Most inexpensive option

[Trebor English]

Once the doghouse, engine cover, is removed access from above the engine is very good. In some respects it is easier to work on than the regular long hood busses.

 

[mjmckelvey23]

Why aren't you considering a good used Class C? They have a standard Ford, Dodge or Chevy drivetrain and everything will be in place and ready to move in.

If you watch craigslist you can get one for not a lot more than an empty school bus and by the time you build in all the systems in a school bus it'll probably cost much more. Bob

I think it has more to do with modifying the layout to my desired outcome because I am mostly unsatisfied with the way rv's are pre-setup and it's harder to renovate then to start from scratch in my opinion. Also if you do everything from scratch them you already know how all the lines are run ahead of time instead of trying to figure it out seeing as not all rv's come with plans you can just pick up and refer to. Lastly custom homes always feel more like your own when you've built them.


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[cognitive dissonance]

I thank you for this very thorough, unbiased explanation. This is definitely something I was looking for. The only question I have is about the flat-nosed buses... I had a friend who was hesitant to get a flat-nose because of it being harder to work on the mechanic bc you have to go under the bus. Will it be more difficult to work on a flat nose than a bus with a hood in the front?

That's one of the many things I didn't address. There are front-engine (FE) and rear-engine (RE) flat nose buses. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

FE buses have higher noise and heat levels while driving, because the engine is right beside the driver. On my FE, I added some sound deadening and a thermal barrier in the doghouse and under the adjacent floor. That made a noticeable improvement.

Access to the engine is more restricted on the FE bus, although it only matters when you're doing something major. Then, it could be a few hours more labor to get something done. Day to day, you will be able to get to everything you need for routine service.

The big advantage to the FE bus is the huge area for a rear bedroom (or any other layout that needs a big flat floor area) that doesn't have an engine bay intruding in the space.

If you go with a shorter bus, it will be an FE. I have never seen a short RE bus, and I doubt any exist.

RE buses are quieter to drive.  Along with the noise, all the engine heat is at the back of the bus, so the driver will stay cooler. (Cooling systems are important regardless, but it can be a bit problematic to cool RE buses.) Access for major service is easier with a RE, for routine maintenance you probably won't notice much difference.

If you're going to drive around the country a lot, RE is the nicer way to go. Diesel pusher motorhomes are the most desirable for this exact reason. Don't let that dissuade you from an FE if you want a shorter one, though. The whole point is to get out on the road and create some memories...

 

[cognitive dissonance]

I think it has more to do with modifying the layout to my desired outcome because I am mostly unsatisfied with the way rv's are pre-setup and it's harder to renovate then to start from scratch in my opinion. Also if you do everything from scratch them you already know how all the lines are run ahead of time instead of trying to figure it out seeing as not all rv's come with plans you can just pick up and refer to. Lastly custom homes always feel more like your own when you've built them.

These are all excellent reasons to roll your own!

To this list I would add some sage advice from a friend who used to manage a large RV dealership here in Denver: all RV's leak! Eventually, most motorhomes that aren't stored under a roof will get moldy.

My skoolie was stored in a friend's hangar for years, but this spring it moved outdoors. It has since survived a hailstorm that totaled the car parked next to it, without a single dent in the roof! Every commercially built RV in that storage lot has multiple roof penetrations from the hail. Some of the older ones will probably be totaled too. The only way I know of to not have a problematic roof is to start with a stout steel lid that I can seal as I build out. This pretty much dictates starting with a school bus.

 

[ArtW]

^^That is the exact reason I prefer a van / school bus to a 'real' RV, more solid, less leak prone construction

 

[mjmckelvey23]

These are all excellent reasons to roll your own!

To this list I would add some sage advice from a friend who used to manage a large RV dealership here in Denver: all RV's leak! Eventually, most motorhomes that aren't stored under a roof will get moldy.

My skoolie was stored in a friend's hangar for years, but this spring it moved outdoors. It has since survived a hailstorm that totaled the car parked next to it, without a single dent in the roof! Every commercially built RV in that storage lot has multiple roof penetrations from the hail. Some of the older ones will probably be totaled too. The only way I know of to not have a problematic roof is to start with a stout steel lid that I can seal as I build out. This pretty much dictates starting with a school bus.

And that's it for the win, haha! Definitely getting a school bus and hopefully with some more of yours and others guidance I can find the right bus. Especially those of you from the Colorado Springs and Denver area, seeing as I'm living in monument. We will be full time travelers so that is the biggest thing I have to keep in mind. I would like to ask if I could personal message you with any question with buying a skoolie?


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[cognitive dissonance]

And that's it for the win, haha! Definitely getting a school bus and hopefully with some more of yours and others guidance I can find the right bus. Especially those of you from the Colorado Springs and Denver area, seeing as I'm living in monument. We will be full time travelers so that is the biggest thing I have to keep in mind. I would like to ask if I could personal message you with any question with buying a skoolie?

We were talking about roof leaks. You should have said "that seals the deal"

Anyway, what a small world! I just stopped for dinner at a friend's place in Monument last Saturday, on my way back from the Springs!

Also, a friend in the Springs is just completing a roof raise on a bus. It's the perfect time to see everything. I'll ask her, but I'm sure it's in the cards to show it off to you one of these days...

You're welcome to PM me and I will always respond eventually, but I don't check in here that regularly. If you're ok with it, we can text, too. That'll be a lot faster! I'd be happy to help!

Look forward to meeting you!

 

[mjmckelvey23]

We were talking about roof leaks. You should have said "that seals the deal"

Anyway, what a small world! I just stopped for dinner at a friend's place in Monument last Saturday, on my way back from the Springs!

Also, a friend in the Springs is just completing a roof raise on a bus. It's the perfect time to see everything. I'll ask her, but I'm sure it's in the cards to show it off to you one of these days...

You're welcome to PM me and I will always respond eventually, but I don't check in here that regularly. If you're ok with it, we can text, too. That'll be a lot faster! I'd be happy to help!

Look forward to meeting you!

Man! I missed an perfect opportunity for a pun? I'm not on my game, haha! I will message you my number bc it will be easier to text for me as well. I would love to check out that bus at some point but we can discuss that when you text me.


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[introverting]

IMO, the one problem you will encounter with a 17-ft box van is dual back wheels. I was looking at a 12-ft box van and even that had dual back wheels. The only box van I'm aware of that has single back wheels that can be purchased used is the 10-ft U-Haul box vans. You can see a guy named Rick on YouTube who lives in one. Rick's channel is DreamSideOut; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtpojPzbeB_BIbn-5h6Dyxg