Newbie in SF Bay Area needs advice

[CorbettO]

THANK YOU all for this great site. Been reading for 2 years. Now I have the money, the plan and am looking for the bus.

About me: long time resident of San Francisco Bay Area ready for one last long-as-it-lasts full time road trip. I am over 60, use a wheelchair, don’t drive, and never met a challenge I couldn’t solve with ingenuity, community and laughter.

WHAT I NEED in a bus:
• insulated and finished structure (insulation and walls, flooring and ceiling panels)
• boondock capable power and water systems
• mid-size
• strong engine with low “this always breaks” problems
• automatic transmission
• good tires
• rust dealt with


WOULD BE NICE to have with purchase:
• fridge
• individual portable induction burners
• composting toilet
• lithium batteries
• inverter
• LED lights
• generator
• easy to open windows
• wheelchair lift (but this is easy to find so not a big need)
• bathtub


WHAT I DO NOT need in the bus I purchase:
• furniture (I will take it out to make interior wheelchair accessible in ways that work best for me)
• stove / oven
• any bus seats
• shower


WHAT I HAVE:
• layout plans
• decisions about cooking (portable induction burners), sleeping (2 bunk beds), work area (one long counter with built-in kitchen sink at one end), toilet (composting)
• lots of commitment, designated builder helpers (but now skoolie-literate), sense of humor


STILL FIGURING OUT
• fridge (upright or horizontal on pull-out slides)
• adding self-operated lifting system (for getting in and out when no power)

THANK YOU for any advice or suggestions.

Corbett O

[o1marc]

What's your budget?

[CorbettO]

Thanks for the question. For the bus it really depends on what it comes with. For the entire conversion, want to keep everything except the furniture under 15k.

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by CorbettO

THANK YOU all for this great site. Been reading for 2 years. Now I have the money, the plan and am looking for the bus.

About me: long time resident of San Francisco Bay Area ready for one last long-as-it-lasts full time road trip. I am over 60, use a wheelchair, don’t drive, and never met a challenge I couldn’t solve with ingenuity, community and laughter.

WHAT I NEED in a bus:
• insulated and finished structure (insulation and walls, flooring and ceiling panels)
• boondock capable power and water systems
• mid-size
• strong engine with low “this always breaks” problems
• automatic transmission
• good tires
• rust dealt with


WOULD BE NICE to have with purchase:
• fridge
• individual portable induction burners
• composting toilet
• lithium batteries
• inverter
• LED lights
• generator
• easy to open windows
• wheelchair lift (but this is easy to find so not a big need)
• bathtub


WHAT I DO NOT need in the bus I purchase:
• furniture (I will take it out to make interior wheelchair accessible in ways that work best for me)
• stove / oven
• any bus seats
• shower


WHAT I HAVE:
• layout plans
• decisions about cooking (portable induction burners), sleeping (2 bunk beds), work area (one long counter with built-in kitchen sink at one end), toilet (composting)
• lots of commitment, designated builder helpers (but now skoolie-literate), sense of humor


STILL FIGURING OUT
• fridge (upright or horizontal on pull-out slides)
• adding self-operated lifting system (for getting in and out when no power)

THANK YOU for any advice or suggestions.

Corbett O

Do you have a place to park it?

[JustKip]

Originally Posted by CorbettO

ready for one last long-as-it-lasts full time road trip. I am over 60, use a wheelchair, don’t drive,


Corbett O

I seem to be missing something here?

[Gustav]

Maybe someone is going with the OP?

[CorbettO]

JustKip,

Yes I have a place to store and to work on it. It's a storage place with a wood and metal shop.

CorbettO

[CorbettO]

JustKip,
Not sure what you are asking but happy to answer your questions.

I am planning on living in the bus full time with frequent long stops (2-4 weeks). Either a friend will join me to do the driving or I will hire a driver to get me from one long stop campground to the next.

CorbettO

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by CorbettO

JustKip,

Yes I have a place to store and to work on it. It's a storage place with a wood and metal shop.

CorbettO

Congrats you have just passed the biggest hurdle . Everything now will be a matter of budget, timing and the aranngement of talent to help you. My advice would be to get whatever you buy in 110% mechanical condition as your first priority. If you are disabled, you have no room for breakdowns. Attempt minamalist approach as you start and build on that. Good Luck!!

[JustKip]

Originally Posted by CorbettO

JustKip,
Not sure what you are asking but happy to answer your questions.

I am planning on living in the bus full time with frequent long stops (2-4 weeks). Either a friend will join me to do the driving or I will hire a driver to get me from one long stop campground to the next.

CorbettO

Sounds like a great plan!

I think that, although you're right about how many used chair lifts there are out there for cheap, the wheelchair lift door itself would make a huge difference, as I think those doors are a little wider than the folding door in front.

[CorbettO]

JustKip,

Thanks for the suggestion to got 110% mechanical functioning. That was easy to overlook. Before I purchase I will definitely post the bus and engine info on this site for feedback.

I know a lot about lifts and used a bus lift in my last skoolie. But it was super loud and I hated using it in the early mornings when I like to get out and take a walk.

I am exploring some other quieter options with the folks from Whirlwind Wheelchairs who build stuff from scratch all over the world.

I appreciate your answering my questions and offering ideas.

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by CorbettO

JustKip,

Yes I have a place to store and to work on it. It's a storage place with a wood and metal shop.

CorbettO

That is the most important thing. Here is a lousy picture of our 28 foot 5.9 Cummins shorty. Almost ready to come out of the shop and kiss the daylite. A well lighted and secure workspace makes the build so much fun!! Good luck !!

[Rivetboy]

Congrats you have just passed the biggest hurdle . Everything now will be a matter of budget, timing and the aranngement of talent to help you. My advice would be to get whatever you buy in 110% mechanical condition as your first priority. If you are disabled, you have no room for breakdowns. Attempt minamalist approach as you start and build on that. Good Luck!! This comment is from rivetboy (joe) But hey the idea is still valid

[CorbettO]

Sorry RivetBoy,
I was thanking JustKip for your suggestion about 110% mechanical condition.

CorbettO

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by CorbettO

Sorry RivetBoy,
I was thanking JustKip for your suggestion about 110% mechanical condition.

CorbettO

Hey, that is a non issue. I just spent the last 2 years rebuilding my shorties drivetrain ( new everything you can replace in a Cummins 12v I.E. fuel pump, water pump, oil pump,oil cooler, alternator, fan clutch , oil filter and most important for me, all new gaskets. Plus
fan thermo switch, serpentine belts, air conditioner compressor belt,newly rebuilt AT545, transmission electric fan cooled with thermostatic supply valve oil cooler new front brake drums , new shoes all the way around, rebuilt air brake compressor. Am now in the process of installing new projector headlites and led everything else . Good luck in your endeavor and this is a great site. Ask me any thing and I will certainly respond. Good Luck!

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by Rivetboy

Hey, that is a non issue. I just spent the last 2 years rebuilding my shorties drivetrain ( new everything you can replace in a Cummins 12v I.E. fuel pump, water pump, oil pump,oil cooler, alternator, fan clutch , oil filter and most important for me, all new gaskets. Plus
fan thermo switch, serpentine belts, air conditioner compressor belt,newly rebuilt AT545, transmission electric fan cooled with thermostatic supply valve oil cooler new front brake drums , new shoes all the way around, rebuilt air brake compressor. Am now in the process of installing new projector headlites and led everything else . Good luck in your endeavor and this is a great site. Ask me any thing and I will certainly respond. Good Luck!

And how could I forget that $ 600 Holset rebuilt turbo ...