New from East Texas

[RoadRanger2015]

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.

[BRAGeorgia]

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.

[RoadRanger2015]

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?

[EastCoastCB]

Travel north to Colorado and get more HP plus a retarder to boot.

[BRAGeorgia]

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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPowJ7caFL0

Don't think he spent too much, then there is the good news bus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAlUkOoVSUg

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.

[RoadRanger2015]

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.

[EastCoastCB]

Colorado buses, due to the mountains and well funded school districts, have driveline retarders and higher HP rated engines.

[RoadRanger2015]

How is the rust? What year or model would you be looking for if you were in my shoes?

[EastCoastCB]

The buses I've seen from schools in Colorado are usually pretty solid.

[M1031A1]

We have about $25K budgeted for our five year build if that helps.......

[Tango]

$25K?...I think I've already spent that much just on nuts & bolts, mig wire and rattle cans!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Tango

$25K?...I think I've already spent that much just on nuts & bolts, mig wire and rattle cans!

YEs the rattle cans do get expensive.
Had to get a paint gun and save $$.

[RoadRanger2015]

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.

[M1031A1]

Originally Posted by Tango

$25K?...I think I've already spent that much just on nuts & bolts, mig wire and rattle cans!

You crack me up Tang!!!! LOL!!!!!