Max weight in luggage bay

[lvmci]

Hi Scott, saw a C&D at Los Alamitos, torn all the way down to the trusses, that's all there is above the belt/floor line, just like the earlier mci lettered buses, the bays are just boxes with frames hanging from the trusses, lvmci...

[sledhead]

are the bay walls there to add support for the bay floor to the main floor , so the bay floor will not sag ?

dave

[luvrbus]

The bay floors are supported by the out side frames and 2 supports under the bays the full length of bays.
The MCI from the C forward uses the same frame design as Eagle did since 1957.
It took MCI and Prevost years to figure that Eagle had it right on the frame design Even took MCI and Prevost longer to figure out for a good ride you need independent front suspension.  I don't get the concern you have a 200 gal fuel tank and batteries setting on the floor now  

[buswarrior]

I would add to kyle4105's list to put an insulating layer under the tanks.

Even if you have no plans to fully insulate/enclose the plumbing, think of bare feet on a cold floor...

Even a sheet of plywood will make a difference in how easily the bay will cool, and reduce the practical amount of heat you'll need to defend against going solid.

I found rectangular box tanks that are 9.25" x 21" x 60" and 49 USgallons. Start with a pair? add more and gang them as desired?

http://www.plastictanks.ca/category.php?cat_id=029

Standing on the thin edge, there's room top and bottom below the utility tunnel for an insulating box, room for pump/manifold along the floor, and fittings/valves both sides.

Thin tanks, as well as giving good head for draining, also the sloshing doesn't have as far to build up stressful momentum.

I would not compromise the bulkheads between the bays on an MCI, inspect the way they are fastened top and bottom, those aren't just a separator of the basement space...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[HB of CJ]

I for one would be concerned with long term road mileage stress concerns on the chassis.  Why concentrate such weight in just one bay location?  Why not consider instead spreading out the overall load?

Also fun and easy to calculate weight and measures when planning the floor and chassis plan.  No reason why one could not know before hand what the Bus Conversion will exactly weight on all four or six axle ends.

[brmax]

sledhead, Dave I am in the thinking the between bay sheets play an important support role. They are aluminum but in engineering they figure everything and  sell the assets, especially if it benefits more than one purpose even if just has an ole divider name.
Great post running here you all!
I have been looking at some post on cold temps and so key in on some using insulation of sorts in tank areas, course its been 14 degrees and I have been walking around 2" ice in drives and shop lots yep yep etc. That was here in Missouri this morning and afternoon was 60 so you know what the field lot is now zzzzrr zzzr mud
Good eve
Floyd

[Scott & Heather]

HB, the only reason I'm trying to squeeze it all into one bay is because if can get away with just one plumbing bay, I don't have heat more than just one bay. Less area to heat, less cost, less drama.


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[pabusnut]

Scott,

I have a 100 gal fresh water, 100 gal gray water, and 50 gal black water tanks in my "short-5ft long" 3rd bay on my 4905.  In that bay I also have my 100 amp Square D 120VAC electrical panel, my 12VDC Paneltronics distribution, my LP Gas system (2-30 lb horizontal tanks) and my pex water distribution manifold(Viega), and my water pump.  My thought on the weight was that only one of the 100 gal tanks would be full at any one time.

I insulated the floor w/2 layers of 3/4" blue foam, and the front and back bay walls w/foam.  Everything fit and I have room left for a 12 gal electric water heater(future).

My goal was to have 2 full bays open to haul "junk"!!!!

Steve

[brmax]

Thought some and scratched this down it could be a good lead or late ice breaker 
I know your working on your 102 Scott so probably been punching numbers a plenty as it is.
M C I
Model  9 Bus
1992 
40' L x 8' W x 11' H
approximate curb weight 27,500
GVW 37,800

43 passenger capacity: average weight estimate 175 lbs. may have been lower 30 years ago.

