Why Has No One Tried This

[Merrik32]

I’m new to the skoolie scene and am pretty committed to the idea of it for residence. I have a good idea of what bus i want but I’ve yet to see a SINGLE skoolie try this style.

I want to get a relatively short bus, looking at a 5-7 window with a wheelchair lift in the back, which is where my idea came from.

I need to bring my motorcycle with me, and so I figured I would turn the back into a garage and modify the lift to work as an automatic ramp to make parking and unloading the bike easier, but not a single soul has tried this to my knowledge

Why hasn't anybody tried this yet, am I not seeing an obvious flaw in this idea that prevents it from working how I intend? What problems would I run into trying to do that?

The main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a certain style of bus and buying one is that I want to know if the commitment of a rear loader on my bus is just foolish or if this garage/auto loader is a genuine possibility.

[fo4imtippin]

I did this with mine. I have seen at least 10 variations of it on Facebook as well.


28fter bus with the back 5 feet as a garage for bikes and dirt bikes..I kept the wheelchair lift in it. You just have to extend the ramp to fit bikes. You can make a swing out second stage or hook in a tray as long as the wheels.

[nocoasty]

I wish I could pull reference photos from memory, but I've seen a few freightliner shorties do just this. They dedicated the rear section to be a toy hauler of sorts for dirt bikes utilizing the ramp with some modifications to accommodate the lift.

It's most definitely doable. How much does your bike even weigh? If we're thinking of the same type of buses you're on a rather substantial, essentially straight truck frame so lifting, loading, and storing a bike wouldn't come close to being an issue.

And hell, I've seen several buses locally (middle Tennessee) hacked up into legitimate car haulers / campers. You're good. Make it happen, document it, and for the next person who asks if it's possible... we'll just link them to your thread.

[cadillackid]

ive seen this done... the lifts are deisgned for either 600 or 800 lbs depending on your model.. so it will lift small to mid weight bikes... less if you extend the platform to be longer.. the garage is a neat idea as long as you dont allow gasoline fumes to build up in the small storage area..

[Eli3]

Originally Posted by Merrik32

I’m new to the skoolie scene and am pretty committed to the idea of it for residence. I have a good idea of what bus i want but I’ve yet to see a SINGLE skoolie try this style.

I want to get a relatively short bus, looking at a 5-7 window with a wheelchair lift in the back, which is where my idea came from.

I need to bring my motorcycle with me, and so I figured I would turn the back into a garage and modify the lift to work as an automatic ramp to make parking and unloading the bike easier, but not a single soul has tried this to my knowledge

Why hasn't anybody tried this yet, am I not seeing an obvious flaw in this idea that prevents it from working how I intend? What problems would I run into trying to do that?

The main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a certain style of bus and buying one is that I want to know if the commitment of a rear loader on my bus is just foolish or if this garage/auto loader is a genuine possibility.

My bus has a ramp on the back that keys into the rear bumper for motorcycle loading. (and it's for sale)

[Rucker]

I think this is a pretty common modification, especially for those whose lifestyle is centered around dirt biking or quads.

The garage takes up a lot of room otherwise used as living space. If I were inclined, I'd probably look into having a dedicated enclosed trailer instead.

[Booyah45828]

There are quite a few that have done this. You must not have searched or did so with your eyes closed.

Biggest problem people run into is overloading the lift. It's not going to accommodate a heavy bagger or goldwing. Some have modified their lifts with an extensions ramp that folds into the lift for storage. Make sure your d-rings in the floor are secure as well.

As Christopher pointed out, ventilation of the garage space and keeping it sealed from the front living quarters must be addressed.

[-TC-]

[LostYankee]

I have a 1999 8 window with handicap door, lift gone.
Gmc, bluebird with probably nearly 42” ground clearance. This size woukd be perfect for that use. I have gutted, treated floor, insulated floor it’s r5 foamular and 3/4 plywood. Cat 3116, at 545. 28 ft dognose. Back surgery has me considering selling since I am looking at long recovery time. If interested contact me. A lot of folks take out lifts. I bought it with it removed. It runs great, no smoke, brakes need work, they are hydraulic. It had a male theme paint job I sanded and primed over. You probably would have lived it for motocross camping!
If interested it is a rust free Louisiana bus. Was used as a rural children’s clinic for the last 10 yrs or so.