The right bus for the job

[Matt71]

My wife and I are looking for a 15 passenger shuttle bus to convert for a year long to infinite cross country adventure. We can't really afford to go over $5000.

I've seen busses in that range, but here's the catch, my wife insists that our bus have a copilot seat, because she doesn't want to sit in the back while we are driving. That seriously puts a limit on our options and I'm having a hard time finding the right bus here in the midwest.

First, which bus styles come with a copilot seat? So far I've seen
Turtletop Van Terra
Starcraft Xpress
Ameritrans

If anyone can pass some shopping sources our way it would be appreciated.

 

[EastCoastCB]

You can always add a copilot seat.

 

[Matt71]

You can always add a copilot seat.

That would require a level of technical skill and/or money we don't really have. Plus I don't really feel putting a seat where there used to be a flight of stairs is as safe.

I'd rather buy something that comes with and put that money towards getting the bus livable.

 

[bansil]

only one I have seen was a church van that had an actually van front and a huge and low door midway back, it was an old ford van and fiberglass shell

I thought it would be cool for a camper, until I realised the huge door divided the bus up like an old Westy...wasnt my style or layout

 

[EastCoastCB]

It isn't that hard. How are you gonna convert something with that mindset?

That said, you're limiting a lot based on it coming stock with a passenger seat.
Lots of folks make folding or removable "covers" that go over that stepwell and can accommodate a seat. A little creativity and ingenuity can make anything possible. I'm adding a jump seat so I can have company while driving.
That said, Conversion vans are everywhere, and you can certainly find some deals out there. I have a buddy who lives in an E350 for whole months at a time.

 

[Crazy]

If you stick with a commercial shuttle bus, almost all have 2 front seats but your budget will need to be higher for a decent candidate.

This is only an example.

 

[Crazy]

Why not just buy a class C RV?

 

[Alan N]

My wife and I are looking for a 15 passenger shuttle bus to convert for a year long to infinite cross country adventure. We can't really afford to go over $5000.

I've seen busses in that range, but here's the catch, my wife insists that our bus have a copilot seat, because she doesn't want to sit in the back while we are driving. That seriously puts a limit on our options and I'm having a hard time finding the right bus here in the midwest.

First, which bus styles come with a copilot seat? So far I've seen
Turtletop Van Terra
Starcraft Xpress
Ameritrans

If anyone can pass some shopping sources our way it would be appreciated.

For five grand you could buy yourself a nice for real bus.
More room.
Better ride.
Better engine.
And room for the copilot seat.
Just my opinion.
Have fun.

 

[sdwarf36]

I put a passenger seat in mine. Its your average size shuttle. I eliminated the linkage to the door and that made a fair amount space. It has a captians chair mounted to a swivel base. The edge of the base mounts right at the edge of the stairwell.Being a Ford, the doghouse is wide. So there is a bit of a squeeze to get into the seat if its not slid all the way back-and its got to be slid forward for full width in the stairwell. If I shuffle the tilt + forward/aft adjustment, I can even swivel the seat around.
It took a bunch of test fitting before I mounted it. Its a bit tight, but it works just fine.
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/members/1035-albums475-picture9062.jpg
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/members/1035-albums475-picture9067.html

 

[gbstewart]

put a passenger seat in mine, slides forward, spins around, works great, wife sits beside and enjoys the ride.
gbstewart

 

[nat_ster]

Good luck.

Lots of RV's for sale everywhere.

Nat

 

[leadsled01-SKO]

I have a 1997 e350 srw startrans shuttle with factory Ford passenger seat and door. Perfect setup for motorhome conversion. Sort of rare but keep looking at craigslist and they will show up.

 

[Cliff & Wendy]

I looked at a blood mobile that had mid door and a passenger seat
book mobile may also

 

[leadsled01-SKO]

Lousiville Kentucky craigslist has a shuttle with both doors and seats if you are still looking.