My Short bus build...

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Nice work, looks good enough to eat. The sausage, too!

Thanks!! Haha it's is really good summer sausage. I also make some habanero bbq flavor that is awesome! I get the seasonings from Walton's meat online... Deer never tasted so good!

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by Phatman

Alright man, progress !!! Keep up the updates.

Thank you! I'll try to keep updating! Even when I have a terrible moment like I did this evening!!!

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by Jocelyn

Your kitchen is looking great!

Thank you!! It has taken awhile but hopefully it will be the focal point when tailgating football games!!

[Frochevy]

I had a long day today on the bus... I got everything polyurethane early this morning. Then started working on other things. My big project of the day was the passenger rear corner. It still needed insulation, paneling, etc. I built a closet at the rear in order to store a broom, camp rake, and various odds and ends. I put a stained 2x 3 on the floor for a stop which creates a storage area under the bed when. It is folded up. I installed a plug in also so I can have my power tool charger, tools etc under there. I insulated around the wheel well and finished off with some 1/4" plywood.

I went ahead and laid the flooring down in the storage area to get a feel for how I would do the rest of the floor.

I set up the bunk bed and had to remove a piece of wood trim on the end and also found I had other issues at the rear when it is folded flat against the wall. I think I got those issues resolved.

I was worried the queen frame wouldn't fit as I removed the hi he's and painted and adjusted them a little forward when I put them back in. So far it fits.

I created shelving/legs for when the bed is folded up. I was trying to use up my last extra piece of white washed T&G car siding we used on the ceiling.

It was 93-94 in the bus today. I had the AC off and doors windows open because of all of the stain smell. It was a good day of progress... But plenty more to do!!!

[musigenesis]

That murphy bed looks very cool. I was thinking you were getting some extra shelves out of it until I realized those are the bed supports and wouldn't work very well as shelves in the down position. Maybe you could glue some amusing knickknacks to it?

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

That murphy bed looks very cool. I was thinking you were getting some extra shelves out of it until I realized those are the bed supports and wouldn't work very well as shelves in the down position. Maybe you could glue some amusing knickknacks to it?

Those are shelves. They will mainly be used in the fall when we are tailgating. The bed isn't used at all when tailgating. Down below where you see the open ugliness... I plan to cover that with marker board. It'll be one big dry erase board. I will have markers etc and it'll be for the kids (or adults) to draw on during tailgates... Or we might go with chalkboard and chalk... I just figured the dry erase markers would be less messy!??

Any other ideas!?! I like the idea of knick knacks or some sort of decoration attached to it..

[Frochevy]

Well it's been awhile since an update. We successfully went camping for Father's day and used our new generator and it worked great. Then last week on Wednesday morning we pulled out and headed South to Skiatook lake in Oklahoma! We had a great trip (around 500 miles round-trip). Wife and kids rode along with me in the bus! Transmission shifted well. We had a few minor issues like the spring perch puncturing the sink drain on the way down... And some minor bed unfolding issues. But all in all we made it down safely and back home and spent some time with family!! Plus on the way home we got 12.2mpg loaded and pulling a jet ski. I will get some pictures uploaded and explain some more details in the next few days... I learned a few things and want to make some minor changes now for future...

[Frochevy]

A few pictures of DeCoDo...

[Frochevy]

A few more

[musigenesis]

Wow man, for some reason I've never gotten a sense of your bus other than from your avatar pic. Fantastic rig inside and out.

I'm curious about that awning setup. I want to do something like that.

[Frochevy]

I installed another battery cutoff switch and utilized some heavy wires we pulled from the house battery last year and hooked up an invertor for the trip to Oklahoma. It ran the tv and blue ray player so the kids could watch a movie during the trip.

The See Level II monitoring system works great! It was easy to install and easy to use.

I don't have anywhere to put my orange hose and fitting for tank dumping so for now they are strapped to the back in the Rubbermaid tote... The bicycle and rack road on the rear platform because I pulled my dad's jet ski home... Of course the pit boss vertical smoker made the trip with us...

