Bus to RV Conversion: How to Convert a Bus to an RV

The trend of the bus to RV conversion, be it a Skoolie or a city bus to an RV, is not new. The process involves decommissioning a used bus, getting it insured and changing its title, and designing every aspect of the interior, from the layout to the electricals, plumbing, and more. This process is important as it offers a moveable option for those who don’t want to rent or invest in a traditional brick-and-mortar home.

However, running an RV or a motorhome that offers all the comforts of a traditional home requires some power supply to keep your appliances running. Jackery Solar Generators are reliable solar-powered generators that offer a renewable solution to power your RV’s appliances. They can harness the sun's rays to give you a reliable power supply to charge up and run most of your RV's appliances, giving you unhindered freedom.

Key Takeaways

Here's a quick summary of the key points discussed in this detailed guide for your benefit:

• Converting a bus to an RV requires careful planning and research.
• You must choose a bus that's in good condition and balances reliability, mileage, and budget.
• Insuring your RV and converting the title are key processes you must follow to register your RV.
• You should choose the proper power supply for your RV. Options include solar power, wind power, generators, and so on.
• Jackery Solar Generators are a quiet, reliable, and safe way to power your RV and run most of your daily appliances.

Can You Convert a Bus to an RV?

Yes, you can convert a bus to an RV. People have been doing so for years, professionally and as a DIY or passion project for themselves and their families. When you convert what used to be a school bus into a home, it essentially becomes a motorhome or a small, stationary home that you can park anywhere. As a result, these RVs or motorhomes are typically called Skoolies.

Converting buses to RVs offers several benefits, often making it the ideal choice for many people. Some of these benefits include:

• Affordability:Converting a bus into a motorhome or an RV often costs less than buying one outright. It is also much cheaper than buying an entire brick-and-mortar home.
• Customizability:Converting a bus to an RV on your own also allows you to customize it. You can choose every aspect, from the layout to the materials used and the appliances you need.
• Durability:School or shuttle buses are often designed to withstand the rigors of daily transportation. This durable nature also means you will have to deal with minimal repairs in the long run, especially if you maintain your motorhome well.

Can You Register a Bus as an RV?

Yes, you can register a bus as an RV. While the process takes time and investment, many consider it worth the effort. However, the process of registering a bus as an RV will vary from one state to another. Vermont, for example, has a relatively straightforward process of not requiring a title for vehicles older than 15 years. It also makes it easy to transfer the commercial title to turn a bus into an RV.

The major hurdle you'll have to navigate is that most buses come with a commercial vehicle title, which you'll have to change to an RV title. Other than changing the title, most states also require prerequisites when you convert a commercial vehicle into an RV. Some of these include:

• The seats must be removed, or it must seat less than 16 passengers.
• It will require cooking appliances that are either permanently installed or have an onboard fuel source.
• It must have a refrigerator that's either powered, but a cooler on the floor in some places also works.
• It must have a sink with a potable water supply.
• It must have a heating unit that's not powered by the engine.
• It should feature a 120V power supply.
• It must be painted in a color other than yellow, as that's reserved for school buses.

How to Choose the Best Bus for Conversion

The first step to converting a bus to an RV is to choose the right bus for your needs. While you must be wondering if there is one perfect bus for all purposes, the truth is that the right bus will depend on what you expect it to do, how big you want it to be, and its specifications and features.

Type

School buses (which are most commonly converted to RVs) are of four types. These include:

Type A: Type A buses, also called short buses, are typically built on a one-ton cab-and-chassis van. They're designed to carry 10 passengers but can also carry about 30. Since they're built to haul much more weight than you'd expect, they're common among people looking for a bus to convert to an RV.

Type B: Type B buses are similar to Type A buses built on a cab-and-chassis. However, they're built on a chassis designed to transport 30 passengers. These buses are not common and are thus not used as Skoolies too often.

Type C: Type C buses are the most common ones on the road and are thus the easiest and cheapest to acquire when converting a bus to an RV. Their chassis are designed to seat up to 80 passengers and are ideal for building an RV from scratch.

