Families DIY School Bus Conversion - Fully Off Grid Tiny House 

Ok, so I know this one is longer than normal. However, with everyone looking into skoolies, I felt as though this would be a good one for those looking into this lifestyle.

I like how giving and honest he was about the job opportunity.

Things I’ve learned because of the longer video: 1) Plan for a pantry of sorts. 2) Get the right instant water heater for low flow because of the nature of the bus. 3) Be aware that self-built composting toilets can have issues like smell and be difficult to clean vs their premanufactured counterparts. 4) If you don’t do a roof raise, something is needed so taller people can shower in a bathroom near the curve of the bus roof. 5) If you have a wheelchair/emergency door in the bathroom, you can turn your bathroom into a “mud room” so you don’t get your bus dirty. 6) If you have kids, take the time to maximize the space they have to themselves. No matter if they’re full time living or not so they feel comfortable. 7) Consider hOw a space can me multifunctional so you can maximize the options in the bus. 8) Consider making things changeable because as you are on the road, things may need to be altered for the most comfortability. 9) You can use Amazon mattresses for bunk beds, couch cushions, etc if you plan on DIYing anything so you know your cushions are soft enough. 10) The engine cover for a rear engine bus can be used as a multipurpose space. 11) Plan for closet space. 12) It would be wise to do your best to balance weight on the bus. 13) If you have a rear engine bus, look for one with doors to access the sides of the engine for easier maintenance. 14) When looking into tow vehicles, ones that tow easily and hook and unhook easily are very important for quick access when needed. 15) Consider a roof deck and consider the size that would best maximize the space. Imagine what you can learn in an hour long video. Longer videos may seem annoying to people who aren’t serious, but to those of us who are seriously considering this lifestyle, understanding these small details will help us in the future to build a bus that works well for our needs without spending massive amounts of money for contractors. It’s vital to learn from other people’s mistakes and successes when it comes to something like this. Thank you for releasing detailed videos so I can best plan out my own skoolie in the future.

The dog is so offended you lifted her roof 😂 I love it

I love that he explained his job and how someone might do that. I always have to wonder how people afford their lives.

Did anyone else get a little scared for a second when he said this is our dead cat 😂

Cool aluminum tiles on the stove mount, and the wood bin is cool. Those bunks are so different too, and the strip curtains. Nice build.

Dead cat haha. Yep I have one of them too. Every now and then ours move. Mostly to just eat lol First real video of bus living I've seen. All the rest seem to look like display show homes

Bus Panda is the best nickname for a bus cat EVER!!!!!

really well thought out rig, you did a really good job, the both of you. I'm 83 and in a house that I built to retire in but after 3 strokes in 72 hours I need to get out and enjoy the Island and be able to see my kids when I want to, just drive to them. A 19 passenger Van with wheelchair entry would suit my needs. I have to have a cabinet to house the tools that I need to take where ever I go. with the lift entry I can get my wheelchair in and out by myself and use beach areas to shower and use toilets, plus I have many friends that I can stay with now and then to visit. I'm a publisher of a local magazine so I have an income plus my income from social security, I'll do fine and like the adventure that's going to come my way.

This is the video that got me hooked on Bricks of Happiness! Love their channel, and quite possibly falling in love with this family.

I hope they move those curtains from by the stove

Thank you for keeping a tag on your GORGEOUS kitty. What a beautiful home you have created. Safe travels!

I love that kitchen sink, u could wash ur smalls in it, as well as other stuff. Ur bunks are great. Love how they've got windows. TOP MARKS. What a great home you've both made......

I want in the future have a bus

What a useful man to have do the DIY! I've seen it said that you need to live in the space for a while in order to see what doesn't work and remedy it. I so wish we were able to park a Ford van on our drive to work on it, let alone a 40ft bus! I always feel that these buses make the transition to mobile living alot easier. You can fit everything in that you need convenience-wise, and at each new location, you have enough floor space outside to play and run around with ease. Btw, many travellers put their plants along the windowsills that have a big enough recess or surround. That would save you popping them in the sink when you're on the move. HTH

Honestly, the best thought out skoolie I've seen, thus far. 🤙🏼

And your dog surprise you guys very smart not only think about you and your family then you guys think about the dog look so cuddle so cute😍🚚🇺🇸

Be very careful cooking with those ‘antique ceiling tiles’.if they are what we used to have here in the UK they are highly flammable!

Thats an awsome bus home. I am thinking of getting a schooling but half the size of yours. I'm a 53 year old with a 90 year old body. I need something smaller.

Guys this Bus Home is an beautiful Tiny Home. 👍👍👍👍👍

Truly a beautiful home and the family being together is great. Continue busing it will pay off!

♥️♥️♥️♥️ the build. Love the deep storage In the kitchen.

Oh that's good planning. So many ideas, thank you for the videos, Tiny house tours! 💚 Skoolie dreaming 💚

That's very nice I wish somebody spoiling me like that you are very genius🚚🇺🇸🤓😍 I'm going to show my grandkids they gonna love it I'm fixing my box truck so I'm getting a lot of ideas thank you so much😍🚚🇺🇸

rooftop deck is epic ❤ ❤

Love your bus all the wonderful ideas please. Share with us more of your cool adventures.... Folks like share

So many details to think about. Thank you for talking through everything so thoroughly. You gave lots of great tips and it's so helpful to know what you feel you did wrong and how you'd change it.

Nice bus !!!

Love your energy

Nice build, im sure when its finished, i think it's awesome that your family is making beautiful memories 🥰, enjoy!

Good luck in all your travels greetings from Athens

Your bunks are very creative.

