Newly bitten by bus conversion bug

[windtrader]

Hi all,

New here. Been doing lots of research into jumping into bus conversions. Want something unique. Many points to consider but for me it has come to this first decision point.

How long? 35 - 40 - 45 foot?
We definitely want to have more flexibility and access to commercial and public parks and campgrounds. This favors a 35. Research indicates that at 40' there is more restriction but not a major issue. By the time a rig hits 45', trip planning is virtually mandatory due to fewer facilities allowing them.

The tradeoff: more interior space and creature comforts vs options for staying.

What else to consider?

thanks

[buswarrior]

How many people in your party?

Can any kids involved manage their behaviour in the confines of a coach, or, can the parents?

As your research suggests, bigger is not always better.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Jon]

I have had a 45 foot coach for 13 years and not only have I never had to do any trip planning because of its size, I have never had issues as a result of its size.

[DoubleEagle]

There are no end of things to consider, but size is a good starting point as it will narrow your search down. The length will definitely help narrow things down, but don't forget width and height. If you want the most space inside possible, then you get a high ceiling (or a custom raised roof) in a 8 1/2' wide coach that is 45' long. That size, however, will crimp your style when it comes to many campgrounds due to rule restrictions and low branches, and it is technically illegal in many areas off the Interstate (even though people get away with them all the time). In the narrow roads in many areas of the East, the 8' width is less challenging. The interior height might be an important factor if you are tall and not willing to stoop all the time, but if you are under six foot, most any coach will do. Once you zero in on the size that fits your situation, I would consider the aesthetics of the coaches you are considering, some will appeal to you more than others. It would be best to zero in on coaches that make you happy to be in. Then there is the cost to consider, and whether you want to convert it yourself, or get one already done (or mostly). If you have truly been bitten by the bus bug, this will all be a fun process whether you actually get a bus or not, or whether you ever  finish it. There is no rule that says you must finish your first bus before you start the second, by the way.

[windtrader]

Thanks.

Not to be disagreeable by any means. For example, I live in California and it seems 7 of 95 parks allow vehicles longer than 35'. http://www.parks.ca.gov/rvlength

No kids, just the two of us. Would like to have a pull out sofa in case but really designing for just a couple. Would like to provision for lengthy stays so accommodating washer/dryer and being fully self sufficient is highly desirable including some boon docking.

Yes, lots to consider, I have a long list but length seems to check off several like width and height. For example, at 35', most/nearly all production are 96" wide and less tall. At 40', there are width options - 96" or 102" and height options. Also, length guides decisions about conversion options as there are fewer newer longer bus conversions.

I looked at a 1966 GM 4107. I love the classic look and at 35' it gets into more parks. Production width is 96" wide and standard height works for us fine.

At 40', looking at MCI 102D3 or 96D3 are options. D series as that checks the 2 vs 4 stroke checkbox with a Series 60 motor. Width options - Research indicates 102" feels noticeably more comfortable, even though only 6" while seemingly not raising any significant constraints with respect to places to park or on-road restrictions. As mentioned, some narrow roads may be more difficult navigate but doable.

45' just seems excessive, more than we need while coming with issues like fewer places to park as well as getting around in town and such.

Thanks again.

[dtcerrato]

Welcome to the greatest disease known to mankind. To be a bus nut is to always be almost done but never making it to the finish line. Enjoy the trip because it's never ending. We are almost to the end of our forth decade & we're almost done. Wouldn't have it any other way. Welcome to the board. Lots & lots of knowledge here but we are all nuts...

[sixtyseven]

Don,   
I have been to almost all of the states with my 40' and California is the only one I had any issue with length.   So when ever I visit "The land of many potholes" AKA California, I stay at private campgrounds and never have an issue.   Also never had a problem with 102 wide. 
Joe

[PP]

Another consideration is how you plan to use it. Will it be a fulltime rig or just for recreational use?

[windtrader]

Thanks Dan and Cindy.
I'm full of optimism this will be fun and enjoyable. The prudent thing to do would be buy a used factory RV and take some trial journeys to see if we both come back alive in one piece first. But I've never been one to take the most common sense and practical fork in the road. I suspect most bus nuts are at least sort of the same ilk otherwise would not be hanging out here. LOL

Joe, Great to know the flower child state is the most/ only? problematic when finding campground space. Sad since there so many really awesome places that would be amazing to park a bus and enjoy. But reality is even a 35' is pushing it in California State parks. That said, there are many. many other options but still no substitute for many of the gorgeous ones.

