40' with a 2 cycle sounds great, and fits in campgrounds that the 45' has trouble with, and the 45' has more room for extended family that are taller. The Series 60 has a good, but different sound. The turning radius is about as long as any of the 45'ers get, but is workable in many places. Having four bays comes in handy for storing bikes, boats, and acquisitions on the road. I can see where having a 35' would let you get in more state parks with primitive camping, and you would snag fewer branches, but would be best for two people.
The turning radius on a 45 ft Eagle is terrible compared to most 45 ft buses .when I had mine it reminded of the old truckers song "give me forty acres and I'll turn this rig around " it was horrible to say the least
Yep, it requires planning ahead, and good judgement. ::)
Quote from: DoubleEagle on May 31, 2020, 08:41:06 AM
This will sound silly and unworkable to some of you, but I enjoy having both a 40 & 45' Eagle.
So what you are recommending is that we use the 40-footer as a toad? :D
At least here in California, the rule states you're allowed to drive up to a 40ft 3axle house car AND pull up to a 10,000lb trailer behind with a Class C license. Also you can drive a 40ft anywhere you want.
Go over a 40-45ft then you have to have a non-commercial Class B license and you're technically not allowed off truck routes-although it is rare they give you a ticket for it.
Hence, both my bus and truck conversions are 40ft and 102" wide without slides. Good Luck, TomC
Wait, Gary, are you looking for a new bus?
On my first bus, a 40' 96". It is great and works for us fine. Don't have any desire for larger or smaller, except 6" wider would be much appreciated. It suits us fine for the kind of roads and places we have been to so far.
At 45' it seems getting into some sites a lot more difficulty if not possible. 40' seems a good compromise.
That said, if I were doing a new conversion, it would be a 45' 4 stroke, mainly for better access to parts and service.
Yeah see that "if doing another" thing is what gets me.
Jim
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on May 31, 2020, 09:25:11 AM
So what you are recommending is that we use the 40-footer as a toad? :D
Nope, it would violate all the total length laws. I was suggesting having a choice of buses to suit where you are going, and which kind of exhaust music you want to hear. ;)
The S60 is a good engine for sure, but it really sounds awful.
I have a 45 ' now but would rather have a 40 'er with the same engine I have now as it would be easier to get into parks
dave
Height is the only thing that concerns me getting into some parks I am at 13,2 feet,I have the Avoid system but it is to late when it goes off for height it works good for clearance around the RV but not great on the clearance
40x96. I like to enjoy 2 lane roads around here in NE. If I lived out west, probably a 45 footer would be nice to have.
Quote from: sledhead on June 01, 2020, 05:14:25 AM
I have a 45 ' now but would rather have a 40 'er with the same engine I have now as it would be easier to get into parks
dave
Hummm, those are the kind of comments I was looking for, but there may be very few people that would hesitate admit to this. For those people that have a 45' monster now, how many wished they had a 40' bus? I hope I am never in that category myself, which was the purpose of the original question.
Dave doesn't have a 45 ft bus he has RV and my 45 ft rv is not as easy to drive as my 45 ft MCI was,you were here when Sylive backed the MCI out to the road and saw how easy it was compered to my Country Coach
Having driven the J4500 and H3-45, I can tell you that they are easy to drive for sure. Tight turning radius, either steerable or lifting tag axle. Maneuvering them is not the problem. The fact remains that they are 45' feet long by 8 1/2' wide. That is restrictive in RV service. Unless you only stop at rest areas, truck stops, fairly empty shopping mall parking lots, and big RV resorts. They are too big for older camp grounds, busy parking lots, and that kind of tight spots.
JC
When I purchased the 4905, I quickly saw the downside of 5 extra feet in maneuverability, compared to the 4104. Especially with the longer wheelbase. I started to need to be careful when making a U-turn, not to hit the rear of the coach with the front from turning too sharp.
Gary, get your hands on a 45' and head into a nearby shopping plaza, as if you were going grocery shopping.