My two see kids almost 4 and almost 6 sleep on the bunk bed I made above our queen bed. When I designed everything I did not account for our queen mattress being so thick. That's why it is hard to get everything folded up correctly. I might be making some changes to it in the future. Really turned out well though. Very comfortable and plenty of room for all of us. The bunk bed Has cable for safety's as well as spring loaded pins. Our little one sleeps in a pack in play on top of the seats where the dinette will be eventually that the table folds down to a short bed....

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Wow man, for some reason I've never gotten a sense of your bus other than from your avatar pic. Fantastic rig inside and out.

I'm curious about that awning setup. I want to do something like that.

I need to update that picture! Lol I've came a long ways in the last few months. I worked on the bus so much were finally enjoying it!

Thanks for the compliments. The awning is a harbor freight tarp... Lol I used some small rope tied through some pieces of an aluminum arrow I cut down to slide inside the gutter/awning rail. The poles are adjustable aluminum that lock. I'll put some links to Amazon on here...

[Frochevy]

Here's my awning rail. I went with 5 pieces for $85... It has a built in gutter.. I used two pieces for one side. Will probably put a line down the other side also...

Check this out at Amazon.com
RecPro RV Awning Trim with Gutter | 92" Length | Aluminum | Made in USA (5 Trim Pieces, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081Z7SBRY..._urrfFbMMVF0D8

This isn't required but covers up the screws...

Check this out at Amazon.com
Camco 25113 Vinyl Trim Insert (1" x 25', Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006JLW3Y..._.urfFbRCS0QG7

Note I did 1" self tappers to screw the awning rail to the bus. Before attaching I used some plumbers putty in a roll- same as the camper stuff you buy and put on the back to seal. After installation I also used dicor sealant on the top edge of it. Probably Overkill...

Small rope was used to tie to the tarp through and aluminum arrow I cut into 2" pieces.

Poles are adjustable aluminum and around$50.. we'll see how they hold up. Done well 3 times so far. Well turns out the are unavailable right now. But here's a link to give you an idea. They have a lot of different kinds...

Check this out at Amazon.com
Ridge Outdoor Gear Adjustable Telescoping Tarp Tent Poles 2.75ft to 8ft XL Rod, Extending Portable Collapsible for Camper Awning Tarpaulin Camping https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07BSF1X..._VArfFbSW0AK8X

I bought a 10pk of little aluminum guyline cord adjusters and the work great also! Smaller than I pictured...

Check this out at Amazon.com
DDY Ultralight Aluminum Guyline Cord Adjuster for Tent Camping Hiking Backpacking Outdoor Activity(red Color 10pcs) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B013FOVI..._oDrfFbPYJ5DQ8

Note I also picked up some tent pegs to tie down to each corner. Worked great to tie to trees if camping in a shaded area... Tarp is a silver one from harbor freight. Better than the blue or green ones in my opinion.. I might go with a longer one in future. Also thought about trying a shade type which is a mesh... I think would be more resistant to wind. We had a storm blow through one night camping. I took awning down and didn't try it... Lol had a day time storm also a few days later and I dropped one side down and it shed water pretty well. No issues with the heavy rain. It lets a little sprinkles through the gap from rail and where tied on...

[Phatman]

I like the progress Frochevy !!

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by Phatman

I like the progress Frochevy !!

Thanks!!! Feels good to be enjoying it instead of working on it non stop!!

[57ratrod]

Looks nice

[peakbus]

Looking good! It is fun to get out and use after all the planning and work. In my case, I'm half done, but it helps to prioritize projects.

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by 57ratrod

Looks nice

Thank you!!!!

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by peakbus

Looking good! It is fun to get out and use after all the planning and work. In my case, I'm half done, but it helps to prioritize projects.

Yes I agree!! We've been working on it/using it for a couple years now. It's nice to finally be winding down and only needing some detail work and paint...

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by Frochevy

Thanks!!! Feels good to be enjoying it instead of working on it non stop!!

I definitely know the non-stop idea !!!