Mystery Coach!!!

[GM0406]

Ok, Here we go.  Please let me know what you think it is.  Bill T.

[niles500]

Prevost H5-60

[TomC]

It has a 8V-92TA mid mounted in the front section driving the tandem drive axles using singled out tires.  So the entire bus has 10 wheels.  Extremely hard to remove the engine-actually have to cut it out, then reweld it in place.  I would stay far away from this one.  Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

Folks have posted in the past that these are very hard to do even routine service on the engine, let alone removing the engine. 
Supposedly mechanics have been known to call in sick when H5-60s are due in for engine service due to the difficulties in working on them.

At one point I was somewhat seriously considering one of these for a conversion, but I realized it would be way overkill and hard to park or use.  Legally, the front half could be licensed as a motorhome and the rear half as a trailer, but I still think you could be required to get a CDL to drive it.  The difficulty of servicing the engine and low MPGs were the final nails in the coffin for converting one.

[cody]

I was always curious what the cost of the big rubber bellows part would be, for the articulated part and if Napa has a part number for them lol.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Bill,

This one looks like it may allready be a conversion?? Did you take the pic?

Nick-

[JackConrad]

If considering doing a conversion of one of these, don't forget that most if not all states limit RVs to 45'.  Jack

[TomC]

Any motorhome over 40ft requires a CDL.  Plus, just look at the limited RV parks that would accommodate a 60ft'r. 
Fuel mileage wise, when I had a 8V-92TA in my truck and pulling 80,000lb, I would get 4.6-4.8mpg (which was quite acceptable in the 80's.  Now our new Detroit DD15 is getting around 7.3-7.9mpg on trucks with 80,000lb restricted to 62mph!).  I would imagine that the fuel mileage for this bus would be about that also.  Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

Tom, which regulation says RVs over 40' require a CDL?  California requires a special license for over 40', but I am not aware of any blanket requirement for CDLs for over 40'

My bus conversion is 43 feet and I don't have a CDL and I am not aware of any requirement to have one.

[belfert]

If considering doing a conversion of one of these, don't forget that most if not all states limit RVs to 45'.  Jack

My research found that the front section with motor could be registered as a motorhome and the back portion could be registered seperately as a trailer.  This only works on articulateds with the motor in the front section.  Now if that would really fly down at the DMV is a whole seperate issue.

This is one of many reasons I didn't go forward with something like this.  I do know folks have converted transit articulateds and I think they just hope they don't get caught.

[luvrbus]

In Texas and AZ that bus is legal like Belfert said it's a bus with a trailer the way it is looked upon in those 2 states 
good luck

[Songman]

TomC, that is only a CA regulation. Most other states don't have it. I know TN and GA don't.

[Nusa]

CA has non-commercial license classes for heavy trailers and 45' RV's, so a CDL isn't required for private use:

A Noncommercial Class A license is required if you tow:

    * a travel trailer weighing over 10,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is not used for hire.
    * a fifth-wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. GVWR which is not used for hire.
    * a livestock trailer that is not for hire, weight over 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR, and is operated within 150 miles of the farm by a farmer to transport livestock.

A Noncommercial Class B license and endorsement is required if you operate:

    * A housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet.

      Exemptions: Holders of a commercial Class A or B license, a noncommercial Class A license, and all fire fighter license classes.

note: CA code uses the term "housecar" to mean RV.

[TomC]

At least in California, any RV over 40ft, you need a non commercial class B license to drive it.  That involves a written and driving test, and carrying a valid medical card.  Good Luck, TomC

[makemineatwostroke]

Blue Bird and the major S&S mfg built 43 and 44 ft motor home to get around the law in CA for some reason. I have been checked in CA for length in a 43.5 ft Blue Bird before    have great day