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Old 05-27-2021, 06:08 PM   #21
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Victoria BC
Posts: 32
Year: 2007
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Just going back to your layout, is your desire for feedback more technically oriented... Or are you looking at feedback on the more human performance side of things... Space planning and function?

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Old 05-27-2021, 07:39 PM   #22
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Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 45
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
I'll take any and all feedback. Current obstacles I'm aware of are the wheel wells being right where my planned bathroom and shower are, and there being an emergency door where my kitchen cabinets are (I'm guessing I can delete this door)
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Old 05-28-2021, 12:36 PM   #23
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Northern Wyoming
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Year: 1991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krazykrivda View Post
and there being an emergency door where my kitchen cabinets are (I'm guessing I can delete this door)
Just flip your design. Put the kitchen on the passenger's side, and you won't have to worry about the emergency exit.
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Old 05-28-2021, 01:52 PM   #24
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Stretching the wheelbase out to match your floor plan seems extreme. Having the wheel wells behind the twelfth window does work with the plans, though. We like your layout and intend to adapt it to our long wheelbase. Thanks for sharing your hard work.
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Old 05-28-2021, 02:00 PM   #25
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Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 45
Year: 1995
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Originally Posted by DeMac View Post
Stretching the wheelbase out to match your floor plan seems extreme. Having the wheel wells behind the twelfth window would work with the plans, though.
I'm not sure I understand, but I'm not planning on actually moving the wheelbase just trying to figure out how to best adjust my design to make it work.

What I originally was thinking was to Simply have a step up bathroom and step up shower that technically are over the wheel well. I think with the roof raised it shouldn't be that big of a deal, but I'm wondering if anyone has any other good ideas.
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Old 05-30-2021, 02:20 PM   #26
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Join Date: Apr 2021
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Year: 1995
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Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Spent a bit more time on the bus this weekend, even slept on it in my hammock

Pretty sure I'm going to go with flipping the design (kitchen on passenger side)

This will also make leaving the heating system in easy.

Anyone know if cleaning/maintenance on these is advised, or if there are any quick tricks to reposition so they dont jut out into the space the same? Also, should I keep the metal used to cover the interior tubing runs, cover with something else, or move and mount beneath the bus?
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Old 05-30-2021, 03:12 PM   #27
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Location: Philadelphia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krazykrivda View Post
Spent a bit more time on the bus this weekend, even slept on it in my hammock

Pretty sure I'm going to go with flipping the design (kitchen on passenger side)

This will also make leaving the heating system in easy.

Anyone know if cleaning/maintenance on these is advised, or if there are any quick tricks to reposition so they dont jut out into the space the same? Also, should I keep the metal used to cover the interior tubing runs, cover with something else, or move and mount beneath the bus?
Nice job, took me two years to sleep in mine the first time.

I don't know about cleaning them (seems like a good idea) but they should just be screwed into the plywood floor and easy to reposition wherever you want them, as long as the hose runs are long enough.
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Old 06-01-2021, 01:13 AM   #28
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Chassis: IC FE300 11 window
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Regarding your design, are you happy with the eating spaces, and the social spaces? What I notice is the lack of facing seats, or the possibility for a group of 4 to sit together for a meal or chat. Often you see facing seats at a table or at the front on either side of the aisle. If you prioritize the communal aspect of meal time or having company in your bus facing seats would be nice. I have 3 sets in my bus... But socializing is a huge priority. We stuck the toilet at the end of the bus, as it creates better connection front to back. (We flipped the toilet compartment with the bunks, and the to bunks flip up to have a two bench seats)

Your layout is much more open that what I've modeled, which is nice.

Does the dog have a designated sleeping space?

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Old 06-01-2021, 09:33 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WilboVIBC View Post
Regarding your design, are you happy with the eating spaces, and the social spaces? What I notice is the lack of facing seats, or the possibility for a group of 4 to sit together for a meal or chat. Often you see facing seats at a table or at the front on either side of the aisle. If you prioritize the communal aspect of meal time or having company in your bus facing seats would be nice. I have 3 sets in my bus... But socializing is a huge priority. We stuck the toilet at the end of the bus, as it creates better connection front to back. (We flipped the toilet compartment with the bunks, and the to bunks flip up to have a two bench seats)

Your layout is much more open that what I've modeled, which is nice.

Does the dog have a designated sleeping space?

I agree the table space is important. The table is a focal point in our bus. It's used much more than just meals. I suggest making it roomy and comfortable. Also, pretty much every fold up (or down) table I have seen ultimately ends up being left set up all the time. Might as well just make it permanent that way.
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Old 06-01-2021, 09:47 AM   #30
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Engine: 5.9 Cummins
The dog will have some space under the bed where we can fit a crate.

I want to keep open space as much as possible for the pets, but I expect the fold down table to be the main table space and keep some foldable chairs for it. Also, a larger card table that can go against the couch and foldable chairs for a larger group. Keeping the space open I hope let's me adapt to needs both non-built in solutions depending on my scenario. I also expect an oldschool fold up desk style lap table on the couch if a quick surface is needed...
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Old 06-02-2021, 01:28 PM   #31
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Join Date: Apr 2021
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Engine: 5.9 Cummins
The next question I'm having is related to water tanks. I am going to have fresh, gray, and black tanks. Planning on 100gal for fresh.

What is ideal size for gray and black tanks, knowing i have 100 gal fresh?

