If you're lucky, that might have the better MT643 trans (rather than the weaker, non-lockup AT545).
If you're lucky, that might have the better MT643 trans (rather than the weaker, non-lockup AT545).
As someone who buys new buses for the 5th largest district in the country this would be my last pick for tow vehicle / converted RV.
We buy both Thomas and Bluebird; costs are between 130-150K dependent on options, we keep them 14 years and they usually have about 300K on them. They're sold off at auction for less than a tenth of the original price so on the surface appear to be cheap.
Parts for them are not especially cheap; a set of tires is $1100 at our price and we get a smoking deal. I don't order the replacement parts but I remember brake shoes being more than race pads. The A/C systems are 16K!!
As mentioned they are slow, 0-60 is something crazy like 47 seconds and they are meant to cruise at 55 topping out at around 63-65 mph at best.
I have seen some very nice RVs made out school buses but the people doing them took a few years to do them and they had serious fabrication skills.
Tom
I have posted links in the past to Wanderlodges for under $10,000.00 which is what I paid. For that you get a profesionally converted school bus that will be worth what you paid when you are done. They are built for highway cruising and all the systems are true and tried. Among other things you should ask yourself if you want to enjoy using an RV or enjoy building an RV because you cannot do both. Our bus needed small updates and deferred maintenance, but it was roadworthy and reliable out of the gate so I was (still am) able to pick away at things while still using it.
And don't kid yourself about costs. Every component is heavy duty truck and will be some multiple of $1000.00. Two new tires are $1200.00. Check the date codes. They dry rot after ten years so bang there goes the budget.
Also if it is important RV parks often do not allow schoolies. May not matter depending on your plans.
I didn't realize Wanderlodges were that inexpensive. I doubt you could build something as nice for that price.
The only Wanderlodge on Ebay right now is $60k. All the rest I've seen have been $20K and up, but I haven't looked that hard.
As far as the campgrounds that don't accept skoolies and older rigs, they aren't going to be places I want to stay. I don't do well with pretentious a-holes.
Homestead speedway , Daytona , GRM challenge ,Road Atlanta , Sebnring , Barber Motorsports park . This is a Killing Machine . Slleps 4 Shower/Toilet , Rooftop observation 
In reply to Toyman01:
IIRC, the trick to finding a cheap Bluebird or Wanderlodge is to do a CL search in Florida - where it seems they all end up.
Ian F wrote: In reply to Toyman01: IIRC, the trick to finding a cheap Bluebird or Wanderlodge is to do a CL search in Florida - where it seems they all end up.
They were made and sold in Georgia and most of them didn't go to far from there.
I sent a text to the local guy with the bus. Definitely a DT466, he thinks it has a 5 speed Allison and is supposed to check and get back with me.
Top speed is 65mph. That's not too bad. That's about as hard as I push my truck with the camper in the back.
Ceiling height is only 6'1" though and I'm 6'2". That might be a deal breaker.
I'll have to see what he says about the transmission. I could do a roof raise if I needed to.
They are a little more money, but 60s to 80s era coach conversions are looking pretty good. $15K or less will buy a lot of bus.
This one is two hours from the house and is tempting me mightily, but it's three times what I wanted to spend. It also has no restroom or shower, so it would need some renovation to be used as an RV.
If this wasn't on the other side of the country, I'd go get it now. Very cool.
That would be an epic fly and drive though. 2500 miles in a bus. 
I wonder what shipping would cost.
I want a supercoach. Badly. Preferably with the small cam Cummins 855 and the 10 speed road ranger (or maybe just throw a Fuller 8LL in if it comes with something else) and it's gotta be one of the tandem axle 40 footers...
With that setup, a pancake big cam 855 from a Gillig will bolt in for more power, but the small cam is already good for 300+ hp, which is much better than the 6-71 Detroits or the early Cummins 743s (NA or turbo) they offered in there could do. And the tandem axle ones are a true driven tandem setup, not a drive / tag setup, so they'll go through quite a bit in terms of low-traction ground.
The Crowns often have pretty decent highway gearing too. IIRC, the ones with the RTO-610 road ranger 10sp usually have 3.90s in the rear end, which with the 0.80:1 top gear and 12R22.5s on the back will let you cruise much faster than you'd ever care to (max rpm on the 855 is supposedly in the ballpark of 2200, which gets you ~90 mph in 10th).
In reply to Toyman01:
Isn't the point of a motorhome to travel? Should be perfect for a fly and drive.
Check out this monster. 40 footer and cheap but sounds like a bit of a project. http://nashville.craigslist.org/rvs/5386032962.html
bentwrench wrote:aussiesmg wrote: Mongo has a tired Detroit 8V71, is a manual, runs all day at 75mph until it hits a hill, the size is not a big deal when towing down a highway. Detroits hate going uphill though.It needs a pair of turbos and 4 valve heads, the rest is driving technique. Put a brick on the throttle and keep banging gears! :^)
Tell me more
Cotton wrote: Check out this monster. 40 footer and cheap but sounds like a bit of a project. http://nashville.craigslist.org/rvs/5386032962.html
Interesting. I have a sister in law in Springfield. Hmmm. I might have to make a call or two tomorrow.
bearmtnmartin wrote:aussiesmg wrote: You don't need an air brake endorsement on an RV anywayYou need one anywhere in Canada and at least a few US States.
The few that do have requirements are of little concern as shown
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml
The chances of Mongo making it to Hawaii are somewhat slim. Some states have a 45' limit but most homemade RVs are well under 45', so my only state to be aware of is DC for exceeding 26000lbs.
Special licenses only apply to residents, as an Ohioan, Ohio rules apply to my license.
The bigger concern is overall length, most states are 65' or longer, but GA is 60' and that means with my 35' bus my trailer is limited to 24'. This requirement doesn't strictly apply to RVs but it is being applied and conviction are being won despite it being for Commercial Vehicles. So it is better to avoid the situation, remember they measure the entire length, 60'1" is a violation.
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