My wife and I spent a year lurking on this forum before joining. We are simply impressed with the vast amount of knowledge, camaraderie, and kindness represented here. We're young (late twenties) and as green behind the ears as can be, but we're thankful for this club and we hope your combined wisdom will save us at least an error or two at some point. We began a year and a half ago converting a 1984 MCI-9 that had just been pulled from charter service.
We stripped it to frame only (including floor and seat rail removal). We raised our roof 9 inches, sided it with 1/8th inch aluminum sheet, eternabonded every seam we could, completely wrapped the interior with Reflectix, then rigid foam insulated, laid new 3/4" Plytanium tongue and groove plywood floor. We wanted our interior to resemble a modernish log home, so we knotty pined, stained, polyurethaned, and laid a floor tile that resembles slate/stone. Plumbing, electrical, etc came next. We wanted a large fridge, so we took apart a Samsung side-by-side 25.2 cubic foot fridge/freezer, cut our stainless stairs out, and squeezed it through the door opening. Built new stairs, bought new driver's and passenger's seats, installed washer and dryer, two filing cabinets, a bathroom sink, dometic porcelain loo, king bed, 39 inch neo round shower, one rooftop a/c, 30 gal water heater and a makeshift kitchen until we can afford cabinetry. And just last week, we moved in. So we're sitting here at a private camp site in Hamburg, PA at the foot of the Appalachian Trail enjoying our first week full-timing. None of our friends really "get us" or understand this lifestyle, so it's refreshing to be on a forum where we're more the norm. Thanks for any and all advice :)
P.S. Yes, that's a 25.2 cubic foot fridge, and yes, it's a 30 gallon 110v water heater, and yes, a 39" shower. Bigger is better. I've heard a bunch of you say that. ;)
Scott & Heather
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jPC6YqGPcAo%2FTjm4X4AwRCI%2FAAAAAAAADEs%2FNjmC3e4Qbnw%2Fs1600%2Fphoto.gif&hash=100c0ccae0f3681670f76a6eeaf00f850716a3c0)
Nice job. Just wandered why you have no windows? Marc
Marc,
It's says "Private Coach" on the side...so we thought it fit having no windows. Ok not really, we just haven't shelled out the cash for them yet. $2500 for the Peninsula double pane windows we need. We'll probably cut them in next year or late this year. There will be two in the bedroom and three total up front kitchen and livingroom area.
Welcome to the Madness!
I suggest a window or two before winter time or the madness may increase to intolerable levels during cabin fever cold and or snow.
Steve Toomey
PAbusnut(near York, PA)
GMC PD4905A333
You two make a perfect team together! Nice progress too, shows what ya can do when you put yer mind to it. I wish you 2 much success in it's completion, Y'all's "Forte" is steadily climbing ;)
Pics always tell the tale! any one else got some...PLEEZ! ;D
Van :)
Nice work, it is coming along very well it appears. I sure would like to see it up close and personal some day. The no window thing is kind of cool ... You could call it a Super Van.
(Sorry Bikewhisperer)
BCO
ck out Herr windows. good product much less$$$$ EBay motors look under coach parts newly listed. double payne. I like it do it your way. Bob
Steve: yeah I'm with you...it's going to get very claustrophobic soon if we don't get them in...we'll have to meet you sometime...we're close by!
Van: thanks! And I do agree, pics are worth a MILLION words!
BCO: Someone else suggested the "Super White Van" :) You all must be in cahoots...
Bob: I'll check that out yet tonight. Looking specifically for the "flash mirror" finish (almost one-way glass)...
Have you had any problems with Eternabond sticking to the roof around rivets and such? I used Eternabond on an enclosed trailer and the stuff won't stay stuck down around all the screws along the edge of the roof. The roof leaks in spots and I need to go back and redo those spots with Dicor caulk.
Bob, I checked out new Hehr windows for my bus. They cost three times what Motion Windows wanted. Now, used or surplus Hehr windows are probably a good deal if you can get a size that works for you.
I am also a fan of doing it your way.
I would be a bit worried about a emergency exit incase of a emergency tho.
Keep us posted on your build. We all love the pics!
