Service Pit

[Bus'n it]

While my bus was away getting some things done earlier this year, I dug up a space where I keep it parked next to my house. As I get older jacking up and crawling under a massive rig is not my cup of tea. I put in a 16’ long, 54” deep by 40” wide service pit with reinforced foundation and walls. It has low volt LED adjustable lighting, wall mount fire extinguisher, a hose bib and a high capacity in ground water removal system. I fabricated steel heavy grade mesh panels for fall protection (you can dance on them!) (4 sections for easy handling) and 4” high tire guides that are bolted to j hooks which are welded to the rebar below. All rebar encased in the concrete, I welded. Having this pit is a game changer. As most will know, it’s completely unaffordable to buy a lift for this bus.

[cadillackid]

thats pretty bad ass!!! what do you do to keep it clean and free of leaves, dirt and debris? im assuming you have a drain or 2 also? just the screens?

[Bus'n it]

Thank you! I love it! It really doesn't get dirty unless we get a dust storm. Some small tiny leaves make it through the mesh. There is a high volume in-ground sump for water extraction. The entire interior is epoxy coated for easy cleaning.

[Bus'n it]

I am working on a trolley oil change container with transfer pump. There are channels welded into the pit walls to guide the wheels on the container to roll with ease. It can be flipped in either lengthwise or widthwise direction. Just got it back from powder coat shop but will post pics when it is complete.

[Meathead]

I like this a lot!

I showed the pics to my wife and asked where in the backyard we could put one! 🫣[emoji44][emoji849]

Prolly not going to happen.

[emoji3522]Dave

[UFO pilot]

That is way hella cool! I must steal the idea and claim it as my own!

Was the slab made special for the bus? How thick and is it reinforced? Sorry if the story was told earlier I am late to every party.

[Bus'n it]

It’s self engineered for what I believe is overkill to support any bus parked over the pit right down to fitting my wife’s narrow smart car wheel spread.
Bottom of pit is reinforced 18” deep footers with welded rebar and a 6” thick floor. (24” deep sump pit is in corner with plumbing and electrical all encased in concrete except for power cord which is routed through 1” pvc conduit for possible future pump replacement.)

Walls are 8” concrete block with every 24” of linear cells having rebar that’s welded to the foundation rebar. Along the tops of concrete block are two levels of welded rebar that’s attached to cross drilled and epoxied rebar into existing 6” slab. Tire guides have 5/8” J-bolts that are not only encased in concrete but also welded to the rebar structure. All concrete block (not cinder block) is filled with concrete as is the portion between the block and exposed dig vibrated to remove all air. All concrete is 4,000psi.

[rossvtaylor]

Well I'm certainly jealous. And I know where I'm headed from Flag when I next need a lube and fluid change! Haha!

Looks great and impressively thought out, Simon.

[Ronnie]

I too have a pit for working under our bus. Did this almost 30 years ago when I built the shop. Yours is much nicer I have to say, really nice job.

[UFO pilot]

I have to agree with everyone its a nice pit. Sure lives up to the saying, if just enough is good, too much should be just right!

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

thats pretty bad ass!!! what do you do to keep it clean and free of leaves, dirt and debris? im assuming you have a drain or 2 also? just the screens?

She said she put a hose bib and a high capacity water removal. Good for hosing it down and pumping it out from time to time, maybe?

[s2mikon]

That is first class. It will make it easy to keep your coach safe. Your snake neighbors will love it too!

[Bus'n it]

Thanks guys! No snakes or vermin where we live. Ross, you are always welcome to use it when you're in town! I keep my mouth shut regarding who locally knows about this. None of my neighbors even caught wind of this. They can get their own lifts/pits! (most do have their own lifts in their out buildings but for cars)

[Unpluggedone]

Absolutely what every DIY Skoolie should have, 1000 miles away but if I’m ever there…. And I’ll bet should a tornado ever pass over a good place to be. Do you have steps up or perhaps a hidden walkway to the house?

[Bus'n it]

There's only a wall ladder in the pit but nothing to the house. Yes, it's considered a storm shelter for insurance purposes ;) Had I gone a little deeper and with a concrete top, I could have had my own firing range!

[Dbacks2k4]

Holy cow that is awesome. Don't mind my insane jealousy over here

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by Bus'n it

There's only a wall ladder in the pit but nothing to the house. Yes, it's considered a storm shelter for insurance purposes ;) Had I gone a little deeper and with a concrete top, I could have had my own firing range!

Add one chicken carcass.
Invite your local ranches.