Sold the house and the bus is ready!!!!

[Cdimples67]

Hi Everyone,
I have been a part of this site for a number of months now and I need to thank everyone especially PNW-steve for all the help and guidance along the way. Me and my girlfriend sold our house and will be quitting our jobs downtown Seattle and getting away from all the hustle and bustle wherever that may be I will be posting on here and possibly Youtube to share our adventures and search to find the right town to land and hopefully buy some property to homestead... The possibilities are endless
thanks,
Michael

[cadillackid]

awesome looking bus!!


I hear of so many "quitting our jobs".. what do you do for $$ with no jobs? I often wonder that... fuel, food, bus repairs, parking, etc all cost money.. usually much more than most people think...



-Christopher

[Cdimples67]

We have been working on a home remodel investment that paid off after 2 years work and we wont need to work for at least a year unless we find the right town and dream job. Part luck and part gamble I suppose.

[Rovobay]

nice build. looking at the T&G roof has me thinking I want to do that again, but I worry about stuff popping off as I drive down some bumpy roads. how did you attached the T&G? nice captain chairs. does the driver's chair spin around to the dining table? Congrats!

[Cdimples67]

We are seriously considering doing General contracting in more remote areas and living/ working out of the bus.

[Cdimples67]

Thanks I just screwed them directly to the ribbing and planned on covering the screws with strips but after living in it for a couple months I like the way it looks, just need to trim around the skylights still. The drivers and passengers chairs both spin around so you can use the counter as a desk/ work station. I tried to use the space as efficiently as possible because the back 15' is all garage so we had to played around with multiple different ideas until this one and I must say it works very well for the 2 of us.

[Rovobay]

Originally Posted by Cdimples67

Thanks I just screwed them directly to the ribbing and planned on covering the screws with strips but after living in it for a couple months I like the way it looks, just need to trim around the skylights still. The drivers and passengers chairs both spin around so you can use the counter as a desk/ work station. I tried to use the space as efficiently as possible because the back 15' is all garage so we had to played around with multiple different ideas until this one and I must say it works very well for the 2 of us.

What kind of screws did you use? could I get a close up of the screws? did you countersink them flush? also what was the thickness of your T&G?

[Huskerbus]

Great looking interior, and I like the window work! I have an almost identical 2004 version of your bus. 31' overall.

[EastCoastCB]

Nice rig!

Big ups to PNW!! Hell of a guy!

[Cdimples67]

I just used a Phillips head self tapper (Black) and yes counter sunk. I believe it was close to 1/4" thick. I was going to run 2x2s next to the ribbing and brad nail it but it seemed like to much work at the time. I used the 2" purple closed cell insulation and cut it to fit perfectly which was a lot of work but after seeing all the nightmares online about spray foam I didn't want to go that way. on a 90+ degree day its cool to the touch except right where the ribbing is, so if I do this again I will put some rubber or something on top of the metal ribs before covering. I actually painted the metal ceiling and was just starting to build when I decided to rip the ceiling out and insulate, probably the best decision I made during the build because I don't think I could cool it with one ac if I didn't insulate.

[Cdimples67]

Originally Posted by Huskerbus

Great looking interior, and I like the window work! I have an almost identical 2004 version of your bus. 31' overall.

Thanks, it was a lot of work but it will be a comfortable home for some time to come.

[Rovobay]

Originally Posted by Cdimples67

I just used a Phillips head self tapper (Black) and yes counter sunk. I believe it was close to 1/4" thick. I was going to run 2x2s next to the ribbing and brad nail it but it seemed like to much work at the time. I used the 2" purple closed cell insulation and cut it to fit perfectly which was a lot of work but after seeing all the nightmares online about spray foam I didn't want to go that way. on a 90+ degree day its cool to the touch except right where the ribbing is, so if I do this again I will put some rubber or something on top of the metal ribs before covering. I actually painted the metal ceiling and was just starting to build when I decided to rip the ceiling out and insulate, probably the best decision I made during the build because I don't think I could cool it with one ac if I didn't insulate.

you really got my wheels turning now about the T&G ceiling. I like the look of the black screws as well. I was mostly worried about weight, but 1/4 is nothing. sorry to bug you more but where did you source the wood? was it spendy? I bought a roll of https://tinyurl.com/windowsilltape that I was going to install on the ribs in-between any wood and metal. links to screws would be amazing as well. how long did your build take? impressive!

[Cdimples67]

All the wall material I got second hand from a demo job and the ceiling I got from Lowes, the used stuff I picked up for $100 on Offerup and the ceiling I think it was roughly $20 per pack of 5 - 10' I believe. the screws are for sheetrock and metal studs, easily sourced anywhere. I purchased the bus just over a year ago but didn't really start working on it till 6 months ago because I was doing a home remodel at the same time. And im glad to help answer any question you have, this site has been a great resource for me and im quite happy to return the favor if it makes someone else's job easier. Im used to working on houses so the bus with an odd size and shape around every corner was difficult at times to say the least.

[o1marc]

Do you miss not being able to use the big overhead mirror to see out the passenger side. That's my only concern with removing windows on that side.
If you used regular black sheet rock screws I think you will find them rusting when they see moisture.

[Cdimples67]

I don't miss the windows, and if the screws start rusting i have bigger problems than rusty screws. I dont see it becoming a problem

[vtxvette]

Nice work on the bus. It looks really great.
What kind of seats are those that you are using for the driver and passenger ?

[HappyInTN]

Originally Posted by Cdimples67

Hi Everyone,
I have been a part of this site for a number of months now and I need to thank everyone especially PNW-steve for all the help and guidance along the way. Me and my girlfriend sold our house and will be quitting our jobs downtown Seattle and getting away from all the hustle and bustle wherever that may be I will be posting on here and possibly Youtube to share our adventures and search to find the right town to land and hopefully buy some property to homestead... The possibilities are endless
thanks,
Michael

My family of 6 and I just sold our home and are going to travel full time in our bus once the conversion is done. I can relate to you both in leaving your jobs. My wife and I are doing the same thing in order to travel for a year with our kids. Scary and exciting at the same time. Congrats! Good luck. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventure. Cheers!

[1olfart]

+1 on those seats. My butt has ask me to inquire about them, as well.
That said, the bus looks really nice, all around. Looking forward to your adventures.

Good luck

[vtxvette]

Originally Posted by 1olfart

+1 on those seats. My butt has ask me to inquire about them, as well.
That said, the bus looks really nice, all around. Looking forward to your adventures.

Good luck

Yeah.... My butt was impressed with them too 😂

[Cdimples67]

Originally Posted by vtxvette

Nice work on the bus. It looks really great.
What kind of seats are those that you are using for the driver and passenger ?

Flexsteel out of a Mercedes motorhome, brand new, they didn't like the color so i got a good deal