| Author | Message | ||
| Johnny (63.20.60.148)
Rating: N/A |
OK, many people here know my problem with driving most coaches & transits: they rock & sway, making me, frankly, carsick (very embarassing, to say the least). However, everyone seems to gush over the great-riding long wheelbase & less corner lean of the New Looks---does that also translate to less of the rocking & swaying common to coaches? Being one of the few drivers at work who can legally drive a transit (I have a class B licence with air brakes; many drivers only have a class C with passenger--and frequently school bus--endorsements), I can get plenty of extra hours if the boss buys the New Look (which seems likely). So, what's the deal--do they sway & rock less than, say, a Grumman/Flx? This particular one is a 35'er, FWIW. | ||
| RJ Long (24.127.74.29) Rating: N/A |
The Grumman/Flx Metro/870, especially the 35-foot models, rock 'n roll considerably - if you pull a real tight u-turn in one at anything over about five mph, you can actually "flip-over" the leveling valve(s) in the rear, which makes the suspension do VERY weird things, and doesn't make the shop happy at all. If you've looked under the Flx, you'll see the long A-frame trailing arm for the rear suspension attached to the back of the fuel tank. This gives the coach a nice ride while going straight, but doesn't provide any type of anti-roll or anti-sway (depending on what you want to call it) action when turning a corner. You'll also see that there are four large air bellows utilized for the springing. The GMC New Looks, of Fishbowls, OTOH, have a completely different suspension, using eight bellows, four per axle, and, IIRC, on the 8V71-powered models, an anti-roll bar incorporated into the rear suspension. They ride quite different than the Flxs, and don't lean over nearly as much in tight turns. I think the wheelbase is slightly longer than the Flx's, too, but don't have my spec books handy right now to check. . . Both transits ride differently than highway coaches, and both ride differently than your steel-sprung skoolie, with the GMC the most comfortable of the three, IMHO. Do you also have a passenger endorsement on your Class B, in addition to the air brakes? Here in CA, you cannot haul passengers legally for compensation without having the "P" (Passenger) endorsement, which, I suspect, is similar to where you are. | ||
| Johnny (63.20.60.148)
Rating: N/A |
I have a passenger endorsement--I thought that was kinda given, since I drive buses for a living.  I know coaches ride differently than transits--but they still sway and rock, amplified by the extra height. My skoolie rides like, well, a truck. This makes sense, because, well, that's what it is. The Flx I drove had the most wallowing I've ever seen (and pretty much the least power--6V71/Allison), and hobby-horsed pretty badly, too. It was a 40'er. Regarding its suspension, all I have to ask is: What were they SMOKING, and where can I get some of that?! AM I reading this right: You say a Fishbowl rides more comfortably than a coach? That can't be right........can it? Or am I just tired? Thanks for the help--now, I'm going to bed. | ||
| RJ Long (24.127.74.29) Rating: N/A |
Oops, sorry I didn't clarify my ride statement better. I meant between the Flx, GMC Fish and your skoolie, IMHO the Fish has the most comfortable ride. As for highway coaches - and I'll get flack for this, because everyone has their own opinion - I think the Eagle has the most comfortable ride, for both driver's and passengers. But they used the torsilastic suspension system, not an air ride. I think of the air-ride coaches, the 45-foot Setra 217HDH, the wide-body Prevosts, the GM 4905 and the MCI 102 A, C and D models are the most comfortable. Not familiar with VanHools, so cannot comment on them. That's my two cents worth, anyway. . . | ||
| Geoff (Geoff) (64.1.0.174)
Rating: N/A |
Hey, Johnny-- If your boss is looking to buy a transit and you are looking for a good ride that doesn't lean on the corners get an RTS. Four air bags in the rear and two oversize bags in the front with either independent front suspension or a straight axle (the newer 06 models), with the IFS prefered for handling. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Busasaurus (24.69.255.205)
Rating: N/A |
We were taking the D900 Flyer out for a fan trip last month and we had to do a short run on the freeway. There was so much "side to side" rocking over 40 MPH that I thought were were going to get launched into the weeds. Our driver just eased it off a touch, and we were fine. Both fishbowls ride great at 50 mph, although they're rarely on the freeway. -Bryan Vancouver BC | ||
| Johnny (67.241.224.45)
Rating: N/A |
Actually, he mainly wants a bus that will hold 40 people & not cost him $100,000 to buy. The Fishbowl (he IS buying it, details in my next post) is cheap. | ||
| Johnny (67.241.224.45)
Rating: N/A |
OK, details on the bus: 35', DD/auto (well, I think that was a given ) that the guy--not the boss, but he's usually right about what the boss is doing--thinks is a 6V71/3-speed. He says it's a 1961, & was refurbished around 1990 with a new trans (engine was fine), A/C with 134a conversion, 22.5" wheels (rather than 20" tubes, I assume), new seats, & a couple new panels. No idea on mileage. It's about 230 miles away (mostly interstate), & I might be the one who runs it back Sunday. Am I correct in assuming I'll rarely leave the right lane if I do this, especially in the rolling hills I'll be in? Would a 55-60MPH cruise be doable wit ha 6V71/3-speed on almost-level ground? Would a 1961 have a buzzer or a wigwag for low-air warning? ANy tips for a long highway run in a New Look (other than "get someone else to do it")? | ||
| RJ Long (24.127.74.29) Rating: N/A |
Any tips? Sure: Do a full pre-trip before you pull out of the seller's yard. . . Sit back and let the bus do the work. . . Downshift the transmission manually for best performance when the speed falls off in the hills. . . (Manually up shift it one time to see what it tops out at in first and second so you'll know when to downshift.) Take a pit stop break every couple of hours. . . So what if the 18-wheelers buzz by you; remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare. . . Enjoy the scenery from the RH lane! | ||
| Keith Kroeker (Keith) (65.33.37.243)
Rating: N/A |
The Flx sure gets a bad rap here, but I'm really happy wih mine. I have the 35' with a 6v92TA... BTW with city gears, the 730 will only gives me 62 mph on the flat... no hills to try it on in FL :-). Maybe its because I'm new, but the leaning doesn't seem as bad as everyone keeps talking about. They must be doing some pretty fast turns. |