New to the Forum

[otto802]

I tried this earlier and it didn't seem to post, if I have somehow double posted please forgive me.

I am new to the forum and new to Skoolies in general. I pick up my first bus tomorrow from a guy who used it as a mobile art gallery the last 5 years here in Chicago. It is a short bus (photo in my avatar) My family and I will use it for camping during a music festival we take part in in central Illinois every year and over the next 2 years we hope to fully convert it to an RV that is road worthy- maybe the wife and I will live in it once the kid graduates.

I have enjoyed lurking the last week and look forward to learning from you guys and sharing my experiences!


ottO

 

[somewhereinusa]

Welcome, don't forget to send pics.

 

[otto802]

Here is the little fellah parked next to some friends for the weekend!

On our way home we topped off the tanks at Amerigas (previous owner with the propane guy)

A shot of the inside from the back door. The previous owner Fred is in the drivers seat.

 

[sdwarf36]

Its colorful--I'll give you that.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Welcome to the Nuthouse! Looks like you found a great unit that already has a head start on a conversion. I even like the festive paint scheme. Best of luck and do post as you progress.

 

[otto802]

So Monday we moved the bus from inner-city Chicago to our land west of Peoria Illinois. After sitting all winter the Burkhart made the trip fine with one short bout of spraying tranny fluid on our car following us. We pulled over and checked the levels, which were far beyond the "hot" markings on the stick, and she seemed to do fine for the remainder of the trip. In all it is about 230 miles, and I was a little anxious about it, but the bus did great- which is really encouraging!

Our immediate plans will be to just rough it through this summer with a futon and a cot, and build up to an RV over the next year or two!

 

[Seeria]

Just did a 350 mile one myself after purchase. As for building on the go, that's pretty much what we're doing. Doing the paint, floors, some insulation and basic furniture like beds and seats (seat belts and all). Everything else is on the road when we can type deal.

 

[putterspitt]

welcome to the nut house

 

[otto802]

This weekend we are heading down to the bus to stay in it and start some work on it.

Here is a shot of my wife and I the day we took it over.

 

[otto802]

Here is a link to an article about my shorties former life. http://timeoutchicago.com/things-to-do/53016/get-on-the-art-bus