Help. Want to do a bus conversion but maybe a DP MH is smarter.

[RJ]

I'm looking at your signature information, and see you also have another MC5 with a 6V92 and HT-740.  What are you going to do with that one?

Geoff -

I sent you a PM with the latest thoughts on the 2nd 5C.

RJ

[B_K]

Geoff -
I sent you a PM with the latest thoughts on the 2nd 5C.
RJ

Aw now come on RJ that ain't fair yer keeping all of us in suspense!
But I got a feeling your going to turn it into a toad!
  BK 

[buswarrior]

Do NOT underestimate the risks associated with "commercial compliance"

Very rare for someone to get on an internet forum and brag about how they got caught and badly thrashed by the authorities.
You only hear about the ones who think they are getting away with something.

FYI, there is an entire sub-set of enforcement officers whose entire duty is focused on this otherwise obscure and complex set of highway commerce laws.

Ask any trucker, they pursue these laws with... ahem... enthusiasm?

Trade show parking lots are an easy drive by, shooting fish in a barrel venues. These guys know exactly where to find you, and know exactly the profile that you will unwittingly display. You gotta know the rules well, to get away with breaking them?

From a distance, just your lack of compliance stickers/license plates will wave a red flag at the keen eye.

Same going down the highway, they simply put on the lights and pull you over.

Caught doing commercial without the necessary compliance, you will be sidelined, ordered unable to leave, with at least ~$3000 worth of tickets in your shirt pocket, your entire cheating operation now in the spotlight of the feds, and lots more $$$ if you piss 'em off.

If you are cited, as the the driver, a $475 ticket for: "Wearing Blue Underwear on the Second Day of the WorkWeek, While In-Charge of a Class 2.543 Commercial Vehicle" and then your company, as the employer, a similar $475 ticket for Allowing the driver to.... starting to get the picture?

Did you know your underwear matters?

Your perceived "rights" are very different the moment the commercial vehicle legislation comes into play, and may be quite shocking to those with a "freedom" orientation.

Remember the costing model, it costs a lot to be compliant, there is an economic invitation there to cheat.... the penalties have to be a deterrent...

The charges may be laid to the driver and/or the company and may include , but not be limited to: tax evasion, falsification, driver licensing, vehicle licensing, fuel tax reporting, periodic vehicle inspection, pre/post daily inspection, driver hours of service(log books), record keeping, insurance requirements, state and federal statutes to choose from.. and if they choose to put the unit through a CVSA inspection, and find something not mechanically fit.., more charges and repaired before you leave. The mobile mechanic also knows the situation you are in and charges accordingly. You have become a marked man.

They will follow you home and poke their noses into most aspects of your business, looking for more evidence of compliance avoidance. How does all the raw product and finished goods come and go? And when the IRS finds out, what claims did you make against what...? This ain't a stroll in a shower in Kansas anymore...

And post major accident, all this is what your insurer uses to deny the claim.

You can't dabble in the big boys sandbox and not get sand kicked in your face?

That being said, there are readily available "safety and legislative compliance service providers" available for modest cost that will get you all properly set-up and your periodic compliance requirements listed for you.

A good place to do some initial research?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[DoubleEagle]

And they are much nicer up in Canada! I have trucked in both countries, and the rules are very similar in both. A commercial vehicle has to make money to justify all the expense of operating legally, otherwise it is a big money drain. If there is ever an accident, sharp lawyers will be all over you if you are not legal and in good mechanical shape.

[MaybeABus]

If you are cited, as the the driver, a $475 ticket for: "Wearing Blue Underwear on the Second Day of the WorkWeek, While In-Charge of a Class 2.543 Commercial Vehicle" and then your company, as the employer, a similar $475 ticket for Allowing the driver to.... starting to get the picture?

Your logic is flawed buswarrior. This is based on the assumption I wear underwear.

At any rate it appears we are going back to square one on this entire project. As I live in Indiana we are choked a bit tighter than most states with a 60' combined limit using a tag hitch. No permitting option to get around it in either private or commercial situations per the IN DOT. As virtually every coach I have considered will not be able to legally haul even a mini cooper on a tow bar the entire project is going to need to change or perhaps be cancelled.

