illinois bus to RV conversion requirements

[cullengw]

Hi all,

I just found a pdf that lists how to covert any vehicle to an RV according to the Illinois SOS.

I will be calling this number: Public Inquiry Division at (217) 785-3000

I will ask them more specific questions but for now here is what I have.

I just want my Skoolie to be legal to drive and that's about it :/

<<<<seems appropriate when dealing with the dmv

[cullengw]

So i talked to Rose and the Public Inquiry office and she said there was not much she could tell me except what was on the list. (she also did not know how to say the word portable)

The list she gave me is similar to the pdf:

4 out of the 6:

cooking place w/ onboard fuel source
gas/electric fridge
toliet with exterior evac
heat/ac with power other than engine
portable water supply (this one made no sense)
110 V power supply (she didnt explain this either)

She told me to call the law enforcement office of the SOS at 217 782 7126

she said they know more about what they look for (implying they actually do an inspection).

i will call them later and ask more specific quesitons like:

can toliet be a camping toliet?

can fridge be a battery powered cooler?

is a 110V inverter a valid power supply?

is portable camping propane stove valid for cooking?

stuff like that.

i will probably call a few different local places and see if anyone has come across this scenario

[cullengw]

So just got off the phone with an investigator of the county and he said that he had never heard of this being done before.

I asked him some of the questions above and he basically sounded like "if you can make it work".

He also said this sort of thing would fall under some other type of officer of Illinois's secretary of state. But he said there are like 35 of them in the whole state so don't need to worry about them pulling you over for a vehicle classification.

He said:

camping toilet/stove works just fine.

inverter is the norm

water storage can be just any container for water I.E a bucket or something, dont need a full on tank.

and fridge can just be a cooler with ice.

he didnt know about the actual inspection process or registration process but hopefully everything will go smoothly

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by cullengw

So just got off the phone with an investigator of the county and he said that he had never heard of this being done before.

I asked him some of the questions above and he basically sounded like "if you can make it work".

He also said this sort of thing would fall under some other type of officer of Illinois's secretary of state. But he said there are like 35 of them in the whole state so don't need to worry about them pulling you over for a vehicle classification.

He said:

camping toilet/stove works just fine.

inverter is the norm

water storage can be just any container for water I.E a bucket or something, dont need a full on tank.

and fridge can just be a cooler with ice.

he didnt know about the actual inspection process or registration process but hopefully everything will go smoothly

great news!
sounds like a pretty cool guy... did he offer to help pull ceiling and insulation too???


wonder how much of that, he'd "put in writing"???

[turf]

i feared an inspection in my state when i titled the bus. and was prepared like you, but when the time came i only had to fill out an affidavit on what had been done and sign it..... no one inspected the vehicle.

[somewhereinusa]

she also did not know how to say the word portable)

That would be potable, meaning able to be used for drinking.

[Stu & Filo. T]

Where in Illinois are you located?

[The-Breeze]

Quote:
she also did not know how to say the word portable)
That would be potable, meaning able to be used for drinking.

No wonder it didn't make sense, how funny

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by The-Breeze

Quote:
she also did not know how to say the word portable)
That would be potable, meaning able to be used for drinking.

No wonder it didn't make sense, how funny

well, you did learn something in plumbing class after all

[cullengw]

Lol yes yes i know i know...she spelled it out so i thought she didnt know say the word....yaa... lol

anyways titling process went fine. needed title,bill of sale, and 300 big ones :/

I asked about the registration process for converting a vehicle into and RV and she said I needed to have to a form approved by someone who authorized to approve these kinds of things.... i dunno....so for it to be legal the bus needs 4 of the 6 mentioned above

[skoolie_n00bie]

Sounds like these items are pretty standard, as I had the same list from the FL DMV. Same process, too, for the registration: get it done, go to DMV showing receipts of all that you have on the skoolie + proof of ins, sign an affidavit that you did what you did, drive away with rv registration.

Haven't done this myself, yet, but that is my plan

Congrats on your skoolie!

[EastCoastCB]

My gross was adjusted at the dmv...
I don't know if I really want to title mine as an RV/Motorhome. I may just keep it titled as is and call it my "live in mobile office".

[cullengw]

ECCB, is it titled as a school bus then? Thats illegal in Illinois lol

noobie, That sounds exactly like my process maybe FL and IL aren't so different after all.

I will call soon and ask if we really need inspection or if we can just bring pics/receipts. That would be a HUGE time saver since I don't think those kind of inspectors are readily available.

Any have there bus inspected for registration requirements?

[skoolie_n00bie]

Originally Posted by cullengw

ECCB, is it titled as a school bus then? Thats illegal in Illinois lol

noobie, That sounds exactly like my process maybe FL and IL aren't so different after all.

I will call soon and ask if we really need inspection or if we can just bring pics/receipts. That would be a HUGE time saver since I don't think those kind of inspectors are readily available.

Any have there bus inspected for registration requirements?

And actually, i fear the city to be more of a PITA then county/state....someone already called the cops on my skoolie being parked in the front yard, so now I fear I've been branded! Deuches....-_-

Wish you all the best! Break a leg!

[EastCoastCB]

Yes almost ANYWHERE one puts a bus, someones going to cry about it.

[skoolie_n00bie]

Unless you live on a farm, like SOME of us ;)

[EastCoastCB]

Even on the farm, I've still had a little bit of drama...
It really seems to disturb some people that others would own such machines.

[cullengw]

well I am lucky enough to have a neighbor that also owns a bus (short bus) that a retirement home was using but now he uses it to transport his bands larger instruments.

[skoolie_n00bie]

Originally Posted by cullengw

well I am lucky enough to have a neighbor that also owns a bus (short bus) that a retirement home was using but now he uses it to transport his bands larger instruments.

Nice!
In my case, it prob didn't help an FHP officer lives right across from me.....

[chevyn76]

My wife and I plan to by some form of R.V. before next year. I like the idea of using an old bus to build my own. Like everyone else, I'm on a limited budget and don' want to buy a bus only to have to spend thousands right off converting it so I can drive it.
I assume by what I've read so far that it's illegal for me to drive a large bus without a CDL unless it is titled/tagged as an R.V.? So I therefore assume that my first obstacle will be getting one home after I buy it. My second hurdle I assume will be getting the inspection done once I "convert" it. Do I have to somehow get the bus to Springfield for the inspection or will they come to me? Or possibly, if I pick a small town DMV, will they just take my word for it?
Thanks guys. I really want to go with a bus but I don't want to get stuck with a yard ornament I can't drive or insure. Any help or advise is greatly appreciated.