School Bus Conversion

JSJJ388

JSJJ388

GREEN GREMLIN
Joined
Aug 31, 2016
Location
HAMPTONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
After a couple years of convincing, the wife agreed to at least look at buying a bus to make a camper. So let's see yalls setups. Also would love to hear any tips or pointers from those who have done it.
 
Stroll on over to skoolie.net

They are cool, and done right can be very stealthy.

In NC you have to do the conversion, then get the bus re-titled as an RV after an inspection. You can also title and register the bus in VT as whatever you want (you will see a lot of skoolie conversions with VT plates).

Other limitations, some campgrounds won't let you into RV parking.

Ceiling heights were the biggest limiting factor for me (6'-4" tall on a good day). I wasn't really interested in doing a full blown roof chop and raise.
 
The good:
Easier to seal up and won't rot like an RV
Simple, reliable
Titling as an RV is easy once you meet the requirements (which isn't hard or expensive), and tags are cheap.

The bad:
Slow
Probably some other stuff

I don't have any experience building one, but I do have one I need to sell. Good running/driving bus. I want what I have in it, which best I remember is $3500
 
CasterTroy said:
Is this sisters bus?
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Not hardly, If you think I'd sell that for $3500 you crazy 🙃
It is getting ready to come back to my house here soon though. Got some shipping containers to put stuff in to make room in the garage for the bus.
 
I second the campground entry issues. If all I wanted was a buggy hauler/crash pad maybe. You want be using many private parks or any federal, state property using one. Unless you get it certified and RV inspected by third party regulators most will deny access. It comes with build inspections, permit type loop holes, and finish inspection. Read great big ol headache to get the pretty little sign for the corner.
After gotten through all the tape your gonna get hastled by all the Karen's working or voluntering to be camp host at every opportunity.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
I second the campground entry issues. If all I wanted was a buggy hauler/crash pad maybe. You want be using many private parks or any federal, state property using one. Unless you get it certified and RV inspected by third party regulators most will deny access. It comes with build inspections, permit type loop holes, and finish inspection. Read great big ol headache to get the pretty little sign for the corner.
After gotten through all the tape your gonna get hastled by all the Karen's working or voluntering to be camp host at every opportunity.
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isn't freedom grand?
 
Whats the logic behind the campground thing? I haven't heard about that. It would be a mixed bag of wheeling and camping.
 
JSJJ388 said:
Whats the logic behind the campground thing? I haven't heard about that. It would be a mixed bag of wheeling and camping.
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There’s some campgrounds that will only allow manufactured campers with the RVIA certification BS and some even have an age limit for the camper. I built my Tramper and it works great, has full hookups, Looks nice inside and out, hauls the Jeep, but some campgrounds will not allow it. I wasn’t aware of that when I started. All state and national parks will allow them. It’s the high end resorts that won’t let you in.
They may tell you it’s an insurance thing, but really it’s about appearances.
 
VortecJeep said:
There’s some campgrounds that will only allow manufactured campers with the RVIA certification BS and some even have an age limit for the camper. I built my Tramper and it works great, has full hookups, Looks nice inside and out, hauls the Jeep, but some campgrounds will not allow it. I wasn’t aware of that when I started. All state and national parks will allow them. It’s the high end resorts that won’t let you in.
They may tell you it’s an insurance thing, but really it’s about appearances.
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Thats good to know. All we would likely do are state campgrounds. Kerr Scott, lake Norman, ect.
 
I can't remember the limit, but iirc most state parks have a length limit on RV's (32'?).

Might want to double check, I remember looking at 10 window and under flat nosed buses for this reason, when I was looking to do a conversion.
 
VortecJeep said:
They may tell you it’s an insurance thing, but really it’s about appearances.
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That's been my while life 🤣

I live in a neighborhood that don't want "my kind"

So a campground that doesn't like "my kind" is right up my alley. I'mma call my boys and do our best to get kicked out of there for more than appearance (you know..to make a point...a la caddyshack pool scene)
Yo man..that's NOT a baby Ruth
 
Way cheaper in the long run to just by a cheap RV. Try it to see if you like it. You buy an old school bus, your kid will be in high school before it gets done and on the road.
 
It's calling your name. Already has all the seats removed!
 

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89wrangler said:
You buy an old school bus, your kid will be in high school before it gets done and on the road.
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Just look at the plethora of school bus RV build threads here that are compleded.
 
VortecJeep said:
There’s some campgrounds that will only allow manufactured campers with the RVIA certification BS and some even have an age limit for the camper. I built my Tramper and it works great, has full hookups, Looks nice inside and out, hauls the Jeep, but some campgrounds will not allow it. I wasn’t aware of that when I started. All state and national parks will allow them. It’s the high end resorts that won’t let you in.
They may tell you it’s an insurance thing, but really it’s about appearances.
Click to expand...

Makes me wonder how all these can life people are doing it then
 
CasterTroy said:
That's been my while life 🤣

I live in a neighborhood that don't want "my kind"

So a campground that doesn't like "my kind" is right up my alley. I'mma call my boys and do our best to get kicked out of there for more than appearance (you know..to make a point...a la caddyshack pool scene)
Yo man..that's NOT a baby Ruth
Click to expand...
I can vouch for this. I felt waaaayyyy outta place when I went to get that toolbox. Got a couple looks in my old pile with straight pipes.
 
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