How old are you? Are you a full time Bus dweller? Bus Generation 2.0?

[Geom]

We're both in our 40s and work full-time. Our jobs were/are remote anyway, so it didn't matter where we did them from, as long as we had access to the global series-of-tubes.
Full-timing, in an RV, has been on our radar for years. Our original plan included a sticks-n-staples type RV pulled behind a truck.
After seeing several of them at a trade-show in town we were seriously unimpressed with the build quality and just about everything about all of them (at least those we could afford).
We decided full-timing was still what we wanted to do and were still about to move forward with a purchase of the least craptacular RV we could find.
As luck would have it, some (new) friends of ours were rolling through town in their vintage 4016 and we had an opportunity to meet up with them.
The second I saw their 4016 I was smitten
I loved everything about it, the looks, the styling, the build quality (back when we used to care about what we made and how), and the fact that inside it looked like a house, not a cookie-cutter cardboard layout.
We quickly changed gears and began the hunt for our own bus.
After several months of near-misses and complete duds, we came across Gladys (our 4107) and we were officially in love.

We were fortunate enough to have Cary and Don (previous owners).
They were nothing short of amazing and really took us under their wing and showed a pair of noobs what owning a bus is all about.
They had done a wonderful job with her already (having gutted the interior and redoing it in their own style).
We absolutely loved it as is and we really didn't want a "project" bus. We wanted something that was pretty much road-ready, that we could maintain and improve along the way.

It's fair to say that I know both Jack and Squat about these things. But I'm a quick learner (on most days ), so while I had their expertise I was like a sponge trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Cary and Don have likely forgotten more things than I will ever know about this beautiful machine, but it has been great figuring things out along the way and having that literal light-bulb-ding go off in your head and say... "Oh, so that's what that thingy does!" LOL
I would not trade those experiences for anything right now.

This community has been solid gold for being able to piece these bits together in my head and in providing guidance and advice along the way.
It's also really refreshing having this community, as someone said earlier, of kindred souls.
We love running into other bus-nuts along the way, but have not had a chance to do that too much; since we've been somewhat stuck in MO, KS for the last year.

We've been full-timing now for a little over a year and I simply cannot imagine doing anything else right now.
We sometimes think back to all the crap we had in the house and wonder, what did we do with all of that sh*t?
Do we miss it? Not a thing... ok, well maybe a couple of things, but who cares

We hope to continue doing this as long as we're able, and when we're not, we'll probably buy some little piece of land somewhere nice and quiet and build a tiny-home on it.

[Brent Lance]

My Name is Brent...   i am now 35.. and i have a problem...... !! wait.. NO I DONT!! I own 4 buses at the moment.. i have a couple more lined up.. if you have to ask why!! u just dont understand!!  My best answer to those who ask why is... "Because i Can" ...

My addiction started a few years ago.. i bought a 58 4104 sight unseen.. drove from NC to Missouri one weekend to pick it up..  brought it home..after rd side Macgyver fix to get it home.. decided to gut it after i kept finding shotty fixes.. all on a budget.. i was taking bus to ND to live in for the next two years while i was working up there..it worked good.. saw -40 below temps plus windchill.. month before i took bus back home.. i was gone several days.. heater i had back at bedroom/ bath door quit.. got cold enough to freeze line on toilet.. flood bus.. killed all laminate floors in kitchen.. which is ok.. they looked nice.. but i think real hardwoods be next.. havent decided yet.. my only issue in 2 years.. seeing some unreal cold temps..

from there i bought a 54 Scenicruiser..  # 105 .. for no other reason then its cool..scenicruiser.. at end of deal.. i think i got it for a good price for what it was and whats there..  My finace' told me no more buses...  so i bought a 48 Silversides.. cause i love them and wanted one bad..been trying to work on several.. guy was gonna scrap it if it didnt sell.. a week after i got it home.. a buddy told me of alot nicer Silversides for sale.. i went and looked at it few days later.. and made a deal.. Boom.. bus number 4. a 47 Silversides .  i laugh and ask my now wife how it worked out for her with the two bus rule... i hope in spring ill drag home another Silversides i found.. really a parts bus.. also know of another Scenic.. guy wants to sell me.. i need it like i need a whole in the head.. but i think price will be right.. so why not!! 

i dont full time.. although i did for two years pretty much.. i would only get home every 6 months or so..  All of my friends think i have a problem.. but some people just dont get it..But im good with it...   hahaha

[Jim Eh.]

