Take a trip BEFORE you finalize your build...

[Mr4btTahoe]

Hey guys...


So after finishing up most of the big stuff on our short bus (shuttle) build.. we took our first trip... a bit of a shakedown run for the mechanicals of the bus.


Anyways.. after being out to a few state parks over the last week, we discovered several things of our build that just didn't pan out as we thought they would... mainly storage and the use of the fold out couch as the bed for our son. Now we need to add more permanent storage and build a dedicated bed (luckily we can without any major changes).


So just a friendly suggestion...


However stressful it may be... before you finish your build, take a weekend trip and make sure things are going to work as you intend them to. Make sure you have the storage space for all the things you think you need (and all the things you figure out you needed that you didn't plan for). Make sure your sleeping accommodations are going to work for you and yours... and figure out all the things you didn't think about needing.


Anyways... figure this will save someone some trouble/headache down the road.

 

[JDOnTheGo]

Absolutely fantastic advice!!

There are hundreds of little things that MAY matter based on a persons lifestyle. When it is your home - every day and every night - having to constantly "reconfigure" can become a real nuisance (at least in my opinion). What works for occasional camping, doesn't always work so well for every day living.

 

[somewhereinusa]

Great advice, going along with the same general subject, don't wait until it's "finished" to start using it. My first trip I had a computer and printer for the photo business, a deep sink, fridge and hotplate. A deepsink for cleaning up and a toilet and no heat. My wife wouldn't go until there was a shower.

 

[Mountain Gnome]

This is why I'm going to build my interior "modular" where I can move things around and re-bolt them down in different locations, using the existing 8 rows of handicap wheelchair tiedown / seat mount strips that run the length of the floor, and the 2 strips that run the length above the windows. Never a need to drill new holes. After I live in at for a year or three, I may cut a hole in the floor for the sink drain, but until I am totally comfortable with the layout, it will drain into a 5-gallon bucket.

 

[Mgulley82]

You mean we shouldn’t have finished last minute items and driven 2300 Miles in 3.5 days on our maiden voyage to live full time with 7 kids in north Idaho with no oven, range top, countertops or sink yet?

Hahaha

Because that’s what we did

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

YALL must be good people with good children !!
My family loves a good fire and Dutch oven cooking. And we have a Dutch oven big enough to cook for ten. Usually scouting/scouts.
but I ain't got 7 to deal with personally?
keep them entertained?
I can give good to many campfire Dutch oven recipe's if needed?
I grew up with many cause of scouting/camping every month for most of my life.
The marine corps taught me a different level of rationing food but when I can I still teach and help in scouting.
Let me know if I can help

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Sorry? You should already? But maybe know a HOBO dinner packet straight on the coals???
Cheap and easy.
I can tell you how to make a chocolate lava cake in a Dutch oven for around 7 bucks?

 

[Alan N]

Excellent advice from Mr 4bt.

 

[mikeypj]

Fantastic advice!

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

Took ours out for the first trip last weekend. Using a futon is not going to cut it...The bedroom was not even started so we used a futon in the living area. Figured it would be great for now till we did the bedroom, and would be great for when we have others with us. Still think that is true is comfortable. It is just the set up and take down everyday that is a bit much. Building the bedroom now, want it at least done enough to use this weekend. Most everything else worked out well. Storage still needs some better solutions yet. So for sure use it a bit before finishing if possible.

 

[Sharee100]

To Jolly Roger Bus 223: I am in Clinton, NC which is about 90 minutes east of you by way of Hwy 24. Howdy neighbor.

 

[Sharee100]

My realistic attitude is "You are never really finished building or altering your skoolie". I have plans that I carry with me everywhere and show everyone and listen to their input. I don't like the "t-windows" I have on my shuttle, but I am going to live with them until I find the windows I want and someone to install them. But I have mattress, cabinets, sink, and some minor cooking appliances. I am almost finished getting the mechanical fixed/repaired/replaced/updated/upgraded. I have just taken it on short drives (50 miles or less) to get used to driving a diesel bus.

 

[ThemadTurk]

i agree . thats what we have been doing over the past year. Only get to work on it on the weekends so we got it functional and every trip we see what does and doesn't work. Im glad that we did it like that .