| Author | Message | ||
| Jeff Pritchard (Jeffpritchard) (68.8.222.153)
Rating: N/A |
While I haven't given up on getting a mid 90's Bluebird Wanderlodge with the 500 HP 8V92, I am considering doing a conversion instead. I find I am in love with the notion of having that much HP in my ultimate coach though so I can do some heavy towing, so I'm wondering if any of the typical conversion candidates have anywhere near that HP? Seems like most of what I hear is down in the 300HP range? thanks, jp | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.14)
Rating: N/A |
I'm not sure a unbody is the best candidate for a heavy tow coach--Others here should answer regarding those shells. One of the reasons I have the bird though, is because of towing, I'm more comfortable with a frame. Gary | ||
| Jeff Pritchard (Jeffpritchard) (68.8.222.153)
Rating: N/A |
Gary, Are MCI, Eagle, and GM and Prevost all unibody construction? thanks, jp | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.14)
Rating: N/A |
Hey JP, I'm the "Bird Guy" on the list, and the least knowledgable guy here regarding all of the makes you mentioned. However, I think those are all unit construction shells. I know there are lots of cool Bus/Trailer setups using the above marques. I'll be pulling a minimum of 10Klbs, maybe more. Also, consider your potential property issue, or did you decide against it? Gary | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (65.40.145.233) Rating: N/A |
It is hard for me to say if a unit constructed coach would make a good heavy tow rig, BUT I was reading an article just yesterday about a fellow who was hauling a 12,000lb truck inside an enclosed trailer behind his Prevost, and he had several trips under his belt with no trouble at all. Ordinarily I'd say that sounds like heavy towing with a unibody to me, BUT then I read where coming back from Virginia the hitch FAILED at highway speed, the trailer broke free, flipped over and slammed into an embankment! The owner felt that it was a faulty hitch that caused the accident, but it still makes you wonder. The great thing about unit construction is the stiffness and strength of the unit as a whole. Adding to the UNIT, MUST be done properly or it is an accident waiting to happen. Brian | ||
| jmaxwell (66.81.51.112) Rating: N/A |
JP: MCI and GM are and were unibody style. Eagles were not, nor were older Prevos's, and I don't really know about the H3 model, which? You won't find 500hp in any GM Intercity (they quit making them before that came out) and I don't think you could find a transmission to couple to 500hp in the RTS, so that pretty much eliminates anything that GM ever was involved in. As for the other 3, all of them can be found with 500hp in various models after 1990 or so, although not the standard setup in them even when the engine was capable of it. Generally, that capability came w/ the S60 but the standard setup in buses was 425 and the occasional 450. The later DDEC 8v92 ('90-'92)equipped units came standard at 425-475hp, but could be tuned to 500. Just looked at a Newell ad that boasted the new 625 CAT as an option and was rated for 63k pounds Gross Combined (now that will move you and the HumVee over that mountain---Smokin' The Grapevine!!!!!) Just think, would have to use your radar detector in the mountains!!!!! | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (67.136.222.151)
Rating: N/A |
A hitch can be designed to be attached to any bus. There are lots of 45ft Prevost and MCI Renaisance buses with huge 3 axle full height trailers and some even have a toad on the back of that. Don't see them having any problems on the road. Peter. | ||
| Jayjay (64.12.96.105) Rating: N/A |
What kind of hitch do you use to drag a 15K load around? 5th wheel? Grapevine? You can't go faster than 30mph no matter what HP you have. (curves, traffic, sightseers etc.) When you get to that much weight hanging on the back, isn't it starting to strain the suspension attach points of the bus? I doubt if they were designed to take the massive side-sway load that a heavy trailer applies. Start down a mountain and add a curve, and the strain on the suspension attachment could become tremendous. Should you beef that up? I've seen some of the really big, bus/trailer rigs, get rather squirrelly under heavy braking, and it always makes me nervous to be near one of them. ...JJ | ||
| Doug Potter (Doug86newell) (63.74.232.26)
Rating: N/A |
