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Go Back   WakeWorld > >> Boats, Accessories & Tow Vehicles Archive > Archive through January 12, 2008

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Old    bocephus            12-27-2007, 2:17 PM Reply   
Just curious if anyone else out there is a crackpot like me....

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...

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It's no bus, but it's still pretty cool in my book.

Anyone else out there have a bus??
Old     (99_slaunch)      Join Date: Oct 2005       12-27-2007, 2:29 PM Reply   
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.
Old     (leaks)      Join Date: Oct 2005       12-27-2007, 2:40 PM Reply   
Yellow "Short Bus" ??
Old     (pnichols)      Join Date: Jan 2007       12-27-2007, 2:43 PM Reply   
Here is one in your neighborhood
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/519557378.html
Old    bocephus            12-27-2007, 2:47 PM Reply   
Ya, I actually looked at that one I think. I prefer the Cat motor, but for the right price anything would work.
Old     (lovin_the_wake)      Join Date: Jul 2007       12-27-2007, 2:49 PM Reply   
She's A Beaut Clark !
Old     (y49sides)      Join Date: Aug 2007       12-27-2007, 2:56 PM Reply   
855ci cummins 6cyl, seats half an army and 75mph!
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(Message edited by y49sides on December 27, 2007)
Old     (bill_airjunky)      Join Date: Apr 2002       12-27-2007, 3:25 PM Reply   
Heres a pic of the Adrenaline Watersports team "van".

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The bus is a pretty good idea..... but don't keep it yellow. Do it up with a wild wrap/paint job!

(Message edited by bill_airjunky on December 27, 2007)
Old    bocephus            12-27-2007, 5:13 PM Reply   
Not to many 855 powered school buses out there...most are in cement trucks or 5 or 10 ton dump trucks...
Old     (rio_sanger)      Join Date: Apr 2007       12-27-2007, 5:45 PM Reply   
Here's my last tow vehicle, drove it into the ground...
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LOL
Old    bocephus            12-27-2007, 6:57 PM Reply   
That's pretty cool Chris but it's a little more work than I wanted...

Hey Y49SIDES,
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...

UploadUploadUploadUpload
Old     (woreout)      Join Date: Aug 2006       12-28-2007, 7:43 AM Reply   
Hey Chris, that old truck looks like Mater after a long night.
Old     (woreout)      Join Date: Aug 2006       12-28-2007, 7:47 AM Reply   
heres a few...
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Old    bocephus            12-28-2007, 8:05 AM Reply   
Billy,
While those do look interesting I don't think either one would get me where I need to go with my boat in tow!

Thanks though!
Old     (chpthril)      Join Date: Oct 2007       12-28-2007, 8:05 AM Reply   
RV/boat all in one

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Old     (kcampos)      Join Date: Jul 2007       12-28-2007, 8:22 AM Reply   
That's awesome Chris it does look like Mater from Cars. Where's Lighting McQueen
Old     (fatsac)      Join Date: Jun 2004       12-28-2007, 9:20 AM Reply   
I towed my old 225 Maristar with a Montero Sport to Tahoe on occassion. That was interesting!
Old     (mlb75)      Join Date: Aug 2007       12-28-2007, 10:28 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (gobigorgohome)      Join Date: Aug 2005       12-28-2007, 11:06 AM Reply   
'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.'

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
Old     (seattle)      Join Date: Mar 2002       12-28-2007, 1:19 PM Reply   
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.
Old    bocephus            12-28-2007, 1:38 PM Reply   
Hey Peter,
Have you seen us at Bartlett? I meet so many people out there I don't remember ever meeting you...Sorry if we met.

I have a CDL now.

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.

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.
Old     (gobigorgohome)      Join Date: Aug 2005       12-28-2007, 1:47 PM Reply   
Hey Peter,
Have you seen us at Bartlett? I meet so many people out there I don't remember ever meeting you...Sorry if we met.

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.
Old    bocephus            12-28-2007, 2:03 PM Reply   
Have you been out lately? We have been the only boat everytime we go now...

Hey Bill K,
Does the ambulance have turbo 7.3 in it? How does it tow? What did you guys do with the inside?
Old     (magic)      Join Date: Mar 2002       12-28-2007, 2:24 PM Reply   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-WKwRZQjHc

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Old     (gobigorgohome)      Join Date: Aug 2005       12-28-2007, 4:36 PM Reply   
Have you been out lately? We have been the only boat everytime we go now...

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?

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