MC-9 towing

[hogi6123]

It's complicated. It could be computed.  It could be substantial.  To think simply, it depends on how fast you are going (because of how quickly the tires will allow the bus to descend).  The bus falling in to the dip decreases the tongue weight and the bus coming up again on the other side increases the tongue weight.

But shoving the trailer tongue down gives the trailer momentum that then wants to continue and the trailer pushes down on the hitch.  This is likely to coincide with the bus rising on the far side of the dip, which pulls up on the tongue while the tongue is pushing down, increasing the tongue weight even more.

[Jim Blackwood]

A dynamic loading factor of 10 would probably be reasonable, so for a static tongue weight of 1000 lbs you would likely want to figure on your structure being able to support 10 time that. Then if you are doing an accurate calculation using engineering formulas that include the tensile strength of the load bearing members you might want to double that again depending on useful life span and if any particularly rough roads are anticipated. But that's just a guess based on 5 decades of fabrication experience. YMMV

Jim

[chessie4905]

I think the answer is to forget that idea as a failure that'll end up on Facebook.

[windtrader]

Agree on that one from enough personal experiences in general. this one seems pretty sketchy and the downside is way way down there on what could happen and nobody wants to even think about a 35,000 rolling hunk of steel deciding to take off on its own, trust me I seen what happens at 3mph. ugly

[chessie4905]

option B. Sell it and buy a large truck.
The safe way to do it in this instance.

[hogi6123]

I agree, I started looking at trucks and plan to sell the bus.

[windtrader]

Before throwing in the towel, it seems touring bands often haul a trailer with their equipment. You might call a few charter bus companies out of Nashville as they cater to that crowd. You'd likely get some real world insights what they do to make it safe. No idea what the typical load would be but might be worth a couple calls

[Van]

Prevost offers 2 tow recievers which are  Integrated into their engine cradles, 10,000 lbs. and a 15,000 lbs. Entertainer's will typically take a trailer that has either dual 7500lb or 10K axles on tour. Gary Benett can fix you up with a custom bolt in hitch for your 9.

[Jim Blackwood]

I took a look under the DL3 and I don't think there's much to be gained by trying to add reinforcement under the cradle. The bottom of the cradle already follows the line you would take in adding something so it's not like you could get much in the way of triangulation. I suppose you could go to the bottom of the suspension frame for the tag but in the end it just might not be enough to be worth the effort.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Before throwing in the towel, it seems touring bands often haul a trailer with their equipment. You might call a few charter bus companies out of Nashville as they cater to that crowd. You'd likely get some real world insights what they do to make it safe. No idea what the typical load would be but might be worth a couple calls

Tour operators are not using a MCI 9  either 

[windtrader]

Clifford,
Of course not, but they were in the day and should be a good reference when dealing with fairly heavy trailers being hauled behind a bus.

[buswarrior]

Entertainers used Eagles and then Prevost, if they were going to tow heavy.

Nobody earning a living put a hitch on an MCI for a heavy trailer, because MCI did not recommend it.

It's only us busnuts that ignore these matters.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Dave5Cs]

Merle Haggard used only MCI's but he also didn't pull a trailer he had 5 semi's behind him with all his stuff.LOL

[windtrader]

smart @$#! Michael Jackson and Rolling Stones used a charter jet!! who rolls when you can fly, especially to Tokyo! lol

[Van]

Merle Haggard used only MCI's but he also didn't pull a trailer he had 5 semi's behind him with all his stuff.LOL

 Merle's last coach was a Prevost with a hitch