Being near where so many coaches are built it isn't the least bit uncommon to see a large coach pulling a stacker down the road. Never considered that they are all "rolling the dice" with liability and legality. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[sledhead]

 wow 60 ' that sucks .... with my set up coach is 44' + 16 ' deck + v nose of 4 ' = 20 ' ( trailer ) total of 64 '  so where we live I am under by about 9 '

with my mid size truck ( 2015 colorado ) on the trailer there is no more room for any thing else

dave     

[RJ]

As virtually every coach I have considered will not be able to legally haul even a mini cooper on a tow bar the entire project is going to need to change or perhaps be cancelled.

NAME?? -

Consider this option: A Kenworth or Peterbilt truck tractor with an extended sleeper.  Behind that, a standard 5th wheel plate that you could tow an RV-style fifth-wheel toy hauler with your display inside, rather than an RV interior, plus room for the Mini or Smart car.  Being in the heart of RV builders, I'm sure you could have a fifth-wheel easily built to your specs.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[eagle19952]

NAME?? -

Consider this option: A Kenworth or Peterbilt truck tractor with an extended sleeper.  Behind that, a standard 5th wheel plate that you could tow an RV-style fifth-wheel toy hauler with your display inside, rather than an RV interior, plus room for the Mini or Smart car.  Being in the heart of RV builders, I'm sure you could have a fifth-wheel easily built to your specs.

FWIW & HTH. . .

Great for the commercial aspect of the want...kinda sucks for the recreational part

[usbusin]

If the Original Poster or anyone else is interested in an HDT puller for a fifth wheel, here is the site.  It is an extremely high traffic site, the most posts of all the Escapees topics that I know.  The people on this site are very knowledgeable and are most helpful, just like this site but relating to HDT's being used for recreational use or commercial use as the OP is suggesting he would license his unit.

http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?/forum/32-hdt/   

FWIW & HTH

GaryD

[kyle4501]

For someone wanting a solid coach to repower & remodel - - - -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Newell-Coach-/162441394403?hash=item25d242f8e3:g:OBsAAOSwCU1Y0w7r&vxp=mtr

[windtrader]

For someone wanting a solid coach to repower & remodel - - - -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Newell-Coach-/162441394403?hash=item25d242f8e3:g:OBsAAOSwCU1Y0w7r&vxp=mtr

Just curious, what is the average cost to haul a 40' bus a 100, 500, 1000 miles?

[Zephod]

Just curious, what is the average cost to haul a 40' bus a 100, 500, 1000 miles?

Probably cheaper to get a mechanic in to put the engine back together and put some used remolds on then drive it wherever.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[kyle4501]

Just curious, what is the average cost to haul a 40' bus a 100, 500, 1000 miles?

I paid about $2/ total mile of the Landoll or $4/ loaded mile, but that was several years ago, so prices will have gone up some.

[kyle4501]

Probably cheaper to get a mechanic in to put the engine back together and put some used remolds on then drive it wherever.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That hasn't been my experience. There is no way of knowing what was bad on the engine & what is now unusable due to the time being open & scattered apart.
Besides, it is either a 6v71 or an green 6v92 - neither one worth spending much on repairs given what else is currently available

If it were me - I'd plan on a re-power with a newer 4 stroke & overdrive transmission. (shop around & see what is available, 350 hp in this coach will be a fun drive!)
I'd check the interior for water damage and poor quality modifications/ repairs.
Spend time inside it cleaning & understanding the existing features & floorplan before I started planning the remodel.

[DoubleEagle]

I paid about $2/ total mile of the Landoll or $4/ loaded mile, but that was several years ago, so prices will have gone up some.

That sounds about right, $3 average for the round trip. Currently, it's about $3.50 average plus a hookup fee in Ohio. Some outfits do not have the longer reaching bars to pick up buses in the front. Landoll's are an option if the total height clearance works out, otherwise oversize permits may come into play with restricted routes. Many Interstate bridges are 14-15' high or more, but there are still some marked 13' 6". A/C's have been torn off because people did not pay attention to the height details.