Just curious if anyone else out there is a crackpot like me.... <BR> <BR>I'm thinking about buying an old school bus with a Caterpillar turbo diesel in it. I want to make it in to a tailgating/camping machine complete with a commercial kitchen (deep fryers, gridle, etc..), A/C, big TV, bathroom, keg frig, etc... Any bus with a Cat in it should be able to tow a boat with no problem. Here is my favorite picture of one of the old Spy Van's... <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530335.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>It's no bus, but it's still pretty cool in my book. <BR> <BR>Anyone else out there have a bus??

That thing looks like the Griswolds should be driving it. I think one of the mid size school buses would be cool to convert like you were saying and you can get them fairly cheap sometimes.

Yellow "Short Bus" ??

Here is one in your neighborhood <BR><a href="http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/519557378.html" target="_blank">http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/519557378.html</a>

Ya, I actually looked at that one I think. I prefer the Cat motor, but for the right price anything would work.

She's A Beaut Clark !

855ci cummins 6cyl, seats half an army and 75mph! <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530342.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by y49sides on December 27, 2007)

Heres a pic of the Adrenaline Watersports team "van". <BR> <BR> <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530353.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>The bus is a pretty good idea..... but don't keep it yellow. Do it up with a wild wrap/paint job! <BR> <BR>(Message edited by bill_airjunky on December 27, 2007)

Not to many 855 powered school buses out there...most are in cement trucks or 5 or 10 ton dump trucks...

Here's my last tow vehicle, drove it into the ground... <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530392.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR>LOL <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>

That's pretty cool Chris but it's a little more work than I wanted... <BR> <BR>Hey Y49SIDES, <BR>Can you tell me more about your bus...I found a '77 Gillig with an 855 in it...It's a little bigger than I wanted but with the 855 in it she might be worth it... <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530409.jpg" alt="Upload"><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530410.jpg" alt="Upload"><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530411.jpg" alt="Upload"><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530412.jpg" alt="Upload">

Hey Chris, that old truck looks like Mater after a long night.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

heres a few... <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530476.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530477.jpg" alt="Upload">

Billy, <BR>While those do look interesting I don't think either one would get me where I need to go with my boat in tow! <BR> <BR>Thanks though!

RV/boat all in one <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530480.jpg" alt="Upload">

That's awesome Chris it does look like Mater from Cars. Where's Lighting McQueen

I towed my old 225 Maristar with a Montero Sport to Tahoe on occassion. That was interesting! <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

One thing to remember is that a bus is going to be a major pain to maneuver at any of the boat ramps I've been to and you might need to look into getting a commercial license as well.

'One thing to remember is that a bus is going to be a major pain to maneuver at any of the boat ramps I've been to and you might need to look into getting a commercial license as well.' <BR> <BR>He's mainly at Lake Bartlett at AZ where the ramp is wide, long and straight. Any of the other AZ lakes' ramps may prove interesting in a bus though <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

A bus is going to have a large distance from the rear wheels to the end of the chassis. This will cause a huge variance of angle when backing down a ramp. I've seen motor homes jamming up boat trailers at the launch several times, and I experienced it with my own boat when towing with a motor home on a long distance trip. Best to stay away from anything with a long tail on it.

Hey Peter, <BR>Have you seen us at Bartlett? I meet so many people out there I don't remember ever meeting you...Sorry if we met. <BR> <BR>I have a CDL now. <BR> <BR>I would also probably put a hitch on the front of the bus so that would help on the steep ramps. I used to drive for Western River Expeditions and used to launch the 2 ton rubber rafts with everything from a semi, a box van, a 40 seat Bluebird bus, to M715. <BR> <BR>I'm just looking for a good tailgating/camping vehicle. I was going the ambulance route but have now changed my mind to a bus for the added room.

Hey Peter, <BR>Have you seen us at Bartlett? I meet so many people out there I don't remember ever meeting you...Sorry if we met. <BR> <BR>We haven't met, but I was the one who posted the 'local hoodlum' pic of you in the 'AZ riders get organised' thread in FAT/BAT forum. That day I was out with Chris in his SAN and I usually ride with Chris Marks (and others) in his SAN at Saguaro.

Have you been out lately? We have been the only boat everytime we go now... <BR> <BR>Hey Bill K, <BR>Does the ambulance have turbo 7.3 in it? How does it tow? What did you guys do with the inside?

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-WKwRZQjHc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-WKwRZQjHc</a> <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/530541.jpg" alt="Upload">

Have you been out lately? We have been the only boat everytime we go now... <BR> <BR>Not since the day you were out (when the Epic shoot was going on). Probably going out to Sag on New Year's Day. How's the water at the moment?