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Message |
john (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 12:07 am: | |
This BB is proving to be a good substitute for having a buddy your not afraid to bring up really stupid ideas with! I've got another logistical question that I have to discuss with SOMEBODY! Perhaps you'll find this amusing (if not pathetic!)
So, assuming I can move the shed (and a couple of fences, and a rock wall), I've determined I can fit the bus in my side yard (and maybe even have some working room around it)!
So I'm outside tonight measuring and figuring, and it occurs to me that I'm not sure I can drive the bus into the side yard without clipping the corner of the house. I've never actually driven ANY bus, and don't have a feeling for how they turn, or what the turning radius is. But it does look like a tight corner...
So the only way I can think of figuring this out BEFORE I drive the bus home (a little late, I think ;-) is to take all my measurements and then mock it up in a parking lot with those little orange highway cones. Then get a bus and try it out.
So far, so good. Reduced the problem to finding a bus I can drive around a parking lot! I can probably find a way to solve that one (any volunteers? ;-)
But, if it's not the same bus I end up buying, I don't think it proves anything (other than maybe giving me a general sense of just how tight the turn is or isn't).
So (you wonder) is there a question here? Aside from the obvious question I'm asking myself "am I nuts? maybe not of the bus variety, but I'm definitely talking like a member of the fruit family here". The question is, does this make any sense, and/or is there another way to solve the problem? How much variation in the wheelbase/turning radius/handling is there among buses? Do I need to repeat the exercise with the actual bus I end up buying?
Thanks for listening. I am definitely driving MYSELF nuts, if that's part of the qualification!
John |
madbrit (216.67.211.81)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 3:37 am: | |
John,
it may well go in backwards better than forwards. Think that through and see if that will work.
Peter. |
john (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 11:58 am: | |
Ah yes -- exactly analagous to making a very tight turn into a narrow parking spot with your car. It certainly seems, as I picture it, that backing in will more likely do the trick!
Of course now I'll have to learn the "art of backing up the bus with one's spouse"!
Thanks again, Peter!
John |
Ol Jim, hisself (163.205.18.138)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 1:20 pm: | |
Where are you located? |
madbrit (216.67.211.199)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 2:36 pm: | |
John,
as an ex-truck driver, reversing a bus is not a problem, just back the bus towards the place you want to put it in. Stop, get out, walk around to the rear, study where you are and where you want to be, get back in, I try to ignore all directions, except those of total panic, from all others and USE YOUR MIRRORS. That is what they are there for. One day you will have to do it on your own, so you might as well learn now. If you have to stop and get out a couple of times to see exactly where you are and where you are heading, it is a good thing, that is the only way to learn to back up a vehicle of that size on your own. Don't be afraid to go forward to reposition or get out and check where you are, it's not an ego thing like some think it is, it is better to check a 100 times rather than dent a fender or bay door. Practice, practice, practice....... LOL.
In fact, your idea of setting out the ground plan in a parking lot is a great idea. Go and burn a few gallons of diesel and learn how the bus manoeuvers in small spaces. Back into parking bays and around tight corners, use cones with brightly colored poles sticking out from the top.
You have to picture the scene in your mind and place the bus into that scene, and with your mirrors to help you, go for it.
Have fun.
Peter. |
Steve Fessenden (63.27.88.98)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 6:25 pm: | |
You might want some practice with cones, trash cans will do, in a parking lot before you try to pull in to a tight space for the first time. You are more likely to do damage the first time you pull out by starting your turn too soon. Your rear wheels will probably turn 5 feet inside the front wheel track when going forward.
When I got my first 4905 I was knocking over freestanding newspaper racks at the curb on a right turn. When I sold one a year later I put it in a keyhole for the new owner. I don't even know how we did it. Not much driving between the times, you just get used to the idea.
By the way, it said in the CDL book that I read that you should make right turns into the oncoming traffic lane, when it is clear, to have enough space and no one one your right sneaking around. People do stop for a bus When they see it facing them.
If you are on soft land, don't forget to park on boards so you don't sink in.
Good Luck,
Steve Fessenden |
john (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2001 - 12:18 am: | |
These are all great suggestions, and I appreciate them. Another idea I picked up from a friend is to take a commercial bus driving course. I haven't scoured the net for one yet, so I thought I'd run it buy you folks. Any suggestions on where to find one?
