Our Guide to Bus Length | Choosing a School Bus Size for Your Conversion | Skoolie Square Footage
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- We have done a ton of research on bus sizes, square footage, and pros and cons of different lengths and tried to put it all together in one convenient video for those of you who are in the very exciting bus shopping phase! There are lots of opinions and methods out there for determining length, and for what the optimal skoolie size is. This is simply our attempt to share what we've found. I hope it helps! :) Please comment below with your own experiences, tips and tricks!
The skoolies who were so kind to answer my questions for this video also have TH-cam channels! Go subscribe, and watch their bus tours to get ideas for layouts for each bus length!
•The Skoolie:
/ @uncooldean
•Vicaribus:
/ @vicaribus
•Transcend Existence:
/ @transcendexistence1111
• Bendy Bus
• Bendy Bus Conversion
Other skoolies specs and video tours:
•Love Always Adventure Often: 38 ft bumper to bumper bus
They have a GREAT video about why a full size bus didn't work for their needs here:
• Why We Are Selling Our...
•The Summah Bus: 35 ft bumper to bumper skoolie
• Tiny House School Bus ...
•Navigation Nowhere: 35 foot bus
/ @navigationnowhere
•Living Zeal: 23 ft long school bus
• SHORT BUS CONVERSION T...
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More about us:
Tiff is a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, pet portrait artist, and etsy entrepreneur. Zac is a photographer, tech support specialist for medium format digital cameras, a huge Auburn football fan, and a science/astronomy enthusiast (nerd). We have 2 dogs, Tuco and Frankie. We all love to travel, hike, and explore and have spent the last 2 years converting a retired school bus into our mobile tiny bus house so we can travel across the U.S. and Canada with everything we need to work and be comfortable. We have a blog where you can find lots of photos of our bus build, www.RollingVist... and you can also follow us on Instagram @Rolling_Vistas to see more!
We hope to see you out there! Thanks for watching!
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Alright, good information. Something not covered in this size comparison is the power train options that usually come with varying size busses. Most of the short busses are configured for stop and go urban pick up and drop off, hence they come with power plants and transmissions that are not set up for highway travel. They usually have a lower top speed less power, and most importantly a transmission that will not like continuous high speed travel. It will get hot because there is a lot of slippage in the torque converter. Highway school busses usually have a 'lock up' style torque converter that does not slip and build heat. They will also get better mileage because of this, and usually geared higher. Think of hauling the football team to another city. An Allison AT545 4 speed is a non lock up found in many short busses and is not ideal for highway travel. An Mt643 is more appropriate and has 5 or 6 gears than can handle more power. Transmissions are very important and costly to repair so don't do a buildout and find out you need a transmission conversion. This is also very, very costly. Cheers! Happy travels.
One of the best tips I have seen. Thanks!
Thank you for this information! I've often wondered about the long distance driving capabilities of the transmissions of the smaller skoolies. I noticed from three TH-cam channels I've been following (The Off Grid Skoolie, Transcend Existence and Life is a Joy), they all mention looking for "activity" buses. These buses typically have more highway miles, are built for driving long distances (cruise control in some :-) ) and have better built-in storage (usually undercarriage). I'm definitely doing my research. The big thing for me will be learning how to do general maintenance on one--I definitely don't want the expense of going to the garage for every little thing--but I'm up for it! :-)
You gotta get the 6th gear unlocked if you have an Allison transmission from what I’ve read.. and properly rated tires for Allison to unlock it for you
Thank you! Good info!
Thanks for sharing!
Great video...you guys are so awesome! I'm honored you asked me to be a part of this! Take care and I hope the road brings us together someday in the near future!!
Just wanted to say I enjoy your building vids a lot!
Allergies...Aaaarrrrggggg….Walmart Chlortabs(straight antihistamine, no side-effects) one tab morning, noon, evening to begin with. after 3 days move to morning and evening. Couple this with one shot of Flonase (or equivalent) each nostril morning and evening! "This combination is no longer known as medication...it is Magic!" ha blessings young people!
Sometimes bigger isn’t always better.
Es posible q puedan traducir este vídeo en castellano "español "?
a normal wheel chair lift is about the size of two sets of regular windows
Someone offered me a 30ft city bus (no axels or motor) for $250 (price of scrap) yesterday...
Im joining the bus crowd...kinda...lol...
(Im glad ive been collecting the parts for A build)
Ive got 40% of the materials in hand.
Ill probably START on things next week...GEEK'n!!!)
they offer you again please message me lol!
;D
Did you ever finish?!
