OT - Bus Advice

Anyone have any advice on a bus? I am looking at a late 90's Ford transit style bus with handicap ramp. Seats about 16 -20.(Think small Cy-Ride style bus) I can get it for less than $1000. It runs and is in decent mechanical shape. I am thinking about making it a tailgating bus. Do I need a special license to drive? What are typical registration fees for buses? Any advice on fixing up the inside or anything in general would be great thanks all!

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Originally Posted by justincl

Seats about 16 -20.

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So hurry up and bring your jukebox money?

Sorry, couldn't resist. :wink0st:

Yeah, I guess I left myself wide open for that...

you'll need special licensing unless you register it as an RV (which is the only way to go)

You'll need a few add-ons, I think they require like 5 things out of a list of 7 or 8 (secondary power source, portable toilet, water tank, etc) we were able to fix it up as required without too much effort and expense (minus the generator).

Registered RV is the way to go. I have a semi tractor with a conversion put on the back and I am registered as an RV so I don't need a CDL. Funny thing is that the truck part is 30' long and it gets hooked to a 34' trailer so it is actually longer than a semi, lol.

It may be seen tailgating in mid October after my racing season is over. Only bad thing is its black, ick.

Thanks guys. I had heard the about converting to RV, but never heard what was necessary. I was thinking of doing that same thing with the generator, toilet, etc. I wanted to avoid having to get the CDL, and then being limited to only a few who could drive!

Any other suggestions for rounding out the interior? I am thinking of removing the seat, putting in a toilet (as above), installing a couch or two, generator on the back, secondary AC/Heat so it can run without engine on. Possibly TV with antenna, but that may be a winter project.

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Originally Posted by isufbcurt

Registered RV is the way to go. I have a semi tractor with a conversion put on the back and I am registered as an RV so I don't need a CDL. Funny thing is that the truck part is 30' long and it gets hooked to a 34' trailer so it is actually longer than a semi, lol.

It may be seen tailgating in mid October after my racing season is over. Only bad thing is its black, ick.

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Pics or it doesn't exist! :laugh8kb:

But seriously, I am interested in what that thing looks like. I can't really imagine it.

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Originally Posted by justincl

Thanks guys. I had heard the about converting to RV, but never heard what was necessary. I was thinking of doing that same thing with the generator, toilet, etc. I wanted to avoid having to get the CDL, and then being limited to only a few who could drive!

Any other suggestions for rounding out the interior? I am thinking of removing the seat, putting in a toilet (as above), installing a couch or two, generator on the back, secondary AC/Heat so it can run without engine on. Possibly TV with antenna, but that may be a winter project.

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I wouldn't worry about clearing room for the toilet - all we have is a portable one the size of a large shoebox with a crapper lid on it (as well as a piece of tape with the words "do not **** in this")

we keep it under one of the seats - we've had the hwy patrol check us on our registration, so I know it works without being anything big.

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Originally Posted by clones_jer

I wouldn't worry about clearing room for the toilet - all we have is a portable one the size of a large shoebox with a crapper lid on it (as well as a piece of tape with the words "do not **** in this")

we keep it under one of the seats - we've had the hwy patrol check us on our registration, so I know it works without being anything big.

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That's great. Where did you get the list of items you need to be considered an RV?

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Originally Posted by justincl

That's great. Where did you get the list of items you need to be considered an RV?

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DOT, local office

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Originally Posted by clones_jer

DOT, local office

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Thanks clones_jer, I appreciate all of your help. I will get in touch with the DOT.

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Originally Posted by justincl

Thanks clones_jer, I appreciate all of your help. I will get in touch with the DOT.

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the trickier part may be insurance ... I know we had to shop around to a couple different places, I'm thinking Gieco worked, but one of the locals wouldn't insure buses (RV'd or not)

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Originally Posted by clones_jer

the trickier part may be insurance ... I know we had to shop around to a couple different places, I'm thinking Gieco worked, but one of the locals wouldn't insure buses (RV'd or not)

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Yeah I am getting that feeling too. I put a call into my Agent this morning, but he didn't seem too optimistic on writing a policy. I was just trying to get a feel for the premium, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet either.

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Originally Posted by justincl

Anyone have any advice on a bus? I am looking at a late 90's Ford transit style bus with handicap ramp. Seats about 16 -20.(Think small Cy-Ride style bus) I can get it for less than $1000. It runs and is in decent mechanical shape. I am thinking about making it a tailgating bus. Do I need a special license to drive? What are typical registration fees for buses? Any advice on fixing up the inside or anything in general would be great thanks all!

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Where did you find this bus? I have been looking for something for my bicycle club to take on RAGBRAI. I am assuming this is a commuter bus, the ones with a big square fiberglass body on a truck chassis. We have seen way too many old school buses dead on the side of the road to get into one of those.

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Originally Posted by CyCloned

Where did you find this bus? I have been looking for something for my bicycle club to take on RAGBRAI. I am assuming this is a commuter bus, the ones with a big square fiberglass body on a truck chassis. We have seen way too many old school buses dead on the side of the road to get into one of those.

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I actually drove by this guy's place where he apparently deals and swaps anything and everything. He bought it a year ago at one of DOT auctions in Ames. He said that nobody else was bidding on it so he bought it cheap. He replaced the starter and drove it home. He said it needs a basic tune up because it hasn't been used very much over the past year. So I figure I can do a lot of the basic mechanic work myself.

Yes it is the fiberglass on a Ford straight truck type body. I haven't driven it myself yet, but will do so in the next day or two. I think it can get it pretty cheap.