What bus to start with

[Utahclaimjumper]

An electric recliner comes to mind,, there is no way to exit one in a hurry,, you are "trapped" for what seems like 5 minutes until it becomes upright before you can get out of the damn thing..>>>Dan

[Jim Blackwood]

I think RJ's advice is dead on the money. Then after you have seen and done all that, with eyes wide open you can begin to plan your features list and with that start shopping. At that point you still may not have decided whether to build or buy but you will know what you want and have some idea of what it will cost you either way.

For example, your list may include the S-60 and B500, alloy wheels, and leveling jacks just for starters. That's enough to begin narrowing the choices right there. How many full sized rigs have leveling jacks?

In my case two things lobbied massively for the build route: An unreasonably low budget, and my absolute insistence that I have jacks, and the two are directly opposed no matter what you do. For me building it was the only way I even had a chance. BUT, as a result of that decision I am now the proud owner of potentially the best leveling jacks to ever have been installed on a bus and my cost was in the ballpark of a grand. Which left more for the rest of the build. One of my greatest joys in fact has been finding (often unconventional) ways to stretch the budget. I have a 275 gallon stainless fresh water tank because I was able to re-purpose an old piece of equipment and I doubt I have more than a hundred bucks in it. On some things you just have to spend money, but I started this build with about a $15K bankroll and I still have a third of it left. Granted I've made purchases out-of-pocket when I could, but to me a $100K budget would look like incredible luxury. If I had that and found a bus with jacks in that price range? Well it'd be hard not to buy it.

BTW Windtrader, thanks so much for the compliments. It means a lot coming from you. You guys gave me guidance when I knew next to nothing about what I was getting into and helped me see a reasonably clear path forward. I don't recall who mentioned it but I'll never forget the suggestion about using semi-trailer landing gear for the leveling jacks. That was a major contribution.

Jim

[Lee Bradley]

and Florida is a good place to hit the bus gathings and talk to people that have done conversions.

[luvrbus]

It is kinda of dirty word here on the board but the school bus people have amazing ideas for bus conversions plus the detail of the interior work just blows you away on some of the school buses

[ltcinfantry]

It is kinda of dirty word here on the board but the school bus people have amazing ideas for bus conversions plus the detail of the interior work just blows you away on some of the school buses

Yeah, I've looked at a bunch of the layouts on Skoolie.net and on Pinterest. We were looking at those first but after some research decided the base chassis and drivetrains were not suitable for long range highway use. Also lack of basement or at least space for HVAC, plumbing and electrical components sealed the deal.

[luvrbus]

Most of those guys will admit they wished they could have found a activity model of school buses with the bays Thomas and Blue Bird both make those and they bring more money at sales too

[Dave5Cs]

  ltcinfantry
Quote:[This may be a dumb question but what do you think a good price range is for a used professional conversion? So far when I'm looked at used Class As they are in the $200k-$400k which is way outside my budget. I wanted to have a finished project preferably below $100k. Is this even realistic or do I need to adjust my expectations?]:Quote

You could look in the classified right up  here on BCM and there is a nice Prevost for $59,000.00 and some others too.

[Van]

https://www.prevost-stuff.com/

[chessie4905]

People on here constantly want to add elaborate systems to their coach. 10 years down the road will you remember how to repair, or diagnose? Kiss is to be remembered for long term satisfaction. Some forget the goal is to travel and enjoy the experience of getting away. I guess to others the goal is the challenge of building one rather than use it much. With the incredible fuel costs anymore, maybe just something to busy oneselves with. What are the plans if fuel ends at $7.00 Per gallon or higher permantly?

[dtcerrato]

People on here constantly want to add elaborate systems to their coach. 10 years down the road will you remember how to repair, or diagnose? Kiss is to be remembered for long term satisfaction. Some forget the goal is to travel and enjoy the experience of getting away. I guess to others the goal is the challenge of building one rather than use it much. With the incredible fuel costs anymore, maybe just something to busy oneselves with. What are the plans if fuel ends at $7.00 Per gallon or higher permantly?

Leave it home and fly. The road trip is always an adventure but the most expensive part of the trip now!
Summary: fuel expense... FL-AK-FL
10,000 mile round trip fuel  expense.
2016 $4700. .47/mile
2019 $5400. .54/mile
2022 $8000. .80/mile
The 3rd most recent trip was more like work but now yields us a place w/o the bus...
Priorities shifted but the ability to make the trip remain.
202? $2000. Total transportation flying for two & use the rest for play.

[DoubleEagle]

Dan is an excellent example of a person who plans ahead and has a backup plan. Fuel costs are forcing everyone (except the super wealthy) to plan shorter trips and longer stays. Manual transmissions might even make a comeback (not likely), but there are automated 10 speeds that would help fuel mileage.

[luvrbus]

Transmission don't get any better than the Allison World B500 with the double overdrive in a bus IMO

[windtrader]

This whole bus thing is bring out the underlying groups of interest.

Like Jim and some others like new huy, wha'ts your name, update your signature,  thaking on massive 5 years projects and wantng a big DKIY project, go for it. Some enjoy it and get to get it on the road and do wiat others want straight away.
Group two is the RV crowd. Want to buy and go, enjoy, and have fun. Tomorrow you can be dead.

Grouo three is those where value is not really in their vocabluarly. I'd best those buying new Marathons for personal use, tax shelter aside, are going to use it no matter what it costs to fuel up, pay dealer maintenance costs, pay to store in a climate and humity controlled hanger. They probably even have access to at least a prtial-ownership in a private plane to take them to their vacation home in Vail. Very small group that is.
Group four - mostly us here. Have limited funds to throw into this discretionlary recreational vehicle. Many here work on their own coaches for fun and to save money and not wanting to feel pain if paying dealer/shop rates for everything,
Group five - Those full timers that need to keep their coaches in running order, both for daily living and for moving on down the road as season changes. They are going be very cost conscious and DIY when they can.
So, all that said, what is the point? New folks just need to think through all the variables before writing any checks. List all these considerations and vote and rank them. It will sharpen your thinking about what you want and need to shop for.

There is no one answer. I am guilty of almost universally saying go buy a used converted bus but upon reflection of what I just wrote, I am changing to a jukebox answer. Lots of different ways to go, do what works for your needs and desires.

[luvrbus]

People with cash buy the Prevost to get the $3000.00 a day deprecation,my Doctor buys a  new Prevost every 5 years for taxes  lol he is in group 3

[ltcinfantry]

Thanks Don. Very thoughtful and helpful post. I would put myself partially in group 1 and mostly in group 4. I enjoy a good project but have a somewhat limited budget and expectations of finishing in under 2 years start to finish. Buying a rig straight out doesn't appeal to me but understand. I did all my suspension work on my Tundra myself while my friend who owns a Jeep and has little skills (or patience) paid a lot of money to have his Jeep lifted. Needless to say I spent a great deal less for labor allowing me to use higher end components for my lift.  That's my mindset. Don't pay for work you are capable (and willing) of doing yourself.