Type D: Type D buses have flat fronts and front wheels behind the driver. Their engines are typically found at the back to reduce noise within the cabin, but in some cases, they can also be front or mid-mounted. These are popular for people willing to spend on more plush RVs or motorhomes.

Size

Everyone would ideally like to have a spacious RV or motorhome, but one unsaid rule is that the more space you have inside your RV, the bigger it will be, and it'll be harder to drive around. If you're driving around the smaller streets of places like San Francisco or New York, you should ideally choose the smallest RV you can find.

Your Search Radius

Many people don't want to travel too far to find their perfect bus. However, doing so can often be helpful in the long run. If you can buy a bus from a warmer area, you'll find one in better condition than one in a cooler place. Buses in cooler places often spend a lot of time in road salt, which can destroy the vehicle over time. In this context, spending more time or money traveling to get the right bus now can save you from costly and time-consuming repairs in the future.

Mileage

The mileage on the bus you choose will be a crucial factor for you to consider. Typically, gas engines have a lifetime of 200,000 miles. The newer the bus you can afford, the better shape it will be in. However, not everyone can afford to buy a newer vehicle. So, you'll have to find the right balance between the vehicle's mileage and your budget.

Internal Construction

The bus's internal construction is a key indicator of how well it's been maintained in the past. If you buy a vehicle only to find it lacks ribbing or that its body is almost entirely coated in rust, you'll have to consider your options and see if you can afford to spend money on a bus in better condition.

Where Can You Find the Best Bus for Conversion?

You'll likely come across several options when you try to find the best bus to convert to an RV. Smaller dealers typically have better prices than national bus dealers. You can also look for eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace options.

Another option you can consider is government auction sites. However, while you might find several buses at lower prices, most are bound to be in rough shape, so check the vehicle thoroughly before putting down any money on one.

Preparations for Bus to RV Conversion

Once you've chosen the right bus, the next step is to prepare it for conversion into an RV or a motorhome. This process involves several steps, which we discuss in this section.

Understand Your Needs and Usage

The first step is to understand your needs and how much you will use your RV. For instance, if you occasionally intend to go out on a trip, you might not need to spend too much on adding every possible feature to your RV.

On the other hand, if you're planning on living in your RV full-time, you'll have to take care of every aspect, from a reliable plumbing system to electricals or power backup to installing a bed or two, depending on the number of family members, and so on.

Write Down the Requirements to Convert a Bus to an RV

The next step is to note down all the requirements of converting a bus to an RV. When you get a used bus, you'll need all the requisite tools to decommission the bus, from removing the seats, the floorboard, the windows, and so on.

Other factors to consider include purchasing rust treatments, deciding on the layout based on the measurements, purchasing the required materials, and painting.

Design RV’s Layout

Next, you'll have to list down all your considerations and find answers to questions about the vehicle's layout. Some of these include:

• Do you have the space for a fixed bed, or will you need to invest in or build a pull-down option?
• How much storage do you need, and where can it be incorporated?
• How big a refrigerator do you need, depending on the number of members in your family?
• How much seating do you require?
• What kind of air conditioning or heating system will your RV need?
• How will you incorporate the gray water tank?

Finding the answers to these questions can help you better plan the conversion of your bus to an RV.

Consider About Electricals and Plumbing

Like the RV's layout, you'll also have to list specific questions about managing your motorhome's electrical and plumbing. Some of these include:

• What kind of power backup system do you plan on installing? Some options include using a generator, solar power, wind power, etc.
• How many sockets do you need across the interior?
• How big of a fresh drinking water tank do you require?
• Where do you plan on installing the gray water tank?
• What should be the size of the water pump you install?
• How are you going to charge your RV batteries?

Once again, answering these questions can help you choose the right electrical fittings and plumbing mechanisms based on your needs and the extent of your RV's usage.

Consider Vehicle's Insurance

Last, you must consider the vehicle's insurance and write down all the relevant questions. Some of these questions include:

• What do the laws governing the conversion of commercial to private cars in my state specify?
• What changes must I make to the original vehicle to change its commercial vehicle title to an RV?
• Which insurance agent do you want to go through for the insurance process?
• What are the requirements when you go to the DMV to transfer or convert your vehicle's title?

How to Convert a Bus to an RV?

