Greetings From Washington

[CaseyBrown]

Hello All,

My wife Angie and I are looking to build a skoolie based tiny house over the next 10 years as part of our retirement plan. Our goal is to build along the lines of a studio apt. for 2.
We haven't yet found our bus, but have already started "broad brushing" floor plans etc.
We look forward to getting to know everyone, and to learn all we can.

Regards,
Casey & Angie

 

[EastCoastCB]

Welcome.
I'm the opposite. I HAVE a bus and have it almost entirely gutted and almost ready for the roof raise and I have yet to sketch any sort of floor plan or anything of the sort.
Everyone has their own ways of doing things.
If planning ahead, make sure you get a REALLY awesome bus and don't settle for something gas powered off CL for 4x market value.

 

[dond]

Welcome...

 

[CaseyBrown]

"If planning ahead, make sure you get a REALLY awesome bus and don't settle for something gas powered off CL for 4x market value. "

About the only thing I'm pretty sure of is that I want a pusher with the 5.9 Cummins with at least 24' of space behind the the driver. Other than that I'm open to any good deal that comes along.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Sounds like you're going to be just fine!

 

[Albatross]

"If planning ahead, make sure you get a REALLY awesome bus and don't settle for something gas powered off CL for 4x market value. "

About the only thing I'm pretty sure of is that I want a pusher with the 5.9 Cummins with at least 24' of space behind the the driver. Other than that I'm open to any good deal that comes along.

I think if you're finding anything with that motor in it, you'll probably have more than 24'. But also, if you're shopping for two, I would attempt to look for something at least 30'. I was a sailor on some of the smallest boats the Navy has commissioned, and my 24' Skoolie is feeling kind of cramped for just myself. It feels like 28-33' would feel just about right for me, right now. For two people, I would start there and shop around.

You've got an advantage since you're starting this early, try to get out and actually go see the inside of someone's Skoolie, if not a few;maybe even stay a night or two if you can, so you can get an idea of what things are going to be like.

 

[EastCoastCB]

OP- where are you located?

 

[Dragonpop]

What part of the left coast state of Washington are you in?

 

[CaseyBrown]

I am located about 25 miles west of Yakima, WA on Hwy 410 at around 1800ft altitude heading up the mountain.

As for the usable length being 24'...that's the minimum I would consider. This is going to be a ambitious long term project with a slide out and a roof raise. After looking at buses on craigslist today, I'm rethinking getting a pusher. The close wheel base that makes for a tight turn would limit the size of slide out...I want it to be at least 12' long

 

[bluebird90]

Hello fellow Washingtonian skoolie. I,m in Port Angeles. Mine is a 90 IHC bluebird 3800.

 

[Dragonpop]

My 40 footer is 14.9 ft wheel base. For slide out check Vlad's build, he's around
Vancouver, BC and is an artist extraordinaire. At least your on the dry side of
the cascades. Sign up on publicsurplus.com and they will send you notice when
a bus comes up for auction. Ours came from there and we picked it up from
Olympia, WA

 

[CaseyBrown]

Hello Dragonpop and bluebird90...nice to see fellow Washitonions here...and I just registered with publicauctions...thanx for the tip :wink1:

 

[marbury]

Kirkland, WA here! Glad to meet more locals!

 

[proconsul100]

Hi guys, I am in Lacey Washington, good to hear from you all!

 

[CaseyBrown]

Nice to see some folks in the area..anybody building/built an off-grid tinyhouse skoolie as opposed to an RV.