How to tow a bus?

MegaBus · Post by **MegaBus** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:16 pm

The bus is in North Hollywood and needs to get to Tehachapi.

I've been trying to figure out how to do this and how much it'll cost and I need to know ASAP!! But no dice over the past day or so...

Anyone willing to help?

Project: Turning an English Double Decker bus into the equivalent of a 2 story singlewide trailer for a home!

btw I'm actually "Megalion" but I can't login.... inactive account?

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:26 pm

Oh SHIT. I have an aquaintance with one of these and they are tricky when it comes to this kind of stuff.

OK. First choice is to drive it. Means working on it, etc. But that's the best way.

Lacking a running bus, you have 2 options - either rent a big flatbed lowboy car transport it'll fit on and take it that way behing a big pickup (being in the tow industry this is what I would do, without even thinking about it) ... least chance of damage... or contact a commercial towing company and find out how much they'd charge to "dolly tow" it to wherever and cry as they empty yur wallet, knowing the cash outlay on this project has just begun.

Serious. Restoring one of these - even just to motor home status - is pricey like restoring an airplane pricey. Parts are hard to find, and working on them are frustrating. I applaud you for being willing to take on a daunting task like this!!!

But yes - you do NOT want to bend the frame, ergo the 2 options. If they offer to "sling it", run - unless you want your project turned into stationary junk with a bent frame. (Our people did this one time, the state paid merrily for this 2 mile fuckup of a disaster tow!!) Even just a straight wheel lift, without dollys, will do damage to the drivetrain or the steering axles. NOT a valid option.

bb

MegaBus · Post by **MegaBus** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:57 pm

Well first off... I'm not planning to do "restoration".

For starters, it'd just be something to "camp" inside. Then I'll fix up the inside to suit my living needs which doesn't mean trying to restore the bus to any kind of proper form if that makes sense.

Literally I'll turn it into a house and take away it's driveability before I restore it to functional yet mobile RV'd Double Decker.

What I'm desperately trying to figure out is what is a reasonable cost to get it 100 miles from North Hollywood to Tehachapi. Any method ... I'm not worried about dings to the sides... but yes bent frame does not sound good esp since the last half mile will be on dirt road that is somewhat windy.

Is it possible for under $1,000?

It's a rare opportunity to acquire this double decker since it's already "in my neighborhood"... but my budget will only stretch so far today and it's today I have to decide...

woe!! I agree.. this would be fantastic if I could swing it.

MegaBus · Post by **MegaBus** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:59 pm

Just to clarify... I know this project will need $$$ invested.

But right now the $$$ need is just to buy it and get it moved. After that I can wait for my wallet to fill up again to begin work on it.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:49 pm

I second the idea of using a "low boy" trailer. The low to the ground nature of those buses might present some loading chalenges but nothing that could not be overcome with some inginuity. Most low boy drivers are good operators as they are not the bottom of the pile in the trucking realm. You might find a better price outside the tow industry and I think it would be good have the bus insured either through your self or the transporter for the trip. I work in undergound construction and our low boy driver is so good its scary. You might try an excavation construction firm with one of those setups. They are usually prety familiar with loading and unloading tricky or non standard loads. Sometimes they allow the drivers to use the equipment on the weekend for occasional favors. Wish I could help but I am way to far north. Good luck!!

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:45 pm

Megabus -

I doubt your going to find a lowboy for less than a grand. With diesel being what it is now operators are having a hard time making ends meet. You had to picj the one item that is top heavy, doesnt tow worth a shit, and is bug enough that it would need a large truck to tow on all fours.

I would go with the earlier solution. Jury rig it so it can run to where you need it or trailer it.

If i was to do it on the cheap end. Id rent / borrow the biggest truck I could. Make a towbar (triangular so know driver is needed in bus, weld or bolt on attachment points to the bus, drop the driveline and tow it flat.

Thats how I would do it - Your going to need a lot of truck though with enough weight on the assend to keep it from spinning around.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:13 am

Sounds like you might be in over your head. 1000$ doesn't go far these days and I think you might do batter to sell it off. I would love to tackle a restoration of a DD bus since so many get cannibalized these days. Unfortunately I cannot take it off your hands this year due to an injury. I can assure you from exp. that it will cost you alot more than your budget to get it moved there without having it running. Faced with your dilema it may be cheaper to get the thing running again.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:24 pm

A lowboy would work...But then you need a tractor...Don't have either but Can drive one for you if you can rent a combo..am class A driver... must make sure is within 100" wide and under 13'6" otherwise it would be a oversized..n a logistical nightmare for a private party to arrange. If I could be of any help..Im at [email protected]

How to tow a bus?

How to tow a bus?

Bus