A good one, curbed islands, lots of cars.
And then run your Eagle through the same gymkana.
And then you'll know for yourself.
Everyone, no matter the size of their coach, thinks that every inch counts... well, you know males and their inability to measure correctly... with a 45' every real inch matters, absolutely every last one. And watch the tailswing...
And it isn't about the turning radius, a shorter bus with a bad wheel cut just has to back and cover, and will make it around just fine, a 45' is a much bigger "box" to get around the obstructions, and sometimes, it just won't fit.
One does that sort of thing, and that sort of place when doing charter work as well. Always some venue they want to go to, or the group has been dropped and the driver is after their own supplies, or a place to hide the coach until pick-up.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on June 02, 2020, 08:51:53 AM
Hummm, those are the kind of comments I was looking for, but there may be very few people that would hesitate admit to this. For those people that have a 45' monster now, how many wished they had a 40' bus? I hope I am never in that category myself, which was the purpose of the original question.
ok
It's not the drive ability that is the problem it is the length of the coach to FIND a camping spot as up here in Canada there are very few 45' sites and if they have them there might only be 3-5 that will fit in a park that has say 50 -100 spots
plus don't even think about state or provincial parks
most times I tell them that I am only 40 ' long and never have a problem backing in or driving in as the coach turns as good as the 40 ' ( total was 41' 5" ) in reality
M C I 102c3
It is all about the 45' size that they hear if I tell them the truth
the other problems are there are no where near the 50 amp sites as there are 30 amp sites
so for all you guys ... sometimes bigger is not better
dave
Here in the US campgrounds and RV are adjusting to the 45 foot RV not a problem to find a spot even the Grand Canyon now have long and wide spots for 45 footers with slides,we stayed in a RV park in Vegas that had some 100 amp service sites.All the RV manufactures for Class A offer 45 ft motorhomes now,lol where we go in Idaho I don't think this 45-7 inch long X 14 ft wide with the slides out is going to fit where our 26 ft long Safari Trek would I maybe walking to my fishing spot for a distance.I do see people with the 40ft plus long fifth wheel trailers in some tight spaces though
Ok, what I would really want would be a 40' model 15 with a 12.7 series 60
Everybody talks about turning radius, what about inside turning radius?
Bw, I don't think eagles have as much tail swing as a conventional axle setup
Bluebirds sit really low, aka the large patch in my oil pan....
Quote from: 6805eagleguy on June 02, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Ok, what I would really want would be a 40' model 15 with a 12.7 series 60
Everybody talks about turning radius, what about inside turning radius?
Bw, I don't think eagles have as much tail swing as a conventional axle setup
Bluebirds sit really low, aka the large patch in my oil pan....
The 01 with a tag had a tail swing the 05 up didn't
wow! if sites have a 100 amp service I could start bringing my HOT TUB on the float trailer !!
that would be cool
dave
Quote from: sledhead on June 03, 2020, 11:24:06 AM
wow! if sites have a 100 amp service I could start bringing my HOT TUB on the float trailer !!
that would be cool
dave
100 amps is what most entertainer buses have and Nev has laws about idling and generators lol they probably do have hot tubs
Probably needed for the 6 roof airs, plus then campgrounds can charge motel rates.
Quote from: sledhead on June 02, 2020, 03:30:37 PM
ok
It's not the drive ability that is the problem it is the length of the coach to FIND a camping spot as up here in Canada there are very few 45' sites and if they have them there might only be 3-5 that will fit in a park that has say 50 -100 spots
plus don't even think about state or provincial parks
most times I tell them that I am only 40 ' long and never have a problem backing in or driving in as the coach turns as good as the 40 ' ( total was 41' 5" ) in reality
M C I 102c3
It is all about the 45' size that they hear if I tell them the truth
the other problems are there are no where near the 50 amp sites as there are 30 amp sites
so for all you guys ... sometimes bigger is not better
dave
Good point. Most of the newer parks have many spaces large enuf to park a 45' bus, but many of the older parks cannot accommodate the longer ships in all of the slips. So even though the ad says they can fit a 45' bus in their ad or app, when you call for reservations one of the first questions they ask if how long is your RV?
