How quickly things change !

[Clan Graham]

OK .... The electrical is decided. I will go with a generator charging a quad of T105 6V batteries. If what I have read is correct, this SHOULD give me all I need for all of our electrical. <br><br>If I can find a free school bus, I plan on raising the roof on mine. How high is safe to go, and still be able to make it under ALL Interstate tunnels and bridges ?<br><br>Thanks

 

[Clan Graham]

Now here is an interesting question ... I think. My bus door does not seem sealed very well at all any more. I would like to remove this door, frame it out, and add a regular door from Home Depot, which would be a cheap aluminum and glass door, with a screen.&nbsp; But I do not know if a door like this would break while regular driving or not. Anyone have a suggestion for me ?<br><br>OK .... Although this is a rough experience, I am now finding myself excited about converting our bus. Hoping I have the creativity to make it into something nice for my wife. Maybe help with her rough and painful life.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Don't forget "Roll Your Own", by Jodi Palladini &amp; Beverly Dubin. It's the book that infec.. got me started in this lifestyle. ..Willy.

 

[SoulRaven]

13ft, 6in For Interstate travel. Off the Big road and into the boonies there is no rule, the overpasses and low clearances will be marked. Or all that I have seen have been. Unless you are going to stay in one place I would suggest not building as high as possible, you will be limiting where you can go. Especially on the East Coast.&nbsp;

 

[Willy]

[video]

 

[Clan Graham]

OK ... so after the low bridge video, I am thinking about converting this MG Midget LOL .<img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Don't have to.. the bridge will do it for ya!

 

[Unchained]

Whoo! Now I'm glad I went with a trailer modeled after the 'Low Liner!' <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Patrick46]

oh man....that's funny!!! ^^^<BR><BR><BR>I drove semi trucks cross country for a bunch of years, and the places that gave me the ***** for low bridges and overpasses was from Chicago over to the Eastern seaboard.<BR><BR>Chicago was the absolute worst, and has so many low train overpasses that are either unmarked, or IMPROPERLY MARKED!! <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">&nbsp;(YES!) Thank God I never took my chances with 'em. Creep right up to it at about 2mph while (literally) hanging outta my driver's door as I'd inch my way up to the lip of the bridge. I lightly scratched one roof, but that was all.<BR><BR><BR>I'd probably keep my bus' roof at 12'-ish. It's tall enough to where it still give's you a ton of room,&nbsp;and you can&nbsp;also easily get under most obsticles (don't forget those low tree limbs in campgrounds and such). It'd also keep it reasonable to handle on the road without having to worry about it.

 

[Patrick46]

On man....I can't believe I left out "Roll your Own" seeing that I just bought a really nice copy only&nbsp;2 weeks ago!!<BR><BR><BR>"Rolling Homes" is what sold me many years ago.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Clan, Google "New Zealand HouseTrucks!"<BR><BR>That have whole rolling villages that live in housetrucks and busses, that live offa impromptu arts &amp; crafts and frolic fairs.<BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://jp1.r0tt.com/l_51ae0610-b375-11e1-a7d4-07e81a800001.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>and somma them are frikken <EM><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium">HUGE !!! <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif"><BR></SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><A href="http://www.htnz.co.nz/gallery/housetrucks/" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://www.htnz.co.nz/gallery/housetrucks/</A>

 

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">The sign said clearance to the 12 ft line but them chickens were stacked to 13 9.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Noticed most of those trucks hitting the bridge were rentals.&nbsp;</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Welcome clan<br><br>Geoff</span></strong></em>

