Hello all,
I was going to have my wife move the bus a short distance and we discovered that she is unable to reach the pedals even with the seat forward and the steering wheel all the way forward. She is 5' 1".
Had anyone fashioned blocks for the pedals for such a situation?
Thanks
Seb
Assuming that all the seat adjustments for height and angle of the seat bottom are free to their full travel?
Many busnuts inherit the seat in some less than fully functional state and just think that's normal.
Counter-intuitive, raise the rear angle of some seats, gets legs closer to the pedals.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
I made blocks for mine. I used dense 1" foam intended for use as a kneeling mat as the spacer, and then glued a replacement treadle cover from a Kenworth on it for the wear surface. The whole thing was almost identical in size to my existing pedal.
Between the foam and the rubber cover I inserted two Velcro straps before the layers were glued together. Everything was glued with copious amounts of hot glue.
After it was together, the block was attached with the Velcro straps and never budged after.
I only had to do the throttle pedal - it was just enough to the right to put it out of comfortable reach. The brake pedal was never an issue.
I have been looking for a friend for the electric adjustable pedals from a wrecked RV or truck for his bus because his wife is 4'10""tall.I have the adjustable pedals on my CC and love the things
Rita had a suggestion. If your spouse is going to drive the bus just for short distances like you were saying, Rita says "Bigger shoes".
I looked at her like she had two heads, but she said if you like the pedals where they are, you are not going to like any permanent modification. They sell "fashion" shoes for women that are 3 or 4 inches tall under the ball of the foot. You might have to take a sawzall to the spike heel, but she could put those on just for the "move it 10 feet" thing. Rita just showed me 2 kinds on Amazon. They are called platforms on the pictures she showed me. Not too expensive. Just an idea. Hope you and yours are well In W Yellowstone Seb and I hope you get out of there before the snow hits.
Ted
I have blocks made of a 2x3 and my fuel peddle, but we did to improve the angle. I found driving tiring because the peddle required that I extend my foot forward for long periods of time while driving. I cut the 2x3 into a wedge and duct taped it to the peddle (I prefer the black duct tape for this application). After that I was able to drive all day with my foot in a neutral position. Of course, it's only been about 12 years or so, and the duct tape may fail at some point. Can't figure what I will do then.
dont modify the pedals. modify a pair of shoes. very simple. easiest would screw and glue crocks or equivalent to 2x4 stubs.
Most of the D's depending on the seat MFG has extra holes in the slides to move the seat forward or backwards for adjustments
Quote from: buswarrior on August 13, 2022, 06:13:30 AM
Assuming that all the seat adjustments for height and angle of the seat bottom are free to their full travel?
Many busnuts inherit the seat in some less than fully functional state and just think that's normal.
Counter-intuitive, raise the rear angle of some seats, gets legs closer to the pedals.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
All good thoughts.
Here's some of the situation, since we tried several things to figure out a solution. Even if she slid up on the seat and moved the steering wheel forward all the way. The steering wheel wouldn't let her feet reach the pedals.
While it could be that the seat isn't functioning as it should, I think there is more to it than that.
Thanks for your thoughts
Seb
Quote from: richard5933 on August 13, 2022, 06:20:12 AM
I made blocks for mine. I used dense 1" foam intended for use as a kneeling mat as the spacer, and then glued a replacement treadle cover from a Kenworth on it for the wear surface. The whole thing was almost identical in size to my existing pedal.
Between the foam and the rubber cover I inserted two Velcro straps before the layers were glued together. Everything was glued with copious amounts of hot glue.
After it was together, the block was attached with the Velcro straps and never budged after.
I only had to do the throttle pedal - it was just enough to the right to put it out of comfortable reach. The brake pedal was never an issue.
That's an idea. Thanks
Seb
Quote from: luvrbus on August 13, 2022, 07:00:26 AM
I have been looking for a friend for the electric adjustable pedals from a wrecked RV or truck for his bus because his wife is 4'10""tall.I have the adjustable pedals on my CC and love the things
Never heard of adjustable pedals. Will have to explore this idea.
Thanks
Seb
Quote from: Tedsoldbus on August 13, 2022, 11:53:49 AM
Rita had a suggestion. If your spouse is going to drive the bus just for short distances like you were saying, Rita says "Bigger shoes".
