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Why to you want to run a school bus at 70-75 mph? Would you run a Vega at 120? :-) You're traveling 120 miles, if you increase your speed from 60 to 70 you'll only get there a few minutes earlier; I know, about 20 minutes theoretically but it's very hard to maintain 70 as an average. In reality you'd have a heck of a time getting your full 10mph higher speed on a continual basis (I spent years driving "big rigs" where this is constantly proved over and over). I doubt you'd find more than 10 minutes difference in the whole trip and if you get into some heavy game traffic probably less than that. Remember the bus can't manuever like a car; its quite heavy, won't accelerate like a car and jump into the outside lane to pass slower traffic.
My advice (worth what you pay!) is to relax and enjoy the trip with your friends; get in the slow lane, choose a comfortable speed and you'll be there before you run out of things to talk about. :-) Not only that, you'll put less wear and tear on the motor, tranny and your (and your passengers) nerves.
I went with a bus that has a DT466 diesel engine and Allison MT643 tranny based on the recommendations I got here. I've been extremely pleased. Lots of power, seemingly long life and there's nothing like the convenience of an automatic in town and on the freeway in stop-n-go traffic (manuals are probably better on fuel).
Sounds like a gas engine would work just fine for you but I'm not familar with them (except in my personal vehicles).
RV A/C units require 110-volt power so if you install a couple of them you'll also need to figure out how to provide that. Getting power through an inverter won't work in practice due to the massive battery bank that would require; a genset is really the best option. You could proably get a 5KW contractors model for not too much and put in on a "porch" out back (or install a trailer hitch and use one of those rack that slide into a hitch receiver). At least that may be the least expensive way to go if not the most aesthetic. A shorty bus could probably get away with one roof air unit if the windows were tinted (and maybe with Cool Seal on the roof); a full-size (65/66 pax bus) would probably need two.
That's not answers to all your questions but I hope some of the info helps.
Have fun and good luck.
Les Lampman
Whidbey Island
Washington |
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