You may not get a space if you have a 45' unit which you may have gotten if you had a shorter bus during the busy season. So that just narrows down where you can park. If you do have a long bus, it may be best to call ahead and make reservations as soon as you know where you will be staying. Also some of the smaller spaces on the edges of the park are frequently nicer spots next to the woods, something else to chew on.
QuoteSo that just narrows down where you can park. If you do have a long bus, it may be best to call ahead and make reservations as soon as you know where you will be staying.
This can be as critical consideration depending on the amount of pre trip planning one does. We like to mostly just go and it is very true just pulling into campground/RV park looking for an open 45' spot may be disappointing. And in general, as stated, the larger sites are in newer park, i.e. more $$$ than less/undeveloped sites.
Quote from: windtrader on June 06, 2020, 12:16:58 PM
This can be as critical consideration depending on the amount of pre trip planning one does. We like to mostly just go and it is very true just pulling into campground/RV park looking for an open 45' spot may be disappointing. And in general, as stated, the larger sites are in newer park, i.e. more $$$ than less/undeveloped sites.
Do you call head when towing a vehicle or just for a space the 45'ft is going to fit in any pull through spots setup for a bus towing a trailer or vehicle,it has to be a very,very old rv park not to have pull through sites for overnighters.The price of RV parks is getting to be stupid especially in CA where we were quoted $300.00 a night on the ocean out of San Diego with a night minimum plus tax,so we moved on to San Dimas where they have SoCal mini bus rally that park can handle 45 ft easy and I think it was a county park
Lol a while back a bunch of Prevosts had a rally at the greyhound dog track RV park at Amado, AZ down by Tubac. It was hot and they all had on multiple AC's. Blew the park power out right away. Then a guy fired up his gen and a bunch of them went off to tour the countryside and the one guy's gen started a fire and the bus caught on fire. Real circle jerk for awhile.
RV parks and campgrounds generally offer different accommodations; RV parks are more apt to accommodate large RV/bus while most campgrounds accommodate tents and trailers/RV up to 30-35'. For example, State of Ca parks limit size to about 30-35 max.
Quote from: windtrader on June 06, 2020, 11:55:48 PM
RV parks and campgrounds generally offer different accommodations; RV parks are more apt to accommodate large RV/bus while most campgrounds accommodate tents and trailers/RV up to 30-35'. For example, State of Ca parks limit size to about 30-35 max.
I think CA limits the length to limit the weight I saw a sign at one "No 3 axle RV permitted " ,I have seen the same in Texas with weight limits of less than 29,000 lbs for RV's,those roads are not high spec and 40 to 50,000 lbs motor homes will eat it up in a hurry
Quote from: luvrbus on June 07, 2020, 09:21:38 AM
I think CA limits the length to limit the weight I saw a sign at one "No 3 axle RV permitted " ,I have seen the same in Texas with weight limits of less than 29,000 lbs for RV's,those roads are not high spec and 40 to 50,000 lbs motor homes will eat it up in a hurry
Ditto on the weight issue. In all the years we've owned our relatively small bus in comparison to today's standards - small bridges over creeks or any limited weight roadway prevented us from getting into prime areas before our size did!
pre covid days I tried to get one of the " 10 sites @ 50 amps " out of the 225 sites the park had ( provincial park like a state park ) but did not get in as they were booked by 8:01 am ? so I had to get a 30 amp site and that is ok as if I watch the amps I use we are ok but not what I would have liked . had to cancel as if we still go there is a 14 day quarantine on the site before we could do anything . thats not happening .