I looked at her like she had two heads, but she said if you like the pedals where they are, you are not going to like any permanent modification. They sell "fashion" shoes for women that are 3 or 4 inches tall under the ball of the foot. You might have to take a sawzall to the spike heel, but she could put those on just for the "move it 10 feet" thing. Rita just showed me 2 kinds on Amazon. They are called platforms on the pictures she showed me. Not too expensive. Just an idea. Hope you and yours are well In W Yellowstone Seb and I hope you get out of there before the snow hits.
Ted
Now that is thinking outside the box. 🤔
Thanks
Seb
Quote from: Lin on August 13, 2022, 01:14:18 PM
I have blocks made of a 2x3 and my fuel peddle, but we did to improve the angle. I found driving tiring because the peddle required that I extend my foot forward for long periods of time while driving. I cut the 2x3 into a wedge and duct taped it to the peddle (I prefer the black duct tape for this application). After that I was able to drive all day with my foot in a neutral position. Of course, it's only been about 12 years or so, and the duct tape may fail at some point. Can't figure what I will do then.
I was thinking of something like this. Even when I drive it, it seems like an unatural angle to my ankle and something like this could kill 2 birds.
Thanks
Seb
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 13, 2022, 05:39:50 PM
dont modify the pedals. modify a pair of shoes. very simple. easiest would screw and glue crocks or equivalent to 2x4 stubs.
But then she would think she was taller and get the big head 🤪
Thanks for the idea.
Seb
Quote from: luvrbus on August 14, 2022, 10:04:53 AM
Most of the D's depending on the seat MFG has extra holes in the slides to move the seat forward or backwards for adjustments
Even if I did that, it seems the steering wheel will not let her move forward enough to reach.
Seb
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 13, 2022, 05:39:50 PM
dont modify the pedals. modify a pair of shoes. very simple. easiest would screw and glue crocks or equivalent to 2x4 stubs.
Being only 5'2" I've dealt with problems like this my whole life, and it's infinitely easier to have fine control over things like pedals when they are raised to you vs. wearing extensions on your shoes (lifts). The loss of 'feel' and control wearing something like this makes driving more dangerous - it would be like driving with stilts on your feet.
Blocking pedals is not rocket science. Lots of good ways to crack this nut, so figure out what works for you and your wife and carry on. If you'll both be driving then make sure they are removable like the Velcro-attached one I installed or you'll have your knees in your chin while driving.
Quote from: Sebulba on August 14, 2022, 12:18:11 PM
Even if I did that, it seems the steering wheel will not let her move forward enough to reach.
Seb
On my DL3 you could telescope the steering wheel you turned the center (horn button) and could raise or lower it along with the tilt,don't know if can do that on all the D's or not, I could on my Eagle too
Quote from: luvrbus on August 13, 2022, 07:00:26 AM
I have been looking for a friend for the electric adjustable pedals from a wrecked RV or truck for his bus because his wife is 4'10""tall.I have the adjustable pedals on my CC and love the things
Clifford I have a 2001 Ford F-150 4X4 "SuperCrew" that has those. I didn't even know it had them until one day I was sitting in a parking lot waiting for someone and found a switch on the dash near the steering column and thought what is this for and pushed it and the pedals started moving, them I pushed it the other way and yup they went the other way.
So you might check the junk yards for that vintage ford truck or SUV.
;D BK ;D
Got them on my '02 Lincoln Blackwood truck. Never use them though.
Jim
Have them on My 17 Sierra Denali Duraamax. Tried them to see them work. Haven't touched them since. Nice item in some situations. Since they are over hanging pedals, little use in a coach. Move seat closer, and use a couple inch smaller VIP steering wheel if one has donelap disease, and maybe add tilt column.
If you convert to Muslim, you can have a second wife. Get a really tall one.....
Seriously Seb, have her sit in the seat and see how short the distance is. Crocs might do it until you modify the pedals to make your foot and ankle feel right.
Quote from: Tedsoldbus on August 18, 2022, 04:37:39 AM
If you convert to Muslim, you can have a second wife. Get a really tall one.....
Seriously Seb, have her sit in the seat and see how short the distance is. Crocs might do it until you modify the pedals to make your foot and ankle feel right.
Ha, wait till I tell her your suggestion. You'll be on her list then....
Seb
Quote from: luvrbus on August 14, 2022, 01:59:33 PM
On my DL3 you could telescope the steering wheel you turned the center (horn button) and could raise or lower it along with the tilt,don't know if can do that on all the D's or not, I could on my Eagle too
I can't seem to get the horn button to turn. Oh well...
Seb