Serta -vs- MCI -vs- Vanhool

[luvrbus]

Many a Senicruiser became beer cans people trying to deal with drop aisle in those  

[Jeremy]

Maybe I'm missing something but I'm not sure what the real/imagined problem is with dropped aisles. I'm simply running the floor across the top of mine, with some additional steel cross supports underneath - and using the resulting tunnel under the floor as an incredibly useful conduit for running things up and down the length of the bus (and in my case the mechanisms for the slide-outs). What's the big deal?

Jeremy

[Lee Bradley]

My Neoplan Cityliner had a drop aisle which allowed head room while standing and you stepped up to the seating level.  If I did as Jeremy did, my head room would have been to limited. So I lowered the floor to the lowest point of the aisle ( 7 1/2" drop). Mine is a Colorado built Neoplan so it has American running gear so no problems there. It did have rust problems. The flooring was the only thing left front air bag down.

[Geoff]

When I lived in the SF Bay Area, I would take occasional trips in my RTS to Reno.  There are quite a few curves on I-80, and I would watch the gambling tour buses leaning out on the curves so much it would scare me to watch.  My RTS with IFS and a low center of gravity didn't lean at all and would outrun the Charter buses unless they had an 8V92TA (I had 350HP, they had 330HP in the days of 6V92's).  The RTS easily out did a 4106, so it was the new "sport car of buses" 20-30 years ago, maybe still.  I have a friend with 35' RTS and an 8V71TA @ 375Hp and 4.11 gears (I also have 4.11 gears).  20,000+ RTS buses were built and there are lots of parts available. No computer bus for me so my RTS is for life then my son gets it.

[Jeremy]

My Neoplan Cityliner had a drop aisle which allowed head room while standing and you stepped up to the seating level.  If I did as Jeremy did, my head room would have been to limited. So I lowered the floor to the lowest point of the aisle ( 7 1/2" drop). Mine is a Colorado built Neoplan so it has American running gear so no problems there. It did have rust problems. The flooring was the only thing left front air bag down.

To be fair I would have had the same problem if I hadn't also raised the roof, and by co-incidence I raised the roof by exactly 7.5" - which is comparatively modest I think given that I know a lot of people that already have flat floors then raise their roofs by 10" or more.

I can see that on something like a Scenicruiser where keeping the classic look is all-important you'd be loath to raise the roof, and I also know that dropping the floor is not for the faint-hearted - I did briefly consider doing that on mine, but that IS a big fabrication job (far bigger than raising the roof), and kudos to anyone who has done it

Jeremy

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I have added more buses and reset the counters to zero so if you could please go back in and choose your favorite bus type to convert. This is very interesting.

Plz vote again and you will be able to see the results as they progress.

[chessie4905]

I think Nimco dismantled about 19,000 of them in New Jersey. I observed their process a few years back. Interesting how the body was ground up and separated into different material piles.

[Geoff]

I think Nimco dismantled about 19,000 of them in New Jersey. I observed their process a few years back. Interesting how the body was ground up and separated into different material piles.

If you are exaggerating about RTS buses, they still make them.  NYC is the biggest customer.  Look at this:
http://www.millenniumtransit.com

[chessie4905]

I have no idea how many they dismantled. They also did new looks, and other brands of city busses. They had huge piles of fiberglass, rubber, wood, aluminum, glass etc. They ran the bodies through a huge grinder after removing drivelines. They sold takeoff parts for several years.

[luvrbus]

If you are exaggerating about RTS buses, they still make them.  NYC is the biggest customer.  Look at this:
http://www.millenniumtransit.com

Geoff the plant in New Mexico has been closed for several years now,that NJT contract was cancelled for non delivery,  Millennium is gone as far I know.I purchased some items at their sale at the site in the Roswell air park.Maybe they will try again with the economy better now     

[neoneddy]

I have an MC9 . I haven't fully documented the process, but I came up with a good solution for the curved ceiling.  I used a 2x3s veritcal placed 18-24 inches from center to create a center channel in the ceiling. Keeps the head hight at Max. Then on the other side of the 2x3 becomes an air duct for the AC units. It forms a flat tiered ceiling . Then on the edge near the window you can do cabinets or plywood . I can post pics if it makes the MCI option anymore desirable.


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[buswarrior]

RTS is gone, low floor and ramp are universally preferred over a lift, and Allison stopped making V731 that went into 'em.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[luvrbus]

RTS is gone, low floor and ramp are universally preferred over a lift, and Allison stopped making V731 that went into 'em.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

The one I saw used a ZF Transmission

[windtrader]

The poll has insufficient parameters. An accurate result depends on many factors such as money available for a shell coach, budget for a full conversion, planned use (i.e. touring musician vs extended pole to pole stays, work/pleasure), etc. The more heavy use the more the need for a newer coach, reliability, parts and service availability, etc.

Coach already converted or a fyi DIY conversion or a professional conversion. Different options depending on many factors.

[CrabbyMilton]

Geoff. That is an interesting site and I've looked at it years ago. As nice as it would be to see RTS's in transit fleets, the fact that their website appears to be untouched for over 5 years is a red flag.
Same thing when EAGLE was trying to come back. "New specs coming very soon". That stayed on their spec section for a few years too until they finally went completely out of business and took their site down.