you guys in the south west are leaps and bounds ahead of us up here in the north east as far as sites go . do to the cost of the dirt a lot of the older parks are selling out and retiring as the dirt is worth more now then all the money they have brought in over there life time of owning the park
a sad day for rvers
dave
Quote from: sledhead on June 08, 2020, 02:15:36 PM
pre covid days I tried to get one of the " 10 sites @ 50 amps " out of the 225 sites the park had ( provincial park like a state park ) but did not get in as they were booked by 8:01 am ? so I had to get a 30 amp site and that is ok as if I watch the amps I use we are ok but not what I would have liked . had to cancel as if we still go there is a 14 day quarantine on the site before we could do anything . thats not happening .
you guys in the south west are leaps and bounds ahead of us up here in the north east as far as sites go . do to the cost of the dirt a lot of the older parks are selling out and retiring as the dirt is worth more now then all the money they have brought in over there life time of owning the park
a sad day for rvers
dave
Same thing happen in Scottsdale the dirt became worth to much,there was a park in old Scottsdale a older couple owned for years he died and she kept it going and never would sell she died 3 years ago and a week after she passed away the dozers moved in the kids sold that 12 acres in a hurry it brought lot of money @ 55.00 a sf
My bus takes up 240 sq ft--at $55/sq ft that's 13,200! I'm worth more dead than alive! Jack
Quote from: oltrunt on June 08, 2020, 07:05:36 PM
My bus takes up 240 sq ft--at $55/sq ft that's 13,200! I'm worth more dead than alive! Jack
Yep kids can see dollar signs ,that was a valuable piece of property for years she just had no desire to sell she loved her little RV park and the people that stayed there
Once I get the truck conversion done and get the bus sold, I want to get a smaller motorhome for quickie weekend trips-especially to spots that don't allow 40ft. I'm leaning towards the LazyDays 23ft twin King with no slides. Good Luck, TomC
Just get a smaller travel trailer for those trips.
Tom, you could get a small travel trailer that you would tow with your truck conversion, no? LOL.
Tom
is this the one ?
http://www.lazydaze.com/Floorplans/235tkb.htm
I think it would be ok for short trips and only for a few days at a time but you could get claustrophobic quickly .
dave
We have a 24ft Safari Trek that we have stayed in for weeks it's not bad the bed comes down from the celling and only used at night with it up you have plenty of room the tub is useless
Yes that is the Lazy Days 23ft twin/king. I have to stay with a motorhome. My wife cannot sit for long periods in a truck or car. She has to lie down either on the sofa or floor to stretch and do exercises. Good Luck, TomC
like this ? nice
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2000-Safari-TREK-PATHMAKER-5012549081
dave
Since everyone now are recommending one, might as well give my 2¢.
https://pin.it/4JHa18o
I don't see the point of having a smaller motorhome in addition to the bus. The bus takes us anywhere we need to go. I really don't need another vehicle to maintain and insure.
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 10, 2020, 04:23:02 PM
Since everyone now are recommending one, might as well give my 2¢.
https://pin.it/4JHa18o
now that's a " bit of a fixer upper " or " needs work "
dave
Quote from: lostagain on June 10, 2020, 05:33:04 PM
The bus takes us anywhere we need to go. I really don't need another vehicle to maintain and insure.
I agree with this. My truck and 40 foot 5th wheel trailer are over 50 feet long. A truck and 34 foot 5th wheel would be 45 feet long. A truck and 28 foot bumper pull are 45+ feet long. Ignoring the weight, a 45 foot bus doesn't need a much larger campsite than any of these trailer rigs.
I once parked my 5th wheel in a tenting spot. The trailer wheels were on the tent pad. The back of the trailer was 5 feet in the air way behind the tent pad.
We had a 35' MCI5A & now a 40' MCI102C3, we sold the 35ft when we decided to go full time, which didn't happen, but the 40' was to accommodate my wifes idea to create jewelry which would require a little work area and storage. Now after years owning a 40ft 102" wide and just recently finding out there is just as big a problem getting park spaces for either size, I might buy a tiny travel trailer for short unplanned vacations, lvmci...