Team Thomas
Hi Skoolie.net,
So, finally after creeping on the forum forever I have decided to say hello. My name is Nate, and my wife and I are turning a 1998 Crown/International 444 into a skoolie, governed at a brisk 58mph, we bought for a steal of $1500, and 160000 miles. We looked for 6+ months, and then finally after passing a bus parked at a church every time we went to the beach, about twice a week, I took a chance, turned in and asked the pastor if his bus was for sale and what he wanted for it. He responded “for you, today, $1500.” We have 2 sons who are willing participants in our adventure simply because they are awesome!
Currently, I’m elbows deep in the project. Our plans for the bus are to travel about and enjoy America while living out full time family, or simply being the youngest snow birds in history. The question most often asked is “What are you going to do for income?” our answer every time is we do not know and honestly we do not care. We are winging it. I sell on eBay to support this project, along with working at a church.
Our plans:
1. Deconstruct.
2. Reconstruct to livable space for 4 people.
Simple huh.
The deconstruct has gone well, so far. I have all the interior roof panels down including the front and back red/amber light covers. I want to replace the front flashing red/amber lights with super bright LED’s hooked to the high beams so the front of the bus looks like a dying star. The rear flashers I want to replace with warm LED’s and a cone cover pointing down so it is another outside space to hang out in the evening. I also have the lower rear metal covers off next to the emergency door. All the seats have been removed except for the driver’s seat. I am hoping to remove and replace the driver's seat too with something a bit more comfortable. The 500ish mile trip from Sarasota to Atlanta at 58mph was exhausting on the bum. Currently, I’m taking off the aluminum side panels. I ran into the snafu of the top of the paneling being screwed in from the top but underneath the windows, not a fun find. After I get all the side paneling off, and figure out what to do with the emergency exit hatches, which leak like a sieve, I will be applying closed cell spray foam. The option to hire a company vs do the spray foam myself is still up for debate. The steps right before spray foam will be to determine floor plan, by hopefully 95% accuracy, then skin over the windows for the boys’ bunk and a couple for the bathroom. Then using 3M 4000UV marine caulk reseal all the remaining windows. After the windows are sealed we will begin work on any rust spots on the roof. There are not many but they still need to be taken care of. Why keep the windows you ask: because, I can. Then after all this, start building and figuring out solar, plumbing, bunks, kitchen, water, etc.
Construction experience: Zero. The only tools I have used, so far, are a DeWALT impact driver, 2 T20 bits, and a Ryobi angle grinder.
This is our story, so far. We are excited for the opportunity. One thing we have learned is we could not do this without a few friends and family who are as crazy as us. We want to thank our Mom’s and Dad for letting us share our idea with them and who responded with love, questions, and encouragement. We also want to thank Dale and Logan for letting us park on their property out in Winder. I want to thank Eric, Dale’s neighbor for having every tool under the sun and being a genuinely awesome person.
Nate
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