Pictures worth a thousand words - Why I chose a Bus shell over an RV

chessie4905 · January 23, 2018, 07:39:28 AM

A few years back, a conversion owner slammed into something significant, resulting in loss of legs or both broken, I don't recall anymore. I think it was reported over on BNO.

luvrbus · January 23, 2018, 07:45:13 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on January 23, 2018, 07:39:28 AM
A few years back, a conversion owner slammed into something significant, resulting in loss of legs or both broken, I don't recall anymore. I think it was reported over on BNO.

That was Daniel when he rear ended a truck in Atlanta

lvmci · January 23, 2018, 07:59:42 AM

Hi All, there are motorhomes as big and bigger, as wide and tall or taller, carrying vehicles in side, that may not be attached properly or at all, should they be regulated? government regulations would have to apply to all, a pickup carrying a quad, pulling a trailer, pulling a boat, with a class C license happens, lvmci...

luvrbus · January 23, 2018, 08:44:57 AM

The government has no regulations on RV's only the EPA.I have a friend in Idaho that builds 53 ft long truck conversions because there is no regulations

chessie4905 · January 23, 2018, 09:05:15 AM

Public hysteria can change anything.

richard5933 · January 23, 2018, 10:20:44 AM

Sounds like we're talking about two things at the same time here...

First is licensing requirements for drivers. That would be easy to establish, as there already exists a framework for that. Just my opinion, but it seems to me that the RV industry has worked hard to keep the licensing requirements for drivers of RVs to be as minimal as possible to encourage sales. I'm sure that not as many people would be dropping cash on a large Class A if they had to first get a license upgrade.

Second issue sounds like regulations on the vehicles themselves. I was just at the RV show in Milwaukee, and it's shocking to see the wide variety of construction methods used. Protection for occupants ranges from nothing but fiberglass to some pretty robust metal cages/framing. This is a place I'd like to see some type of requirement - there should be at least a minimum safety standard for the front of an RV rolling down the road at 75+ mph. I know that it would be difficult to accomplish and would cost money, but it's my opinion that there should be something in front of a driver other than a fiberglass shell and some sheet metal.

I know that both of these issues are the proverbial can of worms. The driver training portion though seems like it's a perfect situation for a non-profit group or organization to step in a provide (minimally) for some type of 'best practices' system with training/certification. Dare I say it, but maybe the insurance industry teamed up with the RV manufacturers would also be a good fit for providing training for newly-minted RV drivers?

windtrader · January 23, 2018, 12:53:26 PM

Interesting topic. Put on the research cap and got this stat from RVIA http://www.rvbusiness.com/category/rvia-wholesale-shipments/
It seems quite remote that new regulations would be defined for existing Class A coaches (bus conversions included). The numbers are just not there to warrant the expenditure of time and money to go after bus conversions. Based on the RVIA stats, only 5% of all RV sales are Class A. Only a portion of these weigh more than 12 tons (arbitrary number); say 20% which is 1% of the total RV units. True bus conversions are a tiny fraction of the 1%.

I just don't see the interest on both sides, manufacturers and regulators, to aggressively pursue increased operator licensing. Just think about the impact on every DMV office to add this to their overly bloated operations and admin processes and one more thing law enforcement needs to enforce. That said, some incredibly horrible accident that goes viral would raise the question but after the next news cycle it'll be back to business.

luvrbus · January 23, 2018, 01:50:25 PM

We should take a lesson from our neighbors up north and at least have a air brake endorsement on the drivers license if you are going to drive a converted bus.
I am not against a DOT inspection on one every 2 years.There a lot of buses on the road that are a accident looking for a place to happen

buswarrior · January 23, 2018, 02:39:18 PM

Driver training requirements?

Don't we do that with our young people? How's that working out?

Same for learning to drive a truck. Industry can't get that right.

Could you just imagine the total crap an RV driving course would be? If you think everything else about RV's is crap...

The good research above is spot on. There is no problem here big enough to warrant the authorities spending anything on it.

That said, anyone who wants some top notch busnut driving training, RJ and I are available for the right price...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

sledhead · January 23, 2018, 02:48:54 PM

to add to what Luvrbus said ... on all air equipped vehicles you need a air endorsement on your licence + as of this year you have to go and retest the original D licence ( vehicles over 25 k lbs ) that I have had for more then 40 years . now some time this year I will have to right a retest . not happy but times are a change - in

dave

chessie4905 · January 23, 2018, 03:24:51 PM

They could decide to pull ANY bus or conversion over to do a dot. brake inspection. This could happen when they see a frequent issue with failed brakes on mountainous areas.
One of the reasons we have been left alone is a low number of accidents. My insurance charges the equivalent of only 6 months of drive time due to the lower average of highway use compared to care and trucks.
Like I said before, the right catastrophe will do it. Politicians love to go overboard with new regs to fix something quick, irreguardless of political party, or burdens on those directly effected. I've hung on to my cell for this reason.

richard5933 · January 23, 2018, 05:43:53 PM

Quote from: sledhead on January 23, 2018, 02:48:54 PM
to add to what Luvrbus said ... on all air equipped vehicles you need a air endorsement on your licence + as of this year you have to go and retest the original D licence ( vehicles over 25 k lbs ) that I have had for more then 40 years . now some time this year I will have to right a retest . not happy but times are a change - in

dave

Unless you are in a state like Wisconsin. Doesn't matter how heavy or what kind of brakes... If it's a motor home with MH plates a 'regular' driver license is all that's required. I'll keep my CDL and be ready if/when that changes.

kyle4501 · January 23, 2018, 05:53:16 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on January 23, 2018, 09:05:15 AM
Public hysteria can change anything.

AMEN

Usually results in more expense & inconvenience without any benefits.

windtrader · January 23, 2018, 06:28:01 PM

QuoteThey could decide to pull ANY bus or conversion over to do a dot. brake inspection. This could happen when they see a frequent issue with failed brakes on mountainous areas.

But they never do because it offers the least return of investment of their time. They know a ratty looking semi runs a whole lot more miles down the roads with a lot more load more of the time. Catching one of these with a bad brake system helps safe roads a lot more than the random bus conversion runs the same miles in a year than the commercial does in a week.

If they felt bus conversions were an issue at all, all they have to do is have us pull into the weigh and safety inspection stations along the freeways.

luvrbus · January 23, 2018, 07:12:47 PM

They can wave a RV into a weight station I see it on the AZ /CA border where they have the rolling scales meaning you get weighed about a 1/4 of mile from the station.
I have been waved in before in OK and South Dakota only thing that saved me was my trailer was registered for carrying 8,000 lbs