Newbie Questions

[j wal]

Hello all and thanks for reading if you are here. I want start by apolizing for whatever repetitive questions I may ask I just see there is so much info on here and it gets overwhelming.

So to begin, my wife and I have always thought about doing something like this for a while however I am an active duty Marine and we move too often to ever try and find one and devote the time to work on it. Recently, I discovered someone selling one here in California where I am currently and I thought “why the **** not”. I have been talking to this person back and forth and the bus it’s pretty much mine as soon as I sign the title however I am the type to make sure all is planned out prior to cross the T and sitting the I. So

So major issue I came across is California wonderful laws that prevent me from registering the bus here. Appearently, all heavy vehicle in CA are required to have a newer 2010 engines by 2023 and prior to that must have a Diesel Particle Filter installed to be able to registered but this can cost anywhere from 10-20k. Well thanks to this site I was able find some info about registering in Vermont and after calling that DMV I found that I would be good to do so.

This is stressful and I haven’t even began lmao. From what I see on here I can register there and insure with progressive commercial. This bus has been gutted already and the previous owner installed flooring and gave up on the project due to a divorce. Assuming all worked out with registration and insurance I just wanted to gather some feedback on whether anyone thinks I would be making a good buy and to get some info regarding stuff that fits my family and I needs. I have a wife and 3 kids and we only plan on using this for our weekend camping trips and such (not living full time). I plan I doing most of the work myself and hoping to make it look as good as some of you have on here. I guess the point of all this is to see if you guys and gals think the bus is a good deal, if things like insulation is necessary, what kind of work did you hire professionals for, and any other pointers you may have. The bus is a 2002 frieghtliner Thomas with at cat diesel 3126 engine. Has 190000 miles and seems like it’s in good condition. Starts up right away and such. Thanks again for reading this and looking forward to reading your comments.

 

[o1marc]

The biggest advantage to being able to register in Vermont is that you can get a title for your vehicle that did not have one. This then makes it much easier to transfer title and registration to your state. I doubt you would be able to keep your vehicle registered in Vermont if you have a residence in Calif. Nor will insuring be without issue when you try and insure an out of state registration, or get Vermont insurance without a Vermont address. The best advice I can offer to Californians, coming from a native, is get the **** out while you still can. I am no longer proud to say I am a native Californian.

 

[j wal]

I feel you on that. California has some ridiculous laws but unfortunately I’m not in the position to move at my leisure. I planned on doing the two year registration and hopefully having it complete and transferred to California as a MH by then. I’ve been doing my HW now to help everything move fast but just want to make sure I’m making a decent decision on this bus.

 

[o1marc]

I feel you on that. California has some ridiculous laws but unfortunately I’m not in the position to move at my leisure. I planned on doing the two year registration and hopefully having it complete and transferred to California as a MH by then. I’ve been doing my HW now to help everything move fast but just want to make sure I’m making a decent decision on this bus.

If you have a 2 year registration from another state it will be invalid after 30 days of residency in another state. If you get pulled over and have a Calif. drivers license they are going to wonder why you haven't registered your vehicle in Ca.

 

[CaptSquid]

Most, if not all, states have that 30 day rule. Difficult and rarely enforced, just like the "hang up and drive" rules.

 

[o1marc]

Most, if not all, states have that 30 day rule. Difficult and rarely enforced, just like the "hang up and drive" rules.

Most states , yes. But this gentleman lives in Calif. and that my friend is an entirely different animal.

 

[CaptSquid]

Kalyfornyastan is an entirely different WORLD. Everything might cause cancer and every vehicle larger than a tricycle is limited to 55 mph.