Skoolie-Newbie

[KOYD]

Hello Skoolie Friend, I am new in this field, I love camping and want to know about Skoolie-bus. I want to start something small- shorty bus or shuttle bus. How long is a shorty bus ? I hear about 4 window or 5 window ( what that mean ?). I don’t have a CDL license and I don’t need anything that too “BIG.What do you recommend for a Skoolie-Newbie? My budget is around $5 k to $7 k , nothing fancy. I just want something that don’t break down. Are Diesel engine hard and expensive to fix ? I hope that this group can give me some advice and tip. Thank you- From your friend in NC.

 

[Rucker]

Welcome.

Start by using the search box in the upper right corner, and or perusing the threads in the forum for Short bus conversions. Search term might be 'bus selection'.

If you want a step up from a van, a shuttle bus is one way to go.

 

[KOYD]

Thank You Rucker, I call my auto insurance for a “ball-park “ quote for a shuttle bus that was for sale in my town. The agent ask me “all kind of questions- like what the bus is use for?, Do I have a CDL license?, how many mile do I drive one way?, And if I converted the bus into an “RV” they will “NOT” cover it.!!! So who do you have for auto insurance? I have “Progressive”. The quote that he gave me was $1k for a year. It is “Too High” price!! So what do you have? So now I might put it on hold until I find a solution.

 

[Rucker]

There are a bunch of threads here on insurance, so check those out. Many insurance companies refuse to cover if you have a roof deck or a wood stove. The word 'skoolie' is a bit of a trigger due to all the terrible builds out there.

My shuttle bus is covered by State Farm (I live in California) and for some reason I had no drama at all getting it covered.

Regarding CDL, here's a relevant thread. Short answer appears to be CDL is not required if you are not using the bus to haul passengers for profit. https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/do-i-need-a-cdl-31885.html

 

[Rwnielsen]

I have Progressive, $1200/yr, full coverage. They wanted a lot of pictures and I don't think they like school buses from what I've read.

 

[KOYD]

Thank you, I will check on it.

 

[Choo]

Insurance

Hey, Koyd.
Welcome as Rucker said. Mine is through State Farm. They required pics as well. I have a 30 footer. My insurance is $564 a year. I’m in ohio. Laws are different from state to state. It probably helps to have an agent rather than a broker. Due to that person connection. Here once the title is converted from from bus to motor home no CDL is required no matter the length, air brakes or anything else.
Good Luck.
Don’t get discouraged.
If this is what you want to do, make it happen.
Choo…

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

welcome from NC.
as long as your gross weight does not exceed the weight on your standard NC license of 26,001 lbs then you dont need a CDL in NC.
both of my buses a 30 footer and a shorty 5-window cutaway are insured through nationwide with commercial policies as bus for personal use.
my big bus years ago nothing special was required for tags this year for the shorty they let me register it as a bus so i have to complete there minimum requirements and take to the state trooper post for an inspection before i can get tags on it.
the NCDMV website will tell you what the minimum requirements are for a conversion.
where at in NC?