Thoughts on this SKoolie?

[elrayes]

https://onlineauction.422sales.com/c.../STANH096049/2


I'm concerned about the rust around the Wheel Well. I'm afraid that means it's spreading to some critical places. What are your thoughts? Should I bid on it?

[Mark_In_MA]

Its a 2007 from New Hampshire. Its gonna have some rust issues somewhere.

Wheel wells and rocker panels are always the first places to go, so the fact that its rusty there isn't a huge surprise. The question is, how bad is the rest of the underside? They don't really provide any good photos of it.

[Rovobay]

This bus can't get much further away from San Diego!!! lol. First thought was wow, there is a lot of tread on those tires, then I see they are studded. First thing if you were going to drive it 3000 miles home, the tires would have to be changed or simply removing each stud. Potential tickets on drive home for running with studded tires if the season for them has ended. Each state varies...

A quote from your introduction post, "So I'm looking for a 5-6 window Skoolie (non-cutaway) to work on and live in."

The rust thing would concern me. I personally think that there are closer ones that would be more rust free. also consider the final bus price, then add a cost of plane ticket, also figure in the fuel costs to get her home....

Cheers!

[o1marc]

I would say in snow regions where salt is used the floor under the plywood is the first to go. If there's rust issues on the outside, I can only imagine have far gone the floor is. Too often I've seen buses that were pristine on the outside and had to have half the floor replaced.

[Disastrogirl]

I just saw this. https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=2297324 It's a little closer.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Disastrogirl

I just saw this. https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=2297324 It's a little closer.

Much closer to you. Expect that bus to go for around $4k. What is your budget for purchase?

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Disastrogirl

I just saw this. https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=2297324 It's a little closer.

Closer but I would have some reservation with the 6.5.

Opinions vary, I think that it can be a very reliable and economical power plant if you like going really slow........ I don't.....

Good luck!

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by elrayes

https://onlineauction.422sales.com/c.../STANH096049/2


I'm concerned about the rust around the Wheel Well. I'm afraid that means it's spreading to some critical places. What are your thoughts? Should I bid on it?

Definitely avoid this bus unless you can get pictures of the underside of the bus and the wheel wells specifically. The photos look carefully selected to avoid showing the regions they describe as having "some rust". I recently purchased my bus from what turned out to be the Buffalo area and it was described as having "some rust" in the wheel wells, but there were no photos of the area. On delivery of the bus I was surprised to see there was essentially nothing behind the mudflaps and they appeared to be held on only by paint. After I got the plywood floors up I could see how badly the wheel wells and the floor all around it were corroded; I'm going to have to rebuild the entire 10-foot section of floor around the wells.

I also have rust at the bottom of my rear door and top of the bumper, just like yours (at least what shows in the one photo that shows that corrosion).

Generally, reputable auction sales will include multiple photos of the underside of the bus and allow you to draw your own conclusions as to its state of rustiness. Your bus shows no such photos (but in a couple you catch a glimpse of underside stuff which is very rusty) but includes vague language about "some rust" that could be used to plausibly claim you were fairly informed of the state of the bus.

There are many, many buses out there to buy. There is no hurry and no need to jump on an even slightly suspicious one. Like I did.

[peteg59]

If you see rust, there is MUCH more that you cannot see.
Trust me, I'm in NH!!!!
Seriously, anything that has seen more than 5 years of continuous winter driving anywhere in the "Rust Belt" has rust. How much is important, if you want something that will last awhile.
I've been looking for one for about a year, and very few come around that are truly rust free in the state.
Good luck in your search...

[dazdconfsd]

Considering you're in SD, why not one of these?

Diesel
https://onlineauction.422sales.com/c...14/STACA068609

Gas
https://onlineauction.422sales.com/c...14/STACA071467

My current Collins came from STA in that area and the underside was so clean, I've been able to reuse the floor bolts holding the seats down.