Wow very comprehensive tour and explanations - fantastic build - I'm very impressed! Kudos

That's very nice that he's helping you😍🤗🤓🚚🇺🇸

Love your bus,, not overtly pristine like many are. very cozy!

Great vid. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you all the best from Scotland. 👍

Its lovely log burner is osum

Beautiful

Stunning great build

Very nice. Yall have done a great job. Gave me alot of ideas.

Awesome build. Will be borrowing some ideas, thank you.

Can’t go wrong with a Amtran RE. Drove one for a few years, really nice busses but we had the T444E engines in ours but we never had the push button transmission. Would have loved to seen the drivers areas of this bus.

i enjoyed this video. thanks for the tour, and for sharing your life with us😊

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME 👍. STAY BLESSED AND SAFE 💞.

nice bunk cut outs! fun!

Beautiful home. That wood stove and suround is awesome. Love it!

Good taste Saw that crown royal bag 😂 very nice bus guys

27:08 lmao such a dad thing to say and do

I am so impressed . This is chill!! Lol loving it ❤❤💔💔

Oooooo, I really like that ceiling!

Use tension curtain rods in cupboards to keep things from falling out

This is amazing! Those cabinets are just brilliant

It's amazing the jobs that can be performed remotely. Since the pandemic there are so many more. I am sure that it is going to be hard to ever go back to an office.

I love watching your show . i am glad you did that

"She has multiple nicknames... she answers to none of them." 😂😂😂 sounds like a cat for sure.

I liked this build at 1:19. Mod podge is the best.

Love your skoolie! Great layout

Love it! Can't wait to get together and shoot an update. If anyone has questions or wants to see anything specific in the meantime please come over and check out our channel. We upload weekly. Thanks for watching! Don't give up your daydream!

Nice home

I love your video, a lot of creative ideas for storage. I was wondering because it is sooo long, do you have to have a special license to drive something this big? I was also noticing around your fridge you have a lot of wasted space. There are very narrow racks on wheels made for campers and motor homes that utilize space for can good, juice jugs etc. That may help organize your food pantry and then the other places you used for food could be allocated for other items. Way to go and live your best life. Wish I could visit people who do this.

How cools your home bravo! Thanks for sharing.:)

That's funny..our cat, Catdog had 20 different names and I swear he'd flip us off whenever we tried to call him.

Great build so far would love to see more

zo nice fam. verry good . i like it .

Your home is very nice.

I have a cat like that - many names but she ignores unless she hears treat box open or sometimes if I say Kitty. She's a long haired grey and white main coon mutt lol

I love it

Hello, I have the same bus, same year, just shorter(11 windows). You guys did an amazing job on the build, I was hoping you would have gone over the solar install and how they were attached & wired. Thank you for Sharing your beautiful home on wheels, bless you all.

Nice bunks.

Your home is beautiful!!!👠🚌👠

Awesome bus awesome people 👍👍🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

That textured aluminum hearth is going to be a b**** to clean.

I love that their bus looks lived in and not like a magazine.

Can I just point out the curtains behind the wood stove please? I just want you to be safe and you have done a fantastic job at installing it and creating the heat shields😊 the curtains behind it worry’s me. Thankyou for sharing your house/bus it’s lovely. Some great ideas😊

Ah a Logitech Trackman. I see you are a man of culture as well :D

I thought they had a half Mountain have domestic cat for a minute love the fruit basket and everything else.

Can you show us how the dog gets under the bed ? lol

Wow, I’m so impressed that you’ve made a way for the homeless to have a safe bed & gradually transition to a viable lifestyle & community & then into a complete tiny home & community. Blessings on your vision & commitment!

Legend has it that cat is still napping there...

Hopefully you did a burn outside with that stove because I hear there’s some strong poisonous odors that came off the first time people burned their tiny Woodstove. 💕 it looks wonderful I’m so jealous.

I'm sure you've found out by now, they say to burn them before putting it in to get the paint smell burnt off.

families

Bus panda 😂🥰

Love the ceiling, the sink, all the storage and your kitchen entirely. You guys did great. U have a lot of weight; curious as to mpg.

I've seen this one before on another you tube channel!

did she mentioned which kind of auction she used in the past?

At 27:11 omfggggg im dead laughing bro😭😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂❤️🤣

Niiiiice!!!!

Oh and I love the ceiling tile, where can I get it again?

I would check to see if your cat is deaf or hard of hearing.....I had a cat that I was blind that I didn't know it was til I started watching him he would travel same routes through house if I put something in this path he would run into it.

yooo i got the same exact keyboard and mouse lol

I ask, and I ask, and I ask, but never get an answer. So here goes again. Since this is your home, what happens if your home breaks down and has to be in a shop for days? Also, do you never get mice in a bus? Just things that I want to know--but no one has the decency to answer. thanks. Nice design and the counter tops are great. Do you have any worries about having your family so close in proximity to that liquid propane water heater? Again, just asking, not judging, I seriously want to know. thanks LOve the Bunk designs! Cool.

Love your kitchen!! Great job on the build!! We just started and finished the demo. How long did it take you guys to build your bus?

I really like your bus, I have the same bus but a 2004, I was wondering what hitch did you use on your bus? I got to get one for mine.

What kind of safety seating do you have for your child? Have watched several of these bus conversions with family and rarely do i see seat belts or safety seats for smaller children.

LIKE: Permanently seal butcher block

They say you should burn the stove the first time outside to burn off the smell.

That is so pretty! Do you have an escape door in your bedroom? If so, I missed it.

What size beds did you put in the bunk area?