Bogie removal?

demodriver · July 19, 2011, 08:02:21 PM

I have saw a few pics that appear that the bogie axle has been removed from thre eagle. Is this a common thing or "ok" to do? I would like the extra space and it would prevent me from buying two new tires. (all the others on my bus are nearly new)

Input is welcome. Espacially from those who have done it.

thanks Eric

luvrbus · July 19, 2011, 08:15:13 PM

You don't even want to go there unless you are planning on making a 35 footer those Eagles you see with 2 axles came from Eagle that way they have a bigger and heavier torque suspension made just for those buses.
You remove the bogies on yours the a** will drag big time and you will destroy the suspension on your model of bus I know a guy that did that he now has bogies again lol buy 2 tires

good luck

TomC · July 19, 2011, 10:27:14 PM

Weigh your bus and see if you could eliminate the bogie. Look at your chassis serial number plate and see what the axles are rated at. If they are at least 12,000lb front, 23,000lb drive, you could remove the bogie if you weigh less then 35,000lbs (you'll be removing about 1500lbs weight of bogie also). But-also your braking will be less and the rear may feel a bit sloppy. I have a 40ft transit with only 2 axles, and I weigh fully loaded 31,000lbs. Then again, transits have the biggest brakes available. Mine are 15 x 7 in the front and 15 x 10 in the rear. With my 36,000lb GVW (13,000lb front, 23,000lb rear), I'm 5,000lb away from my GVW. Even pulling my car, I'm still under. Personally-I'd just keep the bogie and buy the extra two tires-that extra braking capacity maybe the difference between not hitting something. Good Luck, TomC

Dreamscape · July 20, 2011, 02:51:27 AM

Take the bogie wheels off and you'll see how low it sits. I would go with Clifford on this. Springs have different ratings for the required load. They put bogies on there for a reason, weight distribution, and more braking capability.

rv_safetyman · July 20, 2011, 06:20:50 AM

We had a member of Eagles International remove the bogie axle. I talked to him and asked if he was concerned about overloading the other two axles - he said no. The next year, he was back with the bogie wheels back on. I did not have a chance to talk to him. This year in Quartzsite I was told that he had replaced all of the suspension with motorhome components. I have to wonder if he damaged the original suspension.

In any case, bad idea.

Jim

Len Silva · July 20, 2011, 06:41:56 AM

There was a company that built and ran Eagle entertainers back in the day that removed the bogies. Might have been Callahan Brothers but I'm not sure of the name.

At any rate, they knew every inch of an Eagle and I'm sure took great pains to add strength where needed and not simply removed the bogies.

I think it would be a significant undertaking to do it right, along with some serious weight management.

robertglines1 · July 20, 2011, 06:47:20 AM

Eric: Don't take offense! youre thinking that's good. This is one that is better left alone. I know you realize it now that you have read responses. Keep up the Ideas!and questions that is what keeps us growing and young like you. By the way the suspension parts to replace for one axle would be more than you paid for your bus. Bob

demodriver · July 20, 2011, 08:04:41 PM

Ya I realize the cost of the suspension. I didnt realize that eagle had made some from the factory with out the bogie. I was just curious how it was done.

I would like the extra space for race car parts after the conversion is done.

Eric

Busted Knuckle · July 20, 2011, 08:10:12 PM

Quote from: demodriver
I would like the extra space for race car parts after the conversion is done.

Eric

Eric what you need to do is stretch it ! LOL!

BK

demodriver · July 20, 2011, 08:26:19 PM

the town had a big enough cow when I got the bus, I couldnt imagine how bad they would flip out when I cut it in half in the drive lol

i am the type to do it just to watch them freak out tho

chev49 · July 20, 2011, 10:15:44 PM

While you are working on it, make a fake cow catcher out of 2X4's and paint them black and put it on the front of the bus (if its toward the street)... that will make great conversation for all the old guys who get up at 5am to head downtown for breakfast each morning....

demodriver · July 21, 2011, 06:10:55 AM

The sad part is that they would probably like it if I did that.

Except for the old man who always drives around taking pictures of peoples stuff to take to the town council meetings.

robertglines1 · July 21, 2011, 06:20:13 AM

Sorry his life is so empty!

Len Silva · July 21, 2011, 08:34:38 AM

Quote from: demodriver on July 20, 2011, 08:04:41 PM
Ya I realize the cost of the suspension. I didnt realize that eagle had made some from the factory with out the bogie. I was just curious how it was done.

I would like the extra space for race car parts after the conversion is done.

Eric

AFAIK the only two axle factory Eagles were 35' Suburbans.

luvrbus · July 21, 2011, 08:41:00 AM

That's not right Len they made a 40 ft 2 axle for entertainer,motor homes and seated and the 10s was a 40 ft or a 35 footer mostly 40 footers on the 10s lot of guys here have the 40 ft 10s

good luck