Passenger allowed "luggage size and weight" 50 lbs in a measurement totaling 62" l,w,h
This equals 4.6 cubic ft.  Allowed 1 free and second at a low charge I believe.

Totals 197.8 cubic ft. at 43 pass.  free with ticket lower bay storage.
43 x 50 lbs = 2,150 lb 

Seating area:  7' x 35' =245 square '   measure includes restroom area.  not Cab/Ops
Passenger estimated. floor structure load figured from square measurement on average.
43 passenger x 175 lb = 7525 lb,     7525 /245sq' = 30.71 lbs per square ft.

fuel tank gal. 140 @7.1 lb =  994 lbs

Axles, Weight limits
      Front - 14,000
   Intermediate - 22,000
       Rear -  6,000

Luggage Bay capacities: 300 cubic ft.     figures leave extra 102 cubic ft. available.
                     102Cf  x 10.86lb = 1107.72lb  possible.
Upper inside above seat: 122 cubic ft      must be a load used here,   lbs x 43

Using passenger allowed lower baggage weight @ 50 lb it runs about 10.86 per cubic ft.

Curb weight : 27,500  includes main fuel.
Max totals:
     43       7,525 pass. lb.         
   43       2,150 pass. Luggage lb.
Total       3,7175            

max GVW 37,800

[TheHollands!]

Scott, with the size of tanks your talking I'd go separate bays. Why heat the waste bay? Just do like the ports potty companies and if your in cold climates throw a little de icing salt down the toilet. It will actually shake around a little as you drive and clean the bottom of the tank. Craig

[HB of CJ]

Excellent post and calculations brmax and thank you.  Also consider the designers had to make the coach work and last without spending a great deal of time, expense and materials. 

I wonder if anybody could produce the data showing through the years how often the GVWR of a given coach was closely approached ... or rarely exceeded in revenue service?

If memory serves way back in the day when we kids rode Grayhound or Trailways to go visit family on kinda frequent visits, the coaches were never completely full.  There were empty seats.

How many?  Dunno.  Can not remember.  A few.  Maybe some?  All the passengers seemed to have the usual luggage with them.  Carts full loading up.  Coaches back then were very tough?

Seems also that the average Bus Conversion design and load out would not approach maximum allowable limits?  Other words the coach runs light.  Sosss ... why not even things out completely?

Spread things out evenly throughout all the bays because you can and want to?  Instead of knowingly concentrating stuff locally just to make a few things easier and more expedient?

[buswarrior]

Picture 2 full holds of bundled newspapers, 47 peeps luggage stuffed into 3rd, rest jammed upstairs wherever it would fit...

Friday night midnight trip northbound out of the Big City, with the Saturday paper for every little whistle stop...

rest of the week it was just shy of one hold....

The GVWR was just a number on a plaque in the parcel rack....

A busnut has to ignore obvious body maintenance and do some wild things to come close to a problem?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[bandsaw]

Hello, I am in the process of converting a 1998 H3-41.  Originally, I planned on putting the generator and 3 tanks (black, gray and water) in the rear bay.  I wanted to have 2 open bays.  I called and talked to the Prevost representative for conversion coaches about bay loading.  He said they do not want more than 1,000 pounds in a single bay.  My water tank is 140 gallons (1,120 lbs).  I wound up moving the generator to the first bay. 

Bandsaw

[brmax]

I agree guys it would take a lot of building material upstairs in a bus to compare to a full passenger load, It wouldn't take long for bundles of news print to get heavy either.
I'm sure just as now plenty of people chompin at the bit waiting on the new! news of the day
The planning here and just everyones organization of tanks, batteries and gen's is always a good workup. Heck I think listening to some of you veteran busnut builders you have made some new decisions on methods that are a great benefit for us looking forward.
good eve
Floyd

[Scott & Heather]

Good calculations and ideas. Craig Holland reminded me that indeed the waste tank need not necessarily be heated...but in climates we go....could be an issue. don't forget that these coaches Carried around freight and spare engines in the bay's too


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