The Brown Crown

[browncrown]

On BC's recent trip to Oklahoma, my sister's bought me a Microwave for the trip. For 10 days, it was shifted to any place we could get it out of the way when not in use. Nice having it aboard, but I needed something more permanent.

As you all know, space is a coveted commodity in a bus conversion. One thing the long trip taught me was use every available inch The one area where I had a lot of wasted space was my bathroom, which is across from the kitchen. I had a traditional vanity with a sink and empty areas above and on both sides.

So after cogitating about it, decided to build the microwave into the wall facing the kitchen. The box would jutt into the bathroom area, which would require a remodel in there...how it turned out was way beyond my expectations

I was able to get a built-in micro, more storage for the kitchen area, and even more storage for the towels and stuff you use in the bathroom.

Here is what the bathroom looked like before:






So....I cut a hole in the wall that divided the bathroom and galley and re-routed electrical which was in that wall:





Then I built the structure that would hold the microwave and also provide additional storage in both the galley and the bathroom. My main breaker box is in one of the bathroom walls...it was covered by the big mirror with waterproof insulation. The mirror was removable for access to the box.



I then needed to craft a custom built sink for the area. I found a Food Grade bowl at Target and drilled it out to fashion my new bathroom sink to fit the area...really like the way it turned out







I divided up the new structure in the bathroom into storage area's. Three are in use for the bathroom for towels and other stuff you need in there, and under the sink. Haven't finished this up yet, but the towel area's will remain open, while under the sink will have a door. One of the other one's faces the galley for more storage space for stuff needed for cooking and the microwave, which is the door you see below the cooking unit.







With all the changes, still have plenty of room to use the bathroom for it's intended purpose and now have a nice built-in in the galley.



Took BC on an outing this weekend and everything was fine. Just need to do all the finishing work and put a waterproof covering on the breaker box, but for the most part, the major construction is complete. Just when I think I'm through with this project, something else pop's into my head and I get all the tool's out

[PDBreske]

That's a beautiful sink. Does the handle nearest the user rest on the counter or can you use it to hold a towel?

[browncrown]

They both can handle the towels

[ol trunt]

Clever idea and as always a fine installation.

[proconsul100]

that is beautiful, you sir are brilliant

[gmarvel]

Your ideas are priceless and absolutely worth stealing! I bow to your inventiveness.

[Docsgsxr]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE the sink idea! You are a true skoolie! Excellent work on the galley as well. No wasted space in your rig at all!


-Doc

[browncrown]

Originally Posted by Docsgsxr

ABSOLUTELY LOVE the sink idea! You are a true skoolie! Excellent work on the galley as well. No wasted space in your rig at all!


-Doc

Thank you guys for all your nice compliments!

I thought I would post this pic of the microwave cabinet. I put two strips at the bottom which the front feet of the microwave sit in between. This keeps the unit from sliding out or moving backwards during transit. I also kept one side of the cabinet removable (the one with the screws) because I learned the hard way you need easy access to the wiring that is in the walls if something goes wrong and needs to be fixed.

BC

[gbstewart]

looks great, excellent work
just seems a skoolie is never done
gbstewart

[sdwarf36]

Curse you BC! 11 pm -we're leaving on a 250 mile trip in the morning-I look at your microwave post + go "oh sh*t!-our micro was sqeeky on the last trip 2 weeks ago!" So out to the bus I go-unbolting it from the hutch its mounted on-put some thin hi dens. foam under the feet-and around the edge where its touching. Also secured the mount for my inverter mounted to the back of the same hutch.
You're right-a bus is never done.

[browncrown]

Last couple of days I was able to begin building the framing for the cabinet below the sink in my bathroom project and install trim on the storage areas. I had some extra pieces of wood laminate flooring left over from BC's kitchen floor, so I ripped those to the width I needed on my table saw and used that for the trim around the storage compartments. Going to leave those without doors, which will just get in the way when you need to get to the towels and add weight. The area below the sink will have a door that will cover the square hole you see in the pics.

[browncrown]

Finished up my bathroom project this weekend. Other than just tinkering and cosmetic maintenance, I think BC is finished...9 years in the making and have loved every minute of it.

I had been storing all my tools and things I needed to work on BC under my rear bed. Unloaded all that stuff today except for things I would need for emergency repairs on the road...completely filled up the bed of my truck With that extra weight gone, should get at least 1 more mpg

[gmarvel]

A long journey, but one filled with great memories and fun. You now have one of the best and strongest RV bus conversions on the road. I hope to have mine finished in another four to six weeks. Donna and I would love to have a Crown "summit" with the Brown Crown!!!

[Laurel]

Wow! Terrific Job. Enjoy!

[bansil]

Bathroom, turned out good...with door closed how much sideways room you got?

Can you relax and read a magazine?

[WolfyWho]

Great build thread! Great looking bus! Fantastic work you've done! I'm wondering if you did the exterior paint yourself, or if you had a professional do it? Do you mind me asking how much it cost to do the paint?

Thank you.

Wolfy

[browncrown]

Originally Posted by WolfyWho

Great build thread! Great looking bus! Fantastic work you've done! I'm wondering if you did the exterior paint yourself, or if you had a professional do it? Do you mind me asking how much it cost to do the paint?

Thank you.

Wolfy

Thanks. Everything inside I built, but the paint job was done by a pro...let's just say it wasn't cheap

[browncrown]

A skoolie's work is never done Spent the rest of my Summer doing some upgrades to BC

First off, my mom bought me a new wood laminate floor, so the carpet came out and the floor went in





I also used the flooring to re-do the entry steps to give it a better look:

Before Picture



After Picture



Then I relocated the hot water heater. It was in my spare tire compartment on the starboard side for many years, and very much a rinky-dink setup. But I was always worried about it venting under the bus and fumes and fire. So I finally got the guts to cut a hole in the side of BC to mount it as it should have been in the first place. So I put it on the port side in the rear, and now it is more like a factory installation and much safer!

The Cut....man that was something I was really worried about:



The inside part of the heater installation





The finished installation



And then added a dark brown stripe along the sides just because I wanted to



I think BC is ready now for another Road Trip

[somewhereinusa]

As always job well done.
Just curious, what is the curved handle on the right of the inside water heater view.

[browncrown]

Somewhere, that is the Emergency Exit Door and the handle to open it