Newbie dimensional question...

[lunalupis]

Hello! First of all, than you all for being here! This site is so chock full of info and insight!

My family is still in the dreaming/planning stage of our skoolie. I am making small color form-like models for us each to fiddle with, but have found so many conflicting numbers that I just want to get things straight:

For a 40' bus, what is the interior (buildable) length and width? Average, of course. How much is taken up by the front drivers area? I am going off this info: 7½' x 37'. That, as far as I can ascertain, includes the captains area. Does that sounds right?

If I am posting on the wrong forum, I am terribly sorry! I will move it there immediately! Just let me know!

Thank you,
lunalupis

[RHOMBUS]

That's about what I have for a 2002 Thomas Saf T Liner, rear engine:
7'-6" wide (interior wall to interior wall)
36'-0" long (rear wall to dashboard)

Be sure you plan for the wheel wells:
9" tall, 2'-0" wide and about 40" long.

Different models also have different window heights, which may be important if you don't want furniture items sticking above the bottom of the glass.

[RHOMBUS]

Additionally: on the same model bus above:
34'-0" from back wall to edge of stairs (passenger side)
33'-0" from back of bus to limits of driver's side (allows about 3'-6" for a captain's chair)

Keep in mind that however perfectly you design it on paper, you need to figure in some buffer space in case things don't go exactly as you expect them too.
(long story)

[lunalupis]

That is very helpful, and yes, I am landing on being "open minded" knowing full well things can change!

[Outcast]

My Amtran is listed as being 38' long, thought I measure it at 36' bumper to bumper. (Maybe they were including the mirrors and light brows?) But anyway, the interior working area is 7' 6" wall to wall (this is pretty much standard of course) and 31' from the rear wall to the raised area set for the driver and engine cowl, as well as the step well. So even in my real world numbers that is a 5' loss. I really don't see how any body can fit the dash, steering column and seat into a 3' space, but I haven't seen every bus out there either and I am open for new things.