Bus to camper questions
Discussion
shovelheadrob said:
Saw this and thought of you
https://www.facebook.com/RidiculousRides/videos/71...
That's the very vehicle started me on my search! Not that I'm going down that route, but you never know....https://www.facebook.com/RidiculousRides/videos/71...
That looks like a great project. You might not want to close the floor completely in until you have an electrical and plumbing plan in place.
You may be able to use some space below the vehicle and want access from above i.e. grey water and toilet waste etc. insulated battery storage maybe. A safe!
You may be able to use some space below the vehicle and want access from above i.e. grey water and toilet waste etc. insulated battery storage maybe. A safe!
Progress has slowed down a little, what with the warmer weather and other demands on my time. However, since the last photo I've completed the 'walls' in T&G, wired it for 240v all round, built 2 'closets' (one for an on-board WC, one as a wardrobe), and have the basic kitchen-area carcasses fitted.
To be honest, it was all a bit of a mistake, buying it in the first place. A change of plan has meant that we're probably not moving house now, so won't be using it as Air B'n'B. I think I need to complete it, register it for the road and see if anyone is interested in buying it. Whatever; I'm enjoying the work, it makes me smile whenever I look out on it, and it's certainly a talking point!
To be honest, it was all a bit of a mistake, buying it in the first place. A change of plan has meant that we're probably not moving house now, so won't be using it as Air B'n'B. I think I need to complete it, register it for the road and see if anyone is interested in buying it. Whatever; I'm enjoying the work, it makes me smile whenever I look out on it, and it's certainly a talking point!
Was going to convert an old US school bus but the size was an issues plus the work involved was significant. In the end bought a 25 foot Winnebago which needs some work but nowhere near as much and at under 7 tonnes we can drive it on a standard UK licence (passed 1984).
Was a US school bus on e-bay which was fitted out as a party bus (around £14k) which was tempting.
FFG
Was a US school bus on e-bay which was fitted out as a party bus (around £14k) which was tempting.
FFG
Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Sunday 28th April 19:45
Ah yes; thanks for reminding me. I hate it when threads just peter out with no conclusion. TBH, I'd wiped the whole sorry episode from my mind!
As I mentioned back in April, we had a change of plan, when the sale of our house fell through (again). And then a fire in the kitchen,
which could have resulted in a total loss of the house, kind of focused our minds, and we came to realise what was important to us. And one of those things was our house. So we promptly decided to stay, and took it off the market.
Which left us in a dilemma. It took up much of the front garden...
and had necessitated the removal of several fences. To move it to the back garden would cause major upheaval. We briefly considered carrying on using it as a festival camper, but the practicalities, and the fact that I still didn't have a licence, led us to turn to the Hell that is eBay.
After a week of moronic approaches from various mouthbreathers, it remained unsold. Then I had a contact from a guy who imports school buses from the US himself. He converts them for corporate clients, and private individuals who can actually drive them. He only wanted to offer a advice, should I wish to continue with the conversion, but I asked if he's be interested in mine. His reply was that he can import one to the UK for around half of what I was asking, and that he wouldn't insult me with an offer. I asked him to insult me, and we did a deal. I commented that he'd have a head start, as I'd done so much work already, but he said that all his conversions were bespoke, and that he'd rip it all out and start again! Rather than have my amateur-ish handiwork subjected to examination, and in all probability, ridicule, I undid 4 months hard graft in a day, and now have enough kindling to see me through a nuclear winter. The guy transferred he money and turned up a couple of days later to drive it away. After taking down the fences that I'd replaced after I last took them down, I waved goodbye to Skoolie, with barely a tear in my eye. He phoned me a few hours later from somewhere south of London, saying that it had been a lovely drive back, and that it was one of the best-driving buses he'd ever had. I lost a chunk of cash,and got my front garden back. I also gained wisdom from the experience.