Under Addictions Wikki

United States[edit]

Alcoholics Anonymous[edit]
See also: Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is one of the world's most recognizable support groups for individuals suffering from alcohol addiction, where the only requirement for membership is to stop drinking in order to achieve sobriety. Notable publications available from the website include the This is A.A. pamphlet, which denotes what A.A. is and is not, the AA Big Book, available in English, French and Spanish. The website also includes links to further information for professionals, and how to locate local A.A. meetings. AA.org

Bus Collectors Anonymous[edit]
See also: Got Too Many Foundation
BCA Anonymous is a public service of this board. They offer help to those with the uncontrolled urge to buy every damn bus they can get there hands on. Programs are designed to ease the individual to ownership sobriety and transition to single (or dual) bus limits. Help is provided from several sources including forums, a special PM hotline and the local newspaper. Chapters are found throughout the US and into CANADA with members offering all kinds of free advice and social gathering assistance. Meetings can be held hourly and nothing is truly scheduled. There is a class on basket weaving designed to prevent members from relapsing into buying yet another bus. BCA has helped 2.5 people last year in the conscious decision not to but an additional bus/project but it has obviously failed in other cases. Many links are available on the website to show the abuser how many expensive parts and services are available and necessary to rebuild a bus in need. For our 2016 events calendar go to: http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?board=3.0 to be with all the others with the same or similar affliction.


Alcoholics Anonymous[edit]
See also: Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is one of the world's most recognizable support groups for individuals suffering from alcohol addiction, where the only requirement for membership is to stop drinking in order to achieve sobriety. Notable publications available from the website include the This is A.A. pamphlet, which denotes what A.A. is and is not, the AA Big Book, available in English, French and Spanish. The website also includes links to further information for professionals, and how to locate local A.A. meetings. AA.org

Cenikor Foundation[edit]
See also: Cenikor Foundation
The Cenikor Foundation is a private, not-for-profit behavioral health organization based in Houston, Texas. It offers long-term residential, short-term residential, detoxification and outpatient behavioral health services for adults and adolescents.[10] Cenikor provides evidence-based therapeutic community addiction treatment through long-term residential programs in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Deer Park, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas and detox/short-term residential treatment in Waco, Texas. Cenikor offers outpatient treatment services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Temple, Texas, Killeen, Texas, and Waco, Texas. Cenikor also has an adolescent residential facility in Houston, Texas called Odyssey House Texas.

Hope Haven[edit]
Hope Haven is a private 501( c)(3) non-profit agency located in Madison, Wisconsin. Hope Haven is managed and governed by Catholic Charities of Madison, WI and offers a wide range of support for adults who need both residential and out-patient services. Hope Haven has been providing evidence-based, affordable, effective alcohol and drug treatment services since 1973. Hope Haven serves and employ persons regardless of sexual orientation, religious, ethnic, racial or social background. HopeHavenHelps.org

North Bay Lodge is Hope Haven's residential treatment facility, providing a minimum of 12 hours of therapy every week. From anger management and peer support, to session to aid those with a mental illness dual-diagnosis.

Chris Farley House is Hope Haven's transitional housing facility, helping clients to ease into independent, sober living. To do that, they offer many of the same programs as North Bay Lodge, along with other programs to help residents find a job, stable housing, and help keep clients from relapsing after leaving the program.

Out-patient services include: Day Report and Treatment (DART)- Helping drug abusing offenders by providing comprehensive alcohol and drug, mental health, and case management services. DART is a bail monitoring program and collaborates with the Mental Health Center of Dane County and Dane County Human Services.

Pathfinder - For people in Dane County with recurring substance abuse issues and a history of going in and out of jail. Offers a "wrap around" approach of comprehensive, long-term treatment to confront substance abuse, criminal behavior, and other barriers to change, the goal being to turn a life around forever.

Marquette Chemical Dependency Service (MCDS) - MCDS is a private, state-certified program providing alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention services to the residents of Marquette County through a contract with the Marquette County Human Services Board.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving[edit]
See also: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to stop drunk driving, to support the victims of drunk drivers and to prevent underage drinking.[11] Publications include links to the MADDVOCATE magazine, and numerous brochures on grief, injury, and legal advice. MADD.org Or in Canada, MADD.ca

National Institute on Drug Abuse[edit]
See also: National Institute on Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a national research leader and information provider on drug abuse and addiction in the United States.[12] Notable resources available from the website include a comprehensive listing of drug abuse and related topics, and publications such as the "NIDA Publication Series, including the NIDA Research Reports.

