Hey everyone! I'm brand new here! I have many, many questions. My boyfriend and I are looking into buying a bus conversion, and I'm torn between a skoolie and an old transit bus. I've been looking old MCIs, GMCs and Eagles online, and I love the older models, especially the 60's GMCs. But I keep going back to Bluebird Wanderlodges and just Bluebirds in general. An old Bluebird is actually what put the nail in the coffin for me that, yes, I most definitely want to full-time in an old bus. What are the pros and cons of transit vs. school bus? I know transits are more expensive and school buses are a little less smooth on the ride. Like I said, I am brand new to this and have no experience whatsoever. Ideally, I would like to find something that has good bones and most of the conversion done, and gradually retrofit it to be completely self-contained and energy efficient. For example, something that already has the essential wiring/plumbing/mechanical work done- where sometime down the line I will add solar panels, a compost toilet, energy efficient appliances, and a good battery bank (if I could ever afford lithium batteries in my lifetime, haha). The interior style is not really a problem, I know someone that can help me rebuild the interior if needed. I would, however, love to be able to upgrade all the systems myself, or with someones help. I basically plan to very, very slowly make my way around the country, workamping here and there for a few months at a time. So I will not be doing tons of driving. If anyone has any advice on that I would appreciate it. I'd also love to learn more about how conversions work. I have been doing LOTS of research online and am really falling in love with buses and the full-time lifestyle, but nothing beats hands-on learning from someone who knows what they're doing and loves their bus too
I'm in Nashville, TN, so if any of you know someone that might be willing to show me around their bus or let me help them with their conversion, I'd love to offer my time and extra set of hands in exchange for knowledge! I'm from Gloucester, MA originally, so I could always go back there if someone in MA needs help!
Ok. After all that being said, there's this 58 GMC bus in Goodlettesville about 40 min away from me that I may go look at this week. Here is the link
http://www.busforsale.com/buses/bus_...66&name=Anchor Its at a dealership, which I'm hesitant about, cause I feel it may be overpriced, but at the same time that may be a good thing because maybe they will take my car as a trade in and I can finance the last little bit? (my car is a 09 Kia Optima with less than 50k miles). I already e-mailed and asked about it having a diesel engine but a gas generator (?) tire age, and type of batteries. I just want to be sure, no matter what I end up purchasing in the near future, that its a good, sturdy bus. I'm literally going to sell my car and almost everything I own to do this and I don't have any other resources. I don't have a career or money to fall back on, I make my money waitressing or working desk jobs as I go, so its not like any bus would be a luxury purchase for me. I do, however, have a lot of determination and a thirst for knowledge, so that's good right?
Thanks for reading my very long post, and hopefully I'll hear from some of ya'll soon!
Jess