This magnificent bus was created by some lovely folks in the Pacific Northwest, and has exactly the aesthetic I’m aiming for. One quality I can’t stand in most RV and Skoolie floor-plans is the claustrophobic feeling that comes from narrow walkways and floor to ceiling walls. In an effort to cram as many household conveniences as they possibly can into a small space, they lose any sense of place it may have had. It just becomes a collection of rooms in a box, none large enough to hold their own. That is not for me.
This open layout does accommodate less stuff than traditional RV designs, but in exchange there are breath-taking views each and every direction you look. The full length of windows are open for viewing, which makes the space feel that much larger. And the bus itself can be seen and admired. Though it gives up a fair amount of storage space, all the essentials are there.
I’m not looking to sacrifice much, either. Through careful planning and clever engineering, I’m looking to have a full functioning sink/tub with hot and cold water, a two burner stove, 12V and normal AC house power, a composting toilet, and a woodstove to keep things toasty in the winter months. Ideally, the final layout will be able to sleep six comfortably, and even more less comfortably.
I’ll get into the nitty gritty later, but the above image really helped to focus my thoughts on the project, and it seemed an appropriate note to start on. There are even more pictures of this bus here, though sadly I haven’t been successful in contacting either the creators or the present owners.
Chris says
2013/08/28 at 12:32Excellent point on the open floor plan. I totally agree. When I lived in my van, I kept it wide open. Bed, chair – that’s it. I don’t understand the need for so many appliances – I had a camp stove to cook on, and when I was done, I could put it out of the way. It’s not about trying to make it have all of the same stuff as a big house – I think RVs are crammed full of all that unnecessary stuff to prove to would-be owners that it’s capable of more that it actually ought to be. It’s a psychologically-motivated design to entice people who still think they need a dishwasher in the woods. I’m amazed how prevalent this is in the RV market.
I get a kick out of a great home-made van conversion, but I know in my heart that I enjoy the open space much more than being crammed into a nook or cranny. That is one excellent looking bus conversion in the pic.
John says
2013/08/28 at 21:38Definitely. That conversion is still the gold standard, in my opinion.
When I was first designing my bus for the roadtrip, I went to an RV show to get some ideas. I came away empty handed, and with a even less respect for commercial RVs. Boats, on the other hand, are a great source of inspiration.
Libbash Johnson says
2014/11/02 at 15:49First off KUDOS on the veggie diesel.
I have a plan for a school bus. Since they are front engined there is an open space between the frame rails from the axe back. I intend to raise the roof approx 4 ft., install a windshield on the leading edge similar to the sceniccruiser. I will remove the floor between the rear frame rails and weld a box with steps for a gangway this will leave room for 2 queen compartments on either side. Above that I will build a deck for a living area for passengers to sit in while underway or while camping. The rest will be used for the usual amenities
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