Eric
Scott : make sure to go deep into listing. there were some mentioned silver further back. also call them. they are in Indiana or Bontager In Southern Michigan
Nice job and keep up the good work, Iam at the western end of Pa and get out that way about once a year. keep us posted on your progress. Jason
Gerat lookin, I'm near Carlisle for a short time, heading West. I built my MC-8 withgood insulation and on these high 90's the cheapee 13,500AC keeps it 78 without working hard. As for windows we went to Elkhart, and camped and I checked 3 places and think I got them at Botanger's, then we went West N South, at Edgington RV park in NM I installed them. The fronts are thermopane rears plain old single pane, but 1 small electric heator in bedroom is just fine and same for front of bus, but no rasied roof.
Lets see, you are young, have living quarters that are mobile in case of bad weather, natural disaster, or lack of work in the area,...probably pretty much paid for, so no 30 year mortgage or high payments. And your friends can't figure this out? ;D ;D ;D
Cool bus guys. Keep us posted and good luck.
Take care,
glen
i don't see any pictures. Did I miss a link somewhere?
Where did you buy the electric input plug that mounts to the side?
They somehow imbedded a slide show right in their post - no link, just watch the post and the pictures appear...
The plug looks like a standard Marinco shore power plug, available at any marina or boat supply place. I have a 30 amp version on my bus.
Brian
I thought i was alone on here...( early thirty's) lol great job ,cant wait to catch up .Were into ours 7 months and hoping to pick it up from the wiring guy tonight. then of to paint.. yaaa .
Brian: Before we applied the double sided eternabond, we sanded and wiped down the edges with wax and tar remover (auto prep). Then we removed the plastic protective tape off one side, stuck it real good to the coach, then removed the protective tape from the other side and slid our aluminum up under the roof lip and squished it onto the tape. Then drilled holes and riveted. Have not had a single problem with it lifting or not sticking. The only problem I really have with it is that is sticks to everything permanently...including my drill bits. It's a pain. But we've gone through a year of intense rain, tornadically intense storms, a very snowy and very cold winter in Michigan, and haven't leaked a drop...anywhere. I kept a close eye on everything when it was still stripped inside and not wooded so I could check for leaks. None....nada. What temps did you apply yours in? Ours were mid-summer 90's.
Eric: We have two emergency exits on the roof we'll never close off. My wife and I have both gone in and out many times. Saves sticking a ladder against the coach. Truth be told, if it rolls onto it's roof, we're toast. :o
Bob:I'll do just that...we definitely want the flash mirror coating, so I'll see what they offer.
Jason:I love your coach. Saw some photos of it on COTM. I'd love to see it in person someday!
Ralph7:It's actually amazing to us. We have had the coach in 100 degree weather this summer in Michigan (crazy heat wave) and we had the 13,500 BTU unit (only 1 sitting up front) and it was keeping things very comfy in there. We have a thermometer in the bedroom, and it read 75 even during the hottest part of the day. It nearly ran non-stop though. Adding a second unit will be more than adequate. We still need to coat the roof in kool seal or something like that which will help even more. Reflectix is very good stuff.
Ed:When you put it that way, it makes our friends sound downright clueless :) Truth be told, we have no debt, coach is paid for, and we're trying to do it all the Dave Ramsey way (but I think we'll hang onto our credit cards...just pay off the balance every month like your supposed to). Cash is king for the most part. But, yes, we're really really loving this so far. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Glen:Thanks for the luck! We'll need it!
Thomasinnv:Just stare at my original post for a while. The little box below the text will show a slideshow...boring, unless you're a busnut.
ThomasF (Desi):Brian is right, that's a Marinco Twist-Lock 50 amp plug and Reliant outlet. A posted a photo below this text so you can see the config of the outlet on the side of the coach. I bought the Reliant outlet at a local electrical supply store (Kendall Electric). Around $75 for the outlet.
Jackling54:Thanks for the kudos! Good luck on yours. We had our wiring done by an electrician too. I hate the thought of burning to death in a big 40 foot coffin I made with my own hands *shiver*.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--CPULAJlci4/TjqWdf_cGWI/AAAAAAAADFA/1wixD8lCkvo/220283_10100416013537431_10056700_59145121_6376020_o.jpg)
I stared at it for a while, still didn't work for me. go figure.
Quote from: thomasinnv on August 04, 2011, 08:09:50 AM
I stared at it for a while, still didn't work for me. go figure.
Maybe your not looking with the correct eye! ;)
;D BK ;D
And in 25 or 30 years all of your friends will be wanting to buy an rv and go fulltiming. ;D
Great job guys!!!!!! I'm envious!!!
If you are ever heading south via Hoosierland, I'm just off I-74. Give a shout or stop by. I'd love to see your "baby". ;D
Congrats on the work and perseverance!!! Doing it "your way" is the right way.
