We'd like to introduce:
Bussie
Our home for the year was a T945 VanHool motor coach with an entertainer floorplan, manufactured in Belgium in May of 1999. It was imported as a shell, and custom built for a religious organization outreach, where 8 members of their team would travel the United States for 15 months at a time visiting churches and events. So, this was truly a one owner bus that was only driven to church... except in this case it was a couple of churches every day of the week to the tune of 406,000 miles before we got it. Now that might seem like a lot of miles, but in the bus world, she's just getting started! The Detroit Diesel series 60 motor is one of the strongest running power plants in the heavy duty truck market, running clean, efficiently and for over a million miles when taken care of. Fortunately for us, Bussie has been treated pretty well, with regular maintenance and attention from her original owner as shown by the records that came with her- and we probably won't put another 500,000 miles on during our trip, so we feel safely within the life expectancy of this mechanical wonder.
Thanks to Simon our 6 year old for suggesting and winning the family vote for his name of: Bussie.
Here are the numbers:
1 - back up camera (with sound) above the back bumper; we can should be able to get really close backing without colliding
1 porcelain toilet with electric valve and flapper
1 Webasto hot water engine and coach heater
1.5 gpm flow through the shower head- in a full size shower stall
2 separate Bose theater quality sound systems front and rear; the driver also has their own CD stereo system to listen to talk radio and not bother anyone else
2 Sutrak 'bus air' A/C systems (while driving)
2 GPS Tom Tom receivers
3 atlases including an exit directory and 'big rig' version for when the GPS doesn't cooperate
3 alternators on the engine: 2- 24 volt Bosch's for the bus systems, and 1- 12volt to charge the house batteries
4 steps up to get to the coach floor level
5 rooftop A/C units with heat strips (while parked)
6 8D glass mat 12v, 245 A.H. coach batteries which store electricity for times we're parked and not plugged in. Four batteries power the house electrical, and two supply 24 volt power for the coach.
6 gears in the Allison World B500 automatic transmission
6 Alcoa aluminum wheels with chrome hubcaps
6 position hydraulic transmission retarder (slows the bus without using the brakes)
8 tires: 2 on steer axle, 4 on the drive axle (it pushes the bus) and 2 on the 'tag' axle which provides extra weight support. The tag axle may be lifted when making tight turns to reduce tire wear and allow a tighter turn
8 bunks with individual reading lights, privacy curtains, A/C & heat vents and 110v plugs
9.9 cubic feet of storage in the energy efficient Whirlpool refrigerator
12 tire pressure sensors are monitored while driving: 8 on the bus and 4 on the van being towed. It's a PressurePro system. Did you know incorrect air pressure is the #1 cause of blowouts?
12 gallon electric hot water heater
12 volt dc runs the lights, inverter (120 vac)
13' 4" - Height from the asphalt to the top of the A/C unit
21" LCD TV in the rear lounge with DVD
24 volt dc runs the bus mechanical systems
26" LCD TV in the front of the coach with DVD
45' - Bus length front to back
75 gallons gray water storage (sinks, shower)
75 gallons black water storage (potty 1 & 2)
160 gallons fresh water storage
245 gallon diesel fuel tank (best economy so far: 8.25 mpg)
500 horsepower of the Detroit Diesel Series 60 turbo motor
2,500 watt modified sine wave Freedom Xantrex inverter, providing electricity from the batteries when dry camping
10,000 pound capacity of the Roadmaster Blackhawk All Terrain tow bar (towing a 7,600 pound van)
15,000 pound weight capacity of the class IV trailer hitch on the bus
21,000 watt generator, which could power our house if needed
47,400 GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) the max amount of weight allowed while traveling
Jefatech Wi-Fi extender and hotspot. Allows us to pull in free/weak wi-fi signals and use them inside the bus.
Verizon MiFi is a credit card sized cellular receiver that accesses secure high speed internet, and creates a wired or wireless hotspot for up to 5 devices within about 40' of the MiFi. Internet wherever there's cellular service, even rolling down the highway.
Roadmaster Blackhawk All Terrain tow bar for pulling the 2008 Chevy Express van.
SMI Air Force One supplemental braking system applies the van brakes when we step on the bus brakes.
Remco LP-1 transmission lube pump keep the van transmission lubed up and cool when it's being towed (since the van motor is not running).
The first time we saw our bus (2 months before we decided to buy her)
Getting ready to study the operator manuals the night before starting
the 1,400 mile drive home from Tennessee.
It's definitely not like driving your suburban. Turning corners, you wait until the back wheels have passed the corner curb, or light post, or tree until you start to turn the front wheels. Remember that those rear wheels are about 28 feet behind the driver! The real danger is the height- watch out for cable TV wires and overhanging trees along the curbside lane in big cities.
The power behind it all: Detroit Diesel Series 60, turbo, 500hp. Three alternators serve the coach, holds 10 gallons of oil. That big wheel thing at the lower right? The air conditioning compressor. Hidden on the side of the coach is the 4 cyl Kubota diesel, putting out 21,000 watts of electricity when needed. This shot was taken at the BFS lot, when the front and back were still white.
After the first trip home in the condition we received it in, looking from front to back. Note the double fridges under the 12" sink and abundant green counter tops.
Early picture of Bussie with the white paint still on the side- although this was just a week before our departure- and we wrapped things up fast (like covering the big white sides).
After remodeling, the front lounge has a full sink base cabinet with standard drawers and a deep (10") sink that is 22" wide- lots of room for dishes. The fridge is a 10cf standard household model and the sofa is leather(-like). Cheery wood floors are bombproof and the carpet throughout has been replaced. The microwave isn't back in its spot above the sink yet. Kelly reupholstered the fixed seats with matching pillows, and side valances for the windows.
Looking forward from the table. Both front side windows were replaced since they had leaky thermopanes. The drivers side was upgraded to an exit window (opposite side of the door) which also opens on warm nights for ventilation. It's hinged at the top
Controls from L to R: Bus AC; Cruise; CB/PA; Transmission; thermometers; retarder; dashboard gauges incl 6 air gauges, speedo and 18 electrical controls; tire pressure monitor; GPS; rear camera; 10 coach electric switches including the toilet; driver CD/radio; Detroit Diesel Pro-Driver (engine computer); HVH air bag leveling; air brake next to driver seat. Above drivers head is the generator and house electric system controls. Yes, that air seat has 6 comfort controls.
Each bunk is set up with a 12v light, 120v receptacle, heating and cooling vents and privacy drape for complete sound and light protection. (ha!)