@@jessicalaunder4679 not all the way done. I just started working on it again a few weeks ago and its to hot and dry to work with the grider already this year without starting a fire.
I do have 90% of the parts now and still under $2000
Finding the right size bus for ones needs is very important. Great vid for someone researching the size they want. We did a lot of research, at 1st thinking we wanted the biggest bus we could find. Then we started looking into staying at State and National parks and found that at 35 ft you can stay in 76% (figured at time of research 2 years ago, some could have changed making it less or more) of the parks and going longer makes that number drop drastically on parks we could fit in. We went with a 12 window flatnose Thomas, that is 34 1/2 ft long. Basically same size Wes's bus before the rear deck, which is going to be perfect for us. We have been talking about doing a video on this topic and you hit every point we had thought of.
How do you find living in the bus now, months later? I don't feel comfortable driving a really long bus in congested areas but at the same time, I don't want to feel claustrophobic. Do you find 35ft a realistic size for travel and comfort?
I'm an idiot. For a good minute I was trying to figure out what a "prosicons" was.
😂
Me too .....lol
I just purchased a 37.5 foot International DT466E school bus that was originally bought new by a private school in 2006. They used it to haul their football team, so fast forward to today, over those 12 years all they accumulated was 86,000 miles. No rust. Well, that isn't entirely true, there was a tiny bit on the first step when you enter the bus, but the seller sand blasted it out, sealed the metal and repainted.
I am seriously considering making a bunch of videos myself when it comes to this process and all the (cough) bullshit (cough) I have met with thus far.
Bureaucracy and municipality graft is the Number One issue when it comes to these things. My advice: Do Not Reveal Any More Of The Truth Than Absolutely Necessary. Know how to keep your mouth shut!!! You are not lying by withholding information that a bureaucrat doesn't need to know anyway. Does it have a cooking facility with a separate fuel source? Your answer should be YES, and nothing more, even if that cooking facility is your MSR ultralight dual-fuel camping stove!!! Does it have an electrical system, 120 volts AC? Your answer should be YES, because you're going to use one of those hokey 300 watt jobbies you plug into the cigarette lighter. Does it have a toilet? The answer is YES. Does wonder-bureaucrat "need" to know that toilet is a home dumper 5-gallon bucket with some kitty litter in it? No. So shut your mouth. Does it have a toilet? Yes.
You see where I'm going with this line of thinking, right? Share the least amount of information that "truthfully" answers the question when it comes to insurance and municipality craziness. Just to GET my bus, the process was started TWO weeks ago (it's 17SEP18 as of now). I will pick it up at the end of this week. But to get to this point, wow, what a hassle! Anyway, it's insured as an RV because, although it may not be "completed" that isn't the question, so don't volunteer that information. It's an RV because it satisfies the 6 criteria of a motorhome: cooking, refrigerator, toilet, heating or air conditioner that's separate from the vehicle, potable water supply with a sink and faucet, and a 120 volt alternating current electrical supply.
The bureaucracy doesn't need to know you intend to improve all that initial (temporary) stuff. Keep your mouth shut!
Thumbs up, I love you guys' videos :-)
KingTesticus please express your thoughts in smaller paragraphs. Less words speak big pictures
Good tips! Lots of words = lots of good info.
will alexander-Learn to read asshole....
KingTesticus king testi..... Freaking awesome
I think it was awesome info. Most people learn this lesson hard.
Sorry 3 years late, but welcome to Colorado, I see you have experienced our weather, it can be interesting sometimes.
My bus is 37 feet, but I drove 18 wheelers for the past 8 years, so a bus is basically a large suv for me.
So size does matter, I been lied to ;)
Seriously though, great video with very helpful information. Mine is '99 bluebird handy bus 28' exterior 19.5' x 7.5' usable interior 146.25 square feet.
The video on interior ceiling height is also a good video to watch. It was something I did not consider when I bought my bus. It is a good thing I am only 5'-8" as the center line measurement is 6'-1" after I get the floor built. Nice ending lol
As a bus mechanic never thought of living in one
I have a 21.5 footer. Frickin love it. We can take the most brutal roads and turn on a dime
2010 IC RE 14 window. 39'6" window to window.Listed as a 40'. 35'7" floor to back of stepwell,7'6" wide and 6'5" ceiling height. Some useless knowledge from my end 👍
Awesome! And I really love the graphics
The Skoolie yes, those were so helpful.
Your voice is AMAZING!! 😛
Lol
The right bus is the one you stumble into. Remember the most important factor... it's really hard if not impossible to sell so it's yours forever. Get used to this reality. People will not like it, except bus people. That means campgrounds storage facilities etc. Thirty years and still looking for a place to park...but no bills.
