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

[TomC]

As strict as California is, RV's older than 2007 are exempt from smog laws. And if you drive a 40ft or less, you can with a normal Class C (passenger car license) with up to a 3 axle housecar AND pull up to a 10,000lb trailer behind. No mention of brake type, or engine type. Plus no inspection. I've had my bus since 1993 and never had it inspected for any reason. Just plainly weird. Good Luck, TomC

[Dave5Cs]

We parked overnight in a Phoenix AZ rest stop where they were on creepers rolling under trucks and checking brakes with clip boards and tools  looking at slack adjustments. They went right around us. I even got out and watched them. When they were done we started the bus up and left on our way. No problems.

[Iceni John]

We parked overnight in a Phoenix AZ rest stop where they were on creepers rolling under trucks and checking brakes with clip boards and tools  looking at slack adjustments. They went right around us. I even got out and watched them. When they were done we started the bus up and left on our way. No problems.

Is there a checklist of the items that DOT looks at, that any of us could also use to perform regular PM checks?   I don't want to have to take my bus to ABC Bus every year for one of their mechanics to put it over the pit and check it  -  I feel I could do that as well as anyone else, provided I know what to look for.   

When I had my bus towed last year the tow driver commented on the red cable ties that I put around the brake cans' pushrods to check their travel.   He said it was the first time he had ever seen that on a private vehicle  -  he knew exactly what they were for!   I want to do the right thing, especially if it's safety-related, but having some structure or guidance would be a help.

John

[Jim Eh.]

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

Not as of yet in Manitoba but I assume it will be coming. Sometimes change is a good thing.

But as far as the vehicle goes we are mandated to have a PMVI (Provincial Motor Vehicle Inspection) done prior to the initial application for insurance. The A inspection is quite involved as a wheel pull is required for an internal brake inspection. Brake linings, drums and hardware are all inspected and must meet or exceed Provincial or Manufacturers standards (whichever is less). This would amount to a cost of around $500.00 - $600.00 on an older bus given the amount of trouble it is to get a wheel off that has not been off for 20 years or so. The inspection cost is time based. Then there are the required repairs BEFORE you can get vehicle insurance. On the upside, in Manitoba no CDL (or class1 as it is called here) is required to drive it, just the air brake endorsement. If my wife got her air brake endorsement she could drive the bus with her class 5 license (the most basic drivers license you can get)

[Jeremy]

If anyone is interested this is the manual that describes what is checked in an annual Class 4 MOT test here in the UK, which would include a bus conversion (ie. a motorhome) weighing less than 7.5 tons: (and yes, the manual is 206 pages long)

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/611019/mot-inspection-manual-classes-3-4-5-and-7.pdf

If the bus is still a bus (ie. a PSV) then the annual test is much stricter and there are monthly mini-tests too. I bought my bus directly from the operator and it came with a huge file of paperwork with the history of from dozens of those monthly tests. The manual for the PSV test is here (a mere 197 pages):

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/453332/public-service-vehicle-psv-inspection-manual.pdf

Regarding licences etc for the driver I am lucky to be old enough that my standard car licence covers anything up to 7.5 tonnes, but nowadays you need to pass additional tests for each additional vehicle type (including simply towing a small trailer behind a car, which is ridiculous I think). As far as I know there is no separate requirements for vehicles with air brakes though

Jeremy

[Slug]

In Australia anything over 4.5ton needs an endorsement licence 3 classes in rigid
4.5-8ton 2 axle Light rigid
8-16ton 2 axle Medium rigid, plus an endorsement for crash gearbox
16 up 3 axle (tag or extra drive Heavy rigid Plus an endorsement for a crash gearbox and Roadranger endorsement
At around $1000au to do pick the class you need 1-2day drive and question corse
Then one you have a medium rigid up for a certain amount of time you can apply for a semi class
Heavy Combnation  licence plus crash box and Roadranger endorsement
Multi Combnation B Double 1x 30ft and 40ft trailers
Multi Combnation Road train 3x 40ft trailers
At around $2000-$5000au plus a set time driving and holding a heavy Combnation licence
When converting a bus to motorhome you need an engineer to sign of in the work done approved by the roads department plus a condition mechanics written report, gas approved certificate and electrical safety certificate and the work completed by the electrician of the report
Seat belts must be fitted 3 point retractors  where possible lap belts in side facing seats (engineered sign off) plus outward opening door with anti burst automotive  style locks
When all done you get a blue second stage compliance plate affixed to the bus and can registered as a Motor Caravan
You still need to go into goverment Wight Bridge when directed, but no longer need to fill in a goverment driver hour log book as required for trucks/buses over 60 miles from home base
Some states have slightly different requirements but there is a mimum national standard enforced by decidicated transport inspectors and the police force aswell plus a zero blood for booze and drugs at mobile road test stations plus every police car/motorbike aswell as the transport inspectors
But all in all we just accept and do what is required to get our busses on the road
Plus some states have yearly road worthy testing at goverment testing stations jut to keep you on the ball