| Church youth group bus [message #170115] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 15:23  |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Do you think a 26' GMC could be retrofitted with 22 seats to be used as a church youth group bus?
I imagine a layout with 2 sets of dinettes (narrow tables) behind the driver seat, 1 dinette behind the front co-pilot seat and a forward facing bench between that and the door (maybe).
Remove the stove and sink and replace them with a luggage bin and electrical component box.
Leave the fridge and bath aft of the entrance door.
In the back put another couple of rows of seats and maybe a flip-down TV against the back window. The bulkheads between the bath and the luggage bins would have flip-down trays like an airline seat.
Would I run into any DOT rules for a bus that size that a GMC couldn't comply with? Would 22 passengers overload a GMC? It would be close to 3800 lbs just in driver and passenger weight plus their luggage and fuel and water.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
[Updated on: Fri, 18 May 2012 15:24] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Church youth group bus [message #170118 is a reply to message #170115] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 15:46  |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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It all depends on where you live. I think you are getting into too much liability using it as a "church youth group bus" you would make national headlines if something were to ever go wrong.
I do the party bus deal with a friend. using an old airport shuttle, an I have been wanting to change a GMC into our new "party bus" I think 18 seated is the number I came up with to fit into a 26 footer leaving the fridge, bathroom in place. I know we could get more in there, but would be get crowded.
the idea is keep it registered titled as a RV. then you get out of alot of regulations. but alot of grey area in case something does go wrong and the lawyers get involved.
BTW. I do not do the party bus for business. just for friends. there would have to be some research if I would to put it out there for hire.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Church youth group bus [message #170119 is a reply to message #170117] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 16:40 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
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| Marcus McGee wrote on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:36 |
In my opinion:
If you did it then at least another door at the rear on the passenger side would be mandatory and no way that the GMC would pass any type of DOT inspection.
And for what that is worth, that would be a recipe for disaster. Only one small exit and too many people to get out quickly in any sort of emergency.
As a church group the first thing would be a prayer that there was not an accident, or fire.
Marcus
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Why not convert all the windows into quick-release emergency exits?
My thought in converting a GMC is that it is relatively easy to drive compared to larger buses and they are already plumbed for bath and fridge. It would be used to haul teens to and from camp and various local activities, not as a school bus.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
[Updated on: Fri, 18 May 2012 16:40] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Church youth group bus [message #170121 is a reply to message #170119] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 16:46 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
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If you do this interesting project, do it as an "LLC". Not as your or anyone else's private vehicle. Lawyers would eat your lunch, if you had a problem. I'm also thinking that this conversion, being ad hoc, would be difficult to insure.
Not a lawyer, nor do I claim to be knowledgeable in this aspect of the legal world. Just careful.
Tom,
MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Church youth group bus [message #170123 is a reply to message #170115] |
Fri, 18 May 2012 17:01 |
GMC Cruse
Messages: 606
Registered: June 2009
Location: SE Michigan
Karma: 3
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In Michigan, a bus that seats 16 or more requires a CDL plus a "P" endorsment. Your State may be the same.
| Luvn737s wrote on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:23 |
Do you think a 26' GMC could be retrofitted with 22 seats to be used as a church youth group bus?
I imagine a layout with 2 sets of dinettes (narrow tables) behind the driver seat, 1 dinette behind the front co-pilot seat and a forward facing bench between that and the door (maybe).
Remove the stove and sink and replace them with a luggage bin and electrical component box.
Leave the fridge and bath aft of the entrance door.
In the back put another couple of rows of seats and maybe a flip-down TV against the back window. The bulkheads between the bath and the luggage bins would have flip-down trays like an airline seat.
Would I run into any DOT rules for a bus that size that a GMC couldn't comply with? Would 22 passengers overload a GMC? It would be close to 3800 lbs just in driver and passenger weight plus their luggage and fuel and water.
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Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Church youth group bus [message #170163 is a reply to message #170162] |
Sat, 19 May 2012 06:38 |
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States vary on the requirement for the driver. Since this would be for a
non-profit owning the vehicle and since it would be insured strictly for
the use of the non-profit most states would have no requirement for CDL.
There would be common bus requirements. I think the rear window would
serve as the emergency exit. The fuel tanks are already mounted between
the frame members (another requirement). The seats would need to be pass
flammability requirements. Restraints for passengers is another.
My real concern would be weight.
I'd suggest checking with a school district. Someone that works with
busses would have a good idea of the requirements.
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
News and Web Editor, GMC Eastern States
http://www.gmceast.com
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Byron Songer
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