Reason #204 why I prefer a Bus Conversion
 

Reason #204 why I prefer a Bus Conversion

Started by Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM, October 21, 2023, 06:17:22 AM

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Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

Reason #204 why I prefer a Bus Conversion over a Stick-N-Staple motorhome.   You basically have zero protection if you are in a serious accident.
I am not saying you would survive if the same thing happened in a Bus Conversion, but you would stand more of a chance as you at least have a metal cage surrounding you.
1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

dtcerrato

I totally agree with that. I was the totalling of our class C S&S that swung our decision to converting a commercial bus. :^
Dan & Sandy
North Central Florida
PD4104-129 since 1979
Toads: 2009 Jeep GC Limited 4X4 5.7L Hemi
             2008 GMC Envoy SLT 4x4 4.2L IL Vortec

luvrbus

Quote from: dtcerrato on October 21, 2023, 06:38:07 AM
I totally agree with that. I was the totalling of our class C S&S that swung our decision to converting a commercial bus. :^

From the back behind the driver you stand a better chance but at the front you don't have much protection in a bus,that was my biggest fear owning a bus was a head on accident
Life is short drink the good wine first

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 21, 2023, 07:13:29 AM


From the back behind the driver you stand a better chance but at the front you don't have much protection in a bus,that was my biggest fear owning a bus was a head on accident

That is exactly why I try to avoid head on accidents.  ;D
If I see doom ahead, I plan to veer off to the side and roll it or do whatever I can to prevent a head on accident.
1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

luvrbus

Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on October 21, 2023, 07:16:05 AM
That is exactly why I try to avoid head on accidents.  ;D
If I see doom ahead, I plan to veer off to the side and roll it or do whatever I can to prevent a head on accident.

Sometimes there no way to avoid a head on,a VW can total a bus in a head-on accident seen it 2 many times, lol you need to photo a rv in wreck besides a entry level   
Life is short drink the good wine first

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

Here is another example of a factory built motorhome ending up in splinters.  Note: You may have to have a Facebook account to watch this one.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=313883747938478&extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing&mibextid=2Rb1fB


1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

luvrbus

There are no regulations on a RV anyone who has credit or cash can buy one that has regular drivers license can drive a RV weighing 50,000 pounds ,they have never driven anything larger than Toyota,they know nothing about air brakes,diesel engines or anything else.When somebody mentions training or special drivers licensee  needed I notice the bus owners are the 1st to say we are not commercial and don't need training.Saftey begins at the steering wheel that were the accidents happen,not all RV's are junk but there is more junk than anything else.I would make you a small bet if the bus conversion had to have the DOT inspections 2//3 of those would have a red sticker on the windshield  at a inspection station  8)   
Life is short drink the good wine first

windtrader

Clifford,I absolutely agree that far worse than shoddy 15 ton stick and staples is the lack of driver qualification behind the wheel. I do believe there are some states that require more than a license to drive a Corolla but most I think don't regulate it thanks to the RV industry and lobby. Just think how many recent retirees are removed from the market as they can't qualify to drive a heavy vehicle.
Every time I get in the seat after a break, I go Whoa this doesn't stop turn accellerate or anything like a car. Takes some time to get in the groove, I mean literally staying between the lines too.
Don F
1976 MCI/TMC MC-8 #1286
Fully converted
Bought 2017

luvrbus

Yep the lobby for RV's is the DYI dream for converting buses too, all it takes is a bathroom, water, a little electrical if required in that sate and a cooking stove then you have a RV The toilet can be porta potty, water can be 5 gal jugs with a 10 dollar pump, the stove can be Coleman gasoline stove and electrical can be a battery. I get buses through the shop that shouldn't be allowed on a highway
Life is short drink the good wine first

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

It ain't only DIY units that should not be on the road.  This is Cousin Eddies factory Built rig.

1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

luvrbus

Quote from: luvrbus on October 24, 2023, 11:20:41 AM
Yep the lobby for RV's is the DYI dream for converting buses too, all it takes is a bathroom, water, a little electrical if required in that state and a cooking stove then you have a RV. The toilet can be porta potty, water can be 5 gal jugs with a 10 dollar pump, the stove can be Coleman gasoline stove and electrical can be a battery. I get buses through the shop that shouldn't be allowed on a highway, Gary Hatt knows that he has seen a few here, the worst by far was a 1981 Prevost it was so bad the tag axle fell off leaving the driveway
Life is short drink the good wine first

windtrader

Thanks a good point. Gary is always giving crap to the S&S because they fall apart when they hit the ground. I'd take 3 year old S&S any day as far as basic mechanical safety than a 60 old bus conversion that who knows what works or not. Fortunately, there are so few of us actually wearing out rubber on the road that we rarely hear of fatal or bad accidents due to mechanical failures but they do happen.
Don F
1976 MCI/TMC MC-8 #1286
Fully converted
Bought 2017

luvrbus

Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on October 24, 2023, 11:27:32 AM
It ain't only DIY units that should not be on the road.  This is Cousin Eddies factory Built rig.

That is probably not on the road Troppers would have in a hurry
Life is short drink the good wine first

luvrbus

Quote from: windtrader on October 24, 2023, 07:01:36 PM
Thanks a good point. Gary is always giving crap to the S&S because they fall apart when they hit the ground. I'd take 3 year old S&S any day as far as basic mechanical safety than a 60 old bus conversion that who knows what works or not. Fortunately, there are so few of us actually wearing out rubber on the road that we rarely hear of fatal or bad accidents due to mechanical failures but they do happen.

Lol right Gary has owned a 1/2 dozen S&S before he bought a bus and he is still around  and I go from buses to S&S and S&S to buses and I am still standing ,it gets down to whatever flips your switch
Life is short drink the good wine first

dtcerrato

If I had the choice of what I'd be in to lay it on it's side at 70 mph it would surely be a commercial bus over a S&S any day or night.
Dan & Sandy
North Central Florida
PD4104-129 since 1979
Toads: 2009 Jeep GC Limited 4X4 5.7L Hemi
             2008 GMC Envoy SLT 4x4 4.2L IL Vortec