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Old 01-22-2021, 10:09 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Greetings Elders!

Hello everyone! I'm stoked to get the show started with my latest adventure through life; before I get started I'm going to rely on the experts here for some advice.

Hi, my name is George, and I recently moved to Pinellas Park, FL. from the Granite State - NH.

I've been considering this journey for a couple of years after traveling around the United States for several months in my FJ Cruiser; to put it simply, I fell in-love with this lifestyle and how freeing it is.

Sadly, after a relationship bomb was set off in my relationship I now face the journey alone with me and my 11 mos old pup, Finny! Do not despair, however, because I'm not completely sad about it!

The universe works in mysterious ways and this is simply what's been planned for me. With the pain of all that left 1,700 miles away a new journey begins!

I'm going to want to do this right so I'm going to be asking a lot of questions; please excuse my ignorance on the subjects I seek any answers to

I have a lengthy background in home improvements so the build should be no issue, but this isn't a home, this is a bus and it's a new animal where only the experienced can help guide me.

I look forward to this new adventure and meeting some new friendly faces!

Godspeed to all!

G-

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Old 01-22-2021, 10:28 AM   #2
Almost There
 
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Welcome aboard.
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Old 01-22-2021, 05:00 PM   #3
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not much different than a home build.
just different for some types of material and fasteners/ plumbing/ electrical will be different but with the same mindset.
choosing you wiring type,size for what you want is a key issue and you install your own septic tank doesnt drain itself and your own water supply.
not city water.
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Old 01-23-2021, 11:29 AM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223 View Post
not much different than a home build.
just different for some types of material and fasteners/ plumbing/ electrical will be different but with the same mindset.
choosing you wiring type,size for what you want is a key issue and you install your own septic tank doesnt drain itself and your own water supply.
not city water.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I will be mindful of this going forward. Right now I'm just trying to locate a rig that would be best suited for my needs.
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Old 01-23-2021, 12:48 PM   #5
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where are you located?
what idea is in your head for length,type you want
post that here and others can help keep an eye out for what you are looking for.
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Old 01-23-2021, 01:57 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223 View Post
where are you located?
what idea is in your head for length,type you want
post that here and others can help keep an eye out for what you are looking for.

Thank you! I’m in the Tampa area -- Pinellas Park to be more specific.

So here's what I'm looking for:

Originally I was looking into the shorter-length bus; I'm undecided.

I would like one with the rear lift gate for sure.

Engine: I’m still researching these. There’s a lot to choose from. So I’m trying to discover which ones will work best for my application.

My application: I’m going to be all over the country in this thing so climbing hills and descending is going to be a major factor. I need something with power and descending retardation.

I’m currently not going to be pulling anything, however, in the future this may change so again, power is going to be the operative word here.

AC is key as well. I’ve been in Arizona in the summer months and if I happen to be there again, I’m going to need it. I’m not excited about hanging an AC outside of the bus.

I’m still in the research phase and this is all brand new to me so… any help, guidance, and suggestions are very much appreciated!
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Old 01-23-2021, 02:31 PM   #7
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good start.
my wife is a travelling medical lab tech. and i am in the first phase of building out a chevy 3500 express van cutaway with collins/midbus body 5 window for her.
had the side mounted wheel chair access that was deleted before i got it.
wish it wasnt but regardless.
and buildable/livable space is around max 13 feet buy 8 feet.
the bed will be a queen size.
text me at 9103302955 and i can will send pics of my wifes specs for her bus.
oh she was an architect before she got into the medical field so i have full graph/grid paper drawings to follow. when i get to that point.
just an idea.
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Old 01-23-2021, 07:17 PM   #8
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There is a Tiny house show in Tampa Jan 30,31st. I know several skoolies will be there. Might want to check it out. I will miss it but be down a little later.



Not many buses have a retarder of any sort. However Colorado school buses often do have a Telma retarder. This works on the driveshaft.
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Old 01-24-2021, 08:05 AM   #9
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There is a Tiny house show in Tampa Jan 30,31st. I know several skoolies will be there. Might want to check it out. I will miss it but be down a little later.