Thank you SO MUCH! After I reviewed your video, I knew what me and my monsters needed (pets) and I recently found one I'm bidding on :) An 8 window schoolie with HC Ramp 2008 in case I want to buy a motorcycle...Thomas Freightliner with 60,000 miles, L6, 6.7L (411 CID) Cummins ISB Diesel
and 200 HP :) Wish me luck if I'm meant to purchase it :)
I’m most closely looking at a 4 window, 2 rear wheel van-bus. So by UR system it’d be 28x4/12+9=~18’4” (I subtracted a foot for being a van). I’m looking at a bus Bk they’re less than a van. Also I could still fit a 4 window in a regular parking space, maneuverability, gas mileage, & easier to change a flat.
Yup. Same here. I'd go 6 windows b/c I have 2 dogs and we need a serious queen size bed. The dog takes half! She's only 45lbs. Tho. Well, 2/3rds, let's be truthful. Lol
Did I miss it or did you mention front vs rear engine for flat nose busses? Rear have a longer wheel base I believe and different engine options
If the idea is to travel, then fuel should be a big concern. Like the smaller buses myself.
I think I've pretty much decided on a short bus or a shuttle bus. It'll be just me most of the time, save for at least one dog and possibly two cats. I may have a companion on occasion such as a friend or a relative, etc. People keep telling me, well just get a van. Uh... No. Too small. even with the pets I thought about it at first, except that I'm disabled and I'm really hoping to find a short bus or Shuttle with the wheelchair lift, so of course I'm going to need more room to move around. I definitely don't want a full-size school bus, that much I know for sure! But from what I've seen and looked at so far, I think a short bus, likely one of the shortest school buses that's made, is going to be the way to go for me. I'm seeing more of the short buses with wheelchair lifts moreso than any other kind of vehicle, including a shuttle bus. Thank you for this video, these were some great tips and information!
windows are my favorite !! Transcendence is Insane. i watched one video from the build to learn something and next thing i knom i just watched the whole build. This dude is really knowledgeable in fabrication work.
Loved how you measured the sizes of conversions thank you Many blessings to you all
Be aware of the length of tail behind the rear axel...it determines how much tail swing happens as you turn and maneuver.
Well, that and you can forget it's there and have an overhang that can get clipped by a train. Very bad result as a school bus (actually happened)
I would add a Mid Century Modern couch and a counter made from plastic lumber.
EXTREMELY HELPFUL! I'm looking for a home i can move IF needed. Constant travel is not my basic plan. This give me so much more info. Thank you!
I love my 28' dog nose bus. Easy to work on, easy to maneuver, and just right for us! Great video!
Johnny Mullet do you have videos on your bus?
Do you have to have CDL
@@twizteddreamz5150 this depends on state
Hello I'm in need of a owners manual would you happened to have any or know where I can get one? I'm in the process of converting my bus and I'm in need of the full specs of the bus so that I can have a blueprint/floor plan drawn up. Thank you for taking the time to read this
@chris thank you appreciate the help and yup I've already have a bunch of different ideas😁🤙🏼
Public library can dig one up, I'd imagine.
I have been thinking about what length would be good for us. We are up in Canada and have two kids that will be pre teen by the time we start. So I was thinking they’d need their own spaces. But really. I’m back to doing a bunk bed set up for them. If our Dachshund (who’s 13 years old already) is still alive she’ll be coming with us. But she’s tiny. This video helped me realize that I will be pouty without a dishwasher. 😂 So we will for sure need that. Winters will have to be spent south of here. As I won’t want to deal with freezing water lines. I think doing the skoolie thing is almost easier for Americans. You can go as far south as you’d need to stay warm in the winter. So we might decided to come south of the boarders for winter. Which I wouldn’t mind at all! So much to think about. Thank you for this vid!
the one thing you missed is the longer the bus the easier it is to high center it when get
off road other than that you did a great job I am a little more restricted. than a schoolie
in that a Grey puppy style bus storage is important to me that why went the way I did the
bus we choose is a 1968 gm pd 4107 35 footer also most national parks are 35 foot
Restricted in terms of driving size was not as important to me as in a retired truck driver
and our last truck tractor was a 300 inch wheel base with a 120 inch sleeper pulling a 48
foot rgn. and we were 75 foot overall shorting up as much as we could once you get used
to to how long and how wide you are you will be amazed at were you fit good luck and have a good day
GRUMPY OLD MAN WITH A BUS
marshall baldwin It’s unlikely to high center a bus because they have a good ground clearance, unless you go offroading in really rough terrain which you shouldn’t be doing in a bus anyways.
