school bus toy hauler conversion

[QuintinG]

Ive seen a couple done up and they look real cool. I figure if i can find a bus for cheap and put some work into it i could end up with a sled hauler for winter or toy hauler for summer. Do you think the bus would put out good enough heat to thaw the sleds some? Is a special drivers license required to drive one? Does anyone out there have any experience using a converted bus or know someone who owns one?

 

[Bnorth]

Buses aren't insulated all that well but those heaters in them crank out the heat.

 

[Toro]

Ive seen a couple done up and they look real cool. I figure if i can find a bus for cheap and put some work into it i could end up with a sled hauler for winter or toy hauler for summer. Do you think the bus would put out good enough heat to thaw the sleds some? Is a special drivers license required to drive one? Does anyone out there have any experience using a converted bus or know someone who owns one?

I had one we converted for work, GMC 66 passenger, 366 gas/conversion on propane with Allison 5 speed automatic.
we tore all the seats out except for the front four sets, the heaters are awesome, but yes not much insulation because of all the windows, there is some in the walls and roof but none in the floor. Not a ton of jam, they like to run at 90 kmh.
Non commercial use you only need a class 5, hydraulic brakes so no air endorsement either.
i bought it used from local school board for $2G with full inspection and good tires, we used it for 5 years with no issues other a brake booster and regular maintenance, great value, good workhorse.
They handle well and reasonably stable, I'm not sure about the newer ones but no diff lock in the one we had, and I'm sure that you will have to pack chains to run the mountains ($250-$300 from Continental Chain, 22.5 tires)

 

[QuintinG]

Yeah I need to weigh all the pros and cons of it before I pull the pin. I'm a welder and have a bit of carpentry background so eliminating the windows and framing/insulating the inside shouldn't be terribly hard to do. The fuel mileage vs my jacked up truck with a big trailer is probably not much worse. Poor traction and only 2WD is something I definitely would like to stay away from.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if the cost of a converted bus worth the cheaper cost over an expensive sled trailer with all the fixings

 

[the_real_wild1]

Hmmmmm NO.

 

[Absledder]

Would be pretty cool if done right, and I think there's a rule about not having more than I think 7? Seats before you need a bus license

 

[Toro]

Yeah I need to weigh all the pros and cons of it before I pull the pin. I'm a welder and have a bit of carpentry background so eliminating the windows and framing/insulating the inside shouldn't be terribly hard to do. The fuel mileage vs my jacked up truck with a big trailer is probably not much worse. Poor traction and only 2WD is something I definitely would like to stay away from.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if the cost of a converted bus worth the cheaper cost over an expensive sled trailer with all the fixings

Gotta say if it was me I'd go with the sled trailer, you'll never get your money back from the bus mod and your stuck with it every time. Sled trailer can be pulled by different trucks and will get you decent bucks if or when you decide to sell.

 

[347strokin]

I had one we converted for work, GMC 66 passenger, 366 gas/conversion on propane with Allison 5 speed automatic.
we tore all the seats out except for the front four sets, the heaters are awesome, but yes not much insulation because of all the windows, there is some in the walls and roof but none in the floor. Not a ton of jam, they like to run at 90 kmh.
Non commercial use you only need a class 5, hydraulic brakes so no air endorsement either.
i bought it used from local school board for $2G with full inspection and good tires, we used it for 5 years with no issues other a brake booster and regular maintenance, great value, good workhorse.
They handle well and reasonably stable, I'm not sure about the newer ones but no diff lock in the one we had, and I'm sure that you will have to pack chains to run the mountains ($250-$300 from Continental Chain, 22.5 tires)

We had the same bus although it was a 366 propane with a 4 speed manual. One thing I can tell you is you will be losing a lot of speed on the hills. Definitely wasn't any kind of powerhouse with that drive train.

Was a cool rig though. We tore out most of the seats, built dual bunk beds over the wheel wells, table, heater, etc.

Would be a neat project.

 

[QuintinG]

Gotta say if it was me I'd go with the sled trailer, you'll never get your money back from the bus mod and your stuck with it every time. Sled trailer can be pulled by different trucks and will get you decent bucks if or when you decide to sell.

I'm not worried about "resale" for the bus. The one I'm looking at is 1500 and it wouldn't even cost me another 1500 to have to ready to go. I'd be using it in the summer for hauling the quads and sleeping in after installing a removable bed. Whereas the sled trailer is gonna cost me close to 20K. So even if it's worse on fuel I'm saving lots of money with the bus still. And my truck will be the only one pulling the trailer anyways as I'm the only guy in my group with a truck capable.

 

[rightsideup]

how many sleds / people will it haul after you have your way with it?

 

[Throttle-Junkie]

Look for a 4x4 cube van and build your sled hauler out of that would be my suggestion..

If you search online there is some bad@ss builds with cube vans out there. You see lots in the dunes down south and lots of moto guys have them rigged up.

Fold down bunks, heat, floor drains, line x the floors (cheap out and buy the roll on stuff) could be done pretty cheap. If you can find a 4x4 with a diesel for a decent price you always have the option of pulling a small open trailer (for your buddies sleds of course while yours are inside)

We tossed the idea around but went with a trailer.. If you can't find a 4x4 a 2wd with the weight of sleds in the back and good set of tires & tire chains you will be way better off then a bus IMO.

If you build something post some pics of that wagon...

Cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Popik]

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

[url]http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/tickpop/SledHauler.jpg[/URL]

Now that's traveling with class


Sent from my Phone while sitting on the side of the road.....maybe.

 

[the_real_wild1]

Don't forget the cost of insurance and upkeep. Plus if you toast a trans or engine. Cost of brakes etc. Go buy and enclosed. You can get them for 8000

 

[Old-Soul]

 

[Old-Soul]

These guys are on DooTalk.

 

[moyiesledhead]

I think it's an awesome idea. If you can do a conversion like one of those for 3 grand I say go for it! Who cares if it's a little slow or hard on fuel at that price. Look at the money you saved over a truck and trailer. I'd rather put my money into my sleds that what I'm hauling them on anyway.

In fact.....I think I want one! With bunk beds and a wood stove! Redneck hotel!

 

[neilsleder]

I think it would be great to do that. I thought about do the same thing plenty of times! I even thought of ways to make the double high sleds easy to load.


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[QuintinG]

My plan would be to cut out the back wall and fabricate a ramp like enclosed trailers have. I'm thinking with such a big heavy unit it would be OK for traction. And if I had to buy and use a set of chains that'd be fine.

 

[Beer Slayer]

Hey All

Trying to add a pic or two of my school bus toy hauler. Not having much luck, computer stooge here.

It's for ATV's, but could work for sleds...

You can pick up school buses pretty cheap, they have an expiry date of 14 years then they're off the road. Picked mine up for a couple of grand.

It's now an "UPPER CLASS REDNECK TOY HAULER"