DOT or Safety inspection

[Calumet]

Hello and thank you in advance for any and all advice,

I think I finally found someone who will drive my new bus to the mechanic (I'm across the country from my bus.)
But in the process the point was made that there is a long DOT checklist of all sorts of things that could be wrong with the vehicle.  If they were to drive the bus and the DOT pulled them over and flunked the bus they would "ground" it on the spot and that I might want to have it towed to the mechanic instead.  The company that does truck and bus towing assured me the driver would take a look see to make sure the vehicle wouldn't kill anybody before they got behind the wheel if I opted to have them drive it.  To drive it is $100 to tow it is $300.
After thinking about it I realized - who in their right mind would want to get behind the wheel of a 38 foot bus of unkown condition and drive it down the road?  Am I being too paranoid?  Should I just have it towed?
The mechanic said they can do a full DOT inspection or a "safety" inspection.  Which would you get?
Once the unit is titled and registered as an RV are you subject to DOT inspections?

Thanks!

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Calumet,

Oh, and a big WELCOME!

Could you tell our members what kind of bus you have and where it is?

This way we could better assist you in your transport.

Thanks
Nick-

[jackhartjr]

Hi guy,
I would check with my insurance agent to be sure that if the mechanic drives it you would be covered as to liability in the event of an accident.  If that answer is yes and the driver seeems to think it is safe to drive, then you may choose to have it done that way.
Jack

[Calumet]

Hi Nick

The bus is a 1992 Calumet Coach.  Calumet bought the chassis from HME fire truck.  It has a Cummins 5.9 :-( and an Allison MD3060 :-) and a rockwell 5.86 rear end.  Calumet then built up the shell to make a mobile medical unit.  It has a box shape which I like, nice shape inside and I can have a full patio on the roof, it has a generator, two slide outs, a lift, levelors, etc. so I'm hoping to make a nice cheap (well relatively speaking) motorhome.  The thing is rated for 40,000 lbs so I was surprised it only had a 5.9 liter engine but Tom made some good suggestions on how to boost it to 350 HP which I will look into.  Pics are at http://www.calumetcoach.info/pics/
Yesterday somebody told me it might have lead lined walls!  That would explain the 40,000 lbs. so it will be interesting to see if that is the case.  I may leave the lead and advertise it as a mobile bomb shelter -what with the threat of terrorists - it could be the new new thing - mobile bomb shelter!!

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Calumet,

Thanks for bringing me up to speed on this... It's a cool looking machine!

The only thing that comes to mind is "LEAD SLED"  Lol, I named it for ya!

Nick-

[Calumet]

Lead Sled!  I like it!!

[ChuckMC9]

The mechanic said they can do a full DOT inspection or a "safety" inspection.  Which would you get?

Is he doing the inspection for the result of official 'blessing', or just to simulate what would be inspected *if* you were inspecting it for real?

If this is for a real, legal inspection, I would go for the regular first, then after living with it for awhile and assessing its condition I would pay for the DOT for my own peace of mind. That's what I did, and from now on I'm getting an official DOT, because basically it's a low cost mechanic's consultation.

Once the unit is titled and registered as an RV are you subject to DOT inspections?

In Texas, No. But other states may be different.

[John Z]

Once the unit is titled and registered as an RV are you subject to DOT inspections?

Thanks!

Not in Minnesota either, DOT inspections are for commercial vehicles. My experience with a DOT mechanic when i had a wheel bearing go bad, taught me that a DOT inspection could be worthless anyway!

[Calumet]

Regarding the inspection I just want to make sure it's driveable from California to Florida.  And I'll have the roadside assistance in place by then so I'm not tooooo worried - just concerned about someone trying to take advantage of me if I do break down somewhere.  It was suggested to have the fluids all changed and check the tires, belts, hoses, breaks, air bags, air system, make sure all the lights are on, doors stay closed, that kind of thing.  I also would like the guages to work especially coolant temp and oil pressure.

With all the suggestions to drive it myself instead of having it driven I thought I might even take my time and do some site seeing on the way home.  My hope is the mechanic is going to say "wow, that unit is in great shape!"  Hey, I can hope can't I?  The first bus I bought I was naive and fortunate.  I took a greyhound to Virginia, the dealer drove me around the parking lot to show me how to drive it (first time ever driving a bus) told me to check the oil often, and off I went to Florida!  We made it in one piece.  That old '72 MC7 was a lot of fun but I decided it would be better for me to have a newer bus.

Thanks for the advice!

[Hartley]

I think the answer was missed...

If it is already titled and registered as an RV, I have not heard of a DOT inspection
being needed since it is not commercial and wouldn't have a DOT number assigned.

It's your choice.

I would have an overall inspection done for lights, reflectors, brakes and the under the hood stuff all checked and repaired/replaced ( belts, hoses, fluids and such ).
The tires should be checked thoroughly and anything done to make it road ready.

It's a newer unit so may be a much better shape mechanically than many of the buses that a lot of us have jumped into "cold" and driven hundreds or thousands of miles home.

That sticking your arm out the window to signal turns and stops has been done a few times but looks really wierd. Better to have some working lights and brakes.

It's your choice and your money...

If they tow it and break something, It's still at your expense.
( Only a Class C wrecker with an experienced driver should tow. )

[DrivingMissLazy]

It might help when talking to a shop to tell them you have a truck not a bus. It is in no way a bus. It is a truck chassis with a custom built box designed to hold a MRI medical image scanning unit. The lead lining was because of the strength of the magnetics affecting other equipment and other devices in the immediate area.

Unless you are planning on running some very large industrial equipment, I think you will find the genset practically useless. A 75,000 watt, three phase, 480 volt genset is not something that a person would find useful for an RV.

Richard

[Sammy]

I'd have a shop do a complete safety inspection, tell them you plan to drive it to Florida too.
Hopefully they will be very thorough, taking closer look at cooling system, lines,belts,hoses,etc to go the distance.
Best of luck.   

[John Z]

Its too bad you can't get to inspect the bus yourself and check it out. Considering the prior owner, it perhaps has been quite well maintained. Who knows, it may be ready to roll!

[gomer]

hey when you get close to Ocala Florida, look me up I want to see that "LEAD SLED" up closer.  That thang looks tuff. I hope you have good results with the inspection and the trip.
gomer

[Calumet]

Ocala will be a regular stop for me and the kids!