The Quick Guide To Getting The Right Used School Bus For You

Buying a used school bus can be a frightening process, especially if you’ve never bought one before. There are several advantages to purchasing a pre-owned bus, but there are seemingly endless things to consider to ensure you get the right bus for your needs, whether you hope to add the school bus to your fleet or convert it into a house or food truck.

Thankfully there is no need to feel overwhelmed. You don’t have to be a bus expert to find the bus that fits your needs. If you are considering purchasing a used school bus, just be sure to consider these factors and you are sure to find the vehicle you dreamed of.

Service Record – If a bus has been used in a fleet it absolutely has a service record. If you’re buying from a middle man and he can’t produce the service record, you’ve got problems and possibly serious ones. Make sure to check how long since the engine has been rebuilt because they last around 60 -100,000 miles, depending on whether they are driven stop and go in the mountains or over long stretches of flat highway.

Leaks – Look for ANY signs of leaks, particularly from Automatic Transmissions. These transmissions are prone to failing in buses due to a weak front seal that can seriously leak when the transmission heats up.  A quality replacement can cost $4,000 parts and labor, so it pays to be patient and guarantee you don’t wind up with a leaky transmission. Leaking brake components or hydraulic systems can be expensive to repair also.

Engine – Try to get the biggest engine you can afford, especially if you are adding conversion weight to the vehicle. While some argue small engines produce better fuel mileage that goes out the window the second you start adding conversion weight into the mix. Ultimately you’ll be much happier having the

Size – If you are planning on using the bus in mostly the same condition you purchase it in, the most important factor in determining the size you need is how many people you plan on transporting regularly. On the other hand, if you are planning on converting your used school bus you are going to have some other considerations. Many people will instinctively want the biggest bus they can afford, but remember that extra space means extra weight, and that needs extra power. You will want to be sure to consider the weight of everything you are adding to the vehicle and try to be efficient with both weight and space. It is absolutely possible to fit everything you need in a school bus, but not without planning ahead.