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Old 12-20-2020, 08:41 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Home Maid (Toy Hauler)(Home)(Transportation)

So my teen-aged son decided to live in an RV when he graduated high school. Purchased a 5th Wheel from Kentucky and had it delivered to the house. Unfortunately the RV didn't Survive the trip as it had water damage, A lot of water damage! The front driver side corner peeled back and exposed the bedroom in transit. He became frustrated with how bad the damage was. Realizing that the damage was catastrophic as the rear of the RV had twisted from the stress of the trip (Rear panel) pulled from floor as well. The camper repair was scrapped.....
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Old 12-20-2020, 08:45 AM   #2
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Guess I should Keep you informed of the cost involved, I will include in the Post how much was spent. The RV above was FREE. The fellow that delivered it felt bad and gave the RV to him. No money exchanged hands.


However he Purchased materials to repair said RV and the costs were around $600 usd.
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Old 12-20-2020, 08:56 AM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
So



He went looking for something a little more waterproof this time found several air-streams for sale that were expensive and would need a ton of work inside.


This led him to Gov deals where he found something similar
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Old 12-20-2020, 08:57 AM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
While the price was right, there might be more issues than the obvious physical structure shows.
If the water damage occurred over several years of neglect by the previous owner, there could be mold forming in the walls.

Mold damage can be remediated but the amount/extent it has, needs to be determined in order to completely clean it out.

Hopefully it doesn't have any. Good luck to him...
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Old 12-20-2020, 09:07 AM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
He placed a Bid on a School Bus for 1900 and won.... This was Christmas a year ago, and he was to pick up on New years day. Cost was just over 2k including the fuel to get it home. Sucker was bought sight unseen and ran beautifully -15 gallons of fuel was used on the trip. Savannah GA to Ellijay GA.



I was impressed at how well it performed, My son could not believe how easy it drove. Visibility is amazing with the abundance of mirrors that was installed on the Bus. Driving through Atlanta is tough, but was a non-issue due to how well designed these vehicles are made.
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Old 12-20-2020, 09:09 AM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
There were tons of structural issues.... the only thing salvaged was the mechanicals.. I don't recommend a RV cheaply made
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Old 12-20-2020, 09:18 AM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
That's why many of us choose school busses to convert! They're so much more rugged. About the only weakness is when someone converting one cuts corners and lessens the structural integrity, and/or uses inferior building techniques or appliances inside.

I've had my fill of cheap RV's and would never go back to one, unless it was brand new and free!
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Old 12-20-2020, 09:18 AM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Arriving home it became evident that there was a LOT of work to do. Having a bus and a 5th wheel RV on the property to donated all of it's "innards" started to consume space. Kids, you gotta love em'. Removal of the stuff inside ...... Zero dollars
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Old 12-20-2020, 09:50 AM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
In-laws donated electircal wire for the project, and the plan was to lay masking tape to the floor to get a "feel" for the layout". Neighbor donated a Futon, and while standing in a bus with no seats (beer in hand) my son stretched tape along the floor. Good times were had as the arguing began over what goes where! With the layout settled and removing the futon staged inside. Work began. The 2x4's left over from the RV project would now be used in this one.


This bus was insulated to the hilt, I am guessing that it was a new hire who did the install as it was (packed everywhere). Or maybe because it had working A/C for the kids who once rode inside.


Anyway, Windows that 'flipped out' were moved to the kitchen, some windows were deleted all together. and some remained in place. Hindsight, I wish we had removed more. Wiring was pulled though out the bus (both low voltage and romex as well as the thermostat wire) for the soon to be installed AC/Heat.
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Old 12-20-2020, 10:05 AM   #10
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
The 2x4s were used as studs screwed to each metal stud inside the bus. This will provide a space to fill with insulation and serve as a nailer for the paneling. Low voltage wiring was used for the recycled RV lights from the camper. a car battery was used for the initial lights within the bus.
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Old 12-20-2020, 10:15 AM   #11
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
With the RV lights installed, the Bus started to not look so much like a bus (on the Inside). It was important to make sure we thought of everything; light placement and all wiring was pulled and staged before insulation install.
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Old 12-20-2020, 10:38 AM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Insulation


Good lord I had no idea that there were so many options. we chose the closed cell spray in route. Called a bunch of folks and found that if we Drove to a location that they were working already, a discount would ensue... 400 bucks and a ride with my son to the site was a blast. Seeing professionals work..... Wait..... Not having to do the work, was a refreshing change of pace! Some of you may notice that the rear of the bus is untouched. This area will be filled with the seat cushions from the donor RV. The Bus trip was also a test of the GPS and Rear View camera that was installed just before we left. the Camera was hardwired and needed to be installed prior to the insulation install. I felt it was crucial with rear window visibility slowly diminishing. No issues and night vision to boot! Going to make trailer hookup a breeze!



