Inquiring minds want to know.

[Tegra1027]

Hello all. I havent been very active on the forums. However I have spent considerable time reading through build threads. There are some great ideas and some ridiculously smart, ambitious people here. I can only hope to have that ambition and passion when I start my project.

I was reading through a build last night and it dawned on my that when I do my conversion, it will be a great project with my son. I remember building my basement bedroom with my dad and loved every minute of it. So with that being said, my son is 3 right now which gives me ample time to plan, save, and collect parts to make it less strenuous on us when the time comes to get started.

My question is, how do you all go about planning? Im a pretty mothodical kind of guy and would rather have pretty sound but flexible plans. Is there a checklist floating around somewhere? Anything like that?

I run my dads body shop and we concentrate on rvs and coaches. I also have a "jack of all trades" mentallity with a fair amount of carpentry in my past. So I have resources, some know how, and a location to store and work on a bus. I am so excited about this, my son may have to wait for the second build. But then again a pretty important factor is missing....$$$$$$$$. Toddlers SMH lol.

Thanks in advance!!!

[Njsurf73]

I have a very loose plan: gut, paint, framing and systems, then finish.
I have the gutting and painting done.
Now I am collecting the materials for the systems.
I have most of the plumbing (no tanks yet) and am concentrating on the a/c electrical (looking for rooftop air units cheap lol) and d/c (need a couple of deep cycle Batts)
I have most of the wood and steel to frame.
I figure I will refine my plan before I start any phase, making sure I have the materials to finish the area I am working on before starting.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Rusty]

Here is a post that addresses that order of build a bit.

Sound like you have a leg-up on most of the members by having a shop and experience.

[Tegra1027]

I suppose I do. It's not about that though. I will fall short in many places and I can only assume that this community will be there to help me through. And I will be in here helping others as well. I have done quite a bit of work on motorhomes but to do a conversion from scratch is a bit more than I can say I'm confident with. I'm hoping that as I do my research and start the physical work, I will learn a great deal and in my head connect the dots so to speak. If that's the case then I plan on sharing what I do know with anybody and everybody.

Also, your process seams about right. Thanks

P.s. how do I quote? How do I quote multiple quotes in one post?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Tegra1027

P.s. how do I quote? How do I quote multiple quotes in one post?

Just like normal- but twice [QUOTE=Tegra1027;229101 close bracket blah blah blah [/QUOTE close bracket


Make your plans, be flexible. I've learned TONS about new products/methods.

[dan-fox]

I'd expect that you have a good leg up by knowing where the insurance totalled RVs have gotten to, and maybe be able to buy yourself one when the time comes. They are a real gold mine of usable parts, or so I'm told.

[Tegra1027]

[QUOTE=Rusty;229105]Just like normal- but twice [QUOTE=Tegra1027;229101 close bracket blah blah blah [/QUOTE close bracket


Make your plans, be flexible. I've learned TONS about new products/methods.[/QUOTE]

This is my first time using a desktop to get on this site... I was showing my dad and body guys a few skoolies... Anyway, it's much easier to quote on a desktop rather than my phone. Maybe If I install that taptalk deal, it would be easier to use. Stubborn like bull.

[EastCoastCB]

[QUOTE=Tegra1027;229748]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Just like normal- but twice

This is my first time using a desktop to get on this site... I was showing my dad and body guys a few skoolies... Anyway, it's much easier to quote on a desktop rather than my phone. Maybe If I install that taptalk deal, it would be easier to use. Stubborn like bull.

I've never used this site on a mobile device!

[cadillackid]

tapatalk is kind of cool but also kind of a pain to read threads that you arent subscribed to or that arent the "top favorites"

but it is super easy to put pics on a post with tapatalk
-Christopher

[Rusty]

[QUOTE=EastCoastCB;229758]

Originally Posted by Tegra1027

I've never used this site on a mobile device!

Same here. Just desktop.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

I'd expect that you have a good leg up by knowing where the insurance totalled RVs have gotten to, and maybe be able to buy yourself one when the time comes. They are a real gold mine of usable parts, or so I'm told.

On the flip side.....

Many of us choose to build our buses because we are not happy with the quality of the components and finish used in most factory built RV's.

There are a few exceptions. I looked at a $200k Montana 5th wheel that had some nice fixtures and appliances.

So far for my bus I have been watching Craigslist. I have scored a nice undermount kitchen sink with a nice faucet ($20) and a nice bathroom sink & faucet (free). Also, a breaker panel and breakers ($5). All in near new condition.

Just my$0.02

[cadillackid]

seems like certain things you might be able to score and use from ravaged RV;s though... rooftop A/C's - gonna be no different than the ones you buy online...

RV specific cook stove.. same thing..

sure there are other ways to do things.. minisplit A/C, apartment sized home range..

but if wanting RV specific appliances and such but just built into a heavier more solid vehicle.. then RV salvage good stuff and put into a skoolie
-Christopher

[Tegra1027]

Thank you everybody. Good food for thought. I finally sat down and put together a rough outline of every category that I will need to design and plan as well as research of course.

My original question still stands. Is there some sort of checklist or something similar?