Build a Bus: Check.

[theavgs]

This forum has been such a HUGE help in building our bus!!! Thank you to all you faithful posters and those willing to help. We just finished our own bus build... like 100% finished, nothing left that we want to do (except maybe scrape the hardened blue painters tape off the wheel wells).

I have a full time job, 4 kids, and threw some house projects in the mix as well. We finished in 9 months and are hitting the road in 2 days!!! We are headed to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion and Bryce Canyon. If anyone has any favorite spots in those areas, I would love to hear about them.

I didn't have much opportunity to document the process or post online, but I plan to make some videos of all our systems and post them in the hopes we can help someone out as they finish their build.

Bus is a 1995 AmTran Genesis. 30' long. DT466 with AT545 (maybe future swap out later).

Feel free to comment... but I'm not changing anything

[theavgs]

One more, because I forgot it and I love our bistro table.

[o1marc]

Nice build. I'm following with a white scheme inside. And it's a Genesis. After watching the 4hr special this week, "Yellowstone Live", there's no way that park isn't high on my list.

[Wornout Wrench]

WOW!

Very nice.

I am still in planning stages so looking at everyone else's builds and getting ideas. Love the white and the bistro table ROCKS.

I really like what you have done to the place Seriously very nice build.

As far as Yellowstone.

I was there in 1966, 8 years old. OMG, that was 53 years ago
I still remember parts of it very clearly. Truly a beautiful spot.

It's back on my bucket list.

[oricha1984]

Everything looks great. Good Job !

[Native]

Very nice ... and quick! Bravo!

[HazMatt]

Looking good!
How'd you get your insurance, what with the roof deck? Many carriers are beyond leery about insuring Skoolies with them.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

Looking good!
How'd you get your insurance, what with the roof deck? Many carriers are beyond leery about insuring Skoolies with them.

Neither company I've used ever asked for any pics.


Nice lookin bus. Looks familiar!

Strange to see one not for sale these days!

[HazMatt]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Neither company I've used ever asked for any pics.


Nice lookin bus. Looks familiar!

Strange to see one not for sale these days!

It's less about looks and more liability. I'd hate to be skooling along, have an Olga incident, and then have my claim declined because of an unsanctioned deck.
My design accounts for user safety when parked and occupied, but that won't mean bupkes to an insurer looking to renig on making a pay out.
Just sayin'...

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

It's less about looks and more liability. I'd hate to be skooling along, have an Olga incident, and then have my claim declined because of an unsanctioned deck.
My design accounts for user safety when parked and occupied, but that won't mean bupkes to an insurer looking to renig on making a pay out.
Just sayin'...

Unless they ask and you lie I don't see how they'd deny you unless you have some sort of grandstand on the roof.
I have a much more pessimistic approach to insurance than most, though.
When I had a fender bender 20 years ago in my first bus I had to pay out of pocket even though I'd added the bus to my insurance that morning. USAA was like "come at me bro".
It was a white bus privately titled and insured with no seats.
Since then I've looked at insurance as more of legal requirement than a lifeline.
If my bus is damaged beyond any reasonable repair I'll just get another one.

[HazMatt]

Believe me, I do get it, and not about to be telling them no lies! Every vehicular accident I've been involved in was due to inattention or negligence on the other parties. I'm freakin' Rain Man here: "I'm a good driver. Definitely, a good driver."
I'd as soon forego insurance as well, aside from the legal requirements to be packing, if not for all those bozos with licenses.
You are an outlier, here. Minimal mods, and use as work trucks, primarily.
Like the majority here, I'm investing both considerable (for me, anyway) sweat and cashy money equity, and would like to recoup more than just the Blue Book valuation on a 20 year old bus.
Short of it is, from what I found while researching into setting up a policy, is that many insurers won't contract for more than the barest bones policy, if a roof deck is installed.
Admittedly, I haven't been looking into the matter much lately, as the deck is still very much on the back burner, but suggestions from thems that've scored full coverage, who have an "approved" deck, would be awesome!

[plfking]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Since then I've looked at insurance as more of legal requirement than a lifeline.
If my bus is damaged beyond any reasonable repair I'll just get another one.

Well put.......my feelings exactly.

[PNW_Steve]

Beautiful build!


I would ask you that you edit your original post regarding how long your build took before my Wife sees it.......

Well over a year and I am still working on the roof raise......

Again, beautiful build. Thank you for sharing.

[peteg59]

9 months with all that is on your plate is nothing short of phenomenal!
It does look nice, and should serve you well out on the open road.
What stove/oven combo is that?

[theavgs]

Originally Posted by peteg59

9 months with all that is on your plate is nothing short of phenomenal!
It does look nice, and should serve you well out on the open road.
What stove/oven combo is that?

It's the "Coven" by Camp Chef.

[rebapuck]

At 30ft, will you be limited in the parks? Glacier has, I believe, a 25ft limit. If you have to park it, how do you get 6 people around? Bicycles?