2002 Thomas Bus, Caterpillar engine Skoolie in Anchorage, Alaska; $27500.
Fully converted in 2016 when purchased from the active school district fleet. 215k miles. Cranks first try every spring (it just did). Old Dan (James Taylor anyone?) has carried our family of 6-8 (foster family) on many adventures including multiple 10 day off-grid treks (Denali Hwy, hunting outside of Eagle, Homer, Valdez, etc.). We’ve comfortably camped (with in-laws!) at -20 at Hatcher’s Pass. Registered as an RV and insured for about $25/mo. This has been our “Tinker-er and temporary homesteader dream."
Converting Old Dan was an amazing family project and adventuring has been the source of many memories. The kids are now delightful adults so we don’t need a full-size bus anymore (a smaller one may be in our future!)
Electric: Roof-top solar, A/C inverter & battery charger unit, A/C power throughout with USB chargers, LED lighting
Water: On-demand hot water heater (reinstalled each spring), 12V RV water pump with 5gal pressure tank, 90gal fresh water, 55gal grey water, Freeze resistant pex water lines
Kitchen: Propane stove & oven, Double kitchen sink, Counter tops, Cabinets, additional food, etc storage beside cooler, Built in cooler runs on A/C or ice
Bathroom: Nature’s Head composting toilet, Shower
Sleeping: Full size master bed on gas shocks w/storage & water tanks beneath, 2 bunks, Full size pull out couch, smaller couch sleeps 1 shorter kiddo, can add a cot in front of the kitchen sink to sleep 8
Seating: full size couch (3-5ppl), loveseat size couch (2-3), original air-ride driver’s seat; 5 seatbelts on couches
Heat Systems: Cubic Mini wood-stove (when your hunting buddies run out of propane for their RVs you’ll be incredibly popular), Diesel air heater, Wabasto circulating hydronic heat (disconnected)
Misc: Smoke & CO alarms, Closet, Woodprint vinyl floors, removed all original insulation, framed in floors & spray-foamed through-out (top and sides included), Room darkening curtains through-out
Adventure Mode: Back carrying baskets, 8’x18”, supported on bus frame custom built by Greentree Fabrication (GTF) for outboard propane tanks & generator, firewood, etc, LED light bars on front, Rooftop tie-downs for kayaks/inflatable, Spare tires & diesel tanks
Fully converted in 2016 when purchased from the active school district fleet. 215k miles. Cranks first try every spring (it just did). Old Dan (James Taylor anyone?) has carried our family of 6-8 (foster family) on many adventures including multiple 10 day off-grid treks (Denali Hwy, hunting outside of Eagle, Homer, Valdez, etc.). We’ve comfortably camped (with in-laws!) at -20 at Hatcher’s Pass. Registered as an RV and insured for about $25/mo. This has been our “Tinker-er and temporary homesteader dream."
Converting Old Dan was an amazing family project and adventuring has been the source of many memories. The kids are now delightful adults so we don’t need a full-size bus anymore (a smaller one may be in our future!)
Electric: Roof-top solar, A/C inverter & battery charger unit, A/C power throughout with USB chargers, LED lighting
Water: On-demand hot water heater (reinstalled each spring), 12V RV water pump with 5gal pressure tank, 90gal fresh water, 55gal grey water, Freeze resistant pex water lines
Kitchen: Propane stove & oven, Double kitchen sink, Counter tops, Cabinets, additional food, etc storage beside cooler, Built in cooler runs on A/C or ice
Bathroom: Nature’s Head composting toilet, Shower
Sleeping: Full size master bed on gas shocks w/storage & water tanks beneath, 2 bunks, Full size pull out couch, smaller couch sleeps 1 shorter kiddo, can add a cot in front of the kitchen sink to sleep 8
Seating: full size couch (3-5ppl), loveseat size couch (2-3), original air-ride driver’s seat; 5 seatbelts on couches
Heat Systems: Cubic Mini wood-stove (when your hunting buddies run out of propane for their RVs you’ll be incredibly popular), Diesel air heater, Wabasto circulating hydronic heat (disconnected)
Misc: Smoke & CO alarms, Closet, Woodprint vinyl floors, removed all original insulation, framed in floors & spray-foamed through-out (top and sides included), Room darkening curtains through-out
Adventure Mode: Back carrying baskets, 8’x18”, supported on bus frame custom built by Greentree Fabrication (GTF) for outboard propane tanks & generator, firewood, etc, LED light bars on front, Rooftop tie-downs for kayaks/inflatable, Spare tires & diesel tanks
