a middle sized bus

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

I can't cut chassis members.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2

I can't cut chassis members.

Are you talking about the ribs in the floor, or the bus frame?

Nat

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

The beams supporting the floor. That's a definite no no

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2

The beams supporting the floor. That's a definite no no

That would not stop me.

I would cut what you need to, add some support back to the side of the member you cut.

My shed has three ribs that have completely failed, broken and no longer connected to the sheet metal floor. It's still more than strong enough.

Even if you just cut that one and don't add any other support, you will still be fine.

Nat

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

The bath was in the previous peoples conversion. I decided to go with a shower instead. The shower base is $125 so its not too bad.

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

Another thing... The bath is 30x60 and the two windows it takes up will allow only 56 inches meaning I would have to replace a window with sheet metal or have a funky wall. The shower pans are 48x32 which means I can have a cupboard hidden away beside the shower and get all the light from two windows.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2

The bath was in the previous peoples conversion. I decided to go with a shower instead. The shower base is $125 so its not too bad.

That's a good price.

I stayed with a tub in case my running water don't work for some worst case scenario. That way I can heat water on my wood / coal stove and pour it into the tub.

Nat

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

That's a neat idea. An alternative would be to heat a bucket of water and have an old style scrub down.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2

That's a neat idea. An alternative would be to heat a bucket of water and have an old style scrub down.

The bucket scrub is what I do now when I don't feel like going to the gym after a hard day of work.

Nat

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

The plan is over the weekend to run wires from front to back under the top access panels for my rear view camera and my forthcoming trailer. If there's time after that, to sand the plywood floor and rivet a plate over one of the holes the hillbillies cut in the floor. I might have to replace some of the plywood. I'll also have to caulk and paint the windows on the inside. Another thing to do is to reseal the one roof leak that drips on a wheel arch. Then I'll be able to start construction of the bedroom. Now the bath isn't going to be present, I have a load more space.

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

Having more space in the bus without the bath gives rise to an intreaguing question. For those that use wood\coal stoves, what models do you use? How big are they? Can you cook on them and how did you attach them?

[nat_ster]

My stove in the new bus (Four Season Prime) is built as part of the bus. It has a glass door on the inside for the occasional poke when wearing your night clothes, but loads only from the outside of the bus.

The ash pan is going to be a wheeled steel bin, built into the underbelly storage. It will hold 200 pounds of ashes.

This is all to keep the never ending mess I'm dealing with now out of the new bus.

Coal is vary vary dirty. Every time you load the stove in the bus you will hate it. The smell and the floating ash.

I have to run to work. I will expand on this topic more later.

Nat

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

I am familiar with coal and wood. I grew up with coal and wood as heat sources.

At the moment I'm thinking of a pure solar setup though I might put a plugin just in case I use an rv park.

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

Score! $40 for a 36x36 shower base!

Anyway... The beginnings of the bedroom partition is underway. I had to lay another PVC plank to accommodate the extra width.

[taskswap]

Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2

Having more space in the bus without the bath gives rise to an intreaguing question. For those that use wood\coal stoves, what models do you use? How big are they? Can you cook on them and how did you attach them?

I've actually changed my mind and decided to go with a diesel heater, but only because of necessity - my wife and I are going to be traveling with three kids ("Magic School Bus" style) and we just need the space.

But before that, I did a lot of research on this, and IMO the GrayStove Mini 12 CT is just about the perfect fit. There are a lot of nice RV wood stoves but I just can't imagine spending $4k on a stove - $4k would buy a H*** of a lot of propane. The Mini 12 is only $900 new, it's modern enough to have secondary tubes, and it's the perfect size for a well-insulated camper.

Not shilling for them, and in full disclosure I haven't actually run one. But if I was going to install one, that's the one I'd do. The original plan was to scrounge pallets - they can be had anywhere for free on Craigslist - and try to heat for free.

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

Yes... As you rightly say., these heaters are costly. I'm thinking of staying all electric with solar panels and possibly a backup diesel generator and electric fan heaters. Plus.. Insulation though none of that aluminum bubble wrap scam.

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

Inside my bus so far (videoed today) Inside the magic schoolbus: http://youtu.be/LKe7MzG7rQ0

[Zephod_beeblebrox2]

Every bus should have a CB radio just in case. The fact my bus is grey and my call sign of No Strings Attached since 2011 should give the conspiracy theorists plenty to discuss [emoji14]

[somewhereinusa]

Every bus should have a CB radio just in case.

I case of what? I quit listening to (or even having one in the truck) fifteen years ago. Anything that it might be remotely useful for a cell phone can do better. If you like listening to foul language, whiners, misinformation, lot lizards, whiners in some other language, go for it.

[EastCoastCB]

My dad was avid CB enthusiast.
He gave up years ago too. Not much use in them at all anymore.

Mercy day means... Mercy day.