The Ultimate Guide to Converting a Short Bus into a Cozy Mobile Home
last updated: Dec 17, 2024
Converted short buses have long been a staple for road trips, especially in the United States where these busses are used across the country to ferry children to and from school. Schoolie conversions have become so popular that people even import old buses to Europe to convert into campers.
American-style school buses can be pretty darn large—up to 45ft (14m) which can make for an enormous amount of living space. These large vehicles, however, do come with their problems; fuel consumption and parking to say the least. If you want the classic school bus style (i.e. mostly square spacious interior profile) but without the downsides, a short bus is a good answer.
Short buses allow for the building of a compact home on wheels at a budget-friendly price. A short bus has enough room to fit all the essentials while still being easy to drive and park. Plus, each build can be fully personalized to suit your lifestyle and needs, turning a short bus into a true reflection of your personality and goals.
This little guide to short bus conversions is perfect for:
- DIY enthusiasts eager for a hands-on project
- Travelers seeking a sustainable way to explore
- Tiny home advocates who love compact, functional living spaces
We’ll share inspiration, step-by-step tips, and answer common questions about short bus conversions. Whether you’re just starting out or need design ideas, this guide has everything you need to embark on your short bus adventure.
Why Choose a Short Bus for Conversion?
Short buses offer unique advantages when it comes to conversion projects:
- Easier handling: Short buses are much easier to drive and park than full-sized buses or RVs, making them ideal for those with limited driving experience.
- Compact yet spacious: These buses hit the sweet spot between space and convenience, small enough for city driving yet roomy enough for essential living areas like a kitchen, bed, and bathroom.
- Cost-effective: Short buses are generally cheaper to buy, maintain, and fuel compared to larger vehicles, which is ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Finding the Right Short Bus
Choosing the right bus for your conversion is essential to starting with a solid foundation:
- Check for rust: Rust can weaken a bus’s structure over time. Inspect the undercarriage and frame, especially if the bus has been used in snowy areas where road salt accelerates rust.
- Inspect the engine: The engine is the heart of your vehicle. Models like the Ford E-Series and Chevy Express are popular choices for conversions due to their durability and availability of replacement parts. We have a guide that gives tips for how to inspect a vehicle before purchase to understand the tell tale signs for something wrong with the engine or the structure.
- Research reliability: Some models, like those with Cummins 5.9L or International DT466 engines, are known for longevity and ease of maintenance, making them ideal for long-term use.
Planning Your Conversion
A well-thought-out plan makes the conversion process much smoother:
- Maximize space and functionality: With a short bus you can usually fit in all the things that get squeezed in a van conversion — so long as you plan the space well.
- Visualize how you’ll use your space before you begin. Do you need a workspace, a full kitchen, or a bathroom? Plan your design around your priorities.
- Use design software: Tools like Vanspace 3D can help you experiment with different layouts and see how your ideas might look, helping you avoid costly mistakes.
- Mock-up the design: If you are unsure of the spaces, consider mock up the build — in the bus —using cardboard and tape. This can give you a real feel for what you are going to build and if it feels right. A too cluttered head space can make bus feel claustrophobic, but at the same time you need to maximise storage solutions.
- Check out other short buses: if you can get to vanlife meets, or find other short buses that you can see in real life it can really help you get a feel for what is right for you. Not only that but talking to their owners/builders can really give you context to what they think is great, and what they would change if they did it again.
- Consider Windows: Windows can be great for views, but they can also lose a lot of heat during cold nights or can act as a green-house making your bus very hot on summer days. It, of course, depends where you are travelling, but we should prioritise windows where views are important, and consider blocking out/removing them where they are not.
- Think twice about a wood burning stove: Sure they are romantic and cozy, but at the same time they require you to hold a wood store and to collect/dry it frequently (often when it is cold, it is wet so collecting it at this point is too late). Certainly have a different heating system (gas/diesel) as your main heater if you are travelling in winter conditions—stoves go out over night, or need refueling, to keep the place warm. Some people love a wood burner, but most people I have met who have installed them either regret it as it is a nuisance, or they simply don’t use it and it became a waste of space.
