Bus/RV Towrig project

BRUISER

BRUISER

silent.. but deadly
Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Raleigh
Yes I started a new thread.. just so it could be a little bit cleaner..

1983 MCI MC-9 and yes it has been already converted to an RV

here is how I first saw the bus
awww.impaks.com_images_ken_bus_bus.jpg


had to build a parking area
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and I drove it home today and got it into its new parking space in 1 try :) that was some luck..
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and with dodge in front of it for good measure..
awww.impaks.com_images_ken_bus_100_8632.jpg


oh and my shop does look very small now :)

I will take some inside pics later on.. and yes there is work to be done to it..
 
here are some interior pics

awww.impaks.com_images_ken_bus_100_8636.jpg


ripped up tile floor due to it being soft and found bad wood so replaced it and I am now laying new tile
awww.impaks.com_images_ken_bus_100_8637.jpg


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It looks so nice parked in the driveway.
 
Check the water-hose gasket going to the icemaker, Probably screws into a plastic 12v valve. they have a tendacy to leak and slowly drips down at the back of fridge and creeps in time through the subfloor and is under the tile and not noticed till the floor gets soft under the tile. Happened to two of mine and several of my friends. I don'y check it anymore, I replace it every year now. Hope this helps Ken.
 
nice! looks like a great start based on what you were looking for. i'll be curious to hear how it tows, that was one thing that deterred me from buying something similar. i tow kind of heavy at times (12-14k lbs.) having a two vehicle hauler, though. i don't think a normal single vehicle setup will be too bad. otherwise, one of these is a perfect budget option imo.
 
RufusTheRam said:
nice! looks like a great start based on what you were looking for. i'll be curious to hear how it tows, that was one thing that deterred me from buying something similar. i tow kind of heavy at times (12-14k lbs.) having a two vehicle hauler, though. i don't think a normal single vehicle setup will be too bad. otherwise, one of these is a perfect budget option imo.
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previous owner said he towed a 16' trailer with car on it with no issues at all. he said I will not win any race going up hill but it will pull it fine with no issues.. so we will see :)

of course I need to practice some more on the double clutch and downshifting..
 
I had to extend my trailer tongue to five foot because the rear of the bus is a lot wider than a dually. Trailer kept getting into the rear and limiting my turning and backing angles. Also moved my trailer axles further towards the rear also helped a lot. I towed this setup more than 86'000 miles after it was set up right without a problem. OAL 63ft.
 
yeah, the long rear overhang that a lot of rv's/buses have takes some getting used to in how it makes a trailer behave. advantageous in some situations, and a pain in others. looking at the pics, this one appears to have a relatively short overhang.
 
It'll be a little weird too b/c the trailer is so short relative to the bus wheelbase. But nothing you can't get used to.

So... are you bringing it to DPG? :bounce:
 
Shawn said:
It'll be a little weird too b/c the trailer is so short relative to the bus wheelbase. But nothing you can't get used to.

So... are you bringing it to DPG? :bounce:
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if I get everything working and fixed and if they get the driveway graded..
 
Bus

My Service manager here at work came from MCI. I was showing him your post. The guy is a frickin' walking, talking, service/parts manual for these MCI buses. Lots of contacts on where to get the deals on parts. He said to hit him up if you ever need help on it. The first thing he said was put a propane kit on it if you are towing with it. Grant says hills will quit being a issue.:driver:
 
here are some more pics:
here is best pic of bathroom.. toilet and seat on one side and then fullsize tube on other side with shower
bathroom.jpg


tube.jpg


6500 diesel gen
gen.jpg


fresh water tank
fresh.jpg


gray and black tanks
gray_black.jpg


water heater with pump
waterheater.jpg


all windows can open for emergency exits
window.jpg


back shelving in back bedroom where breaker box and 12 volt panel and convertor are located
back_shelving.jpg
 
nctom said:
My Service manager here at work came from MCI. I was showing him your post. The guy is a frickin' walking, talking, service/parts manual for these MCI buses. Lots of contacts on where to get the deals on parts. He said to hit him up if you ever need help on it. The first thing he said was put a propane kit on it if you are towing with it. Grant says hills will quit being a issue.:driver:
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man that is awesome

can you PM me his phone number I would love to talk to him or hell bring it up there for him to look it over even more..
 
When the Fall Bash rolls around I assume everyone can leave the tents at home and just flop at your place???? ...plenty of room. :lol:
 
Granny said:
When the Fall Bash rolls around I assume everyone can leave the tents at home and just flop at your place???? ...plenty of room. :lol:
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hahaha

that is the funny part.. a lot of my friends think the same thing.. but I am building this for the family.. so at the most it will be able to sleep 4 adults when interior is all done..or in my case 2 adults and my 2 kids :)
 
BRUISER said:
hahaha
that is the funny part.. a lot of my friends think the same thing.. but I am building this for the family.. so at the most it will be able to sleep 4 adults when interior is all done..or in my case 2 adults and my 2 kids :)
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When it comes to warm and dry, we have no issue with the basement! LOL
 
upnover said:
When it comes to warm and dry, we have no issue with the basement! LOL
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ya i have been thinking about making a trap door to the basement from the inside :)
 
BRUISER said:
ya i have been thinking about making a trap door to the basement from the inside :)
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Great place for the kids to sleep.. and ride.. and generally spend most of their time.. :huggy:
 
well no new pics but we replaced both roof top A/C today and thank goodness we now have a nice cool inside... only big item to work on is the generator..
 
Wow, fullsize tub...tile kitchen floor...oven...recliner... Are you kidding me? Awesome. Looking at the pictures, the thing seems to have been built pretty well originally, which is always nice.
 
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