Home Built/Professional Built Bus Conversion Poll

[Dreamscape]

There has been so much discussion on home built and professional built bus conversions I thought it would be fun to know the figures.

Don't be shy......Explain why....

Happy Trails,

Paul

[chazwood]

Just installed in a couple of Duo-therm basement heat pumps today. Fit like a glove.

[Devin & Amy]

I'm too picky, I don't always do it the right way, but at least it's my way.
Devin

[Sean]

My rig does not fit in any of your categories... 

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Chaz]

Just had to it, huh Paul.  LOL Good for you!!! This could be interesting. Good call.

I'm just a person who has to create. I love the unique and am always trying to find a better way to do something or a way to make it a little neater.
I get a great deal of personal satisfaction by doing it myself and I have most of the abilities and, above all, the "toys", I, I, I, mean "tools"!!
It also keeps me out of the bars! LOLOL 

   Chaz

[jackhartjr]

We already have a right nice travel trailer.
We found the Scenicruiser that had been started toward the conversion.  I took it as a challenge to finish it!
I always liked the lines of them...and I rode on them growing up!
Jack

[Blacksheep]

Built our own! This is my 3rd and probably the last one. 1st was a GM 4107 but sold it after I got it completely stripped for an 01 Eagle. Completed the Eagle from rear to front but the thought of parts availability and minor rust issues kind of forced me into my present Prevost along with a little persuasion from fellow bus nuts. This one we did 90% of ourselves with help from a few friends only because we couldn't afford the high end converters even though we looked really hard at the work they do. Almost committed a couple times but figured for what we were going to use it for, we could do a good enough job for far less!
Were very happy with what we accomplished!!

BS

[Dreamscape]

Sean,

And what catagory would that be....Over the top......

Or .........There's nothing like it....

How about ........One of kind......

Paul

[skipn]

When it came time to retire the class C all the research I did left me cold on Class
A's until until I saw a sweet old Eagle on E-bay....a new world opened up.

After more research I tried buying a well done older Eagle....out bid
found out I had a champagne taste on home brew budget. Saw the current
bus I own on e-bay bid my usual hap hazard way and won. (no fancy stuff )
Total time of research was about 6 months.....still not enough research

So now I build my own. Not the "my way" thing just the only way I saw that I
could afford it.........Johny Cash Caddy one part at a time

Skip

[Stan]

The Canadian Government designates a professional conversion as one done by a company principally engaged in the conversion business.

That said - some of the poorest design, poorest workmanship, illegal installation was done by professional conversion companies. There are no rules, regulations or constraints on starting a conversion business. Under the rule mentioned above, if you register as an LLC and convert one bus then it is a professional conversion.

[FloridaCliff]

The Canadian Government designates a professional conversion as one done by a company principally engaged in the conversion business.

That said - some of the poorest design, poorest workmanship, illegal installation was done by professional conversion companies. There are no rules, regulations or constraints on starting a conversion business. Under the rule mentioned above, if you register as an LLC and convert one bus then it is a professional conversion.

This one of my pet peeves......

The use of supposedly descriptive words like "Home Built" or "Professional" conjure up vastly different visions to most.

When just what Stan stated, has been seen by many, including myself.

If glitzy mirrors, ultra-fancy lighting, tri-level ceilings are your thing we are probably talking about the "Professional" I have seen.

Of course, being the designer, builder, bank roll of a "Custom Coach", I look a little deeper, past the veneer, so to speak, and I am not impressed at the quality I am seeing.

Anybody can throw a million dollars at a coach and make it look good.

What impresses me is all the folks out there who do there own for a fraction of that, and build a "Professional Custom Coach", to there tastes and there budget.

OK, I feel better now, back to being the labor on that coach........

Cliff

[Melbo]

You missed one that some will fall into

Started by previous owner and finished by you

Just the way it worked for me however I voted self built

Melbo

[JackConrad]

We did our own, but I have nothing against someone that buys a brand new factory conversion, a used factory conversion, or someone else's home conversion. We all are in different situations, with different needs, capabilities, and finances. What ever works for you is the right way.  Jack

[bobofthenorth]

I voted "professional conversion" but we didn't buy ours because it was professionally converted.  We bought (rather than build) because our thing is using it.  Some people like building - we like using.  It was that simple for us.  I've already got several projects - didn't need another.  Occasionally we dream about building our own but I doubt it will happen.  I'll run out of life before I run out of projects without putting another one on the list.  Right now the list includes ongoing modifications/improvements to the bus, finishing a 26' deep water cruiser, extensive house renovations.  Once the current boat project is out the door then I have one more boat to build before I even think about non-boat projects.

[Dreamscape]

It was hard to come up with every way and not have a page for just polling.

Just pick one that is closet to what you have or desire.

Sorry if I left any particular one out, I can't think of everything!

Have a Happy Day,

Paul