Essential Steps in Short Bus Conversion
Once you have your plan, it’s time to bring your vision to life:
- Remove the seats: Start by clearing out the interior, creating a blank canvas for your build.
- Prepare the bus: Remove unnecessary hardware, patch up any holes, and thoroughly clean the interior.
- Holes in the bus: Cut any significant holes that are required to be done before insulation – waste pipes, fixing gas tanks under the bus, vents etc..
- Preparatory stud-work/pre-framing: preparing for insulation and later fixings for interior finishings.
- Electrical First fix: running cables to appliances from where your electrical board will be (be sure to label them properly)
- Insulate the bus: Insulation helps regulate temperature, essential for comfortable living in different climates. Materials like spray foam or foam board are excellent for bus conversions.
- Furniture building: Build out the key structures like the bed, cupboards and kitchens
- Install appliances: Install fridges, heaters, cookers, ovens and other key appliances
- Build the electrical panel: prepare to connect all aspects of the bus using safe electrical systems. If you want help doing your electrical system design, we have a dedicated service for that.
- Cladding and Finishes: This phase you start adding panelling to your walls, painting and adding finishing touches, building out drawers and other functional decorative items.
- Testing: thoroughly test your electrical system and importantly any gas systems for leaks; check every joint and connection using gas test-spray of soapy water. Preferably get it checked by a qualified gas engineer.
- Hit the road: Take your dream bus on the adventure of your lifetime (or better, a lifetime of adventure)
Creative Design and Decoration Ideas
A short bus conversion is all about personalization, and there are endless ways to make the space your own:
- Multi-functional furniture: Space is limited, so consider pieces that serve multiple purposes. For example, a sofa that converts into a bed or a fold-down table you can stow when not in use maximizes your living area.
- Cohesive design theme: Create a theme that reflects your style, whether rustic, bohemian, or minimalist. Warm lighting, natural materials, and personal touches can transform the bus into a cozy home.
- A design hack is to choose a ‘highlight colour’ and a neutral colour and use this as your colour theme. For example in my last van, the highlight colour was dark blue, neutral colour was a grey and all the other finishes were natural materials (that are also largely neutral by nature),
Legal and Safety Considerations
Before you hit the road, make sure your bus conversion complies with the law:
- Registration and insurance: In most places, you’ll need to re-register your bus as an RV once it’s converted. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for specific requirements. Insurance is also important to protect your investment.
- Safety essentials: Equip your bus with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and a fire extinguisher. Also, make sure your electrical system is properly grounded for safe use.
The Cost of Converting a Short Bus
While costs can vary widely, here’s a rough breakdown to help you budget:
- Initial purchase: Short buses typically cost between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on age, model, and condition.
- Materials and tools: Expect to spend another $5,000 to $15,000 on essentials like insulation, flooring, electrical systems, plumbing, and furniture.
- Cost-saving tips: To save money, consider using second-hand materials, repurposing furniture, and of course, do as much of the work yourself as possible. Labour costs can be significant for a bus build so if you are on a budget doing the work yourself is probably essential.
Living in a Converted Short Bus
Living in a small space has its challenges, but it’s part of the charm:
- Storage solutions: Use creative storage options like under-bed compartments, overhead cabinets, and multi-functional furniture to keep your space organized.
- Sustainable living: Many short bus dwellers rely on solar panels for power. Combined with energy-efficient appliances and water-saving strategies, you can make your mobile lifestyle eco-friendly and self-sustaining.
Conclusion
Converting a short bus into a camper van is a rewarding way to live on the road. From design to daily life, this unique lifestyle lets you enjoy the freedom of travel while embracing a minimalist approach. Although challenges will arise, the freedom and flexibility are well worth the effort.
If you are looking for a general overview of how to convert a vehicle; consider the van conversion guide. Although it is focused on van conversion, all the systems and essentially the same so it is highly cross applicable.
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