Thomas Build
Hey all,
After more than 8,000 kilometres we have finally recouped enough to get started on our build thread. Just starting with introducing our new bus and our current plan. Thomas is a 1997 Ford - Thomas Built - bus with a 5.9 Cummins engine and 5 speed manual transmission. He is a 5 window short bus. He has about 400,000 kilometres but purrs like a dream.
So the plan is at the back we will have a wet bath with a compost toliet and shower. Then the sink area followed by a desk area all on the right hand side. Desk area will have a flip down desk with a perm. shelf and a rolling ottoman. On the left hand side from the back will be the wardrobe, fridge, stove and end table/dog eating area and couch which (with the ottoman) will turn into a Queen size bed.
As far as mechanics - there is no room available under the passenger side so the battery bank and grey water tank will be mounted on the driver's side. We will have solar on the roof as well as a fan and skylights. The fresh water tank will reside under the couch and piping will be laid across the floor as we will that out. All the solar controls and inverter will be stored in the overhead cabinet at the front of the bus. We will be forgoing a perm. a/c and heating system and instead will be going with a Nora AC unit which is small enough that we can put in the window and then store when not necessary. We will also most likely be going with a portable heater system as the bus is so small and we will be chasing 21 degree weather so will need it very little hopefully. Although we are Canadian -
my fiance is dual so can hopefully easily stay the winters in the US. We will be going with just a 2 or 3 burner stove and no oven. Will most likely get an instant pot and a toaster oven (to use if we hook into shore power) and skipping an oven altogether.
Here is a pic of Thomas and our current floor plan idea.
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