Extra door on Prevost bus

[Codokrat]

I just bought a Prevost Le Mirage XL-45 and I want to add an extra door in the back.

The thought is to remove the farthest back window and skin over it with aluminum. Then I should be able to cut a new door in the area using the existing skin to fit just between the window struts.

Has anyone tried anything like this?

The plan in the long run is to put a motorcycle lift in the new door so the motorcycle sits perpendicular to the bus just in front of the rear axles.

[buswarrior]

For inspiration and ideas, go crawl around one that has a wheelchair door and lift installed.

The various methods of strengthening can be backyard engineered to your own coach.

The very rear will require some thought on strengthening for the loss of the siding, with the engine also hanging back there.

Where there is a will...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[lvmci]

Hi Codokrat, before buying my 102C3, I was looking for a new era MCI with a wheel chair lift, modern motorized wheel chairs can weigh 700 lbs, with batteries, motors, electronics etc, which puts the weight in the  big motorcycle category. By lengthening the ramp, I felt it was doable. The MCI factory lift has extra structural support that is needed for heavy wheel chairs or motorcycles...lvmci...
Here's the brand used by MCI:
 ADA compliant with the factory Ricon Wheel Chair Lift.
Here's a picture of a D's wheel chair lift

[Codokrat]

I'll look into a wheel chair lift, I wasn't too worried on the lift itself, just the opening, but if that comes with reinforcement it may be ideal.

[chessie4905]

Be good if you could find one being scrapped that you could get the opening and all associated components, or at least check it out. Maybe MCI has images in the factory parts or service manual. Sombody here that can check?

[hogi6123]

I'm taking apart a MCI 102dl3 with a wheelchair lift halfway back.  It looks like it's not factory original.  There's not really any extra bracing added.  We took off the skin, I can post a few pictures if you'd like.

[Codokrat]

yeah, if you can post pics that'd be great, I haven't found much for aftermarket wheelchair lifts on Prevosts

[robertglines1]

Couple of observations here.  I have seen bikes transported on the front of a of a tow dolly still functions as toe dolly with vehicle there also.  2nd have had friends just use special battery on bike and oil caps/fuel and build slide and lay bike down and haul laying down.. On a xl the tounge  weight on a standard engine cradle can not exceed 750 lbs. Hd cradle required for more about 10 grand.  You could easy spend 5 time the hrs inventing something than on the rest of the conversion.. (been there on this one).  I like the challanges my self but then I'm Nuts. The frame in front of drive axle is pretty close to outside. Would be possible to set motocycle in length ways of bus.  Fuel tank comes to front side of last bay. Evaporator bay(area)is only about 24 inches deep before fuel tank .. I can get you some measurements off mine if you need it.

[hogi6123]

OK, here are pictures of the wheelchair lift door on my MCI 102DL3.

I cannot say whether this was good or not (besides the obvious lack of proper waterproofing), I can just show you how someone did it.

The door itself was constructed out of aluminum square tube.

[hogi6123]

More photos.

Reinforcement was added into the roof structure, but none below the floor.

[hogi6123]

More photos

[Busted Knuckle]

For used MCI stuff try Sam Caylor @
Caylor Supply
Address: 4712 Rock Creek Rd, Rantoul, KS 66079
Phone: (785) 878-3405
(Kansas City area)
He's been buying and selling MCI's and parts for years!

  BK