I think I've found the perfect tow rig

[RustEoldtrux]

Hopefully the pictures will post. Bec and I bought this 1999 Ford E450 bus with 7.3 liter Power Stroke from a fellow wheeler (Richard Bronsema of Above All 4X4) in Cedar City yesterday. It will haul the entire mob plus luggage, coolers, tools and parts where ever we choose to go. I just need to add a hitch receiver at the rear now. We logged a good, solid 11.2 mpg between Cedar City and Evanston yesterday running at 75 mph most of the way - not great mileage but had plenty of power up the hills.

I had bought a 1990 Ford L8000 box van, with 12-valve Cummins and 5-speed, from my Father-in-Law a few months ago, but this bus will work much better.

 

[ChestonScout]

SWEEEEEETTTT!!!!!!

 

[rockreligious]

cool Russ, any plans to convert it to a motorhome?

 

[Tacoma]

tell me about that box van....

 

[Houndoc]

Certainly gives you plenty of space!

 

[neagtea]

Short Bus?

 

[Gravy]

is that a wheelchair lift I see?

 

[krany]

is that a wheelchair lift I see?

yep, that will probably make it super nice to put coolers and whatever else you need in there easy.

so you still have to stop at railroad crossings with that?

 

[UNSTUCK]

Two ideas for you: Couches and a flat screen.

 

[ricsrx]

I looked at that thinking it would be a perfect swap into my 94 ford e350 motor home!!

 

[RustEoldtrux]

The Short Bus

SWEEEEEETTTT!!!!!!

Thanks Cheston (grin).

"cool Russ, any plans to convert it to a motorhome? "

For now it may get a porta-potty.

Short Bus?

Yes indeed - Bec's working on decals now.

is that a wheelchair lift I see?

Yes - it works great!

so you still have to stop at railroad crossings with that?

We'll just blow right through them (big grin).

Two ideas for you: Couches and a flat screen.

We have a flat screen located at Sam's Club and a spare couch in the family room - good ideas coming in from everybody.

I looked at that thinking it would be a perfect swap into my 94 ford e350 motor home!!

Sure glad you didn't pull the trigger on it before we did.

tell me about that box van....

The box van is still in my FIL's name, and he most likely will be needing it to move into a different house in the near future. If you're interested in buying the box van, I'll see if it's do-able now or will have to wait.

 

[rholbrook]

I showed this to my wife and she wants me to find one, murder it out in black and pimp the inside with two couches that fold out into beds, big screen, xbox, etc. She has been bugging me to buy a big van but has decided this is what I need to pull the toys with.

 

[RustEoldtrux]

I showed this to my wife and she wants me to find one, murder it out in black and pimp the inside with two couches that fold out into beds, big screen, xbox, etc. She has been bugging me to buy a big van but has decided this is what I need to pull the toys with.

The bus has 200,000 + miles, but is in terrific condition. I don't know how often they come up at auctions, but should be pretty cheap. Ours is ex-UTA and has been cared for very well, so it should run another 100,000 miles with ease.

We have a Dodge travel van with the high top, but the bus has so much more head room, it's just great. The modular seating lets you move the seats where ever you want, or remove them altogether. You should also be able to properly fasten down couches, easy chairs, tables, etc. to the floor rails.

I think the Dodge van will also be going to a new owner as soon as we get the bus modified a bit for our needs.

 

[Tacoma]

The box van is still in my FIL's name, and he most likely will be needing it to move into a different house in the near future. If you're interested in buying the box van, I'll see if it's do-able now or will have to wait.

I'd have to wait anyway... but keep me in mind... thinking of business I could use one for again.

 

[RustEoldtrux]

Box van

I'd have to wait anyway... but keep me in mind... thinking of business I could use one for again.

The box van also has a Tommy Lift that works great, which is one of the major problems with it as a tow vehicle - no way to mount a good receiver with the Tommy Lift in place.

 

[Tacoma]

perfect!!

 

[RustEoldtrux]

Tested the brakes on the bus last night - suicidal deer wandered onto the highway in front of us on the way to town. Stomped the brakes and literally stopped on a dime, everybody was safely buckled in and all gear was secured with the straps that came with the bus. Wiped the deer's butt on the way by, no injuries, no damage except for underwear. I looked under the bus today - massive disk brakes all around are good to have (grin).

 

[krany]

Tested the brakes on the bus last night - suicidal deer wandered onto the highway in front of us on the way to town. Stomped the brakes and literally stopped on a dime, everybody was safely buckled in and all gear was secured with the straps that came with the bus. Wiped the deer's butt on the way by, no injuries, no damage except for underwear. I looked under the bus today - massive disk brakes all around are good to have (grin).

you know, sometimes i swear that deer feeders need to be filled with prozac, ive had my close calls with deers and its not fun. thats good to know that you've got stopping power:greg:

 

[RustEoldtrux]

The cheeky beggers even stole a box of tomatoes from the front porch last night- only a little bit of juice left from a dozen tomatoes. Hope they all get belly aches.