Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

hapicampr

Nov 13, 2016, 11:16 AM

Post #1 of 24 (62380 views)

Shortcut

buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hola amigos.
so I got a good deal on a school bus...in Idaho.
wondering if anyone has bought one, and the best how to's for getting a title, and registration to get on the road and across the border.
can't imagine that I'm the first wanderer who's wanted to register a bus...but is not a resident where I'm buying it.

RickS

Nov 13, 2016, 12:12 PM

Post #2 of 24 (62375 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Assuming you have a title to the bus and that you have an address in the US, you can get a South Dakota title/license without being a resident of SD. If you need further info, just ask.

hapicampr

Nov 13, 2016, 12:23 PM

Post #3 of 24 (62374 views)

Shortcut

Re: [RickS] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Thanks, I'll look at the SD dmv page tomorrow

RickS

Nov 13, 2016, 12:33 PM

Post #4 of 24 (62373 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Here is probably the best go-to County as they do a ton of them and for people "in" Mexico...

http://www.claycountysd.org/treasurersoffice.cfm

(This post was edited by RickS on Nov 15, 2016, 6:23 AM)

rvgringo

Nov 13, 2016, 1:19 PM

Post #5 of 24 (62369 views)

Shortcut

Re: [RickS] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

But......Won‘t the bus be over the weight/size limit for an individual to import it to Mexico? Unless it is able to be registered as an RV, he may have a problem. Better to check before buying it.

hapicampr

Nov 13, 2016, 6:17 PM

Post #6 of 24 (62348 views)

Shortcut

Re: [rvgringo] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi, the manufacturer plate states the GWVR at 25500 (8000 front, 17500rear)
it's a half length bus, 48 passenger max. About 33 feet front to rear bumper.
however....I'm only driving thru mexico...going to guate. Maybe I'll run some tours for backpackers....river rafting trips, border runs to renew visas, or maybe an Air B bus kind of thing...to pyramid sites other than just Tikal. 4 day trips with a driver/ chef

playaboy

Nov 15, 2016, 5:08 AM

Post #7 of 24 (62313 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Has the bus been converted into an RV? Or is it still configured as a school bus?

chicois8

Nov 15, 2016, 3:40 PM

Post #8 of 24 (62292 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

In Reply To

I believe the weights listed on the Mexican Customs site are for trucks only..
Ocanahua, Jalisco
San Mateo, California

hapicampr

Nov 20, 2016, 9:51 PM

Post #9 of 24 (62247 views)

Shortcut

Re: [chicois8] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

I'm pretty sure I've shared the road before with travelers in buses. So one way or another...others have driven skoolies down south.
Ps, I went to get her weighed for my South Dakota title and reg. It came in at just shy of 16,000lbs vehicle weight.

rvgringo

Nov 21, 2016, 7:49 AM

Post #10 of 24 (61989 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

You bought it already, and still do not know if it is over the weight limit for a private, non-RV registered, vehicle?
Have you inquired with Mexican customs, Aduana?
You may have a pig in a poke.

Kimpatsu Hekigan

Nov 21, 2016, 10:07 AM

Post #11 of 24 (61885 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

I suggest you join this forum and post your query there:

RV.NET Open Roads Forum -- RVing in Mexico and South America

Specific details about your vehicle will get you more accurate and helpful answers.

HTH,

K.H.

The Disciple lamented, "Master! Why is my life beset with problems?!"
The Master observed, "Only tourists step in dog droppings..."

