1. As long as it isn't a basketcase, any bus should be able to go 15,000 miles. A diesel would be preferential. Look for good tires because 15,000 miles is more than the 10-20% tires a lot of buses get swapped on before they are sold can handle. I would recommend a rear engine transit style bus since you're going to be driving a lot. They ride better and will be quieter. Perhaps you can join the Saf-T-Liner Club that keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Engines you'd typically find in those buses are the DT/DTA360, DT466, Cummins 5.9, Cummins 8.3, Cat 3208 NA/T, Cat 3116, Cat 3126, and yes, I've seen a T444E. I think all would be fine choices. The DT466 or 8.3 Cummins would probably be the best given their enormous size and reputation in medium duty trucks.
It might be worth your time to look for a bus with an Allison MT643 transmission. They are stronger, but more importantly should get better mileage and top speed. There isn't anything essentially wrong with the AT545, but you're going to get reduced mileage and top speed.
2. Good Sam's offers tow insurance. My State Farm plan also has it for something like $10 per year. With many places charging a $250 hook up fee and $2.50 per mile, it just plain makes sense to have the insurance.
3. ~$200 per year through State Farm registered as an RV
4. I have minimal plumbing right now, but am slowly adding more. However, showers are easy to find if you look. Truckstops are cheap and easy. Ditto for staying at a small campground if you have some extra time. The electrical hookup will give you a chance to get your batteries properly charged up too.
5. Lumber is expensive. Copper is expensive (wiring), Flooring is expensive. Still, I have nowhere near $5000 in my conversion (yet) and it's very livable. Shop around, decide what you really want, and plan so you can use stuff like carpet rems. I paid $50 for a never-been-used 3 burner stove with oven. My freshwater tank is a 55 gallon plastic drum, etc. Become a member of the FreeCycle group in your area, look on Craigslist, and make people you know aware of what you're doing. You'd be amazed how many people will say, "You know, I have this ..... that might work well in your bus. Want it?"
6. Biodiesel can go right in your tank as is. I don't think you're going to see much benefit. In fact, it will likely be the more expensive option at the pump. Converting to WVO, that is waste veggie oil (sometimes called straight veggie oil), would save you a BUNCH of money, but it is a lot of work. Depending on how long you have between shows, the filtering process could be a pain and take some time you might not have. IT's something I would be thinking about, but it's probably safer just to budget for fuel.
7. A bus will have a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) stamped somewhere in it. This is typically in the 30,000 lbs range. It is also going to have a curb weight when converted that you can measure at any truck stop scales. The difference is the payload capacity for your stuff. I would imagine you're going to have a payload capacity in the range of 10,000 lbs. My dad's band hsa doubles of just about all their equipment and it's all 1960's vintage tube style Musicman, Fender Bassman, etc amps with full cabs to match. They stuff is heavy but is still nowhere near 10,000 lbs and I would know...I've had to haul in and out of venue after venue.
8. Wal-Mart is popular for overnight parking, as are truck stops. They will have signs if overnight parking is not allowed. Wal-Mart is convenient for those 8 hour stops because you can resupply, refuel in many cases, be free to come and go when you want, and they're free.
9. With RV plates you should be fine. Check your local laws and see if you need an air brake endorsement for your regular license in your state. Most states exempt RV's over 26,000 lbs from needing a CDL, but find out for sure by talking to both someone at the DMV/Licensing Office and a State Trooper.
10. Take your time and don't get frustrated, but also keep going on it. There are tons of half converted bus conversion for sale on eBay and in the papers. The reasoning is always the same. "I started it, but ran out of time to finish it." As long as you're working on it, the excitement is there.
Welcome to the board and keep us up to date on what's going on. We love seeing projects as they take shape from shopping to maiden voyage!
You can spend way less than $5000 to get by on this project. All you need to do is build 6 bunk beds, some lighting maybe a couple electric coolers ($100 each). Air conditioning is probably where you want to spend the money. Most busses don't have it, you will need it!!! You need at least 1 roof unit ($600 new) and a generator to run it. New gas generators usually start around $2000 but shop around or look for used, at least 4500 watt. A $80 inverter and a deep cycle battery for light electrical needs saves you from running the generator if you don't need A/C. Mine is only 800 watt and runs a tv, vcr or dvd, or Xbox and some lights a a fan no problem, turn off the tv when using the 700 watt microwave. Biodiesel requires no conversion but won't be feasable on the road for 2 months, buy the fuel and charge a fuel surcharge to your customers. The bus should carry you stuff fine if you load correctly and drive carefully. Heavy cabnets and amps on the floor as close to rear wheels as possible. And take a little trip to learn how to drive it before you get it heavily loaded. They are top heavy to start with and once loaded will be more so, take you time be safe. If it isn't already you will have to title it as an RV and max gross weight at 26000 lbs, 26001 and you need a CLD, also no more than 15 passengers max so less than 15 seats (not an issue in your case. You will probably want at least 35' long but 40' would be better. If you get one of the conventionals (with a hood) you will loose inside space, better find that one in a 40'. Take a little time and make a layout for the bunks (only 2 stack, 3 is not enough room for an adult) and a couch or two and see how fast the space runs out, also consider how you would load your cargo to help figure out how to best utilize space and determine your needs. Buy the best bus you can afford, not the cheapest. I bought a $600 bus and spent every evening for 3 months remodeling it and it died 2/3 of the way through our maiden voyage and they wanted $5000 to replace the motor (may she rest in peace in Oklahoma) This time I spent $2700 and made the trip fine and still have the bus. Tires can cost $300 to $400 each, try to get one with good tires. You want a mechanicaly good machine so you can concentrate on the conversion. Good luck and read everything you can on this site.
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