Cloud 9: My first schoolie

[madpsalmer]

I'm working on Bathroom stuff any one have advice. Type of tanks plumbing things of the like... I'm just in the research phase

[madpsalmer]

Been researching as of late I am thinking i want to only invest once and I echo the I definitely want to pipe in the outside air supply for the stove sentiments of Smitty and others on this site. Ultimately I always get hung up on cost so although I will eventually have a wood stove right now were not full timing so it is less a priority and more a desire. I think most of those type of models are mobile home stoves. i love the old antique look of pot belly's and the like but there is an ever growing possibility we will be living in our bus so safety before looks. I checked out your build man the seahorse has changed looks awesome!

[cronk3420]

Nice bus, I like what youve done with the interior so far. Pot belly stove would be nice! Maybe a good name would be cloud 9... just a thought!

[madpsalmer]

Ya, the stove I picked up does not have the intake and I decided that it just would not be safe. I'll look into building one myself it is more my style anyway and the foot print is an issue for me. It is the time of year I could unload that other stove and I will put it on CL soon. Any specifics you would advise on the construction or do you have a thread on the topic?


Thx by the way on the rig, were going for open but yet with open possibilities for change in the future I need to update some pics my camera died. I have added a few things this summer and am curious what some would think about my master bed room/bathroom idea.

[madpsalmer]

Google Sketch-up very cool here is my bus layout!

[madpsalmer]

Wood stove location. Anyone who has a stove currently have any idea's about where in my layout would be a good placement area. I was considering right next to the kitchen cabinet's.

[madpsalmer]

The latest construction, after a bit of camping we officially decided bunks were necessary. Here was my solution as of 11 PM last night!

[madpsalmer]

Here is a new look at the front of bus layout as I have changed. We have found it is much easier to use the futon with seat belts which makes for good traveling with the kids and a comfortable sleeping arrangement for us without sacrificing the openness of our layout.

[Diesel Dan]

Wow, three bunks in one vertical space?! The space for each bunk must be pretty tight! Or is the bottom just a storage space? I feel a little claustrophobic in my bunks and I only have two (of course the bottom bunk of my bus is over a wheel well, so I do lose a foot or so due to that. I think your bus has a really clean, light look to it since you stuck with light or no stain on the wood and white paint. I used a darker stain since I somehow just don't like "blonde" looking wood, but I do like how yours seems to have a lot of light.

[TheRainbowBoxer]

Love the triple bunks... trying to convince the wife that we should add that to our plans since we have 5 boys. She isn't convinced that there will be room enough so we are in the "wait until we have the blank canvas" part of that decision.

[madpsalmer]

I built the bunks 25in x 6ft slightly thinner than a Army issue cot but large enough I could sleep in if needed. It is going to make life easier for sure although I was apprehensive about loosing floor space it was totally worth it and it only cost $120 Start to finish.

[Diesel Dan]

Originally Posted by madpsalmer

I built the bunks 25in x 6ft...

Is that 25" wide? How much vertical headroom will each bunk have once you put in the bedding?

[madpsalmer]

I decided on a wood stove! Found a deal on it and it reminds me of a bus conversion from the 70's I saw with a similar stove. I do need to fab some legs and a cold air intake but I have finally got the right stove!

[madpsalmer]

There is 24in between the bunks Dan. It great for my young children the can all sit up in them, but reminds me of Barracks or an old WW2 movie for adults. You have to slide in and out. I have some lattice to add to keep the little-ones from falling out a night but I need to paint first! I hate painting. Thanks for the comments by the way about how cheery it is it was the look we wanted and between the floor and the painting it really has been a sweet rig for us!

[madpsalmer]

I finished the bunk beds for the kids days before our first summer camping trip here is anew view of bus layout and the Triple bunk built for the kids...

[madpsalmer]

Screen's for the windows!

After a few camping experiences We decided to have screens made for all the windows. I researched the cost to build them myself was pennies less than having the local Ace Hardware whip them out for me. SO it was a no brainer I have them built for me! There were two window sizes in our Carpenter body so it was pretty painless.

I recommend screens if your going to be in any buggy areas we enjoyed our camping much more without the insects but with good ventilation.

[Diesel Dan]

Thanks for the tip - now that's one less thing on my "to-do" list. I'll just have the screens built for me!

[madpsalmer]

The Carpenter body was sweet all I did was put 2 hold downs at the bottom of the screen and it slipped right under the drip edge. What body you have on your rig Dan?

[browncrown]

Beautiful screen application...looks like it came built that way

[Diesel Dan]

Originally Posted by madpsalmer

...What body you have on your rig Dan?

I have a Thomas. It's hard to tell from your picture, but it seems like your screens are inside the bus? I still haven't decided how I'm going to attach my screens. I like the idea of putting them outside for ease of opening/closing windows, but then they are pretty much permanent. I also like the idea of having the screens easily removable and on the inside, so they are only up when I need them and are otherwise stowed, but then there is the hassle of dealing with them all the time and they would be more likely to get damaged. If I remember correctly, Lorna has hers on the inside and they somehow swing out to allow access to the window (?). What about a screen for the roof vents? That would be a nice option to have...