| Author |
Message |
Oilfinder
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 3:14 pm: | |
I'd like to find an intercity coach that has a "factory" door in the middle... like a Wanderlodge or Newell. Not looking to go the transit route at this time. I recall something being said about GM 4106's that came out in limited #'s which were configured this way, but I'm not certain on that. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Oilfinder |
Craig (Ceieio)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 3:24 pm: | |
A Saudi MC5 has such a door, a rough example visible here: (click on the picture to get more pictures that includes curbside view)
http://www.nwbus.com/products/product_view.pl?item_view=C14106
This VanHool has one:
http://www.nwbus.com/products/product_view.pl?item_view=C16952
Craig - MC7 Oregon |
truthhunter@shaw.ca
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 4:00 pm: | |
Look for some of the not early MCI D or maybe it was on the later C series that are wheel chair equiped. Might have to search long and pay high $ , but I have noticed them for sale from time to time. Just modifiey the elevator into a step much like on those A-310 Airbus cargo Jets and your set to be ecentric in your own way. I think the newer models are all more toward the rear. |
Marc Bourget
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 5:56 pm: | |
The "standard" rear door busses are typically too far back to correspond or be convenient to a typical conversion layout.
Usually it's a special fabrication job. |
Doug wotring
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 12:45 am: | |
WHY? |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 1:13 am: | |
Doug --
Yeah, Indeed! |
Oilfinder
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 1:57 am: | |
Equality!!! Not really, but the way I see it this would make the shotgun area a little more secure feeling, less wind/road noise... etc. Not to mention, you'd gain a little living room space with the passenger seat positioned more up front. Hey, half a billion RV's can't all be wrong in their design... just in their construction. |
Doug Wotring
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 10:12 am: | |
Good door seal= little to no road noise from the door
There is no problem with the seat forward as far as security.
I think you will find cutting a hole in the side of your bus, fabricating steps midship......you will lose more usable space that you think you wil gain.
as far as the RV Industry.......who knows why they do it.......probably because thats where they had to fo years.....due to front engine truck chassis layout.
Some very early Custom Coach creations had a center door added.....just gobbled up bay space and floor space. Keep in mind the front of the unit is the bast place to make the transition to the high floor Ht of any Highway Coach.
Also keep in mind.....there are alot of Very High end pushers that have a front entry door....and paractically all Bus Conversions....including the $500,000.00+ variety......and those guys have the $$$$$$ to change it if it were better. |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 11:28 am: | |
On the other hand, I cut a hole in the mid-side of my Crown, moved the door back, and welded the cutout parts over where the front door was, sealed it up for good and it looks quite seamless.
It's one of the best things I ever did to the coach.
Front area is wonderfully big now, shotgun seat is symmetrical and much more fun for the wife to ride in, no matter what anyone says there's no way to make a door as quiet as a sealed up hole is, bus looks nicer from outside, old stairwell made a very big storage compartment on the outside and another one inside, added a bulkhead door midship with the newly cutout door immediately behind it, so when we drive we can close it off and are in an extremely quiet area, engine A/C doesn't have to cool the whole bus now when driving, and when we have guests, they take the front and it's completely closabe for them (excellent privacy) and you don't have to walk through them to get in,
etc etc...
The list goes on and and on. Of course this is all a whole lot of "have it your way, it's your bus". But lots of positives to think about in deciding to move the door back.
With a well thought out layout, your not "loosing" an inch of space. You're just shuffling essential things around. I'm doing it to my Bluebird as well. I'd never have it any other way... |
Marc Bourget
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 12:32 pm: | |
You don't give up very much floor/bay space if you use an "airstair" type door like that seen on a Canadian Prevost at Bussin' 2005 (I believe) |
frank71
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 4:03 pm: | |
i seen a 4104 with the door in the rear right, they took out the large bay door in the rear and put in a small one like the one in the front , then fabricated steps in the bay and instlled a door above, looked real nice, he closed up and sealed the front door, thats all i know about it
Frank Allen
4106 |