Just bought my first bus, a 5 window handicap bus with a lift, and am currently in the planning stage. Trying to finalize a floor plan.
Goal of the bus is two-fold. Mobile motorhome for just me, dirt bike in tow, to some random campground where I'll be riding all day and sleeping in the bus. Weekend get-away rig with the wife and baby. I say 'weekend' because I have a camper for any longer trips. This is the 'hey lets go to the lake for the weekend' vehicle, save on towing the camper and all the setup/teardown that goes with it. Longer trips, like say going to the beach for a week, we'll continue to use the camper. Might also have a friend along for the motorcycle trips sometimes, who may or may not sleep inside on the other bed.
So here's the plan I came up with. The rear bed will be high, maybe 4', with ample storage under it. The lift will probably stay in place, although I could remove it. Seems like it'll be helpful with lifting coolers or the generator inside, plus I have ideas of how to still haul a dirt bike inside by folding the bed up. The front seat will be rearward facing, with a fold up table in between them while parked. The couch/second bed will be a homemade unit, but basically a futon. Not really planning on cooking inside, already have everything needed for an outdoor kitchen that will all store under the rear bed with room to spare.
I know it doesn't leave much at all for storage, but it's about the best I can come up with that still allows for a second bed and enough seats to belt everyone in.
Any thoughts on it?
I'm hoping to find some shuttle bus seats, or something equivalent, that have lap/shoulder belts built in to replace my bus seats, which have lap only. Hopefully they're more comfortable too.
I've never ridden in a rearward facing seat, but I have some reservations about it. Seems like it would be annoying for a long ride.
Interior dimensions are 12'6" long by 7'6" wide not including the drivers compartment.
Dumb newbie questions:
What seats should I be looking for? Old grayhound bus maybe? Old shuttle bus? Thinking a 2 person bench seat with built in lap/shoulder belts that's comfortable.
Insulation. Everyone here says you need it. Is it really that bad? I won't be camping in inclement weather with the wife and kid very often, at least until the kid is older, and either way it's gonna be warmer than my tent. Surely a space heater in a short bus plus electric blankets would be good enough for spring and fall weather...
Any stupid advice I'm missing out on?
Thanks a lot for any answers. I'm hoping to start building here in a few weeks or so.
Outside picture of the bus, just because everyone likes pictures.
Goal of the bus is two-fold. Mobile motorhome for just me, dirt bike in tow, to some random campground where I'll be riding all day and sleeping in the bus. Weekend get-away rig with the wife and baby. I say 'weekend' because I have a camper for any longer trips. This is the 'hey lets go to the lake for the weekend' vehicle, save on towing the camper and all the setup/teardown that goes with it. Longer trips, like say going to the beach for a week, we'll continue to use the camper. Might also have a friend along for the motorcycle trips sometimes, who may or may not sleep inside on the other bed.
So here's the plan I came up with. The rear bed will be high, maybe 4', with ample storage under it. The lift will probably stay in place, although I could remove it. Seems like it'll be helpful with lifting coolers or the generator inside, plus I have ideas of how to still haul a dirt bike inside by folding the bed up. The front seat will be rearward facing, with a fold up table in between them while parked. The couch/second bed will be a homemade unit, but basically a futon. Not really planning on cooking inside, already have everything needed for an outdoor kitchen that will all store under the rear bed with room to spare.
I know it doesn't leave much at all for storage, but it's about the best I can come up with that still allows for a second bed and enough seats to belt everyone in.
Any thoughts on it?
I'm hoping to find some shuttle bus seats, or something equivalent, that have lap/shoulder belts built in to replace my bus seats, which have lap only. Hopefully they're more comfortable too.
I've never ridden in a rearward facing seat, but I have some reservations about it. Seems like it would be annoying for a long ride.
Interior dimensions are 12'6" long by 7'6" wide not including the drivers compartment.
Dumb newbie questions:
What seats should I be looking for? Old grayhound bus maybe? Old shuttle bus? Thinking a 2 person bench seat with built in lap/shoulder belts that's comfortable.
Insulation. Everyone here says you need it. Is it really that bad? I won't be camping in inclement weather with the wife and kid very often, at least until the kid is older, and either way it's gonna be warmer than my tent. Surely a space heater in a short bus plus electric blankets would be good enough for spring and fall weather...
Any stupid advice I'm missing out on?
Thanks a lot for any answers. I'm hoping to start building here in a few weeks or so.
Outside picture of the bus, just because everyone likes pictures.