Chaz
ThomasInnv:Here's a link to a slideshow. Tell me if that works. https://picasaweb.google.com/freshdaymusic/CoachLife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKnktfy1lcbVHA#slideshow/5636628378794758258 (https://picasaweb.google.com/freshdaymusic/CoachLife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKnktfy1lcbVHA#slideshow/5636628378794758258)
bustedknuckle:I poked around your website...but the "why us?" slideshow page is missing some images. I love the bus fleet...What are Setra's like?
Ed:Seriously, you're right...that's the crazy thing. So will we want kids, a good job, a house and new cars in 30 years? ;) Are we just swapped?
Chaz:Thanks a bunch for the encouragement! It goes a long way with us! Checked out your photos too on Photobucket...I think your coach has more curves than I'd ever want to sand! Looks great with the primer, any pics of your final topcoat?
No problem Scott. It was all seriously meant. You two are busting it out and it's cool to see!!
No paint yet. I'm learning to love primer grey. ::) ;D But one day I will make her shiny. As with my hot rods, "shiny paint ain't the vehicle", but it sure can be perty! :D ( I'm dreading those rivets.!!!! :'( :'( :'()
If your are playing on the computer some time, jump over to my website (www.amstudio.us (http://www.amstudio.us)) and check out my "roots". (that be house without wheels ;)) It's the HGTV link.
Good luck and stay with it!! Roots and kids can happen later!
Chaz
Chaz: Wow! :o Crazy awesome house and metal art! Had no idea a member of the club was famous! Amazing! Love the pond especially! I'm an Arizona boy, so the adobe look attracts me! That being said, I have a comparatively lame question...where'd you get the simulators for your coach? Phoenix?
Quote from: Jackling54 on August 04, 2011, 05:35:34 AM
I thought i was alone on here...( early thirty's) lol great job ,cant wait to catch up .Were into ours 7 months and hoping to pick it up from the wiring guy tonight. then of to paint.. yaaa .
My wife and I are still in our 20s. For a little bit anyways lol ;D
Quote from: demodriver on August 04, 2011, 04:35:18 PM
My wife and I are still in our 20s. For a little bit anyways lol ;D
Really!? Great! Any kids yet?
I got the simulators on line somewhere. (??) Maybe ebay?
I too like the So.West architecture. If I didn't live here, I would live in Sedona (or there abouts). It fits me. (long haired artist, mountain biker, etc. ::) ;D ;D) I looked into camping there for 3 months out of the year at a place called........ uh....... hmmmm...(old age again).... Mesa Verde campground maybe?? I think it was like 350.oo a month full hookup or something like that. Didn't seem bad.
Glad you liked the house. I give tours all the time.
Later,
Chaz
Quote from: freshdaymusic on August 04, 2011, 05:15:19 PM
Quote from: demodriver on August 04, 2011, 04:35:18 PM
My wife and I are still in our 20s. For a little bit anyways lol ;D
Really!? Great! Any kids yet?
We have a very mechanically inclined 10 yr old and a 1.5 year old. Both boys and both love riding in the bus ;D
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on August 04, 2011, 09:10:50 AM
Quote from: thomasinnv on August 04, 2011, 08:09:50 AM
I stared at it for a while, still didn't work for me. go figure.
Maybe your not looking with the correct eye! ;)
;D BK ;D
glad to see were not alone...there's three of us... lol.This sure is a great bunch of people,Very helpful ,inviting,respectful and knowledgeable.Lots more but have to get to work... :'(
Chaz: Someday I'm going to take a tour! And maybe we'll bump into each other in AZ...though more likely IN. We're from St. Joe, MI
Demodriver: Nice! They'll be the ones small enough to fit into the engine bay to grab a screw you dropped :)
Thomasinnv:So does that mean you saw the slideshow??? ???
Jackling54: This is so true. I've been on quite a few forums, and this one is tops...I really can't wait to meet some of you at some meets.
nope the slide show never did show up for me. I have datastorm/hughes satellite internet, and they have been known to do strange things from time to time. Don't know if that has anything to do with it though.
The link I sent should work now. Although I've been changing things up on my site. We were just informed by some locals yesterday that black bears frequent our location...not much of a nuisance, but makes for an interesting first couple of weeks living in our coach. The world record black bear apparently was harvested here in PA and is mounted in the Cabela's here in Hamburg. 800 and some change pounds :o