Well at least I could sleep in it.

So I sold my motorcycle and the wife wants an RV (she has a really convincing list of reasons so I won't argue too much)
While surfing CL for cheapish RVs I stumbled across this...

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3845059761.html

And I've had dirty dirty thoughts ever since. Update with 6BT drivetrain from a wrecked dodge, outfit the interior in RV style, not terribly concerned with having all the amenities such as a shower, stove, etc, just some nice seats, a fold out bed and we'd be good.

Of course it totally goes against my personal no more projects rule and the wife doesn't like the idea at all. But there is sooooo much want there.

Someone here needs to buy this so I can stop thinking about it.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/ptd/3821304296.html

In reply to slefain:

i really dont think that was the type of post he was looking for

I'm pretty sure I NEED to drive my kids around in something like this.

cutter67 wrote: In reply to slefain: i really dont think that was the type of post he was looking for

Well I certainly don't come here for people to talk me out of this stuff, I learned long ago that wont happen :)

All things considered if I were to undertake such insanity I'd probably just look for a totaled truck so I had everything in one package rather than trying to piece it together.

JThw8 wrote: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3845059761.html

That lot is LRA Automotive in Bristol, PA (old Weed Chevy dealer location). It doesn't look like they have a listing for the bus on their site, but you can see the bus in the distant background of this Camaro ad:

http://www.lraautomuseumandsales.com/web/new/Chevrolet-Camaro-1967-Bristol-Pennsylvania/8128038/

They are about 5 minutes from me if you want more pics.

Ian F wrote:

JThw8 wrote: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3845059761.html

That lot is LRA Automotive in Bristol, PA (old Weed Chevy dealer location). It doesn't look like they have a listing for the bus on their site, but you can see the bus in the distant background of this Camaro ad: http://www.lraautomuseumandsales.com/web/new/Chevrolet-Camaro-1967-Bristol-Pennsylvania/8128038/ They are about 5 minutes from me if you want more pics.

Dangit, smack dab between my office and home....might be a detour in my future. Seriously though, someone else buy this. If I get it it means I have to go back on my garage clearing binge and one of these days someone is going to take me seriously when I put the Yugo and Wartburg up for sale.

Whew, building an RV from scratch? Water & sewage holding tanks, propane stoves, refrigerator, insulation etc. etc. etc. A $10,000 RV is starting to look pretty good.

Parts RV for you: http://www.copart.com/c2/rv_auction_search_results.html?_eventId=getLot&execution=e2s3&lotId=20239143&returnPage=SEARCH_RESULTS

914Driver wrote: Whew, building an RV from scratch? Water & sewage holding tanks, propane stoves, refrigerator, insulation etc. etc. etc. A $10,000 RV is starting to look pretty good.

See the part above where I say we don't really need an RV. Some good seats, a bed, a microwave, we're set. My wife doesn't do camping, even in an RV. What she really wants is something to haul all her crap to concert tailgate parties and a way to evacuate our 5 dogs and 4 cats in the event of an emergency.

I used to laugh about that but since she came up with the idea (sortly after Katrina and seeing all the animals abandoned there) our area in NJ has been hit with 2 hurricanes, a friggin earthquake, and 2 chemical fire/explosions at the nearby refineries which almost caused us to evacuate. She may have a point. Most of the interior of whatever we get will get rebuilt with floor to ceiling kennels to pop the animals in and go.

DO IT!!! I would love a vintage school bus RV!

Edit: just be careful about how many kennels you set it up with. If your wife is anything like mine, she will make sure to fill it to maximum capacity in short order.

Go hippy. Go Further.

This is the running joke about me buying my Brother's supercharged Sequoia.

Sewerage holding is nasty. I would go with Composting toilet. Cheaper, more safe for the enviroment, and after the initial getting used to it.. easier to deal with. Less smells too

F-that. Use the Dave Mathews bus toilet.

Give me the money and I'll buy it. Solves that problem I think.

mad_machine wrote: Sewerage holding is nasty. I would go with Composting toilet. Cheaper, more safe for the enviroment, and after the initial getting used to it.. easier to deal with. Less smells too

That's my plan - fresh water and grey water tanks, but no black water. Black water is a PITA to get rid of. Grey water you can dump damn near anywhere. No propane either. Diesel powered van, diesel generator, diesel heater & diesel stove - single fuel source (a second aux fuel tank would be added as well). Not the cheapest option by a long shot (the diesel stoves are actually designed for boats and retail for more than Challenge money), but not having to deal with propane tanks would be freakin' priceless.

I forget who makes it. There is a diesel stove that also functions as a heater.

mad_machine wrote: I forget who makes it. There is a diesel stove that also functions as a heater.

Wallas: http://www.wallas.fi/default.asp?id=boat-stove-85DP

That's the really sleek and fancy 2-burner model. They also make a less fancy single for about half the price. But if I'm looking at almost $2K for a stove (some additional installation bits are still extra), I'd rather spend another $1K and get the nicer model... My goal is for the total build cost to be around 25% of the cost of a new Sportsmobile RV (including buying a used Sprinter), but since one of those can easily run into 6-figures, there will still be a sizable build budget. Of course, when I get to buying the stove, I'll also look into finding a used one through some sort of marine salvage place.

Many of my ideas I'm swiping from a build by the husband of one of the local car club members. They live on an RV full-time and are currently building a new one:

http://digitalmastery.com/creativecruiser/

He posts more photo updates on FB, but the site is a good read on the how's and why's of the build. Apparently being a top Photoshop guru pays well...

skoolie.net Short bus conversion forum.