THSCC Forums

Time to let the cat out of the bag. Actually, this hasn't been a secret at all, as it has been discussed at length by all of the THSCC staff, but I wanted to post some info about it (1) for the benefit of those of you who may not be on the staff email lists but will be next year, and (2) because we need everyone's help!

Well, after about 5 years of using our current 1985 GMC schoolbus, we have decided it is time to replace it. Mainly because of maintenance costs, some safety issues, and the overall longevity of the vehicle.

We're going to be trying something a little different. We will be purchasing a 1994 Ford E350 shuttle bus with a 7.3l diesel with about 135k miles on it from Carolina Livery. We're getting it for quite a good price - $3000. We will be purchasing a small dual-axle cargo trailer, probably 14x7, to haul all of the equipment. The bus will serve as THSCC's "mobile office" for registration and T&S.

The setup with the trailer does add some additional complexity versus what we do now, but we hope that it will not be a detriment. It is also possible that T&S will lose a little bit of visibility and some flexibility of how the tables are set up and used. However, the bus and trailer combination is expected to give us another 5-10 years of service, it should cost less to maintain, and since it is not a "large truck" chassis, it can be serviced by "normal" mechanics (us).

Y'all may have noticed that I have volunteered to be "keeper of the bus" for 2005. I'm planning on leading this project to completion, but this is a HUGE project and I need help! I will be sending out a complete list of things to be done, and I will be asking for brainstorming help and volunteers in a future post.

Right now, however, here are the things I would ask for everyone to consider:

So how can you help?

(1) HELP US FIND A TRAILER! Please keep an eye out for smaller dual-axle trailers. At this point I think we will consider 12-16' in length. We need to be looking for a trailer with a rear ramp door plus a side entry door.

(2) HELP SELL THE OLD BUS! The old bus is ideal for a car club who has close sites. Or for myriad other uses. We will be looking to get something in the neighborhood of $2000 for it. That will include all of the extra wiring and shelving in the back.

(3) GET READY TO VOLUNTEER your time and expertise. We will especially have some challenges with planning and building desks and storage shelving and planning our PA system. More on that later We also plan to upgrade the shocks, rear swaybar, and go to dual rear wheels. The plan is to have all this ready by our first event next year.

(4) DONATE TO THE BUS FUND! This will NOT be an inexpensive conversion. Current estimates put everything at about $8000. While we do plan to approach some businesses for sponsorships, we will need the membership's help. The officers were considering raising autocross entry fees by $5 next year but we have decided NOT to despite rising site fees and insurance. So we're asking everyone to help out if they can. Face it - most of us have gotten a lot more out of the club than our $17 membership fee and $20 entry fee. There will be a donation box at the christmas party, and possibly a "fun" fundraiser at the Greenville event.

With that, here are some pictures:

http://www.nogumracing.com/whitney/phot ... index.html

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

I believe a short bus to be the perfect choice for us morons.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

so painting it yellow with "THSCC SHORT BUS" on the side is now on the list of things to do right?

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'88 bmw 535is
'98 honda civic ex

Oh for the old days...we all got to see the big yellow bus and vote on it. Nice thing about that, no one could bitch about it for 5 years

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Just like no one will bitch about Bush for the next 4 years, because, hey, the country voted for him!

Boy am I looking forward to not hearing any complaints about our new President!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Future complaints about the new bus can be directed at me. I will deal with them "appropriately."

I have a real question. Why are you wanting to convert it to dual rear wheels? Is it a tire load ing issue? I would expect that in its former life as a people transporter that ther would be more weight in the bus than the mobile T&S office with stuff but no people going down the road.

If we are going to get a short yellow bus it should be cool like this.

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George Bright Member # 141
One of the youngest of the old farts.
Yes I voted against you joining the club.

Has nothing to do with load. Has everything to do with the fact that we're going to be pulling 4000# of trailer with that gigantic overhang. We will probably need all the help we can get to reduce the amount that the trailer "steers" the truck. That's all about rear tire sidewall stiffness.

Anyone who tows who has gone from a P tire to a load rated LT tire could probably share a similar experience - it's much more stable, ie, less steering adjustment and correction required.

There is also the minor point that there is much less rollover risk with the duallies. The rear hubs are set up for it already, so why not?

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Mike,

Is the plan to use Trailer tires (bias or radial) on the trailer? If so, if it doesn't come with them Northern Tool apparently is selling Bias and Radial Trailer tires these days (made in China or Korea I believe). I've used GY trailer tires on my single axle trailer but they are pricey.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Great on getting the new bus. Mike, count me in to help with whatever! As I recall Diane and I built up the existing shelves in "old yella". Certainly we have enough talent in the club to duplicate them.

I'll put out the word on the bus to some folks I know in ham radio that might be interested.

When do we take delivery of the new bus?

Ron

at least the awning will be cheaper

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

I'm curious why we wouldn't take this opportunity to get a slightly larger enclosed trailer that could hold a car. Then build racks up high in it for the cones and other stuff and then whoever is the KotB can use it to haul their race car to the events, too. Would make it much easier to find KotB type folks as well as make it easier for when the KotB *can't* make an event and needs a stand-in.

I know it's extra cost, but I doubt it's too terribly much if we're already talking enclosed dual axle trailer. That would make it a 6k pound load, but that bus should be able to handle it fine, I'd think.


--Donnie

I volunteer Donnie to hoist the cones up in that rack! It was a LOT of work to just store them where they are on the floor.

However Donnie does make a good point. What I liked with the old set up was you could tow your car trailer with the bus. This way limits the available bus drivers......

R

Well, go with a 22' or a 24' trailer and you'd have plenty of room up front to stack them vertical on the floor and just have some straps or something to hold them in place. I wanted as small an enclosed trailer as I could reasonably fit one car and everything I need to autocross in and I can do it with 18' and it'll still have 18" deep cabinets across the front as well as racks for jack stands, ez-up, three folding chairs, and 8 tires. It's tight, I admit. But add 4-6' to the length and it's quite do-able, I think.

But you're right...I forgot how heavy those cones are once you get even a decent stack going. Ugh.


--Donnie

You paying

The club is already down this year on funds from last year, to the tune of over $2k. All last year 1 person towed their car with the bus, hi Ron. Driving the bus is a PITA and the club should try to make it as easy and appealing to drivers as possible. But to buy a trailer for 2x the cost on the slim chance the driver may need to pull his car seems a bit waseful and irresponsible for the clubs finances.

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91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com