I tried to start a thread here about our project a few weeks ago and it was disapproved due to "The message contains links to illegal or pirated software." Don't know what that was about.

So I'll try again, without the pictures.

We just took delivery (12/27/12) of an 84 passenger 1999 Thomas MVP to convert into a mobile bunkhouse for our paintball team. It will replace the 52 passenger 1983 Thomas-International S1800 we currently use.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

A few weeks ago we where swamped with spam messages .... yours was more than likely wiped out with the rest..... sorry bout that....

Welcome aboard...

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GreyEagle
Roll - On...

I'd like to see some pics of the old bus as well as the new upgrade.

I tried to post some pics, actually img links to photobucket, and again it was disapproved due to "The message contains links to illegal or pirated software."

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

Here's the front of the new one and the back of the old one.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

The other ends...

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

Nose to tail.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

Man you sure can haul a lot of paint balls in the new bus.....
Looking good
and welcome aboard.... again

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GreyEagle
Roll - On...

Thanks.
Yeah the underbody storage is gonna be great. It goes all the way through to the other side. That's the main reason we wanted a pusher.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

nice upgrade...kinda like going from a singlewide to a doublewide

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Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton

Like the title says this is a mobile bunkhouse, nothing fancy. I don't have any good pics of the interior of the old bus, but here's a few from the construction phase.

5 beds. We shortened the legs on a couple of seats and put them under the first bunk (there where the dog is) facing the isle.


We fabbed up some overhead storage from conduit. The new bus will get a slightly redesigned version.


The beginnings of the overhead kitchen cabinets. And a little detail of how the storage racks are attached.


All set up at the campsite with the camo-net "awning" Doesn't keep you dry but does provide a little shade, and it looks cool! That's a flagpole attached to the front -- it comes off for driving.


Another view. This is a WWII themed game, so yes, that's a 48 star flag. You can see the screen door we made for the back door. It slides to the passenger side -- an interesting idea that needs improvement.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

Lookin' Good --- So will the new bus paint scheme be WWII?

We are thinking of something along the OD green line.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

Proposed floor plans -- I did also post these in the floor plan section.

The grid things are overhead storage. The semi-transparent blocks are overhead cabinets. All beds are 2 high bunks.


Sketch-up views without the overheads and the details are a little different.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

Good looking bus. You show seating for 12 plus a driver, but only 5 beds. Do you sleep in shifts? Just curious, perhaps more storage might come in handy.?

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Skoolie map
https://www.somewhereinusa.x10.mx/skooliemap.html
My bus website
https://somewhereinusa.x10.mx/

A WWII ship paint job would be sweet with the greys whites black and blue...awesome work on first bus...can't wait for 2nd round.....please keep pics coming

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Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton

Just curious...do you guys have a MG42 paintball sprayer?that would be trick

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Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton

Great questions. There are several explanations. The new bus will get overhead storage racks like the old one (scroll back though the pics, you'll see them) and it has underbody storage as well, so we don't think storage will be an issue.

This bus has two purposes, one is obviously as portable lodging for paintball events where we stay over night or longer, the other is simply to transport the team to single day events. It has been our experience that more of the team goes on the day trips than on the extended ones. Hence the need for more seating space than sleeping space.

Good questions, glad to know someone's paying attention.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

That would be a negative, but we do know a guy who makes them.

By the way bansil, yours is one of the project threads I've read in its entirety. I like what you've done so far and might have to borrow a couple of ideas from you.

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Superdad
Conversion thread.

Borrow what you need,good luck on this command post...its big enuf to use as your AA

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Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton