Rustic School Bus Conversion

Hi! I'm Chelle and this is the 97' International 7.3 school bus I spent a year converting and getting to the point I could re-register it as a motorhome in Texas. When possible I reused what I already had or could find on craigslist. I salvaged wood and other materials myself when I came across them and purchased everything else a little at a time as I needed and/or could afford.  

The bus is wired to run off either campground hook-ups or gas generator. It's set-up for boondocking without a generator as well. For camping off-grid I have solar lights, solar hot water, a propane cook burner, propane Mr Buddy heater, woodstove, Coleman outdoor oven and a BBQ grill. At campgrounds I plug into shore power, and only need 30 amps to run the large roof mounted a/c unit. I use my dorm refrigerator, crock pot, toaster oven, electric hot plate, coffee maker, lamps, fans, heated blanket, electric heater, and Coleman roof top air conditioner. 

The peace sign I painted on the storage box is symbolic of how long I've wanted to do this. I've been dreaming about traveling the country in a converted school bus since I was a kid and a magnificent smoke belching, monstrosity of crazy colors and peace signs pulled into the gas station next to us. I was fascinated both by the bus and the young people inside. A girl with flowers in her hair saw me gawking at her. She hopped out smiling and handed me me the biggest most perfect peach I had ever seen. I questioned Dad for the next few miles as I ate my peach. He said they were "hippies". From what I gathered 'hippies' didn't have real jobs or houses, preferring instead to live in a bus, like they were camping all the time, just going wherever they want. I doubt it was his intention but the whole lifestyle sounded 'right on' to me! I decided I wanted to be a hippie and live in a school bus! 

I wanted my bus to feel like a tiny home. I kept all the windows. The cuttains hang on cables the length of the bus, and I've sewn magnets into the sheers to easily toss them up and move around. I use a vintage potty I picked up at an antique fair, for midnight 'emergencies'. 

I picked up a used cabinet, replaced the damaged top with plywood, and covered the stains on the doors with color, then covered the whole thing a dark walnut to get a look liked. 

My carpentry skills matched my budget - both 'light', so I was mindful to keep my design simple, and serious carpentry work minimal. I used 3/4 insulation board and 1/2" construction grade plywood for the floors. The walls were insulated and finished with pine plank wainscoting. 

Awesome deck right? Well it was illegal. With some help I cut it down. It's safe, legal, and there is still enough room to swing the back door open all the way, store a generator, etc. The rails can be removed for loading, and gate drops down to use as steps.

  

The electrical was already done, which was the part of the conversion I had the most concern about. It had low miles, a new Coleman rv air conditioner insalled, all but 4 seats had been removed, it had a large rear deck, new tires, and string lights. The ceiling was spray painted black and a brand new refrigerator which reeked of cinnamon schnapps! I'm sure she was destined to be a party bus before I got her.  

Deluxe Lofted Barn Cabin

There's a little place that sells Derksen portable buildings in Dayton and I always have a hard time passing it by, without stopping to roam thru the cabins and sheds, whenever I venture to town. Last week we stopped by again and got more information about the options and pricing of these little darlings.

This is a Derksen Deluxe Lofted Barn Cabin. This one is 12'x30', the smallest of their 'Deluxe Lofted Barn Cabin' style which come as large as 16'x32'. It's the most expensive style with the unique corner porch and bumped out windows, but also eats up more interior square footage than the others.

The price is $7,925 before tax, free delivery within 50 miles. It comes standard with 2 lofts, but the lofts are high and have little headroom above them. Optional extras to make the lofts more usable would cost extra. 8' walls are $500, lower loft (which come standard at wall height) $100 each. You can add more windows, 2x3's are $75 and 3x3' windows $100, a 2nd door is $200. So there's lots of options.
I was asked to check the 'rent-to-own' deal, so here's how it works. Monthly payments would be apx $360 for 36 months. Each month $260 of the payment goes to pay down the principle and $100 goes to 'rent'. I believe the down payment was one month's rent, and there is no penalty for early pay-off.

I found it difficult to arrange an interior lay-out that functioned well for us. It's hard to use that bumped out space. Possibly a kitchen/eating area, maybe a large built in window seat and extra bed. You'll notice I don't have ladders or stairs figured out. The door being so far into the cabin is awkward as well, in my opinion at least. 

 These are photos of the same style cabin only 4 feet longer at 12x34. They can be finished out really nice. The bathroom is behind the kitchen, and bedroom beyond at the end of the back of the cabin.

Nook in the front of cabin

A Village and Salvage Market - The Mountain Video

Post by The Mountain in Canton Texas.

I think this is pretty cool. You could live above your own little shop.