The Bear Den (Bug Out Bus)

[Papabear]

And a few more just for smitty The throne roomThe heater I'm going to try. This is where it will store and run on "low" at times. I will sheath the inside area with 20 ga. and fireproof batting. Hopefully it won't catch fire. I will experiment with this, under adult supervision of course. It will be set up on an extendable hose to move it more inside the cabin when needed.

[Papabear]

And last but not least. This is how the back is turning out. Found a cross bed deep tool box. cut it in half, welded an end in it and it fit right between the frame rails. The Passenger side holds the Jennys (2). That side also swings out for genset removal. There will be xtra storage compartment in front of the propane bottles. The rest of the bumper needs skinned out and custom covers made. Also have the start of the ladder to the roof rack. (way in the future)

[Papabear]

AND I ALMOST FORGOT! I did get the roof painted. Four thick coats of Koolseal elastromeric paint. I had both roof vents in then painted it, THEN i bought a 24" escape hatch after the fact. Don't say it..........
That should be enough pics to last for a while.

[browncrown]

Papabear, It looks AWESOME!

[Stuff]

I love it! the mid way door is genius!! and it looks very professional inside!

[lornaschinske]

Very nice!

You would be surprised at how much heat those little heaters like that put out. We stuck my Little Buddy ( 8K/4.5K BTU) heater in the food cart. It keeps us toasty on LOW although you do need to watch the wind coming in the door if operating in that location. The wind will blow out the pilot light and "brick" (a problem we have since our serving window is a screened opening). Granted our cart is small but there is also no insulation and the floor has spaces between the planking.

[Papabear]

Thanks for the replies all. It's 0 degrees with the sun shining and -16 with the breeze. Will put the new little heater to the test tonight. I will check the propane usage and battery draw running it through the night. I have 2-12V fans that will circulate the air and crack one roof vent. It shoud'nt get to sweaty inside. But like life - It's all an experiment.

[lornaschinske]

Originally Posted by Papabear

... It's 0 degrees with the sun shining and -16 with the breeze...

Does it get warm in Wyoming? And I thought it was cold here in NM. Definitely will plan a trip to WY in the SUMMER when it is WARM! I gotta go see Devil's Tower while out this way.

[Redbear]

Oh, man! I've got to clean the drool out of my keyboard! Very nice going.
The interior looks much nicer and sturdier than the six-figure "professional" plastic pusher palaces!

When I first saw your back deck, I thought it was designed to transport an ATV escape module, but there are always trailers for that. My only variation on your bus would be the roof ladder. After reading the NASCAR bus stories, I would put it on the inside to access the roof through a hatch, so that only invited guests and not wanderers can access the roof. But we all have our own preferences.

Unlike "Genghis Khan and his brother Don," just "keep on keepin' on!"

[pipopak]

FWIW at this page:
http://papertoys.com/amschoolbus.htm
you can download a paper model of a school bus. Use it to figure interior layout or color schemes.

[Papabear]

Thanks to all for the relpies. REDBEAR, at first the deck area was to haul an ATV, but then we bought another, so it's trailer time for them. When the back is done, I'll have a 2'x7' fold up ramp that will hold the "mini bike".

P.S, It's freaking Freezing!!!!!!!!

PSS Hey lornaschinske, It does get warm here just not for very long.

[Papabear]

Hey Smitster Dude, Great idea on the backer board. I think I'll go with that.

[milkmania]

wow, just read 10 pages and did not jump ahead!


I feel like I just read a thread to no where.



pretty anti-climatic and I'm pretty disappointed to not see the end result. wanted info for the mid-door step construction, I just knew it was coming on the next page!

Did Timmy ever get out of that well?!?!?!

[RHOMBUS]

Well, he DID call it the Bug-Out-Bus. Maybe he bugged out?

[bansil]

holy necrothread-ing

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by bansil

holy necrothread-ing

well, since I already pulled this thread out of the depths of hell... I'll probably use it for my own research

I'm trying to picture how the mid-door steps are cut in...
I'm kinda thinking it's somewhat similar to the 4 or 5 pictures in this album
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/member...albums345.html

basically adding an open steel box, then adding the treads.
I really like the way the OP skinned over the entrance door, added a mid-doorn and then added the co-pilot's seat.
Just didn't get to see if Timmy got out of the well.

I'm finding side entrance doors from RV's in the $100 neighborhood with limited searching.

I'm going back to page 42 of "The Broccoli Bus"
I keep getting side-tracked when I start researching items within the thread.

[nat_ster]

That would drag like hell.

There is a reason the bus had the bumper at the height it was.

I do like the creativity though.

Nat

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

That would drag like hell.

There is a reason the bus had the bumper at the height it was.

I do like the creativity though.

Nat

I wouldn't put steps there, it's just a representation of what they might look mid-bus.
Anything that low, behind the axle is gonna drag....
My ski boat's prop guard drags so bad, we had to put rollers on it!

[Frost]

I thought I was the only one who looked at his bus as a BOV against zombies.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by milkmania

I wouldn't put steps there, it's just a representation of what they might look mid-bus.

Mid bus it in the middle of the bus, like I did on mine.

That is rear entry.

I agree on the rollers.

Nat