SMART Recovery[edit]
See also: SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization, established in 1994, that provides free mutual-support meetings in the United States and in many other countries around the world. Its main publication, the SMART Recovery Handbook is available in English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Farsi, Mandarin, and Danish. Their website includes how to locate local SMART Recovery meetings. smartrecovery.org

Addiction Help - Free Addiction Help Service[edit]
Addiction Help - Free Addiction Help Service (AddictHelp.Mobi) is a national free treatment advice center, referral system leader and information provider on drug abuse and addiction in the United States.[13] Notable resources available from the website include determining treatment availability options for all persons with PPO insurance with a special emphasis on adult and teen addictions involving substance abuse and gambling. Recent accolades include the G.H. Lovecraft Award for Innovations in Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment. addicthelp.mobi

[Oonrahnjay]

My Name is Brent...   i am now 35.. and i have a problem...... !! wait.. NO I DONT!! I own 4 buses at the moment.. i have a couple more lined up.. ...

    If you think that it's cold in ND, you have no idea how cold the shiver was that just ran up my spine.  My hat's off to you, one way or the other.

[Brent Lance]

its def cold.....   coldest i remember seeing was -35.. i forget what the windchill was that day.. it was nasty though.. i usually didnt pay attention unless i knew it was brutally cold.. sometimes i just didnt want to know.. i regreted not installing electric on floor heat.. electric was included in lot rent.. so would been no skin off my back for burning up more juice...

[Oonrahnjay]

its def cold.....   coldest i remember seeing was -35.. i forget what the windchill was that day.. it was nasty though...

     Yeah, I used to work for a car company -- I went on a couple of "Cold Weather Test" assignments.  We were looking for a cold winter with at least a week never above -40.  Serious cold.  I remember going out to change a battery in a car.  I had an insulated set of overalls on -- I worked for about 60 seconds frantically loosening nuts and I felt a fiery hot point run down my leg, like someone had rubbed a soldering iron down it.  Turns out that the zipper on the coverall leg and the seam on my jeans had lined up.  It wasn't too cold in terms of temp -- maybe -25 degrees but there was a 30 mph wind blowing.  That one spot on my skin was so cold that it froze; sure burned like Hades!

[MB LeMirage]

I myself am 37 and the wife is 35 and we have 3 kids aged 7, 5 and 3. We are not full timers but avid campers with an old r/v that is crumbling and letting in enough water to shower in the kitchen! My parents were avid campers as well and we roamed all over in an old pop up and then a Bowler. I always wanted to get a bus, even as a small kid I thought they were cool and as I said, camping with the family in old pop ups and a cramped bowler made me realize how crappy every tent/camper/rv was build. So now we have the old Prevost and the intention is to swap in all the gear from the r/v. I know lots will need to be replaced and it will cost more than my head figures it will, but its a project that the kids and the wife can help with. The kids love the bus. Its December in Manitoba and they want to sleep in the stripped out shell!!! Wish us luck.
Ryan.

[sledhead]

cold weather !
we left timmins ontario at -42 f at 11:00 am from our hotel and while in the hall we passed a air canada pilot that was grounded because of the cold and all he said to us was.... you guys are nuts .

so after we got our sleds to run we left on a 9 hr trip back to our trucks to go home

now at 100 mph on a sled at -42 f it is a little cold if you are not moving and working your sled through the trails

but after we got the sleds loaded and the trucks to run it was nice to feel warm again

dave

[siberyd]

Hmm lets see, I am 56 and my wife is 60. We still are working full-time as school bus drivers. We have 2 buses at home PD 4104-2240 and a skoolie set up to transport our dogs. We have a family of 11 K9's, but the bus has space for 16.  Bit by the bus bug in 1984 when we bought our first skoolie (long gone), been in the bus business since 1985.

Hoping to spend lots of time on the road after retirement from work.
Visiting all the GM bus owners I have met here.