(This post was edited by Kimpatsu Hekigan on Nov 21, 2016, 10:08 AM)

hapicampr

Nov 21, 2016, 8:26 PM

Post #12 of 24 (61464 views)

Shortcut

Re: [rvgringo] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Yes...I bought it without searching mexican customs.
mostly cause I've seen other gringos in buses before....and cause its not a full size bus...31 ft bumper to bumper. Weighs 15,860 lbs with a GWVR of 25,500

I can register it as a truck or possibly as an RV.
And I'm only planning on passing thru mexico to guate
but I wonder if there is some advantage to getting a 10 year RV TIP (temp, import, permit) that I just heard about as an option. Could I keep the Mexican 10 year permit for when I want to come back into mexico on visa renewal runs etc? Or do I have to give up a temp import permit when I exit the country going to guatemala?

hunteradvisor

Nov 22, 2016, 4:32 AM

Post #13 of 24 (61254 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

We have a friend who has driven from BC to Guatemala many many times in a converted school bus. He just spent a week with us in Jalisco is he 40+ footer. He's in Troncones area now and I can give you his email if you want to pm me.
It's no biggie and a 10yr TIP might be a good idea, who knows you could fall in love as I have with Mexico and decide to stay and then take a shorter trip to Guatemala sometime in the future.
Isabel
www.RanchoSolyMar.com

hapicampr

Nov 23, 2016, 10:24 AM

Post #14 of 24 (61226 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hunteradvisor] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Isabel,
thanks much. I just wrote to John. I've been taking the occasional road trip down your way over the last 20 years. I've been down 8 times...but spent over 4 years when you add up the time.
my first trip took me your way...PV to Acapulco to DF and back north.I went to Tenacatita just north of you.., and Barra de Navidad south of you too.
not sure that I'll do that area this year. I have plans to start,up a little thing in Lago Atitlan. Been there the last few trips and feel it's a good spot for me. But I will hit Barra de la Cruz and some other Oaxaca beaches on my way south

RickS

Nov 23, 2016, 10:47 AM

Post #15 of 24 (61221 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

I just read on a Mexican Gov. website yesterday, but can not find it now, that the maximum weight vehicle that can obtain a TIP is 3.5 metric tons or 7,717 lbs. But since Motorhomes are more than that I can't account for this seemingly contradictory figure. I'll keep looking....

hapicampr

Nov 23, 2016, 10:58 AM

Post #16 of 24 (61220 views)

Shortcut

Re: [RickS] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Not worried about the weight.
but I am curious about a 10 year TIP permit. How much might that run me? And can I leave the country and re-enter for 10 years on it? I guess you just never get to cash out on it?

RickS

Nov 23, 2016, 11:16 AM

Post #17 of 24 (61218 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

see: https://www.bajabound.com/...permits/rvpermit.php

(This post was edited by RickS on Nov 24, 2016, 9:43 AM)

playaboy

Nov 24, 2016, 6:56 AM

Post #18 of 24 (61201 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Has the bus been converted to an RV? Does your bus have a bed, kitchen, toilet, shower, TV and all the other things that a normal RV has? Those were the items that are checked on the paperwork when applying for an 10 year RV permit when I did it.

Or just apply for the permit online, lie on the paperwork, and get the 10 year permit in the mail.

playaboy

Dec 23, 2016, 5:12 AM

Post #19 of 24 (60169 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hpaicampr, how is the bus trip progressing?

hapicampr

Jan 2, 2017, 11:24 AM

Post #20 of 24 (60069 views)

Shortcut

Re: [playaboy] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hola, Thanks for asking.
however....I'm stalled. While waiting on the new title from the state, I had a health issue come up. Seems I'm about to loose my thyroid to a tumor which has made a home in it.
not sure when I'll be getting on the road now.

RickS

Jan 2, 2017, 3:49 PM

Post #21 of 24 (60057 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Sorry to hear that, man! Just a blip in your travel plans, 'tho.

playaboy

Jan 3, 2017, 4:38 AM

Post #22 of 24 (60046 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

I am sorry to hear that too. I know you will get thru this and we will be reading about your new adventures soon. Good luck

Naick

Feb 4, 2019, 11:50 AM

Post #23 of 24 (2520 views)

Shortcut

Re: [hapicampr] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Sounds like you have some amazing adventures coming up with the bus! This is on our radar as well.

esperanza

Feb 6, 2019, 9:52 PM

Post #24 of 24 (2130 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Naick] buying a school bus...to hit the road

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hey Naick...I see that you're posting to a bunch of old threads. IMHO it would be better to start new threads with your questions and/or concerns. You'd probably get more response. Good luck here!

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com