After 9 years fulltiming, we finally built a wall

Scott & Heather · May 06, 2018, 07:44:12 AM

Not a trump wall mind you...a drivers area wall. As full timers, we frequently experience extreme cold and sometimes even extreme heat in our bus. We have experienced 114°F and we have experienced -28°F. The front drivers area of the coach gains heat and loses heat in a dramatic fashion. Add to that the fact that we had mice sneaking in through our entrance door which is practically unsealable so it was time to build the wall. We know that this will reduce the open feel of the front of the coach, and now we definitely have to add more windows in the bus, but those will be double pane and we have already experienced the tremendous change in our climate control abilities. I can now run one air conditioner on it's lowest setting and keep the entire bus around 69-70°F at 85°F ambient in full sun. I honestly wish we had done this long ago. I will be running a duct from the front air conditioner into the drivers area to keep me cool while I'm driving.

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Lee Bradley · May 06, 2018, 08:01:44 AM

Each to their own but I wouldn't have a wall there.

Melbo · May 06, 2018, 08:12:55 AM

No backseat (co pilot) drivers here. I like it for being able to drive in peace. ;-)

Melbo

luvrbus · May 06, 2018, 08:14:40 AM

Quote from: Melbo on May 06, 2018, 08:12:55 AM
No backseat (co pilot) drivers here. I like it for being able to drive in peace. ;-)

Melbo

I am going to tell Billie what you posted

PP · May 06, 2018, 08:48:15 AM

I agree with the temp loss and gain through the front, but the wife would never let me shut off her view to the world (she's too nosy)

I forgot to ask, who paid for it?

chessie4905 · May 06, 2018, 09:28:11 AM

In my opinion, that wall is not a good idea💡. But to each his own. Wonder why you didn't use a pine door to go with wood on wall.

windtrader · May 06, 2018, 10:02:26 AM

Hi Scott,
I'm sure you thought about many options on those overly cold and hot temps in the coach. Did you consider or try some thin insulated or that sliver bubble material, mounted like a curtain or even affixed with snaps or velcro? The wall appears uninsulated; if so then much of it acts more as a air barrier than thermal.

Scott & Heather · May 06, 2018, 01:14:22 PM

The wall will be insulated when complete. The door is a cheap temp door until we get the order in for a custom door with glass. The wood will be stained to match. We tried to insulated curtain and reflectix routes but they didn't do much. I know there are wall haters here, but after almost 9 years of fulltiming and two Bus builds, I can honestly say this was one of our better ideas for our personal use. We are considering two dual pane windows on either side of the door to let in light and allow passengers to view out of the windshield, but needed to get something up fairly quickly for proof of concept and mouse intrusion prevention. There are other coaches with front walls including the famous iron horse eagle. If any of you have ever been in a pro level truck conversion, you know there is a wall separating the cab from the living space with a pocket door. But I'd love to hear some alternative views on this because in the Bus world, I actually value the opinions of other veteren owners and full timers. If you're new to Bus conversions, I don't want to hear your opinion. Lol.

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buswarrior · May 06, 2018, 05:33:16 PM

Losing the view out the window to the rear of the door can be problematic for angled intersections.

Was that already gone in your build?

Early prevost h3's had a little window to peak out before the sharp down angle glass. They still have a interior mirror above the driver that looks out to the southeast, over the passengers' heads.

A gentle convex mirror mounted above the passenger side windshield will bounce a good view out the door glass in that crucial direction. School bus and transit all have a variety of rectangular convexes that would do the job.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Lifes2short4nofun · May 06, 2018, 06:00:22 PM

Seems if your going to build a wall, why not go with a truck and fifth wheel? We like the view and openness with the windshield, that was why we switched back to a bus from a fifth wheel.

kyle4501 · May 06, 2018, 06:28:50 PM

To each their own, if y'all like it, then so do I.

Personally, I'd like a jump seat or 2 so others could ride up front & enjoy the view if desired.
I like it when there is someone to share the view with.

Scott & Heather · May 06, 2018, 07:42:47 PM

BW: we have the original bus side windows up front so my wife looks out for angled intersections. I never had a special Window for that. I have driven my coaches 15,000 miles a year across the US and am pretty comfortable in most situations.

Lifes2short: I can't even begin to respond to what you said.

Kyle: we've never had a jumpseat in this coach. With two kids wife stays pretty busy with them. And when she's driving I'm focused on them as well. Once we have windows up there we will be able to open them and have a view and interact. May even do a pocket door at some point which we could leave open when driving.

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eagle19952 · May 06, 2018, 07:52:27 PM

Quote from: Scott & Heather on May 06, 2018, 07:42:47 PM
BW: we have the original bus side windows up front so my wife looks out for angled intersections. I never had a special Window for that. I have driven my coaches 15,000 miles a year across the US and am pretty comfortable in most situations.

Lifes2short: I can't even begin to respond to what you said.

Kyle: we've never had a jumpseat in this coach. With two kids wife stays pretty busy with them. And when she's driving I'm focused on them as well. Once we have windows up there we will be able to open them and have a view and interact. May even do a pocket door at some point which we could leave open when driving.

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Many entertainers have the same wall.
Many that don't wish they did.
Many drive 8 or 22 hours and then park for two or ten weeks.
Scenery at 60-70 mph sucks
Distractions are not good.
my co-pilot drives the toad.
She has it pretty comfy, the dog prefers it too

Scott & Heather · May 06, 2018, 08:39:47 PM

It's certainly not for everyone and I've seen very few self converted coaches with a wall but we both are seriously wondering why we didn't do this earlier. We love it. But, now the rush is on to get more side windows installed in the bedroom and maybe some small ones in each of our bathrooms. If we sell the coach someday, that front wall can be dismantled and removed in about an hour or less.

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Slug · May 07, 2018, 12:51:53 AM

Sorta like a Man Cave area you can retreat to at any time
Just make sure you can lock them in

It's all big boys toy area mostly no frilly curtains