Search found 340 matches

by Mark R. Obtinario
Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:14 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: 1935 Chevy school bus
Replies: 811
Views: 1066034

Re: 1935 Chevy school bus

Happy New Year to all of you!

May the new year bring you blessings and good tidings.

Good Luck and Happy Trails to you!
by Mark R. Obtinario
Wed Sep 28, 2016 8:23 pm
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: 1935 Chevy school bus
Replies: 811
Views: 1066034

Re: 1935 Chevy school bus

We live in Winlock, WA which is about 70 miles north of Portland, OR and about 100 miles south of Seattle. In other words, we are too far north to get bothered by the winds that come howling down through the Columbia River Gorge. And we are too far south of Puget Sound to be bothered by their weathe...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Wed Sep 28, 2016 5:54 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: 1935 Chevy school bus
Replies: 811
Views: 1066034

Re: 1935 Chevy school bus

Well, I have to eat my words about my awning. This last summer we went on an epic journey that covered 15 states and almost 7100 miles. While on the first part of the journey we visited SD which included stops to see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Badlands. While traveling through the B...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:19 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: 1935 Chevy school bus
Replies: 811
Views: 1066034

Re: 1935 Chevy school bus

Nice setup. I hope you are taking the air supply for the toad from an air source that does not deplete the air for the service brakes on the bus. To do so could put you in serious trouble with the Feds if they should ever inspect your rig. I forget what sort of braking system you have on your bus. I...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Tue Mar 08, 2016 3:58 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: 1935 Chevy school bus
Replies: 811
Views: 1066034

Re: 1935 Chevy school bus

That was an interesting work around to get home. I have been wondering how well multiplexing would work in a conversion. I know on new buses when the dealer installs options it can be a real challenge to know where to splice in a power connection for new stuff. In the past it was a matter of just ho...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Wed Dec 02, 2015 6:42 pm
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: 1935 Chevy school bus
Replies: 811
Views: 1066034

Re: 1935 Chevy school bus

I have a Zip Dee awning on my 1981 Avion 34V travel trailer. The awning is more than 20' long and requires a center rafter to support the awning when it is extended. When it is in the travel position there are lock downs on the end rafter arms that screw the rafter arms down tight to the body of the...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Sat May 16, 2015 6:24 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Different Wisdom
Replies: 306
Views: 237928

Re: Different Wisdom

I have heard of Double Coin tires before but not Doublestar.

I would imagine they are both Chinese knockoffs.

At the price savings over a Michelin or Goodyear it is worth the risk since you will more likely age them out before you wear them out.
by Mark R. Obtinario
Sat May 16, 2015 12:16 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Different Wisdom
Replies: 306
Views: 237928

Re: Different Wisdom

Les Schwab is the largest independent tire dealer here on the left coast based out of OR. They push the Toyo brand and most people have good luck with both LS and Toyo tires. I just have never had good luck with LS. I know some people who have had really good luck with Sumitomo tires. What I would N...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Fri May 15, 2015 11:41 pm
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Different Wisdom
Replies: 306
Views: 237928

Re: Different Wisdom

I have had very good luck with Cooper tires.

I have also had very good luck with some Chinese off brands. Ohtsu and Triple Coin come immediately to mind.

What I agree the most about, particularly considering their cost, is you want to purchase the newest tires available.
by Mark R. Obtinario
Fri May 15, 2015 5:51 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Different Wisdom
Replies: 306
Views: 237928

Re: Different Wisdom

Our church purchased a ten-year old bus that had just over 10,000 miles on the clock. Needless to say the tires looked great with all kinds of tread left. But the plan was to replace the tires ASAP due in large part to the fact the bus was geared to a top speed of 47 MPH. I figured going from the do...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Thu May 14, 2015 12:22 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Fun with the Phantom
Replies: 83
Views: 111154

Re: Fun with the Phantom

On some other forums there has been a lot of discussion about reprogramming Allison computers. Most have discovered the OEM's don't want to send Allison authorizing letters. Most of the reasoning has nothing to do with capabilities and more to do with liability. Consider yourself fortunate to have b...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Tue May 12, 2015 3:20 pm
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Honey, look what followed me home--can I keep it?
Replies: 15
Views: 18828

Re: Honey, look what followed me home--can I keep it?

The MCI twin radiator design was marginal at best and barely adequate on the flat. Get a big hill and high temps and most MCI's ended up stopped on the side of the road cooling things down so they could continue on up the hill. Sometimes, depending on how steep and how hot the ambient temp was, cont...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Tue May 12, 2015 2:56 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Fun with the Phantom
Replies: 83
Views: 111154

Re: Fun with the Phantom

I did have some questions for you. Most people get rid of the 24-VDC system. I was wondering why you kept it. I like the industrial/commercial look to your conversion. I would imagine not only is it space saving but it must save literally a ton in weight. You haven't mentioned much about how you ran...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Tue May 12, 2015 2:51 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Fun with the Phantom
Replies: 83
Views: 111154

Re: Fun with the Phantom

What an outstanding build! I sold my Crown because I knew I would never get it converted well enough to please "she who must be obeyed". I was rather sad at the time. When I see a build like yours I am humbled. I also know that I made the right decision to sell the bus and purchase somethi...
by Mark R. Obtinario
Tue May 12, 2015 2:42 am
Forum: Housebuses & Housetrucks
Topic: Honey, look what followed me home--can I keep it?
Replies: 15
Views: 18828

Re: Honey, look what followed me home--can I keep it?

I will be interested in watching what you do with this bus. You did some really interesting things with the '35. Moving up several generations in technology, size, and design should provide you with different challenges. And those challenges will result in some amazing solutions I am sure. Good luck...