Also.. (Moon roof and A/C) installed in the roof hatches
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Old 12-20-2020, 10:54 AM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Paneling...




Do NOT buy any of the paneling from the box stores... Unless you keep the temps constant inside the bus! This was a 200 dollar mistake, the panels swell in humidity and one week after install it grew and bulged and looked terrible. All of it got ripped out and made for a evening bonfire... Tip make sure whatever you install is mad out of wood, not cardboard.
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Old 12-20-2020, 11:06 AM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
So we installed Luan paneling... It needs painting and will last. Stuff doesn't look as nice as the wallpapered cardboard but looks good because it doesn't swell. Still tore up over that junk he bought! 1x4 trim was used throughout as it was cheap. 2 sets of paneling/paint/1x4 and 1x8 lumber 500 bucks. Outlets/boxes/covers/hardware was another 400 but the bus is starting to come together
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Old 12-20-2020, 11:29 AM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Bathroom



This was a task, i wanted the entire floor of the bus insulated as well, but due to height constraints I was forced to use blue board (thin as I could get). Taped and placed on the floor to provide some r-value. Off to the store again "using the bus" we measured and found the best vinyl flooring we could get at Lowe's. it has a thick membrane and looks good.



Deciding on a (wet bath) or a (dry) bath was a tough choice for my son. He chose a dry bath with a wet floor.... Those of you who have spent time in campgrounds know what I a talking about. A curtain rod will keep water away from the toilet but the floor will drain in one spot in the room. Store bought shower pans did not fit the dimensions to apply for both the shower and the toilet. Neighbor is a HVAC guy and hooked us up with a custom pan to fit the bill... Which by the way was 40 bucks. screws were installed in the floor and not screwed tight so the thin-set mortar will bond with the bus. 2x4's were secured to the floor and the pan was set on the mortar. Holes for the drains were pre-drilled to provide a path for future grey and black water.
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Old 12-20-2020, 11:54 AM   #16
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Little bit of information as to the why he 'my son' wants a bus to live in...


Motorcycles are his passion, paramount to only one other thing. The bus he chose is a handicap bus which contains a (hydraulic lift) forwardly located on the passenger side of the vehicle. We have created a Garage section in the forward most section of the bus so while in transit, the bike will reside just behind the driver. strapped down using the wheelchair hold down points. These brackets are the same used in Big Rigs to secure product within the trailer. They are universal and manufacturers make an abundance of straps to hold various gear securely. With very little modification to the lift he is able to transport 2 bikes wherever he goes.



The bus will live under a 18' x 40' Metal Carport on his land. Enough room for his bikes to remain outside unless he is traveling.


Having the garage up front inside the bus provides plenty of room to fold out chairs, when inclement weather keeps you indoors.



And lastly, he is tight with his money, no rent, and the ability to travel on a whim is appealing to him. I will post more progress if you are interested...
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Old 12-20-2020, 12:47 PM   #17
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
Wow, looks like you've got a project on your hands, or is it: had?

Good work, so far...
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Old 12-20-2020, 01:07 PM   #18
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 994
Year: 1999
Check the tires on the bus, even if they have good tread, they can be old.
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Old 12-21-2020, 02:12 AM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Michigan
Posts: 55
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Freightliner
Chassis: FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
We talking road bikes or dirt bikes? I just got my bus that is the same layout as yours with a lift to get me to the Motocross tracks with the kids.
__________________
Moto dad of 3 just got our first bus!!!!

2002 Freightliner FS65 30’
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Old 12-21-2020, 05:37 AM   #20
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Pete
There is still work to be done, but we are at the home stretch. the 5th wheel has been demolished and the only thing that remains is the floor and the tanks below... those have yet to be installed. I just found this site (I wish I had used it as a resource at the beginning of the project)
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