Not many buses have a retarder of any sort. However Colorado school buses often do have a Telma retarder. This works on the driveshaft.
Thanks for the tip! I'm going to see if I can locate some info on it and check it out, for sure!

Funny you mention Colorado, that's exactly where my concerns were rising. I love that state and I want to see more of it than just route 70.
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Old 01-24-2021, 08:14 AM   #10
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there seems to a nice selection up the road from you about an hours drive on rt.19 up near Hudson, FL

and then about a two hours drive out to the east, near route 62 in Avon Park there seems to be some potential.

these are a few places i check in with from time to time. 'course you always got CL and E bay.
welcome to the forum and keep us posted as you browse and start the purchase process.
cheers,
b
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Old 01-24-2021, 08:34 AM   #11
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Awesome! I will definitely check them out. I scour Craigslist (local and nationwide) using searchtempest.com, Facebook Marketplace, and many others.

Thanks for the tips! And I'm here to stay so you'll be seeing a lot from me. Right now I am a young skoolie Padawan, however, I'm currently studying to become a skoolie Jedi The student becomes the teacher.
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Old 01-24-2021, 09:22 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkoolbusLife View Post
Thanks for the tip! I'm going to see if I can locate some info on it and check it out, for sure!

Funny you mention Colorado, that's exactly where my concerns were rising. I love that state and I want to see more of it than just route 70.
Might just want to buy a Colorado bus then, all ready for mountain driving. It will feel at home there.
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Old 01-24-2021, 09:40 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnie View Post
Might just want to buy a Colorado bus then, all ready for mountain driving. It will feel at home there.
X2 on that.
Florida busses don't typically climb or descend mountains in their daily use, so no need for added power or other "non essential" drivetrain upgrades.

Welcome to the site from "chilly" NH, George!
Good luck, and post pics if you get one...
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Old 01-24-2021, 12:02 PM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Originally Posted by peteg59 View Post
X2 on that.
Florida busses don't typically climb or descend mountains in their daily use, so no need for added power or other "non essential" drivetrain upgrades.

Welcome to the site from "chilly" NH, George!
Good luck, and post pics if you get one...

Thank you! Where are you from in New Hampshire? I was born and raised there, just recently moved to Tampa in October.
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Old 01-24-2021, 12:04 PM   #15
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Might just want to buy a Colorado bus then, all ready for mountain driving. It will feel at home there.
I think you're onto something here. I shall now narrow my search to that area. If a bus can climb and descend those Rockies, it can go just about anywhere.
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Old 01-24-2021, 01:05 PM   #16
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Quote:
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Thank you! Where are you from in New Hampshire? I was born and raised there, just recently moved to Tampa in October.
Finished high school in Manchester, relocated to seacoast area years later.
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Old 01-24-2021, 01:56 PM   #17
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Welcome. We just recently moved from Windham, NH to the Mount Sterling area in KY.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223 View Post
not much different than a home build.
Notable Differences:
  • More strict SaWC - Size and Weight Constraints
  • The fact that you have to not only run plumbing for but also temporarily store liquid and solid human waste
  • DC electrical either instead of or in addition to AC electrical
  • Frequent earthquake-like vibration is a design concern
  • Frequent hurricane-force winds is a design concern
When you purchase a second bus, you know something is wrong with you.

Good luck!
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Old 01-24-2021, 02:45 PM   #18
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Welcome. We just recently moved from Windham, NH to the Mount Sterling area in KY.

When you purchase a second bus, you know something is wrong with you.

Good luck!
Nice!

What do you mean when you purchase a second bus, something is wrong with you?
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Old 01-24-2021, 02:45 PM   #19
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Finished high school in Manchester, relocated to seacoast area years later.
Excellent. I moved from Goffstown.
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Old 01-24-2021, 05:18 PM   #20
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He means you have got the bug

I have two, and recently found another we might just pick up. Plus another in our yard that belongs to a friend who we are helping build.
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