What are thoughts on avoiding freezing tanks and pipes? (Debated storing fresh beneath couch. Does plumbing in floor make sense over beneath the bus? Hot water pads...?)
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Old 06-14-2021, 10:31 AM   #32
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Join Date: Apr 2021
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Year: 1995
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Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Floor demo day

Demoed the floor this weekend (or 80% of it).
I would pick the 100+ degree day, with 90%+ humidity and broke my fan in the first hour and then jerry rigged a window AC unit that did nothing compared to the heat.

Hammers, a few crowbars, and then my cars jack which I coupled to my power drill (thank god for this idea) made the floor removal doable.

I'll tell you stepping off the bus into the 100 degree weather was refreshing compared to the heat of hell on the bus haha!

But overall, no concerning rust, just basic surface rust so that's good news!
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Old 06-14-2021, 01:25 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krazykrivda View Post
The next question I'm having is related to water tanks. I am going to have fresh, gray, and black tanks. Planning on 100gal for fresh.

What is ideal size for gray and black tanks, knowing i have 100 gal fresh?

What are thoughts on avoiding freezing tanks and pipes? (Debated storing fresh beneath couch. Does plumbing in floor make sense over beneath the bus? Hot water pads...?)
You can split your total fresh water by using multiple tanks for space concerns. I have one in a cabinet inside and and another under it in a storage bin. Your gray and black sizing should be based on intended use. I don't worry about freezing as my trips will be away from the cold. Plumbing under the bus is problematic for a number of reasons. I have hydronic heat in my floors inbedded in the top layer of 1" rigid foam.
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Old 06-25-2021, 12:42 AM   #34
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Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 45
Year: 1995
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Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Broke down and pulled over

So, today I was driving the bus home so I could deal with rust, fill holes, and paint the floor over the weekend.

Well as I pulled off the highway 3 mi from my house, my accelerator cable broke. Coasted into a parking lot, and left it there. Returned to drive it in idle at midnight. Thank goodness for flat roads in Indiana, only took me an hour to get home

Oh, and I got pulled over 0.25 mi from my house.

So if you have advice on fixing the accelerator cable, let me know!
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Old 06-25-2021, 01:26 PM   #35
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Depends on where it broke. If just the cable broke, you can likely piece it back together easily enough. Short piece of cable the same diameter and a couple duplex sleeves.


What part of IN are you from? We're down south.. just a bit outside of Evansville.
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Old 06-28-2021, 08:39 AM   #36
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Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 45
Year: 1995
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Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Turns out it was the ball-joint coupling. Realizing how inconvenient getting to parts of the engine on these FEs right away, but after an hr+ of fighting to get in there, was able to take apart, force the coupling and reconnect and now running smooth as ever.

Some update photos too. All seats and floor removed and started rust treatment. Some parts look shiny new, and other parts still look like they need a bit more attention, but it is all surface rust.

Had a bus mechanic from my local school district that's been working on busses for 25 years. He told me that this bus looks as good if not nicer than busses in their fleet that are 5 years old. Looks basically new! He assumed it was rough being a 95, but I guess that the difference when the bus lived in Arizona instead of Indiana the entire time. He said some things were rebuilt and was taken really good care of. Great news as the new owner
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Old 01-11-2022, 12:08 PM   #37
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Join Date: Dec 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krazykrivda View Post
Its official! I own the bus. Just got delivered. And so the journey begins...
Who'd you use for a delivery service or was it part of the sale?
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Old 01-11-2022, 03:04 PM   #38
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 45
Year: 1995
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The previous owner actually drove it out and charged a delivery fee. Was close, but definitely cheaper than any other options I found.
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Old 01-11-2022, 04:02 PM   #39
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 45
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Been a while, but a bunch has happened over summer and fall.

Finished interior demo, installed 90% of subfloor, got a 20" roof raise (thanks skoolie.com), installed salvaged driver seat, add trailer hitch and wiring to bus and personal vehicle tow bar, did a rough DIY paint job (including getting caught in rain during primer and grinding/repainting), and have been buying up parts for several projects.

Floor plans are now mirror imaged with the kitchen on the passengers side due to tank placement and wheel wells, moved the closets to be against side walls, and dropped the fireplace (for now)

Via Facebook, Amazon, RV Surplus stores, and Black Friday deals I now have:

SOLAR PARTS
-600aH of 12V heated batteries (Battleborn GC2)
-Battery monitors
-Multiplus 12/3000/120-50 120v VE Bus
-2 SmartSolar MPPT 150/70 controllers
-Orion isolated charger
-Lynx distributor
-1200w 12v solar (Amazon- HQST)

UNDERBODY PARTS
-2 40 galwhite tanks
-2 40 gal black tanks
-Buyers tool box (18x24x4

INTERIOR
-Salvaged cabinets for days (Facebook buy)
-Beginnings of a DIY bedlift
-Beginnings of a DIY recirc shower system
-Laminate flooring
-27" undermount sink

That leaves me with the current research and projects I'm working on.

Currently, since I have no welding knowledge, been reaching out to find someone to hang my tanks and underbody tool box.

Please share if you have confident non-weald solutions for hanging 800+lb of water and 500+ of solar components beneath the bus!

Various update pics below...
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Old 01-12-2022, 11:42 AM   #40
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 45
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Also, assuming i can mount my tanks as I expect, I've post in plumbing to see if my overflow from gray to black is a good/bad idea or just not thought out enough...
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f50/u...tml#post462394
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