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09-18-2015, 12:51 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 27
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New from East Texas
Hello Everyone,
I have been looking into this project for quite a while now and will be getting a Bus soon. So many questions. I hope this site will provide me with information so that I can create my Rolling Escape as fulfilling as possible.
So if one has a budget of say $3000 for a bus, is that reasonable?
Purpose of the Bus is to travel (of course), but to have most amenities that have been customized. Canned RV's just do not excite me.
I have looked at almost all of the photo's in the gallery and have seen some interesting projects.
Thanks to everyone for the forum information. I look forward to reading and learning as I go.
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09-18-2015, 04:06 PM
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#2
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 36
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner FS-65
Engine: Cummins 5.9L IBS6
Rated Cap: 72C 48A
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I bought my bus for $3,500 off public surplus]. $3,000 is doable but make sure you have it checked out first. I had to put a new airtank on mine shortly after purchasing which set me back 300 in parts.
I think buying the bus is going to be the cheap part. Building it out is the expensive part. That and diesel.
__________________
2002 Thomas/Freightliner FS-65
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09-18-2015, 04:14 PM
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#3
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 27
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Purchasing sites
Thanks for the reply.
I have looked at the Public Auction and Gov Deals as well as Ebay for Buses. Any other avenues to look at. My local school district will not consider an individual sale. I am in East Texas and I am willing to travel.
How about a nest egg for unexpected expenses, once the purchase has gone through. Any budgets in mind besides winning the lottery? Better to have cash as well as a mechanic lined up, but the budget ... say $5000?
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09-18-2015, 04:19 PM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Travel north to Colorado and get more HP plus a retarder to boot.
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09-18-2015, 04:21 PM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 36
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner FS-65
Engine: Cummins 5.9L IBS6
Rated Cap: 72C 48A
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Budget depends on what you are going to do. It's like any hobby. You can spend as much or as little as you want. There is the Budget Bus on youtube: Don't think he spent too much, then there is the good news bus: who looks like he spent a lot more.
I plan to put about 15k on top of purchase over a year and a half. But that includes a generator, paint, flooring seats, electrical, roof patio, shower bathroom, etc. If you want to build a primitive cabin on wheels I'm sure you could get away for 5 k depending on how nice you want to make it. Also if you do a lot of the work yourself you'll save a lot of money.
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2002 Thomas/Freightliner FS-65
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09-18-2015, 04:23 PM
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#6
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 27
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CO
Colorado will be on a First Name Destination Short List.
As for more HP ... Do you mean turning it up? and as for the retarder .. good idea. I guess you mean an engine break or exhaust return? I wonder what would be involved in either of these. Hmmm.
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09-18-2015, 04:32 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Colorado buses, due to the mountains and well funded school districts, have driveline retarders and higher HP rated engines.
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09-18-2015, 06:01 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 27
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How is the rust? What year or model would you be looking for if you were in my shoes?
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09-18-2015, 06:15 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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The buses I've seen from schools in Colorado are usually pretty solid.
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09-18-2015, 08:15 PM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
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We have about $25K budgeted for our five year build if that helps.......
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
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09-18-2015, 08:33 PM
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#11
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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$25K?...I think I've already spent that much just on nuts & bolts, mig wire and rattle cans!
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09-18-2015, 10:53 PM
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#12
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
$25K?...I think I've already spent that much just on nuts & bolts, mig wire and rattle cans!
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YEs the rattle cans do get expensive.
Had to get a paint gun and save $$.
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09-18-2015, 11:55 PM
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#13
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 27
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Yeah. I expected a bit of an expensive hobby. For that 25K ... did you get the scented Pine Tree or the fuzzy dice?
Actually 25 over 5 years is fairly inexpensive. I will be over the road quite a bit. Just a housing expense, so nothing above and beyond. Unless them nuts and bolts keep falling off.
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09-19-2015, 01:11 AM
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#14
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
$25K?...I think I've already spent that much just on nuts & bolts, mig wire and rattle cans!
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You crack me up Tang!!!! LOL!!!!!
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
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