How many tonne is a bus?

School busses are such a common sight around the United States and the rest of the world that they’re often taken for granted.

However, as you see a school bus driving down the street, you may wonder how much a bus weighs.

How much does an empty school bus weigh?

There are a few different types and sizes of school buses, so how much each one weighs when it’s empty will vary a bit.

On average, an empty school bus weighs about 15,000 pounds or 7.5 US tons. This weight will most likely include the fluids in the engine, fuel, and any add-ons the bus has, but it doesn’t necessarily include the weight of the passengers.

School buses come in a few standard types, and while each brand and model will weigh a bit differently, getting to know the various types can help you make an educated guess when it comes to how much the bus weighs.

School bus typeWeight in pounds emptyWeight in pounds fullType A-110,00014,500Type A-210,00021,500Type B10,00021,500Type C15,50030,000Type D25,00036,000

How much does a small school bus weigh?

The smallest school bus type is called Type A.

These are usually shaped much like a van, but they can generally hold more than 10 passengers.

Type A buses are broken into two categories.

Type A-1 busses have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,500 pounds. Type A-2 busses usually weigh between 14,500 pounds and 21,500 pounds, or 7.25 to 10.75 US tons, when they are fully fueled and loaded with passengers.

The Type A-I bus is generally smaller and lighter, weighing less than 14,500 pounds, while the larger Type A-II bus can hold more people and is often at the heavier end of the spectrum.

When considering, for example, how much a 24 passenger bus weighs, you could estimate with relative accuracy that a bus that can hold that amount of people is likely a Type A-II vehicle and will weigh somewhere between 14,500-21,500 pounds when full.

Type B buses are also relatively small.

These buses are generally longer than Type A buses, but they have a short front end, with at least part of the engine located under the windshield and next to the driver’s seat.

CHECK OUT 9 New Cars That Weigh Under 3000 Pounds (with actual weights)

Type B busses are designed to hold more than 10 people, and, although they tend to be larger than Type A buses, they start at 10,000 pounds and go up from there.

How much does a large school bus weigh?

Type C school buses are perhaps the most common or easily pictured school bus style.

These buses have a long nose and feature a hood.

Type C buses are designed to hold a greater amount of passengers.

Some Type C buses can easily hold 72 passengers.

The weight of a Type C bus varies depending on the exact make and model, but these buses can weigh anywhere from 15,500 to 21,500 when they’re empty. When they’re full, most of these vehicles are rated at between 25,000 and 30,000 pounds or 12.5 to 15 US tons.

Type D buses are very similar to Type C buses except they have a flat front end and the door is located before the front wheels.

These buses tend to be quite large, measuring up to 45 feet in length, and they are designed to hold up to 72 passengers, which is why they’re such a common sight in more populated areas, such as cities.

Type D buses generally weigh within the same range as Type C buses, coming in at between 15,000 and 21,500 pounds when they’re empty.

A type A-2 school bus can weigh between 14,500-21,500 pounds.

How much does a full school bus weigh?

How much a full school bus weighs compared to an empty one depends on a number of factors, including how many people are riding the bus, what age the people are, and what type of bus it is.

You can estimate that the average weight of a group of children riding a school bus will be about 100 pounds per person.

Multiplying this by how many people are riding the bus will give you a starting estimate of the additional weight.

However, you should also keep in mind the fact that younger children will generally weigh less, while older children will weigh more.

When calculating how much a full school bus weighs when compared to an empty one, you’ll also need to take into account the weight of any belongings the passengers are bringing on board.

In the past, you could see a school bus and be sure it was bringing kids to and from school. Over the last several decades though, adventurers have purchased used school buses to transform them into a home on wheels. These massive recreational buses roll down highways and over bridges on incredible adventures. However, if you travel over bridges, you’d best know your weight.

So how much does a school bus weigh? Let’s find out!

How Much Does a School Bus Weigh?

While most who see a big yellow bus think they’re all the same, they’re not.

Four types of school buses range from 10,000 to 25,000 pounds when empty and 14,500 to 36,000 pounds fully loaded.

Let’s look at each class and how much they weigh.

Type A School Bus Weight

There are a couple of different Type A school buses.

The Type A-1 school bus is the smallest of all school buses. Many people refer to these as “minibusses.”

