Be honest--how is it sleeping on school buses?

rockmomma · 10-23-2014, 07:47 PM

Hi, Skoolies. I just joined the forum so I could pick your brains a little.

I'm the booking agent for an indie rock band from another country. They want to tour the USA next summer, and a friend of the band's has offered to convert a school bus for us as the Official Vehicle. He'll even be our driver.

On the one hand... what FUN!!! Especially after looking at some of the conversion pictures online--there is some creative and wonderful work out there!

On the other hand... All I remember from my bus-riding days is that school buses are REALLY loud. Now, that was a long time ago (I'm not telling how long!) and I know some of it was from the kids making noise. But it kinda sticks in my memory that we always had to yell to be heard over the motor...

Our specific goal is to play the show, get on the bus, and drive to the next gig. The whole point is that we can keep moving and NOT need to rent hotels. So, we really, truly NEED to be able to get a good night's sleep while the bus is rolling.

We've talked about how we'd sacrifice daytime living space, in order to make sure we can sleep--so the conversion would definitely be oriented toward Bunk Central, not Awesome Interior Design.

What do you think, guys? Realistically... can we soundproof one of these bad boys to make a comfy Snooze Mobile? Can we do that for less than an arm and a leg? Will it feel like sleeping on a bucking bronco?

And please don't suggest earplugs--these guys have enough earplug wearing during the show, they have to have a chance to let their ears air out.

I'd love to hear the voice of experience! Thanks a bunch!

bansil · 10-24-2014, 06:49 AM

I would recommend a rear engine bus, over a flatnose front engine (these are loud)

also a dog nose is quiet, no weight in the rear would be a rough ride tho

we have 8 Inch memory foam with a 2 in egg crate topper, very comfortable

r_w · 10-24-2014, 07:56 AM

I have looked at this, as I have a family of 11 and basically need an entertainer bus setup.

How many bunks do you need? How much gear are you hauling on board? Will a "Partridge Family" bus fit with the band's style?

You need a really tall bus to do (comfortable) triple bunks, but double high bunks are no problem.

Air ride suspension is a huge help, but you can have the springs softened once you know the loaded weight. Rear engine is nice both for the weight in back and the longer wheelbase, plus the ability to have basement storage bins. But you will never have as much luggage space as an MCI.

You won't save a ton of money over an old entertainer bus up front, but you will have a bus with a hundred thousand miles on it instead of a million.

EDIT TO ADD: Oh yeah, schoolies usually get much better MPG, too. Which can really add up on a tour.

opus · 10-24-2014, 11:36 AM

And...skoolies are much cheaper to repair, purchase, maintain. So long as you dont buy a Freightliner chassis. I would NEVER recommend buying an entertainer.

We sleep on ours all the time, love it.

rockmomma · 10-24-2014, 02:41 PM

Interesting! Thanks you guys!

I would have thought a rear-engine bus would be worse for sleeping, assuming the bunks would also be in back. But what I'm hearing is, having the weight in the back is better for the ride smoothness?

I wondered how many bunks we could stack. There will be 8 people on tour, including the driver. I'd hoped we could do 3 bunks high on each side of the bus, then a stack of 2 along the back. It would be a Sleep Cave. That would leave a lot of room in front for living space. But it sounds like we might not have enough vertical room for that. Rats.

Memory foam + egg crate... got it!

Partridge family... BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

I suppose they could work with that.

I hear you about the repairs. I love the concept that, no matter where we break down, there WILL be a school district within 50 miles, and so a service station with all the parts we need.

I'd been thinking that maybe we ought to tow my Toyota van behind the bus, just in case. It seats 7, and if we did break down, I could at least get the band to the next gig (somewhat squished, of course, but I think it has room for everything. We might have to bungee the cello and the keyboard to the roof... but we'd get there). From what I see on the forum, it's possible to tow behind these buses pretty easily? Comments?

sdwarf36 · 10-24-2014, 03:25 PM

You can pad the bunk area. That 2" egg crate foam spoken of-just like the stuff in sound studios-put some on the walls + ceiling.

bansil · 10-25-2014, 07:55 AM

reason for eggcrate on top of memory foam is insulation

They are way to hot to sleep on (the are so dense no where for body heat to go) and when cold they firm up

If you raise the roof 16 inches or so you could get away with submarine/boat bunks three high

opus · 10-25-2014, 10:13 AM

We had 2 bunks each side, just in front of rear wheel hump. In the back a queen bed but you could do bunks there too. It is going to be HOT back there so hope you have some ideas on cooling. Even with insulation. You wont be able to stack 3 bunks high.

syke · 10-25-2014, 01:46 PM

Also keep in mind the skoolie is going to be the slowest vehicle on the road so depending on how far apart your gigs are and how fast you need to get there that might play a roll. A full size bus might be a better option for doing a north american tour, especially if you want to pull a cargo trailer for the equipment/merch/etc.