Once you have all the details prepared and have insured your new vehicle, you can start converting it into an RV. This section explains all the steps in detail.

Demolition

When you buy a bus, it will likely come with all kinds of fittings on the interior. As a result, your first step should be to decommission the bus by stripping it of all the parts you don't need. For example, some parts you'll need to remove from the exterior include the crossing arm, the stop sign, the wording and decals on the bus, and the reflective tape. Next, you can remove parts like seats, walls, floors, and ceilings to evaluate the condition of the sheet metal. This will also give you a good idea of whether it requires rust treatment.

Removing the Rust

Once you remove all the surfaces, the next step will be to remove all the rust you can find. Before you dive into deeper rust remediation, you'll have to tackle the surface rust. You can use a wire wheel on a cordless drill to remove the surface rust and clean all the residue with a vacuum cleaner.

You might also find rust in other places, such as the wheel wells, the windows, the door openings, and so on. Thoroughly examine the interior and remove all the surface rust you can find. Then, you can use any reliable rust treatment to protect the interior and other parts from corroding in the future.

Interior Layout and Design

Once you're done removing the rust, you'll have to take careful and precise measurements of the interior to understand how to incorporate all the fittings and appliances. Take a measuring tape and write down the following measurements:

• Walls
• Floor (including any protrusions)
• Ceiling
• Entrance stairwell
• Driver's compartment
• Emergency exit doors
• Ceiling hatches for the emergency exits, and so on.

If you plan on making a 3D model of your RV before beginning the design, these measurements will help you design it with precision.

Modifying the Exterior

Once you plan the interiors, you can modify the RV's exteriors. After all, you don't want your motorhome to look like a school bus after a school bus-to-RV conversion. Depending on the roof's condition, the first step is to seal it before painting it in the colors you choose.

You must also choose your paint based on the climatic conditions and temperatures of where you live. For example, if you drive around in warmer places, you can choose a light color paint to reflect sunlight and keep your RV's body a few degrees cooler.

Then, replace the old windows with newer ones that fit well and are good quality. Some older buses have windows that don't close properly or open up when the bus is moving, and you must consider these aspects. You can also turn the emergency exit hatch into a skylight to allow more natural light to flood your interiors.

Plumbing

Plumbing is a crucial factor that affects your motorhome's livability. This process must be completed before you do the interiors, as you'll need to place the water pipelines within the walls. The first thing to tackle is a freshwater tank that you can use for cooking, bathing, etc.

The size of the tank you choose will depend on the size of your RV and the amount of time you intend to spend in it. You'll also have to decide where to place the tank. Placing it above your RV can affect its driving dynamics, whereas placing it lower in the body can lower its center of gravity.

Another aspect you'll have to consider is a gray water tank. This tank holds all the water flowing down your RV's drains. While some people let the water flow down on the road, this isn't legal in every state, so you'll also have to check your local regulations for more clarity on whether a gray water tank is mandatory.

Your RV will also need a freshwater pump and a filtration system. The pump will supply your pipelines with the pressure required to get water flowing through your faucets, whereas the filtration system will be crucial for you to access safe drinking water, depending on your primary water source.

Electricals

The electricals of your motorhome will help power up all your appliances and keep them running whenever you need them. Once again, you'll have to ensure all the wiring is placed before you put in your insulation and walls.

In terms of power sources, there are several options you could consider, such as:

• A solar-powered system for an RV or a solar generator
• Using a wind turbine that generates electricity from the wind when your vehicle is parked
• Using a gasoline or diesel-powered generator
• Shore power from an electrical outlet at a campground
• Using a stationary bike that you can peddle to charge up your appliances (bicycle power)

While you have various options, not all are convenient and reliable. The ideal is a solar generator, which can use the sun's rays and convert them into usable electricity to run most of your appliances. Jackery Solar Generators rely on the sun's rays to generate electricity. The portable power station can be carried around, even if you plan to park your RV at a campground and go hiking or camping.

Final Touches

You can give your RV all its final touches once you're done with all our interiors, electricals, and plumbing. You could decorate and personalize your interiors to suit your taste or add decals or paint of your choice on the exteriors.