Hi PP, the intention is to start with week and month long trips. See how it goes. Not likely to full time but maybe 6-9 months at most. Hit the northern route in the summer, southern route in the winter, and home for breaks or is it vis a versa.

If the whole experiment is a bust, then I know what faces me. Like so many who have trodden before, plan to bend over and take a big loss. Just hope to minimize the dent in the bank account.

I am going in eyes wide open. Living next to San Francisco bay, I get the strong sense owing a bus is like owning a boat - a place where you throw your money into the big deep black hole. But fun isn't cheap, right?

[B_K]

Many times places with the 35' rule will tell you if you can find a spot it will fit in go ahead, but many were designed for a max of 35' yrs ago and some will able to accommodate you & some won't!
  BK

[kyle4501]

If you get the right coach, finding a place to park is easy! Ours fits us so well & has just what we need to be comfortable & happy almost anywhere we are - campground, rest area, or, my favorite - Cracker Barrel !

For us - 102 wide , 12 ft tall , 40 ft long & no slides is it.

It is not as big as you think - I once spent over an hour in down town Tampa Fl looking for the RV parking lot (that was not at all like it was described). Looking back on it, it was easy - just took a little more planning ahead before making a U turn.  

[RJ]

NAME??

I drove charter buses all over CA for 10 years, and there wasn't anywhere in the state I couldn't take a 40'x102" coach. Obviously this didn't include State Parks, with a few exceptions for school field trips (Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, for example.)

That being said, some CA State Parks are marginal for 35' rigs - even tho the website says ok.

If Mama insists on having a washer/dryer on board, you'll need BIG water tanks plus a hefty genset if planning on running the units while on the road. This is an item where the 40' trumps the 35', and a 45' trumps both. We don't mind campground laundries or a local laundromat, because in an hour two weeks worth of laundry is washed, dried, folded/hung and put away. (Side note: some parks charge for electric - not a good thing with an electric dryer!)

As you do your homework, consider this: Rent a Class C RV for a week or two just to see if this lifestyle is for you.  It may cost you $500-$1,000, but it might also save you making a multi-thousand dollar mistake.

FWIW & HTH...

😉

PS: Please take a couple minutes to update your forum profile with a signature line similar to mine and others on this bbs. Include at least your first name, home/base city/state, and your bus make and model (if/when you get one!)  By doing so, we can better help you, plus you may discover another busnut near by! (There are quite a few in the Bay Area...) Using the "Profile" tab above, click on the "Forum Info" option in the LH menu and fill in the blanks. Oh, and thanks for joining! 😉🚍🙃

[windtrader]

@RJ
Thanks for sharing experiences. I was leaning toward keeping to 35' but it seems 40' and 102" will work in most situations. Confirms selecting something like a MCI 102D3 Series 60 pre-EGR motor and Allison B-500 transmission is the first choice. Mid 90's are out there so if they have't been driven hard and with solid documentation, that may be the best value, lowest risk purchase.

[Zephod]

Could get a school bus. I got a 1994 Carpenter for $4K and converted it myself. It's 32.5 feet bumper to bumper. I measured it

Get your bus from a dry state or you'll have rust issues.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[TomC]

I have an AMGeneral transit (10240B). I couldn't afford the big on the road buses-I bought it for $4,000. But ended up overhauling everything in the engine compartment plus adding turbocharging with air to air intercooling. High floor transits, like GM or Gillig do have under floor storage with 22" under the floor. Under my floor I have a 10kw Diesel generator (next to the driver's seat like a front engine), 99" x 22"h x 66"l storage, 130gal fuel, 85gal gray, 45gal black, 25gal propane, 2-31 starting batteries, 2-8D deep cycle batteries, and a small 24" x 22"h x 18"w storage by the engine.
I put a lot of time and effort into converting a transit bus that would not have had to be done with an over the road bus. The 40ft x 102" wide just isn't a problem. Yes there are a few places we can't get into-but then even a 35ft couldn't get in either.
The MCI 102C3 or MCI 102 D3 are prime candidates at 40ft x 102" wide with 6'10" headroom. Good Luck, TomC