But not that much wisdom. Barely a month later, I found myself to be the owner of...an E350 US Type 3 ambulance! 7.3 litre, 5 tonnes, no brakes, dodgy electrics and acres of 3M reflective adhesive panels. Straight out of Minnesota, by way of Thames Valley. It's been standing for the last 10 years, but I have a cunning plan...
We still fancy a festival camper, and this is sooo much more sensible. I've spent weeks removing the 3M stuff. One tip; just don't.
But I had to, as this is the (Photoshopped) plan....
So far, I've replaced the water pump, headlights, glow-plugs, front and rear brakes, rear lights, numerous other bits & pieces. Have some chrome wheel trims that look fantastic, all blue lights have been disabled and the lenses changed to red. Siren hidden, but converted to play MP3's (!), installed a fridge, gas bottles, hob, sink, plus fresh & grey water tanks and water pump. Solar panels on roof, and extra batteries to run the LED's inside. We're keeping it medical-themed (Mrs. Tuono is a Sister in the local emergency theatre). There is a working stomach-pump running off a vacuum pump, along with all the other accoutrements that you'd find in an ambulance.
Just need to MOT it, and re-register as a camper; what could possibly go wrong?
As I mentioned back in April, we had a change of plan, when the sale of our house fell through (again). And then a fire in the kitchen,
which could have resulted in a total loss of the house, kind of focused our minds, and we came to realise what was important to us. And one of those things was our house. So we promptly decided to stay, and took it off the market.
Which left us in a dilemma. It took up much of the front garden...
and had necessitated the removal of several fences. To move it to the back garden would cause major upheaval. We briefly considered carrying on using it as a festival camper, but the practicalities, and the fact that I still didn't have a licence, led us to turn to the Hell that is eBay.
After a week of moronic approaches from various mouthbreathers, it remained unsold. Then I had a contact from a guy who imports school buses from the US himself. He converts them for corporate clients, and private individuals who can actually drive them. He only wanted to offer a advice, should I wish to continue with the conversion, but I asked if he's be interested in mine. His reply was that he can import one to the UK for around half of what I was asking, and that he wouldn't insult me with an offer. I asked him to insult me, and we did a deal. I commented that he'd have a head start, as I'd done so much work already, but he said that all his conversions were bespoke, and that he'd rip it all out and start again! Rather than have my amateur-ish handiwork subjected to examination, and in all probability, ridicule, I undid 4 months hard graft in a day, and now have enough kindling to see me through a nuclear winter. The guy transferred he money and turned up a couple of days later to drive it away. After taking down the fences that I'd replaced after I last took them down, I waved goodbye to Skoolie, with barely a tear in my eye. He phoned me a few hours later from somewhere south of London, saying that it had been a lovely drive back, and that it was one of the best-driving buses he'd ever had. I lost a chunk of cash,and got my front garden back. I also gained wisdom from the experience.
But not that much wisdom. Barely a month later, I found myself to be the owner of...an E350 US Type 3 ambulance! 7.3 litre, 5 tonnes, no brakes, dodgy electrics and acres of 3M reflective adhesive panels. Straight out of Minnesota, by way of Thames Valley. It's been standing for the last 10 years, but I have a cunning plan...
We still fancy a festival camper, and this is sooo much more sensible. I've spent weeks removing the 3M stuff. One tip; just don't.
But I had to, as this is the (Photoshopped) plan....
So far, I've replaced the water pump, headlights, glow-plugs, front and rear brakes, rear lights, numerous other bits & pieces. Have some chrome wheel trims that look fantastic, all blue lights have been disabled and the lenses changed to red. Siren hidden, but converted to play MP3's (!), installed a fridge, gas bottles, hob, sink, plus fresh & grey water tanks and water pump. Solar panels on roof, and extra batteries to run the LED's inside. We're keeping it medical-themed (Mrs. Tuono is a Sister in the local emergency theatre). There is a working stomach-pump running off a vacuum pump, along with all the other accoutrements that you'd find in an ambulance.
Just need to MOT it, and re-register as a camper; what could possibly go wrong?
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