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01-05-2019, 01:05 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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MyBusFred
Hi all. Been lurking and observing for awhile now. Bought a bus a few months ago and began the conversion process. Figured it was time to stop lurking and start posting. My project is a 2001 Thomas 9 window bus with a Cat 3126 and an AT545. I really liked the shorter length of this bus (ease of parking, maneuvering in campgrounds, etc.) but coming up with a workable floor plan has been challenging. Starting to envy those with a full size platform to work with. Here's an image of the bus when I first brought it home. I'll post more pics of the progress I've made shortly.
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01-05-2019, 01:17 PM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Welcome!
That is a nice looking bus. I'm guessing that it has a flat floor? My first bus had a flat floor and I didn't realize when I bought my current bus just what a pain it can be working around the wheel wells.
Tell us more about your conversion plans?
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01-06-2019, 02:09 AM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 255
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Vista 3600
Engine: DT466E / AT545
Rated Cap: 72
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I was previously planning around this exact platform and have a few floorplans. I'll update my album with a few more tomorrow - http://www.skoolie.net/forums/member...lbums1661.html.
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01-06-2019, 06:28 AM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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MyBusFred
Thanks Steve. The floor over the rear wheels is flat but there are wheel wells above the fronts. We plan on using the bus as an RV, not full time living. "We" are my wife and I and our 14 year old daughter. We'll have a queen size bed in the rear. Unfortunately, with our limited space, there won't be walk around space around the bed. We'll have a couch that converts to a bed for our daughter. There will be a shower, a toilet and a kitchen. I believe I can fit it all in. Just gonna be tight.
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01-06-2019, 06:33 AM
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#5
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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MyBusFred
Thanks Geminus. I like your floor plans but I didn't mention that my bus has to sleep three people. What design program are you using?
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01-06-2019, 07:10 AM
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#6
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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MyBusFred
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01-06-2019, 07:14 AM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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MyBusFred
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01-06-2019, 07:52 AM
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#8
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,755
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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looks great!!!.. I love these shortie flat nose busses...
covering up the emergency door... Please do think about an escape plan should you be involved in a crash(where the service door gets blocked or jammed) or a fire breaks out and you need to escape the bus quickly!
-Christopher
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01-06-2019, 07:57 AM
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#9
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid
looks great!!!.. I love these shortie flat nose busses...
covering up the emergency door... Please do think about an escape plan should you be involved in a crash(where the service door gets blocked or jammed) or a fire breaks out and you need to escape the bus quickly!
-Christopher
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Christopher. There is a big door that was used for the wheelchair lift at the right rear of the bus. Figured I didn't need both doors.
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01-06-2019, 08:12 AM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,755
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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sweet.. id definitely keep that door operable and you'll be good.!
-Christopher
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01-06-2019, 08:15 AM
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#11
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Maybe get an emergency exit window or two for the driver's side.
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01-06-2019, 08:17 AM
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#12
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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a bit late for this tip, but --- as a painting and general contractor for 40+ years, I did many smoke and water damage restorations - one of the more difficult jobs were OSB sub floors in trailers that had water damage - the OSB swells up when it's wet and has to be pulled out and replaced - regular plywood seldom has that problem
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01-06-2019, 08:26 AM
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#13
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Grayson County, VA
Posts: 1,428
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleddgracer
a bit late for this tip, but --- as a painting and general contractor for 40+ years, I did many smoke and water damage restorations - one of the more difficult jobs were OSB sub floors in trailers that had water damage - the OSB swells up when it's wet and has to be pulled out and replaced - regular plywood seldom has that problem
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Yup, agreed. If it can't be pulled up for whatever reason, it might be best to seal any exposed surfaces with a couple/few coats of Drylok waterproof paint.
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01-06-2019, 01:24 PM
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#14
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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MyBusFred
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleddgracer
a bit late for this tip, but --- as a painting and general contractor for 40+ years, I did many smoke and water damage restorations - one of the more difficult jobs were OSB sub floors in trailers that had water damage - the OSB swells up when it's wet and has to be pulled out and replaced - regular plywood seldom has that problem
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Thanks for the tip. I went back and forth on this and convinced myself that the OSB would be ok. Now that it's been laying there for a few days, each board is bowing in the middle. I've told myself a thousand times on different projects to "do it right the first time"! I guess I'm a slow learner. Probably going to replace the floor now.
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01-06-2019, 01:39 PM
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#15
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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that's a bummer - 5/8ths tongue and groove plywood with lots of screws should work very well
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01-06-2019, 01:54 PM
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#16
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 255
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Vista 3600
Engine: DT466E / AT545
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matt12886
Thanks Geminus. I like your floor plans but I didn't mention that my bus has to sleep three people. What design program are you using?
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Sketchup Free 2017 and the 3D warehouse.
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01-12-2019, 09:01 AM
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#17
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 9
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MyBusFred
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