I have towed a 20' car hauler with my 475HP 8v92ta. Haven't had much weight on it yet. I am going to an enclosed 24' that will carry 2 motorcycles and a jeep wrangler inside. My biggest concern right now is braking. I don't have a tag axle and could use the extra brake power. The Jake helps a lot, but I am curious about the new heaver load. I curently do not have trailer brakes hooked up. I have 3 stinger connections in the back. One on each side for a MC hauler and the one in the center. I will likely build a link to the outside 2 to ensure enough toungue weight capacity. The Newell frame is very sturdy. Doug | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.185.81.190) Rating: N/A |
I would say look for something with an 8v92 OR plan on a swap to a CAT or series 60..... | ||
| mel 4104 (208.181.100.17) Rating: N/A |
in our area now they have started to put an end to those huge over weight shoe boxes on the roads.if it looks heavy the highway patrol will send you over the scales, and when you get there the people with the orange suits con out with their flash lites and pry bars and start crawling over and under the complete units. if over weigh the unload it to under legal weight, the same goes for the trailer or toad.if any mechanical such as brakes or structure problem the it is either fixed on site or goes behind a wecker.if you have to unload and put the extra weight in a u-haul you had better not get caught putting the stuff back in because if you do they seize the units, and now the real fun begins, it may take any where up to 3 months for your first court apperance, the second one will be up 6 months after that,and then they may be other delays plus fines and storage chargese[cars are $10-15] daybut no idea what a bus and trailer combo would run, mel 4104 | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
Dooug, I suggest you get the trailer brakes hooked up before you make a trip. I was pulling my sons trailer, because his motorhome broke down. I had not pulled it more than 20 miles when the CHP stopped me. He drove up along side and looked things over and then decided to stop me. When it was apparent I did not have any brakes hooked up he gave me a ticket and it ended up costing me over $200. Richard | ||
| Doug Potter (Doug86newell) (63.74.232.26)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks Richard. They wouldn't be able to tell if I have trailer brakes hooked up. I have the 7 pin connector, but don't have a brake controller installed. The safety chains emergency cable and all that are there, just no controller. The weight shouldn't be bad since total vehicle weight will be under 4,000 lbs plus the trailer weight. I haven't installed a brake controller on anything this big. That will be a new experience. I also don't need a $200 ticket. Thanks again. Doug | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (67.136.222.151)
Rating: N/A |
Wonder what would happen if you had "Homesteaded" your motorhome in a homestead State, could they still snatch it? Can you homestead a motorhome, if it is your only residence? Toad brakes, just another reason to use a trailer and be done with all that crap. Peter. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
The new controllers are extremely easy to install. You no longer have to mount them level. They can be installed at a 45 degree angle if desired. Richard | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (63.224.197.10)
Rating: N/A |
The Crown Super Coach ex-schoolie has a heavy duty frame and can accept a hopped up Big Cam Cummins up to and including around 800 hp. The rest of the bus is typical class 8 heavy duty. With the appropriate double or triple overdrive 10 or 13 speed Road Ranger tranny... ...the coach will go around 120 mph. All it would take is a lack of common sense and lots and lots of $$$ CROWNS FOREVER!!!  | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.86.118)
Rating: N/A |
Has anyone ever taken a bus to Bonneville? Is there a world speed record, bus category? Gary | ||
| jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
you can't homestead a motorhome in texas.... tried.....no way..... unless you completely "disable" it... | ||
| Jayjay (64.12.96.105) Rating: N/A |
I still wanna' know what you do for a hitch to handle 15K lbs?????...JJ | ||
| mel 4104 (208.181.100.47) Rating: N/A |
JJ right on any hitch that will handle 15,000# has got to some hitch i would think it would have to be a pinto HD hitch and watch the expression on the painted worrior's face when he sees what it is hooked to i do not hnow of any area that would pass it if it was on a bus , as they are very fussy when they are used on trucks pulling trailers. as to how will they know if you have working brakes, that is a easy one they will tell you to drag the trailer and if the tires donot skid on both sides it is now ticket time, wrecker time,and money gone by by. | ||
| Johnny (63.159.152.227) Rating: N/A |
That'd be a nice trick with my car trailer--it has surge brakes. |