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09-21-2023, 04:04 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1
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Fairly new, curious and looking to start somewhere
Heya. Hope all is well. I'm looking to start my journey, problem is I'm thinking too much like usual! Lol. I'm preparing to sell my house and move in with a friend for other reason's and this may be the push I need since I've been thinking of living the skoolie life for 6 years.
I have some questions I guess. I've been wondering where to start. Are there meet ups? Are there other people trying to start their journey and afraid of traveling alone? Especially if they have struggled with anxiety and depression?
I've actually been looking for a remote job for 3 years now and I have not been very successful. Even with a semi ironclad resume. Maybe I am looking in the right places? Who knows. I am just worrying about medical to be honest. I have decent health but there are some concerns that need to be monitored. But to start out I would have a bit of money after selling my house. I've been looking at skoolie classifieds and have been looking at semi finished to fully finished ones. I know I could try to build one from scratch but I don't have to resources and only some knowledge in certain areas. Plus I also feel like I wanna hit the road sooner than later.
That's it for now, thanks for reading.
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09-21-2023, 04:49 PM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
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One thing to know is that insurance typically doesn’t allow full time living so you have to figure that out on top of the other stuff. I think they allow Class A motorhomes to be full time. You also need to know if you can get insured in a skoolie. There are limited outlets so you need to know if yoo look u can get covered. One thing mentioned is that you’re selling your house. Does that mean no fixed address? That usually means no insurer will cover you. There’s ways around it. You need to look into how.
Why do you want a skoolie? I may be wrong, but I think most people here would say it’s because they love a good project. If you’re buying a finished one, then where’s the fun in that?!
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09-22-2023, 11:30 AM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Northern California (Sacramento)
Posts: 1,626
Year: 1999
Coachwork: El Dorado Fiberglass
Chassis: Ford E450
Engine: V10 Gas
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Welcome to the forum.
Not sure about meetups. Most of the on-line stuff for skoolies is YouTube, so one way communication.
Facebook groups have huge numbers of participants coming from every corner of society, kind of like the line at DMV. Except they are not afraid to give you terrible advice. Instagram has incredible pictures for inspiration only. My opinions.
That is less the case in this group.
Concerning advice, owning a large-engine rig of (usually) advanced age is going to be a struggle. You'll need to be very comfortable learning new things. You'll also need to be okay with frustration, given the typical sophistication of mechanical things and your likely level of knowledge.
This is not to discourage you but to educate you.
Building out a skoolie is an epic adventure. It will challenge your patience, budget, mental and physical health, and the rewards for that are legion--if you are up for it.
Driving a bus is an adventure. Once you master navigating multiple lanes on the highway at slow speeds, you're usually good. What never goes away are the speed racers who must be ahead of you at all costs, even when the traffic is going 35 mph. You must always be attentive because they are not.
I can't even imagine living in a skoolie full time. Though I love using it mine is strictly part time, for long weekends in the mountains.
If I think about it, living in a skoolie is kind of like getting a large, prominently placed tattoo. It only works with some people.
You have to honestly assess your readiness for such an adventure.
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09-22-2023, 02:48 PM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 270
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466e 215hp Allison 2500
Rated Cap: 77
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Bus conversions are complex, one off productions, some are done poorly to the point of being unsafe. Electrical systems done wrong, unsecured furniture and other flying objects, leaks... plenty of things to consider buying a bus conversion. There are some engine, transmissions and emission systems that you do not want to own...
Roamly insures fulltime RVing, but they do not cover any skoolies. RVs and travel trailers are also a decent way to get to the weather you like. Plenty of places you can safely stay.
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09-22-2023, 07:49 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
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Rucker, your tattoo analogy is brilliant.
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09-22-2023, 10:14 PM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
Posts: 1,819
Year: 1954
Coachwork: wayne
Chassis: old f500- new 2005 f-450
Engine: cummins 12 valve
Rated Cap: 20? five rows of 4?
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Bluebird wanderlodge
Bus already built. There is one in the Kansas area. Advertised price $16,000
William
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09-25-2023, 07:32 PM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Northern California (Sacramento)
Posts: 1,626
Year: 1999
Coachwork: El Dorado Fiberglass
Chassis: Ford E450
Engine: V10 Gas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danjo
Rucker, your tattoo analogy is brilliant.
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Seems apt.
I just saw this very cool large van near my house-tricked out to look like a little building complete with windows, roof trim. Very neat, the opposite of stealth, but not at all cringey. Went by too fast to snap a picture.
The guy driving it looked perfect for the van. 'Wore' it well! Would've liked to chat with him about his process and experience.
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