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Clan,<br><br>Wow, you guys heads must be spinning right now. My heart goes out&nbsp;to you both. <br><br>Sox and I lived in a school bus for 8 years very comfortably. The conversion was done over time and&nbsp;on the cheap, it evolved as we lived in it to meet our needs. We had the opened concept too. The windows were&nbsp;left uncovered except where the shower and closet were. We painted the interior white and never regret it, it gave the illusion of being more spacious than it was.<br><br>You are absolutely right about the door not being sealed properly.&nbsp;Sox build a screen door<br><br><br>&nbsp;<br><img class="bbc_img" style="left: 24px; top: 55px; width: 576px; height: 402px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...7I/AAAAAAAE0Is/kxSrgeM68zk/s576/Top.jpg?gl=US" rel="lightbox"><br>We had a latch (the eye screw and hook type)&nbsp;inside and&nbsp; a couple of&nbsp;these <a class="catlink" href="http://www.thehardwarehut.com/cat_cabinet_catches_roller.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img class="bbc_img" style="margin-top: 15px;" alt="Roller catches and latches" src="http://www.thehardwarehut.com/images/category/cat_cabinet_catches_roller-thumb.jpg"></a>&nbsp;that was good and secure to travel, never had any trouble with it. I wish I had a better picture of it. This was before the digital photos era unfortunately. In the back we had a screen pretty similar to a tent.<img class="bbc_img" style="left: 131px; top: 0px; width: 362px; height: 512px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAE0I0/6DV0MHH3nF4/s512/Top-001.jpg?gl=US" rel="lightbox"><br><br>We never lived through extreme cold but we found ourselves in cold situations every now and again. I don't like wearing slippers but I found that a good pair of them was the easiest solution&nbsp;to a cold floor when not wearing running shoes. I made the curtains with a 'thermal' backing. That helped with the hot days as well as the cold. One time we had to use silver board insulation cut to size to put in the windows and we had to install a heavy curtain in the middle of the bus to divided it&nbsp;in two, we only heated one section. We had access to electricity so we used a small space heater. I don't think that would work for you, they are using a lot of electricity but the insulation in the windows could work. They are easy to put up at night and take down in the morning. <br><br>If I have one word of advice for you guys&nbsp;is to start with the very minimum until you live in it for a while and then built it up. Living in a bus is so different then living in a house that you have to be in it to know what you will need and prefer. You can't go wrong by starting with the basic minimum and go from there.<br><br>I don't really know what else to say to help you but please do not hesitate to ask. You can PM me if you prefer, that's not a problem.<br><br>It's overwhelming right now but when things settle down you will enjoy living in your own castle on wheels. <br><br>Best to you both.<br><br><br>Nicole <br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[Clan Graham]

Wow Nicole ... You just kindly provided a "Woosaah" moment for all of us&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">&nbsp; Thank you for your kindness !&nbsp; It did, and still can seem overwhelming. But it is beginning to turn to excitement and the realization of just how inexpensively, and dependent free we can now live.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;However you decide to equip the interior, all I can say is tools tools TOOLS.. and not cheap Chinese junk. Get high quality stuff and, since it's a school bus, 3/4-1" drive sockets w. a breaker bar. ..Willy.

 

[Clan Graham]

Now here is the really good news Willy ... I have TONS of great tools. All I need to do anything I want to, and the construction, elec, and plumbing experience to do all of the work ... Even the welding.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Then you're set! One of the key factors in being able to live cheaply is doing your own work. Shop rates of $100+/hr can drain yer wallet right quick. I'm on disability and just did an engine swap (re./re./and re.), as well as rebuilding the bottom end of a 351W, which woulda probably set me back around $1500 (or more) if a shop had to do it. Sure, it took me a while, but it got done and my wallet is happy/smiley. ..Willy.

 

[Clan Graham]

Wow ... This thread really took off !&nbsp; Thank you everyone. It did get quickly cluttered, as my excitement and anxiety hit overdrive LOL.&nbsp; But now I am calmer and ready to start work on my project. So I went back and selected questions which I have not been able to answer yet. I figured I would post them here, and take a new run at them.<br><br>Please read this :<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> I do not expect anyone to do research for me</span>. I just figured if a person already knew an answer, they could maybe post it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br><strong>#1 - "old style ( no electricity needed ) vented convection furnace.</strong><br><br>Are we talking with an actual burner flame, or what they acre calling a Wave heater like this : <a href="http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/index.php?action=store&amp;page=VentedWallHeaters" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/index.php?action=store&amp;page=VentedWallHeaters</a><br><br><br><br>Thanks !

 

[ilovemyvan]

We used oil interior paint, I would think that latex would be fine. We only used oil because it's more durable. <br><br>A friend of ours used white foam boards for his walls, it might be called Styrofoam, like cup of coffee only thicker and bigger. He was very please with the results, he said that it was very easy to work with, he never had problem with condensation. <br><br>We used 3/4 " plywood on the floor, no insulation...not our smartest decision. It is very difficult to keep the floor worm, it's so exposed to the element. I like your idea to enclose the&nbsp;bottom once you&nbsp;are somewhere permanently. I'm wondering if perhaps area rugs could be used during the cooler months only. <br><br>There is a member here that has replace the door of his blue bird bus. Here is a link to his post <a href="/post/just-saying-hello....-6277622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://vanlivingforum.com/post/just-saying-hello....-6277622</a>&nbsp;It has a picture of the door, real nice.<br><br>I'm looking forward to see some pictures of your conversion.<br><br>Take care<br><br>Nicole

 

[Clan Graham]

Can someone please remind me what that bubble wrap/vapor barrier reflective material is ?&nbsp; Thanks

 

[Unchained]

Reflectix?