| Author | Message | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.200.25.152 Rating: N/A |
hello I'm a newbie and sure am glad I found BNO. I just bought a nice used enclosed 24' car trailer with a 32" hitch.It looks kinda tight for the bus. It measures app. 5' to the corner from socket. Our combo's ball is app. 6" off the bumper. Is this to tight for gas station dips and such? Anyone with any knowledge or any opinions on this setup would be greatly appreciated... Again thanks for being here Steve | ||
| Cory hart (Chart1)
Registered Member Username: Chart1 Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 67.184.214.63  Rating: N/A |
It looks like you are in a mci 8 or 9 .. Your hitch will be alright on height .. what you need to worry about is the tongue weight. Mci's are good for having rear frame problems. I found over 10 stress cracks in my frame. Unless you do some structual work I would not carry a lot of tongue weight. I do see them going down the road loaded down but after seeing many mci frames its scary!! They do have a system for trailers that it has a wheel and spring system that mounts under the tongue of the trailer looks like a landing gear on a plane. | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.200.25.152  Rating: N/A |
we are a combo with massive changes in the rear frame (I believe) we have 10 wheels I don't know the impact of this mod for trailering. we're a Mci 7. mods done by "blitz brothers" <?? out of chicago 1975ish our rear end is moved forward (see we only have 2 1/2 bay doors | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1086 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.162.21  Rating: N/A |
Just remember in most States 65 ft from end to end is IT. There are easy to get wide load permits , but too long is too long in most every state. FF | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 28 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.62 Rating: N/A |
"Mci's are good for having rear frame problems. I found over 10 stress cracks in my frame. Unless you do some structual work I would not carry a lot of tongue weight." How would you identify these problems in a prospective bus? Where do you look and what do you look for? I'm currently looking at MC 9's and I know some of them have been used to tow trailers. I just want to be sure I know what to look for! Thanks, | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 258 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.219  Rating: N/A |
It's not too easy to spot them, without getting under the bus. You can look inside the curb side, forward engine bay door. If you see broken diagonal pieces, you can count on doing repairs. You can also somewhat see if you look straight at the frame from the rear of the bus, under the bumper. Usually though, these areas have never been properly cleaned. I knew I had some damage, so I spent several hours cleaning the bay, and took it to a welding shop and they put 1/4 inch plates down each side of the frame. Cost me 1200. I have total piece of mind towing. It's a great thing to just plan to do, if you mean to pull anything. Here are some links to pictures I took after the job was done. http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt216/tenor007/P1000850-1.jpg http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt216/tenor007/P1000848.jpg http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt216/tenor007/P1000849-1.jpg http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt216/tenor007/P1000847.jpg Good Luck! Glenn | ||
| Jack Hart (Jackhartjr)
Registered Member Username: Jackhartjr Post Number: 60 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 205.188.116.203 Rating: N/A |
Sounds like you have one of the buses that got the Scenicruiser rear axles, makes them more than 50 yars old...but damn they were made well! Jack | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 29 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.62 Rating: N/A |
"Mci's are good for having rear frame problems. I found over 10 stress cracks in my frame. Unless you do some structual work I would not carry a lot of tongue weight." How would you identify these problems in a prospective bus? Where do you look and what do you look for? I'm currently looking at MC 9's and I know some of them have been used to tow trailers. I just want to be sure I know what to look for! Thanks, | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.202.167.2 Rating: N/A |
Right we could get an antique plate ha ha! we have a 54 rear axle that was sposed to have been regeared at the factory when blitz did the work they also sposed to have put in new air bars made from coreten steel (so far no air leaks there)... anyone have any opinions on my 32" trailer tongue??? tight?? | ||
| Cory hart (Chart1)
Registered Member Username: Chart1 Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 216.231.107.138 Rating: N/A |
Like fast fred said if your trailer is over 25 ft you will be over length and if dot happens to stop you fines are very steep in many states. | ||
| Larry Baird (Airhog)
Registered Member Username: Airhog Post Number: 178 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 159.115.178.219  Rating: N/A |
I think most towbars for cars are less then 32" so you could be good. You can do what I did and line up the trailer or car (in my case) on the drivers side and make an offset hitch, mine is offset 18" so I can see the car in my mirror. I also have put plates on my frame inside and out but still would not hang much on the back. | ||
| Cory hart (Chart1)
Registered Member Username: Chart1 Post Number: 15 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 216.231.107.138 Rating: N/A |
Here is the perfect solution for those wanting to pull heavy trailers. https://www.shogunindustries.com/cgi-bin/ws400CS.cgi?cart_id=1100217122803994&page=tufftow solution.htm | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 533 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 74.179.155.250  Rating: N/A |
Yes, 32" will be tight, but you have to consider the compromise of making that number longer. Your bus has lots more rear overhang than most, so that will increase the trailer's influence on the rear of your coach. Also, due to the shorter wheel base, you will enjoy a shorter turning radius, A Scenicruiser has a 42' turn radius - less if you unload the tag axle.  I don't know how the rear structure of a combo is set up, but it needs to be looked at by someone who understands structural loading to give you an idea if it is able to handle the added loading. The current bus structure is setup to carry lots of weight inside the bus - putting that weight past the rear bumper may cause problems & NONE of us want you to have any problems - Hence the abundance of caution. Good luck in your adventures! Kyle | ||
| Mike Truitt (Michael_e)
Registered Member Username: Michael_e Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2009 Posted From: 71.218.213.38 Rating: N/A |
Kyle or any Scenicrusier owner - Does anyone have a good hitch design for a Scenicrusier? Thanks, Mike | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 542 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
A guy on one of the yahoo scenicruiser groops built a hitch for his - from what I hear, he did it right. . . You may get better results over there. . . Good luck! | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.248.16.20 Rating: N/A |
thanks for all of your input and ideas...I'll take a look there |