This is the Best Bus to Convert to a Skoolie

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and purchase a school bus to convert into your new home, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This is especially true if you don’t know much about school bus conversions and which buses are the best ones to convert. 

When it comes to picking a bus to convert into a skoolie, the best bus to convert is one that is in good shape both physically and mechanically. The bus should also have good tires, a diesel engine, and a few other necessary features.

This sounds like a lot, but finding the best bus to convert into a skoolie is important when it comes to the lifespan of your new home. Keep reading to learn more about the best bus you should purchase to convert into a skoolie.  

How To Choose The Best Bus To Convert To A Skoolie

First and foremost, when it comes to choosing a bus to convert into a skoolie, a lot of your choices come down to personal preference. For example, the length and nose shape of the bus you choose will depend on what you personally want your skoolie to look like. 

But beyond aesthetics, the best bus to convert to a skoolie is one that is in good physical and mechanical shape. This is because if you pick a school bus that has lots of mechanical problems, you run the risk of your new home breaking down at an inopportune time. Additionally, if your bus has many cosmetic issues, this could make it more difficult to convert. 

It’s always best to have an experienced diesel engine mechanic inspect any bus you plan to buy for a skoolie conversion. But there are several aspects of the bus that you can inspect on your own to help make your decision on if it is the best bus for you. 

Consider The Engine

There are a couple of different types of engines found in school buses. In general, when you are picking a school bus, you’ll want to pick a diesel engine. Diesel engines tend to last longer than gas engines and typically give the user more useful years.

When it comes to a school bus engine, just knowing the odometer reading isn’t enough. While you do want a bus that doesn’t have too many miles on it, you also need to find out as much as you can about the maintenance history of the bus you are looking to buy. This can sometimes be difficult when buying a bus second-hand.

School buses tend to spend a lot of time idling, which puts pressure on the engine that you can’t see in an odometer reading. And this is where having a certified mechanic looking at the bus is a must if you don’t have the mechanical knowledge to know whether a diesel engine is in good shape or not. 

Understand The Severity of Rust

Once you know you have selected a school bus with a good engine, the next step is to check the bus for rust. There are two different types of rust, one which is usually harmless, and another you need to avoid at all costs. 

The harmless type of rust is called surface rust, and it is okay if your skoolie has surface rust just be aware that it might be some work to remove this rust. You can also leave it in place if you prefer, but it may impede on the aesthetic you are going for.

The second type of rust is called cancerous rust, and you do not want the bus you are going to purchase to have any cancerous rust. This is because cancerous rust can spread and damage the integrity of your bus frame. It can also slowly erode away your bus, something that is not ideal when you are building your new home. 

When inspecting a school bus for cancerous rust, you should inspect the underside, the wheel wells, and the floor, as these are the most common places for a bus to have damaging cancerous rust. You especially want to avoid cancerous rust in the wheel wells as this can cause tons of problems when it comes to moving your skoolie in the future.

Check The Tires

In addition to checking the bus frame for rust, you will also want to check the quality of the tires. Bus tires are extremely expensive, so the best bus to convert to a skoolie will be one that has tires that can last for years to come. 

Checking bus tires is very similar to checking the tires on your car. You will want to look at the tread and the wear on the tires. If the tread is worn down and not very deep, this bus will require new tires sooner rather than later, and this is not the best bus to buy for a skoolie. 

Make Sure It Fits Your Budget

All of the above aspects are absolutely necessary when it comes to picking the best bus to convert to a skoolie, but now there are a few additional items to discuss that will affect your decision when it comes to buying a bus. The most important one is budget.

You need to find a bus that is within your budget. This is because a skoolie isn’t complete when you buy the bus, in fact, your work is just beginning! So finding the perfect bus to convert will include finding one at a price you are comfortable with. And if you find a bus, but it needs a lot of mechanical work to run, you’ll need to factor this into the price as well. 

Type Of Bus

This next aspect is mostly aesthetically based, but you will need to decide the type of bus you want to buy. There are two different nose styles and numerous different lengths. You will want to buy one that has enough space for your family. 

The main style difference is a dog-nosed versus a flat-nosed bus. A dog-nosed bus is one that has a nose that protrudes, while a flat nose bus is one where the front of the bus is completely flat. Flat-nosed buses tend to be slightly bigger if space is important to you. But you also want a bus that is long enough for you, so when it comes down to it, the nose shape of the bus may not be a major deciding factor.

Location

The last thing that you need to consider when buying the best bus for a skoolie is the location of the bus. You will probably want to go see the bus before you purchase it; thus, it must be within a visitable distance. Not only that, but you will probably need to drive it to wherever you plan to work on converting it.

You should pick a bus that is within a day’s drive. This is especially important when it comes to having a mechanic you trust to look at the engine. You can have someone you don’t know inspect the bus at its location, but this definitely can make the whole bus buying process harder on your nerves. 

Also, remember, even if you are a great mechanic buying a bus that needs work, you will need to be able to drive it to where you plan to work on it. This means the bus must be in good enough condition to drive from its current location to where you need it to start working on it.

Conclusion

Overall, when it comes to the best bus to convert into a skoolie, this is any bus that is in good mechanical shape with no rust. Beyond that, the best bus for your skoolie conversion will depend on your specific preferences. Once you decide the length and shape of bus you want, it’s time to find a mechanic you trust and start shopping for your dream skoolie!  

Thanks for reading and we can’t wait to see you guys out on the road!