Siberyd

[kyle4501]

We are 52. I started out tent camping in Boy Scouts. Mom & Dad got a pop up tent camper & they would take us on wonderful trips as a family of 6. A typical summer trip was 2 weeks and 5500 to 7500 miles long. We would leave South Carolina & head north or west. Got to see Canada, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park, International Peace Gardens, Washington DC, colonial Williamsburg, etc on the many trips we took.

I got the bus bug when we were setting up our little tent camper in the rain. A converted bus rumbled in a few spots over. A little old man toddled out under a small umbrella to check the tires then go back inside. It rained all night and was still raining as we were folding the camper for the day's drive. I heard the bus growl to life and the little old man came out under his little umbrella, checked the tires, climbed back in & drove off. We finished breaking camp & were soaked to the bone. All I could think about was that little old man who was warm & dry & on his way.

I started looking for a bus to convert over 10 years ago – bought a Scenicruiser because I loved the look & it was in my price range. Then I found a better one. One thing led to another & I finally had a plan & all the hard to find original parts that I wanted. Built an oversized carport to park it in & work on it. Then my better half finds a nice Newell ( it has everything I wanted and more ) for less than I was going to spend on the generator, water & electrical systems.

So, now I am liquidating my collection of Scenicruiser parts to make room for enjoying The Newell.

We just took a quick 1200 mile trip over 3 days, and we didn't need any camp grounds – visited with friends & used their driveway the first night – used a rest area for the second night. Sure is nice to drive when you want to & sleep when you want – all without having to worry about check in/ out times. 

We are so looking forward to more trips.

PS;
What they say about 8V92's being thirsty above 1800 rpm is no understatement. Noticeable difference in mileage at 1700 rpm vs 2200 rpm.   

[lvmci]

Hi All, my name is tom and I have an addiction and a bunch of friends who are addicts too.
I'm  near retirement age and my wife Tami, was 10 years younger, we were building a 102C3 from scratch after selling our MCI5A that was a wonderful conversion that we updated. We were going to summer north and travel, that's all changed now, I'm  finishing up all the utilities and mechanicals, soon to start the cosmetics. Thanks to all the most generous people and busnuts, I've met here. And not just for sharing their incredible knowledge and abilities, but their time and friendship, lvmci...

[easystreet]

Hi to All. I'm Gil. 59 soon to be 60. I inherited my coach when my folks passed. "Easy Street" has been part of the family since I was a Jr in high school in 1973. We don't intend to full time RV. Rather it is my intent to preserve and improve her as time allows. My better half has consented to the project provided we gut the inside and start over to our own tastes and updates. That's fine by me as the last redo was in 1976. Easy Street has carried many folks to a lot of good memories. The end of my Senior year we loaded up 13 other teenagers (boys and girls), myself, my mother, 2 music instructors, and headed off to a music camp in N. Dakota with a stop at Expo 74 in Spokane. I shared the driving with one of the instructors who had actually driven for Greyhound in his early years. Think parents these days would let their teenager take off for two weeks on a trip out of state? I think not. Easy Street took mom and dad all over the western U. S. and into Mexico on numerous trips. She was a regular at FMCA rallies in the Northwest.  I rebuilt the engine in the early '80s for them. After dad's retirement it regularly took them to Arizona snow birding until 1996.  She now rests inside here with me, a vehicle to good memories of the past and of new memories to come. Happy New Year to all and best wishes for happy travels. 

[technomadia]

I'm 42 and my partner Chris is 43.  We'll soon be celebrating our 10th year of full timing, and 5 years of being owned by a bus.

We started our journey in a 16' teardrop travel trailer, then a 17' fiberglass egg. In 2011 we decided we were ready for something larger, but wanted something unique. Our buddies Sean & Louise and Ben & Karen were already afflicted with the bus disease, and passed it on to us.

After riding the rails around the country for a month, we found our '61 4106. We've been re-converting ever since.. but all as we go, continuing our full time lifestyle.

We work online, love our fellow nomadic communities and continue to cherish the bus community that has helped us so much. We don't see any end in sight with our bus remaining our homebase.

- Cherie

[Boltinlsx]

Im 27 and still looking for my first bus. My idea is to sell my home and buy a nice mci conversion. I will live in the bus full time and travel the U.S hauling a 32' enclosed trailer with my best friend and out race car.

[skytrends]

Full time but stationary right now. Padding bank account to hit the road full time. I'm 56 my lady is 60. We are over the road long haul owner operator truckers.