Radical Rigs - The Dum Dog Party Bus

11/08

Our original bus found us. Some friends approached me about selling a bus that had been servicing a marina in Canada. We converted it into a keg-equipped bar. The concept of watching the game in the parking lot took off, and there have been several other vehicles that call us their inspiration.

Then in 2006 I approached my friend Bruce MacLaren with the idea of adding the Dog-Wearing-a-Helmet look to our bus, and he made a drawing. I asked him, "Can you really do this?" Several beers later, we had a plan. We knew we'd need a new bus. The old one would have drained us dry just in repairs. I bought the new bus in Connecticut and drove it home. It took us 6 months of nearly all of our free time (and a bunch of our friends\' time) to get it done.

Highlights of the Dum Dog bus include the bar inside, and the separate cooking trailer that parks alongside and hooks-up to the side door of the Dum Dog. One of the rear legs lifts up and away, to allow the dog to pee on a fire hydrant painted up in Steelers colors. And, two giant balls hanging beneath the dog's tail can be dropped remotely onto the head of anyone entering the back of the bus.

Our group has been tailgating together since 1993. We arrive as early as we can. In fact, until the Muni lot started cracking down this year, we've been known to start the night before. Officially, they open the lot at 4AM. We arrive earlier. Most games, we have 14 people ride down in the bus with us. There are several more, actually hundreds, that meet us down there every game.

As founding members of The Muni Lot Browns Backers we are the first sanctioned Browns Backers organization based on the Cleveland tailgate experience, and currently have over 700 members. This year, the Dum Dog won the Browns auto show contest, so it is officially the best Browns tailgate vehicle. Any time anybody gets to Cleveland for a game, come down to the Muni Lot and look for the big dog with a helmet. Everybody's welcome to join the party.