Alternative Housing

Bus Conversions, Get All the Latest News and Information

I've been looking at RVs lately (I have this notion of taking off for a year or more to see the country by motorhome), and a lot of the stuff that's out there wouldn't really suit my needs.  It's just me and my dog, so do I need sleeping for 8?  Not, really, but I would definitely need a good computer workstation since I make a living with my computer. 

Anyway, that's how I ended up looking up information on bus conversions. 

I'm not sure I really want something that big, but I can see where it would be cool to take an old Greyhound bus and turn it into your dream vacation home on the road.  Put in what you want and forget about the things you don't need. 

Anyway, I came across the site for Bus Conversions Magazine while I was looking.  Who knew there was such a thing, but I'm sure it answers all sorts of questions related to the industry. 

I'm thinking of subscribing just out of curiosity.  It's not that expensive, and it comes out every month.  Here's a link if you're interested:

Bus Conversions

Is anyone else a subscriber and what do you think?

Converting a School Bus into a Motor Home

Some people like to buy RVs with all the bells and whistles.  Others like something they can put their own stamp on... If you've ever seen a converted school bus rolling down the road, you know what I mean.  If the idea excites you, here's a bit of information on what to look for (and how much this project might cost):

When looking for a school bus (or any kind of bus) to convert, find one that is watertight.  Make sure the outside skin (especially seams/joints on the roof) are joined together and undamaged.  If you can, try to find one with the original engine.  That way if your bus breaks down, you can find a local school-bus mechanic anywhere in the country.  Watch out for rust when you're checking out buses.  Look at the floor panels and the under-belly of the bus to make sure rust isn't a problem.

Expect to pay $5,000-$10,000 for a bus in decent condition that runs on a gasoline engine.  For an old diesel-running Greyhound or Trailways bus, you can expect to pay $60,000 or more.  Keep in mind, these price estimates only cover the cost of the original vehicle.  The more lavish your remodeling, the higher the end price will be, and even simple upgrades will cost thousands.  That said, you can save lots by doing the work yourself, and when you compare converting a school bus to the cost of a brand new motorhome, it can be quite a bargain.

Source: Portable Houses

More sites on bus conversions:

Jake's School Bus Conversion Project

sKOOLieConversions -- a Yahoo! Group dedicated to school bus conversion enthusiasts

Skoolie.net -- a forum where you can ask questions.

Restoring Classic Travel Trailers

Interested in buying a vintage or classic travel trailer to restore?  Did you know that just like classic cars, maintained and cared for vintage trailers increase instead of decreasing in value?  Unlike today's trailers, they use real wood instead of synthetics.  Whether you're off to see the country or looking for a home on wheels, a classic trailer could be just the ticket.

Here are some links you may find useful:

http://www.vintageairstream.com -- All about restoring those shiny silver Airstream trailers, the ones that were ubiquitous when you were a kid but have been pushed aside in favor of deluxe, modern models.

Vintage trailers are getting new mileage -- News article that takes a look at the costs and labor involved in restoring classic (aka old) travel trailers.

Tin Can Tourists -- An online site for a trailer enthusiast club dating back more than 80 years.  They have pictures of classic trailers and a classifieds section.

http://www.raventones.com/ham/ham.html -- Great entires and pictures as the webmaster walks you through the restoration of a 1955 14' Rainbow travel trailer

Hope these help.  Let us know if you have any good links for vintage trailer enthusiasts!

Retire in a Recreational Vehicle?

Some people cringe at the idea of retiring and staying in the same boring house they spent their working years in.  Maybe retirement should be an adventure.  Whether folks sell their homes and buy fancy RVs or buy recreational vehicles as second homes, more and more retired folks are heading out on the road to see the country after they quit working.  An article on Retirement Housing Options called "RV Living for Retired People" takes a look at this interesting choice.  The one big thing the article recommends is taking a trial run (either by renting a recreational vehicle or borrowing from a family member), i.e. 3-4 weeks on the road, before taking a drastic step like selling your home.

"Until you have actually tried an RV, there is no way to tell if you will fall in love with the sense of freedom or be pulling your hair out because of a previously unknown sense of claustrophobia. After three or four solid weeks you should be able to tell if full time Rving is a lifestyle that you want to pursue. The next step is buying a rig to fit your lifestyle."

Full article: http://www.retirementhousingoptions.com/rv-living.htm