I Think I'm gonna buy a bus

[RockInASeaOfChaos]

Hello everyone!

I am probably going to buy a bus in the next few days. Sort of a different situation- I'm not going to build it into an RV, but into a cabin. The bus I'm looking at is an 2009 International 'flatnose' 48 passenger school bus.

Backstory- I have a bit of land that is 'landlocked' (ie, does not have direct access to a road, but is accessed through a 'right of way' through a neighbor's property) that I will be building a cabin on over the next few years. But I kind of need a place to stay to BUILD that cabin. I was initially thinking of getting a shipping container to use as the 'first cabin', but delivery would be... problematic... with the ROW access trying to get an 18wheeler into the land. Considered getting a used RV, but then I came across a deal on a bus. Self-propelled, already has AC and electrical, has windows and locking doors. Sturdier than an RV, and I can move it somewhat easily if I change my mind on the location.

I'm pretty handy, worked on cars and home improvement most of my life. My initial plan is buy bus, transport (I have a family member that is a licensed professional bus driver) to a storage lot. Pull out a majority of the seats, Load up all of my pre-existing camping gear (cots, cooking equipment, port-a-john, etc...), then drive it to my property.

Questions I have:
Keeping rodents and critters out- the bus will probably be sitting for weeks at a time. Is there a good way to make sure the wiring and hoses don't become a snack for critters?
Keeping diesel engine running while it will be dormant most of the time? is there something like Sta-Bil that you can add to diesel? What about the battery? Solar trickle charger?
Any other things I might be missing or not thinking of?

 

[nikitis]

So my initial reason for buying a bus was similar. I bought 30 acres of land to do the same thing, have a place to stay while out there but also to road trip.

I left mine in the woods for a good 2 months, and no rat issues or wiring issues. Not to say it won't happen, but it did not happen with me. Some of my low hanging wiring where rats could latch onto are oil soaked from a previous issue, I left them oil soaked and the rats seem to avoid it. You may can find some sort of non-flamable chemical to spray but I wouldn't know what would be good to do that that would deter rats. There's not a lot of cab areas rats could hide out in, and it will most likely be in your engine compartment so that would be the only area to treat.

Whatever you use, it has to be non-flamable because you don't want to have a spark go off and ignite the chemical, also need something non-corosive. I don't have a chemical to suggest, but just an idea.

As far as keeping the diesel engine running. It's better to let it sit than cranking and idling. Driving is the best thing for it to get the fluids moving, but if it's gonna sit for a long time then it's better to just not crank it at all. I'd also recommend buying a battery disconnect switch and installing it on the main ground line right after the battery. This will save your battery. ECM's etc will slow drain within 1-2 weeks if it's not cranked and running delivering school kids. Just the way they were designed. If they are gonna sit awhile not charging the batteries, then you'll need a disconnect switch. turning it off will prolong battery life for 1-2 years.

I would get some cement blocks (Non-hollow) to park the bus on to prevent dry-rot of the tires.

 

[ewo1]

A 2009 flat nose bus....air ride suspension in the rear?

you might want to consider putting the rear up on blocks, keep the body level. Every time you start it air pressure will build up raising the body and then go down after a few days. There is no need for this. Cover your tires with a good quality painters tarp, prevent the sun UV rays from drying them out or animals peeing on them.

Diesel engine don't really like just sitting and idling. If you don't care about the longevity of the motor then who cares... but if you want it to last to maybe reuse on the road again you might want to consider putting in a high idle switch, if it doesn't have one already. Running the motor and the A/c for log periods of time will only serve to destroy the motor...in the long haul.

 

[Busjamin]

But I kind of need a place to stay to BUILD that cabin

We plan to do this someday with our skoolie, it makes a ton of sense.

worked on cars and home improvement

Same, maybe a bit less so the cars. It's a nice set of skills for this exact venture.

Keeping rodents and critters

When I worked for a homebuilder they would spray a green repellant chemical onto the inside bottom corner of the foundation, framing and sheathing before insulation and drywall. Not sure exactly how effective it was but it could be an option.

As for wiring and stuff outside the living envelope, man there are too many ways to yo skin that cat. From embracing your new rat friends, to coating your engine bay and undercarriage in something poisonous lol the worst part is even recognizing when and what has invaded.

What about the battery? Solar trickle charger?

Solar...array? Why stop at barely charging? I think you can get a fairly solid setup going for just a few thousand bucks that could even run small tools depending on how you set it up.

 

[Busjamin]

 

[nikitis]

Did your prison bus purchase come through yet?

 

[Busjamin]

@nikitis peep my welcome thread!