They can typically hold 10 to 12 passengers. They weigh about 10,000 pounds when empty and about 14,500 at total capacity.

The Type A-2 school bus is nearly double the size, holding 20 to 24 passengers, but weighs about the same as the Type A-1.

When you fully load a Type A-2 bus, it weighs around 21,500 pounds. That’s nearly 11 tons!

Type B School Bus Weight

A Type B bus looks like a mix between a truck and a bus. Many drivers call them a half-bus.

They have a shorter front end and an extended back.

They hold 10 to 24 passengers and weigh about the same as a Type A-2.

When empty, they’re roughly 10,000 pounds and 21,500 pounds when loaded.

Type C School Bus Weight

Type C is the standard bus you typically see taking kids to and from school.

These buses have long fronts and backs and can hold up to 72 passengers.

An empty Type C school bus weighs from 10,000 to 15,000 pounds.

When fully loaded, the bus can weigh 25,000 to 30,000 pounds or 12 to 15 tons. That’s a lot of weight!

Type D School Bus Weight

Like Type C buses, Type D buses can hold many passengers, typically around 72 at max capacity.

These buses are often 45 feet long and have a flat nose. They’re more common in cities.

These buses weigh approximately 15,500 to 21,500 pounds empty and 25,000 to 30,000 at capacity.

Pro Tip: Do your research before converting your school bus! These are some of the best books to help with your school bus conversion

What Is the Best School Bus to Convert to an RV?

If you do not need much space, the Thomas MinoTour Ford E-450 is a fantastic option.

It is a Type A school bus, so it’s not massive and weighs less. This makes maneuverability and fitting into spaces easier, especially when boondocking or on campgrounds.

It’s also ideal because you don’t have as many seats and other items to remove when transforming it into a livable space.

There are some incredible Type A bus renovations that make for perfect homes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkhQlrWjZh4Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Ford E-450 Bus Conversion – Fulltime Tiny House Living On A Budget (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkhQlrWjZh4)

Weight Tips for Converting a School Bus to an RV

There are several things you need to consider regarding the weight of your school bus when converting it to an RV.

Messing up any of these can cause severe issues down the road.

Weigh Your Bus When It’s Completely Stripped

One of the first things you’ll do when converting a school bus into an RV is extract everything.

You’ll remove seats, hundreds of feet of wiring, and many lights.

Knowing how much your school bus weighs empty is crucial.

It will help you make essential decisions during your renovation.

You can weigh your bus at your nearest CAT Scale. This process typically costs around $13 and only takes a few minutes.

You can even download the Weigh My Truck app, and it will help you find your nearest CAT Scale and walk you through weighing your vehicle.

Know Your Bus Models Weight Limits

Once you know your bus’s weight, you must research the weight limits for your particular bus.

Overloading your bus can be dangerous and cause wear and tear to the suspension system.

Don’t guess, and look up the specifications for your model.

However, due to the massive weight a school bus can handle, you will not likely have much of an issue.

Pro Tip: If you’re considering renovating a school bus, we actually don’t recommend it! Here are 7 Reasons You Should Avoid a Skoolie Bus Conversion

Weigh Everything You Add to Your School Bus

You likely helped your bus shed weight after you stripped it of the bus furnishings.

You will be adding significant weight when you install solar panels, upgrade batteries, and include the many items that will make it home on wheels.

The weight of your belongings can also quickly add up, and you may add more than you think.

However, knowing the weight of everything you add to your bus is essential for another reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJqIf5TR_J8Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How Much Does A School Bus Weigh? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJqIf5TR_J8)

Distribute the Weight in Your Bus Evenly

Ensure you evenly distribute the weight.

Putting too much weight on an axle or a side of your bus can cause wear on your tires and possibly a tire failure.

You want to travel smoothly and avoid any significant issues.

So take the time to plan your renovation to distribute weight evenly.

Weight Is An Important Factor When Converting a School Bus

One of the most critical factors you need to consider when converting a school bus is the weight.

You don’t want to overload your bus or get in a sticky situation because you didn’t know the weight of your rig.

How many tons is a bus?

When fully loaded, the bus can weigh 25,000 to 30,000 pounds or 12 to 15 tons.

How heavy is an average bus?

A school bus weighs around 10,000 to 25,000 pounds when empty and 14,500 to 36,000 pounds when full. However, the type of bus used greatly changes how much the bus in question weighs.