Have you looked into rentals? There are companies in the US that rent "Tour" buses for bands, artists, performers, etc. Most likely the most expensive route but hopefully less headaches. Just some food for thought. Good luck guys.

opus · 10-25-2014, 01:54 PM

If you want to lease and entertainer, its generally $1000 a day, with a driver, then you pay the fuel. You better have better dates than we do. ;)

rockmomma · 11-01-2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

If you want to lease and entertainer, its generally $1000 a day, with a driver, then you pay the fuel. You better have better dates than we do. ;)

I hear that, man! That's exactly why I'm stoked about this school bus thing. But only if it'll work, you know? Cheap is great, but if we can't get any sleep on it, then it's no use.

opus · 11-01-2014, 04:46 PM

Well, I tell ya first hand its nowheres near like sleeping in an entertainer. Depending on what you purchase, I guess placing your bunks strategically would be the best thing you could do. Just remember if you try to condo the bunks, its going to get stuffy and hot. I got rid of 2 bunks and opened things up a bit and like it more....more air flow. Then again, there is only 4 of us.

I think you should check this out: http://www.hankboughtabus.com/ I really like the simplicity of this layout and how you can configure it for what you need. I'd suggest start like that and then as you go you can decide what more you want. Unlike me, putting everything in and then getting rid of stuff.

But, if your dates are bringing you the big bucks then lease something. Ours dont so.....

Elliot Naess · 11-03-2014, 11:03 AM

I cannot sleep in a moving vehicle, even an 18-wheeler engineered for that purpose. And I would not dream of trying it with a bumpy school bus in your scenario. Just my two cents. Best of luck to you and the band!

crazycal · 12-19-2014, 05:09 PM

Rear air suspension and foam ear plugs.

headinthetrees · 12-20-2014, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockmomma

I'd been thinking that maybe we ought to tow my Toyota van behind the bus, just in case. It seats 7, and if we did break down, I could at least get the band to the next gig (somewhat squished, of course, but I think it has room for everything. We might have to bungee the cello and the keyboard to the roof... but we'd get there). From what I see on the forum, it's possible to tow behind these buses pretty easily? Comments?

In your situation, I would definitely see having a tow vehicle as an asset. I've always owned used vehicles, always thought driving a new car off the lot was a great way to throw away a few thousand dollars. But the reality of owning a used vehicle is you'd better have 2. At some point its going to break down and you wont have a warranty or a dealer loaner vehicle to help.

I could see times where you might want to park your bus at your gig, then use the van to go see the city, run errands, do shopping, etc. Also there might be cases when its impossible to park your bus close enough to the gig and having a smaller vehicle to shuttle people and gear could be a lifesaver. Of course having a tow vehicle has its drawbacks too, maneuvering a 40 ft bus in dense city environments is hard enough. Finding somewhere to park it with a van in tow might be daunting at times.

Good luck with your conversion, sounds like a great idea if executed properly.

EastCoastCB · 12-22-2014, 09:14 AM

After working on mine the other day, I drank a few beers and took a lil nap in the driver seat. Slept pretty well!
That's the extent of my bus sleeping experience so far.

headinthetrees · 12-22-2014, 10:11 AM

I picture having some hammock hooks in whatever skoolie I build. Of course I'll have a regular bed too, but I like sleeping in a hammock from time to time, and its great for guests because they pack away into virtually zero space.

capnron · 01-03-2015, 09:24 PM

I was on the road in a band that had a 10 window hood nose skoolie. We had a pullout couch and dinette up front. A "U" shaped bunk room with 6 bunks, and the rear was our equipment room. Having the bunks in the middle was better for the ride as was having the gear in the back to dampen the weight. Sleeping depends a LOT on the road. Good highway= good sleep. Bad road = little sleep. It was a Chevy Blue Bird with a 366 gas, 2 fuel tanks, and a highway speed rear end. 70 MPH was no problem if the road was good. We pulled 8 to 9 mpg (Canadian gal.) If distance allows. Sleep at a truck stop, and get on the road in the morning to the next gig.That way you can get breakfast and a shower and still have the whole day to get to the next gig.
Anyhow, that worked well for us and over 150,000 miles. You can PM me if you want more details.

rockmomma · 01-26-2015, 09:16 PM

Our mechanic/driver just bought an 87 Chevy 454, "about 32 feet long," for our trip. Any comments on this make and model?

Hammocks... very interesting! I'm picturing 7 hammocks strung between the walls of the bus... and a slow inward collapse over the course of the night. Any comments on whether the walls of a bus are strong enough to support hammocks? It sounds like a great approach, much better than the current default of "cushions on the floor."

capnron · 01-26-2015, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockmomma

Our mechanic/driver just bought an 87 Chevy 454, "about 32 feet long," for our trip. Any comments on this make and model?

Hammocks... very interesting! I'm picturing 7 hammocks strung between the walls of the bus... and a slow inward collapse over the course of the night. Any comments on whether the walls of a bus are strong enough to support hammocks? It sounds like a great approach, much better than the current default of "cushions on the floor."

rockmomma, you don't want hammocks, unless you like bodies rolling around the floor on curves or when braking. Bunks are way easy to build with 2x4's and plywood. And I don't think the walls would take 7 hammocks too well. If you are on decent roads, sleep is good. Secondary roads not so much. If the bus is still geared as a schoolie, then try to get the rear end changed to suit highway speeds. You will save A LOT on gas, and won't toast the engine. Just MHO based on many miles in a band schoolie.

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