Dr Frankenstien gets his hands on a transit bus.

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

I think that's the way it works Nate. A lot of good stuff just isn't moving. I am taking notes right now on trailers with the idea that I might be able to get a deal if they don't sell in about 6 months.

Congrats. Looks like a useful truck.

Thank you.

[AKjeff]

What kind of mileage can you expect out of a truck like that?
I'd love to have a used medium duty with either a camper on it or to pull a trailer but my Dodge pickup does decently running empty.
I imagine the payoff comes from piece of mind due to the heavier duty components.

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by AKjeff

What kind of mileage can you expect out of a truck like that?
I'd love to have a used medium duty with either a camper on it or to pull a trailer but my Dodge pickup does decently running empty.
I imagine the payoff comes from piece of mind due to the heavier duty components.

The P/O told me he got as good as 12mpg and it sounds like he ran it hard.
I can't wait to find out but it should pull the camper easily.

It will be put to work pulling other things eventually.

Heavy duty components are good, with my pickup once I lost the trailer wire connection coming down a steep hill. I was able to keep my speed under control but there was no way I could stop.
That was a white knuckle situation, with the big truck I wouldn't even worry.
It can handle a fair bit more cargo than what the camper weighs.

[djb_rh]

So what are you going to do with the bus? It always sort of pained me that you removed that much of the bus...I would have left a bit more and had less deck space, but obviously that's *me*. You planning to get rid of the bus now? Or are you wishing you had just kept more of the bus body in there and just used it as a lighter duty puller?


--Donnie

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by djb_rh

So what are you going to do with the bus? It always sort of pained me that you removed that much of the bus...I would have left a bit more and had less deck space, but obviously that's *me*. You planning to get rid of the bus now? Or are you wishing you had just kept more of the bus body in there and just used it as a lighter duty puller?


--Donnie

I like the propotions now much better than before and am still glad I modified it the 2nd time.

Unless I can put it to good use and justify keeping it it will probably get rid of it eventually.

One thing it will do better than the Kenworth is going to riding events when not taking the camper along.
I used it several times this summer going to MX races and it worked awesome, and the double doors provide easy access to the inside.

For that reason and all the work I put into it I'd like to keep it.
Also, if not required to pull heavy weight it could pull 3.31 gears with the 5.9 under the hood, improving it's cruise speed dramatically.

On the other hand if I got rid of it I could add a 2013 XC 350 to my fleet and keep the Berg.

One way or another it's not going anywhere soon, unless I get an offer I can't refuse.

[Patrick46]

Originally Posted by natedog39

I first saw it locally parked at a trucking outfit.

I called just hoping that it might still be available.

It was and here it is.

The Karma is strong in this one!


Great grab!

[dwayne]

Originally Posted by natedog39

It would be but it's way too long as it is, the wheelbase is 27 feet.

I can barely get out of the driveway without making a three point turn.

so you could shorten it by 10', put a 10" box/garage and still have 4' for a hitch deck..., wow that thing is looooong.


Are there front axle weight concerns when empty on a truck like that?

[Xmoto]

Sweet!

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by dwayne

so you could shorten it by 10', put a 10" box/garage and still have 4' for a hitch deck..., wow that thing is looooong.


Are there front axle weight concerns when empty on a truck like that?

This one has a 12,000 lb front axle and a 21,000 lb rear axle so weight isn't a concern for my purposes anyway.
I forgot to mention this thing has a condo sleeper, which includes a fridge ,microwave,a spot for a TV ,power inverter and a double bunk too.

[natedog39]

How about a trailer like this.



Built with this in mind.

[Daniii]

Originally Posted by natedog39

How about a trailer like this.

All I can say is WOW.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by natedog39

Originally Posted by Daniii

All I can say is WOW.

Same here. That's a serious piece of art-deco that really captures my heart. I'd love to have it....along with the bankroll to maintain and use it.

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by ducnut

Same here. That's a serious piece of art-deco that really captures my heart. I'd love to have it....along with the bankroll to maintain and use it.

That's the Curtis Vagabond, only a few were built.

There was a story on them in a camper mag a few years ago, very interesting.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by natedog39

That's the Curtis Vagabond, only a few were built.

There was a story on them in a camper mag a few years ago, very interesting.

Turns out that's a '38 Curtiss Aerocar, nicknamed "Vagabond". The tractor is a '38 REO. I didn't find any production numbers for that actual model, but, did find that they only made a couple hundred campers, in the company's lifetime. Looking at the time period, lack of technology, and complexity of what they did build, I'm surprised they even built that many.

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by ducnut

Turns out that's a '38 Curtiss Aerocar, nicknamed "Vagabond". The tractor is a '38 REO. I didn't find any production numbers for that actual model, but, did find that they only made a couple hundred campers, in the company's lifetime. Looking at the time period, lack of technology, and complexity of what they did build, I'm surprised they even built that many.

Ahhh, I knew it was something to that effect.