Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-29-2011, 03:10 PM   #1
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 548
Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

Wanted to get everyones feedback on what they think of this business idea: converting various models of skoolies to RV's to sell. Depending on the customer wants could either be custom built to their desires or also have standard floor plans and amenities. Would remove all the original bus windows, skin the space and install regular RV windows for a more "mainstream" appearance. Same for all the other original bus equipment such as lights, etc. Smooth everything over and finish the outside for a "clean" look. Some options could be things such as a roof rack/platform, solar panels, rear porch, etc.
It would be geared towards people looking to buy a Class A type RV but who wants one that is reliable, rated highly for safety and one that will be very durable and last for years, unlike traditional RV's. Thoughts?

dgorila1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2011, 03:50 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
lornaschinske's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 3,588
Year: 1986
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: 40 ft All American FE
Engine: 8.2LTA Fuel Pincher DD V8
Rated Cap: 89
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

Considering how many stick-n-staples manufacturers have gone out of business in the last two years, I would lean towards saying that it is not a good idea. I would say to look for a niche market... like off road folks who want a high clearance RV to take off the paved road.
__________________
This post is my opinion. It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Fulltime since 2006
The goal of life is living in agreement with nature. Zeno (335BC-264BC)
https://lorndavi.wordpress.com/blog/
https://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0340a6ff.jpg
lornaschinske is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2011, 07:32 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 548
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lornaschinske
Considering how many stick-n-staples manufacturers have gone out of business in the last two years, I would lean towards saying that it is not a good idea. I would say to look for a niche market... like off road folks who want a high clearance RV to take off the paved road.
I agree, and that's one group a skoolie is geared toward. I'm just not sure if there are enough people from the group of us that like skoolies for various reasons that would be willing to pay a premium for a turn-key conversion.
I am also wondering where you get "certified" to become an RV converter and thus able to issue a "Certificate of Conversion" (or whatever the formal name is) to have the title changed from a bus to an RV. The ability to do this in itself is key because in states like mine (VA) it is pretty much impossible to do it just through DMV alone.
dgorila1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2011, 08:56 PM   #4
Hex
Skoolie
 
Hex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Buffalo, New York
Posts: 191
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird, Model 3800
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 42
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dgorila1
I am also wondering where you get "certified" to become an RV converter and thus able to issue a "Certificate of Conversion" (or whatever the formal name is) to have the title changed from a bus to an RV. The ability to do this in itself is key because in states like mine (VA) it is pretty much impossible to do it just through DMV alone.
I've been wondering the exact same thing ... I'll be happy to jump through the hoops and work on certifying everyone's bus if anyone knows how I go about doing it ...
Hex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2011, 01:03 AM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: S.E.UTAH
Posts: 19
Year: 1946
Coachwork: ?
Chassis: chevrolet
Engine: 292L 6
Rated Cap: ?
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

Lots of good ideas.
Try contacting the RV/MH Hall of Fame; they have a big library and should be able to help a lot.
www.rvmhhalloffame.org
For codes contact,
www.nfpa.org

Good luck, and happy building.
oldschool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2011, 07:28 PM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
gbstewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,208
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: 3800 International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

It would be a cool thing to do, but , I think the market would be a tuff one. also there would be a liablity issue, if someone was hurt in one of your buses, ouch that would be the end of you. here in ontario, what i did was I bought the bus with a saftey check , I walked right to the registion office and regestered it as a motorhome. It was no big deal. what the deal here is with insurance, they are tuff, you need to get an apprasial, a saftey check, and a propane inspection, and you have to have a full conversion done in a certain time frame, and you may not get insurance, or you will have to pay top price for it mine started out at 1500, then whent to 1800. after tons of phone calls and emails we got it at allstate for $230.00 a year. figure that one out., anyway if I was to do what you are wanting, I would get the custermor to buy the bus and let him register and insure it, then you do the conversion for them. that way it limits your liablity. thats the way it is here in ontario I dont know what its for you in the states.

good luck, hope you can make it work

gbstewart
__________________
my bus build viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5931
gbstewart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2011, 07:47 PM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
Diesel Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,489
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/AT545
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

My impression is that most people who sell their skoolie do so at a financial loss. I would think it unlikely that you would be able to make enough profit to keep the business sustainable.
__________________
Gallery:
https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/v/Skooli ... l_dan_bus/
Conversion Thread:
viewtopic.php?t=4959
Diesel Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2011, 10:20 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
lornaschinske's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 3,588
Year: 1986
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: 40 ft All American FE
Engine: 8.2LTA Fuel Pincher DD V8
Rated Cap: 89
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbstewart
... if I was to do what you are wanting, I would get the customer to buy the bus and let him register and insure it, then you do the conversion for them...
That is what Fred Hobe does. He does complete conversions and "updates" coaches.
__________________
This post is my opinion. It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Fulltime since 2006
The goal of life is living in agreement with nature. Zeno (335BC-264BC)
https://lorndavi.wordpress.com/blog/
https://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0340a6ff.jpg
lornaschinske is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2011, 08:19 AM   #9
Bus Crazy
 
sdwarf36's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Moodus, Ct.
Posts: 1,062
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Champion
Chassis: Ford e-450
Engine: 7.3 Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 14
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

What I like about this site is most everyone here is a DIY kinda person. And almost every build I see starts out with "I bought this bus cheap" and "on CL I found a camper I could strip for only $100!" People that CAN build things and know where to where to buy cheap materials aren't usually the folks that are likely to pay labor with a smile on their faces. And could you build a bus into a camper--for less than what a used camper would cost to buy outright-and still be able to make a profit after paying ins.-taxes-rent-etc?
__________________
Don't make a fuss-just get on the bus!

my bus build https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/Skoolies/Sped
sdwarf36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2011, 12:29 PM   #10
Bus Geek
 
lapeer20m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
Re: Skoolie Conversion Business - Feasability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel Dan
My impression is that most people who sell their skoolie do so at a financial loss. I would think it unlikely that you would be able to make enough profit to keep the business sustainable.
This! Almost everybody who sells a converted skoolie looses money.

However, i have found that jacuzzi buses seem to be the exception to the rule. I made money on all five of my jacuzzi buses.
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
lapeer20m is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bus Conversion Business? arfisher83 Conversion General Discussions 3 09-20-2008 10:22 AM
Big Tex in business davido Skoolie Conversion Projects 2 07-25-2007 12:41 PM
A different type of bus business. pete c Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 1 02-28-2007 05:50 PM
Our New Business soused moose Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 7 10-30-2006 04:04 PM
bus business wonderkaty Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 1 02-18-2005 03:21 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.