Bus Conversion- Most Asked Questions:

A bus build is a big commitment and the value of a dollar isn’t much these days, if there is a way that we can help you find the answers before you spend time and money on mistakes, we have found out what really trouble most people early on in the process and sometimes too far in. We wish you the best of luck on your endeavors.

1. Registering title as a conversion – Many people have trouble getting their bus to become a motorhome on paper. This generally requires an inspection for specific elements on the bus. You can get one by creating a “pre-conversion” for inspection and approval, then remove it to begin an actual build. How we did it
2. Insuring your Skoolie – Insurance companies can be fickle, but possible to work with, it helps to have your title changed before this step. Take photos of your build and use full disclosure so you can insure your bus properly. There are mixed feelings on the subject of whether you should fib when talking to insurance, in my opinion, it’s best to stick as close to the truth as possible so there is nothing left unchecked. On this note, you should also have renters insurance to cover your belongings in case of an accident/incident. I recommend State Farm. More insurance info
3. Selling Your Bus Conversion – Skoolies are awesome, but the thing about a skoolie that most people want, is to actually build one. Buying one is great, but the idea is to customize and build one yourself for a less expensive price tag. When people pour their heart and soul into a skoolie, they often try to price them as a seller and not as a buyer. If the price tag is too large, the buyers may as well get a loan and buy something with a warranty over a unique asset. Options instead of selling your bus conversion renting an experience on the bus, bus tours, and tips, rental for camping, and skoolie event rental.
4. Skoolie and Bus Conversion in RV Parks – Finding a place that will allow your skoolie to stay in their park sounds more harrowing than it actually is. Many places accept skoolies, they won’t be upscale resorts, but they will have hookups. If your bus is denied access, you may have a really ugly bus (no offense) or it has a potential risk factor, like fire burning heat source or improper ventilation. Sending pictures ahead of time can prevent an acceptance issue when you arrive.
5. Cost Of Building a Skoolie – The idea that building a skoolie is cheap would be an understatement in the mind of a person that is actually looking to do so. Many tools and materials are needed to create an exceptional, Instagram-worthy build. There may be repairs to do before the build that could eat into the budget right away. Make sure your engine is sound and your tires will last for at least the first year. The actual cost of a conversion cannot be figured, there is no real dollar amount for creativity, but the guess is between $5k to over $10k.
6. Solar Panels and Batteries on a Skoolie – Having an off-grid fully sustainable outdoor camper is ideal. The issue is financial, batteries will cost the most money to bank your power. The more batteries you have the more energy you can use. The concern is which battery to use and how much time you’ll need. 

7-8x 400w Solar Panels (2800-3200w)

6-10x 100AH  Batteries

4000-5000w Inverter  This example would be the maximum system needed to run all things in a home let alone an RV. You will not need to go any higher, lower sure.  The bright side is never having to pay for electricity, only replacing batteries. 

7. Skoolie Paint and Brand – The size of your bus will determine how many gallons and coats you will need. 2-3 Gallons can be sprayed or rolled onto a full-size 40ft bus. Paint quality will affect how far it goes. Sherwin Williams, Valspar, and Rustoleum (Oil based on metal or DTM direct to metal) are the most popular used brands. Prep the bus for paint and clear coat the finish to avoid watermarks. The most common bus colors are White, Green, and Blue.

There are various questions that people have when going into a skoolie build, you never know what you don’t know. Luckily, there are people that have come before us sharing on social media. Use all the sources to give you the best foot forward to build your confidence. We know the feeling of excitement and indecisiveness that can go into taking on a project like this. Keep going, share with the public, and create something amazing. 

Safe travels!