Rambling stuff…
I’ve created an introduction video for the bus with my cell phone. I’m planning on purchasing a better camera/microphone combination before any serious work begins on the bus. In the meantime, here’s a look at the bus before any conversion work has started.
The project is proceeding, albeit at a measured pace. I’ve been watching many YouTube videos concerning bus conversions, closely inspecting the bus for features, and starting basic layout ideas.
As shown below, I have a scale diagram of the potential layout of basic functions within the bus. The major items, the dinette, bed, kitchen, and toilet/shower, are all drawn to scale.
Scale sketch of items to be included in the bus
The bed is queen-sized. The dinette will be big enough to convert into a bed – at least for someone under six-feet tall.
More details need to be fleshed out. For example, the oversized power solution I have planned – where does it live and how is it arranged?
Additionally, the roof utilization needs planning. Where does the rack for the solar cells belong? What about a vent fan? Save space for an RV heat pump.
When the physical work begins, I’ll create YouTube videos to track the progress.
2016 Starcraft Quest
Yup – I bought a bus. It’s a 2016 Starcraft Quest with dual rear wheel drive on a Chevrolet 3500 Express cutaway chassis with a 6.0l V8. Whew – that’s a mouthful.
As a volunteer emergency communications worker for our county and the state, I may be deployed during a disaster, as I was during the Oso Slide of 2014. In those times, I do not want to be a burden on the emergency infrastructure, so having my own shelter and food will allow me to be useful, available, and low maintenance.
Additionally, I hone my ham radio communications skills many times each year through multi-day events. Examples are the Bigfoot 200 Ultra-Marathon and the BikeMS Deception Pass Classic. Each event is a multi-day event with the Bigfoot 200 being in a very remote area near Mount Saint Helens.
In previous years I have tried numerous ways of supporting myself – sleeping in the passenger seat of my truck, sleeping in a tent, and even testing a small utility trailer.
N7NIP Testing the Trailer Option at the 2024 Bigfoot 200
The trailer was an interesting alternative. The biggest obstacle is reversing direction on Forest Service roads. In the end, it was obvious that a short bus would be the best solution.
I’ll need to do some simple steps to convert the bus’s title from Bus to RV. Afterward, the conversion starts. I won’t be building a majestic home on wheels. My conversion will be much simpler as a simple camper for week-long excursions.
I’ll be documenting my progress through blog posts and YouTube videos. I’ll be sure to include links to the YouTube videos in my blog.
Come along for the ride!
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