Relevant to this question, and to "ol Jim..." in this thread: I'm in Walnut Creek, which is in Contra Costa County, CA. Nearest good-sized city is Concord (adjacent). Oakland is about 15 miles due west.
Thanks!
John |
Neil 88 Setra (216.77.91.175)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2001 - 5:34 pm: | |
One thing you haven't addressed here is do you have any zoning, land use, or deed restrictions about parking a bus or rv on your property? If that's the case, you'll need an off-site parking arrangement. |
John (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 4:22 pm: | |
Hi Neil,
I've gotten alot of advice on this BB that is very practical, but I must admit I remain somewhat unclear about the legalities of parking the bus on my land. The general consensus seems to be that as long as the vehicle is registered and insured, and as long as I don't have any CC&R's prohibiting this use, I'm OK. And also the practical advice about informing my neighbors in advance, and being considerate of them. I think I'm OK on all of these scores:
a. No homeowners association, so no CC&R's (right? I've always assumed that's where they come from...)
b. Fairly screened yard and good relationships with neighbors, so I don't anticipate any complaints (but you never know...); I'll approach them with my plans before making my purchase.
c. Plan to purchase a shell that is in good working order so no anticipated problems with registration and insurance (though I haven't yet researched this topic thoroughly, so any gotcha's that people might point out would be appreciated!).
So I'm left with:
d. You've re-inforced my concerns about any other local laws that may affect me. How would I go about determining whether there are "zoning, land use, or deed restrictions" that would prevent me from parking the bus on my property? I suppose I need to begin with a visit to city hall, but any pointers about how to thoroughly research this question would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
John |
Scott Whitney (63.151.68.130)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 8:24 pm: | |
Hey John,
I've got a 40 x 8 1/2 footer with a lousy turning radius of 41'. I would suspect that any spot I can get this baby into, most other busses would fit. If you want to send me an exact diagram of your obstacles, I'd be willing to mock it up in a parking lot with cones or trashcans and try it out. I could video the experience so you can have some laughs watching me try! Just lemme know.
Scott |
john (192.9.25.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 8:49 pm: | |
Hey Scott,
Thanks so much for the offer! Laugh, huh? Cringe is more like it!
So I've actually now got a first order level of comfort with solving this particular challenge, thanks to Peter's suggestion of backing in. If possible, I'd like to take a rain check (and spare you the effort) until I knock down the next set of hurdles to getting started.
Hopefully, my plan will start to come together over the next couple of weeks, then I'll be back at you with a diagram of my obstacle course!
Thanks again! Cheers,
John |
Scott Whitney (63.151.68.130)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 1:31 am: | |
OK, sounds good. But I admit I have an ulterior motive - still being green myself - is that it forces me to spend some time practicing backing into tight spots before I have to do it at a campground with all the arm chair experts and peanut gallery. . .
Scott |
Henry, eh (24.79.130.10)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 8:54 pm: | |
Here's a little trick for making tight right-hand corners. It's called a button hook turn. This type of turn allows you to get your rear tires around obstacles when you are faced with minimal room.
First, the ideal distance from your obstacle is 3 feet or better.(parallel) This is how much you can lose as you turn. Second, think right angles. If you start to angle in too soon, you will run out of room. Run the bus parallel along side the road (lane or whatever) until your front bumper is even with the corner you are trying to make. Then, while you are still moving slowly, turn your wheel to the left (yes, left!) approximately 1/2 turn, then crank it hard to the right while still moving.
This little button hook creates a change in travel angle for the rear duals which will give you some extra turning room. If you don't think it makes much of a difference, try it with your cones on your parking lot. It can take some experimenting for the right amount of speed and turning. Remember, dead slow speed is essential. Speed dictates control. If the turn is still too tight, overshoot the corner, turn your wheel all the way to the left and back up a few feet. That will help a lot too.
I love to see the look on the faces of construction guys as I bring my bus around turns that they are sure is impossible and then I make it with room to spare. Since Edmonton has two seasons, winter and construction, good driving skills is essential.
Henry |
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