My school bus conversion length is exactly 30 feet bumper to bumper and I can’t be happier about it 😁😃👍, I did own a smaller and a full size b4 but sold them back after a few trips, now with my 30 feet long I have the perfect bus I can get to more parks, gas station, restaurants, tie roads etc, and I have everything I need like bedroom, shower, toilet, kitchen, dining area and plenty of extra space and best of all I’m able to park it on my drive way 😃😁👍 saving myself 100 dollars a month just for parking in a private space
Thank you so very much for this video. I don't have a bus yet and I have been trying to figure out the information that you have provided. I'm dreaming of the day when I can get going on one and have been drawing up interiors but guessing at the dimensions. I knew the basics but this info is invaluable to me. Can't thank you enough. And then to provide so much on your web site- you guys are great!!!!! Very much appreciated.
I love this video!! I’m trying to talk my husband into building a bus. This is great info to have!!
WHAT about GIRTH??
Mark P try to keep it under 8.5'
I’ve come back to this video a few times, still deciding midsize or short? Single bliss or Three’s couple layout.
If you don't mind me asking how old are you?
Brother I have to say I am very impressed with your video And thank you for that Educated me a lot I'm in the process of Looking Is it to build out of school E Or you haul Unless I find out class C or B RV that Blows my mind . I would love to find the school bus that's already been walled and floored Because I have everything else For cabinets and stuff In my own ideas for sink and Tub shower .Anyway when I find one I will definitely get with Then take you up on your offer to help With the mod From your ideas.Stay safe Stay strong
🚍🚌☯☮♥✝💪🤙🎅
We got a Thomas Vista 3600{28' I do believe} like vicariobus. And we love it! Its a perfect in between size. And maneuvers and drives AWESOME! #SKOOLINAROUND
Beginning my skoolie journey. So grateful for your videos!
This was a great comparison! Thanks for putting in the time to make the graphics and a thorough, well edited video!
Thanks for the information this will help me out for real. I didn't really know what size I would need for a family of four. God bless you.
Very helpful! I’m about 5 years off from doing this for a year, so I’m gathering info. I appreciate your time and efforts!!
I friggin love infographics
I have a full size Gillig Phantom school bus. I'm glad there were no arcs (articulated buses) for sale when I was shopping for buses because I woulda bought the fuck out of it and had no where to park it. I had a part time job driving 60' arcs my first couple years of college.
I noticed that if you threatened to buy one, they'll help you find a place to put it. At least RVs do...
Awesome video! You also get more cabin space when your bus is COE (cab over engine)
quick story...a tenant of mine (pharmacy tech) looked at me one day "Dude, what is WRONG with you?" his recommendation...from that moment on, fine as frogs hair! ha. Go get'm tiger(ess)! blessings, Scott
Hi thanks for the information i really needed it, and greetings from Bolivia South America.
I have been looking for info about bus length for a long time, but not on youtube. And here you were the whole time. Can't wait to learn.
Great content! .....AS ALWAYS!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, knowledge and insight :)
Absolutely awesome graphics!!!!! Thanks so much for the time you spent creating them.
I really enjoyed this one!!! Great info. Peace, Love and All That Hippie Jazz
B type is the best.
Excellent video and subject folks! Was thankful for your 28" approximate window width info but was curious what your upper and lower window dimensions were from the floor. Was trying to figure if your wonderful looking homemade desk was a standard table height of 30" and if your slightly taller roof line allowed for slightly taller windows? I think you guys nailed it on the intermediate size without too many compromises.
jeff raders I’m thinking the same about getting an intermediate size bus too.
I drive a 44.5 foot school bus for a living most companies now cut half a foot off now to increase carrying capacity
The WORST bus is better at maneuverability & parking options than my semi.
Finally somebody actually Nailed It ~ You two did a very good vid with excellent info , most vids only show the inside decorations, Thank Y'all for doing this.
You've done an outstanding service for people like myself looking for a bus to convert into a tiny home. Found it very helpful! Thank you so much!
Great video as always. Another thing the sellers don't do much is tell you interior height.
Interior height is CRUCIAL imho, and it can vary among bus body builders.
It's BS that for 450k they don't tell you that on a REAL house, either! You have to guess by the fridge and door frames.
Are you Dax Shepard little brother? look alike and same voice tone!....LOL
This guy is extremely boring..... I couldn't finish the video
A few days ago, I saw someone selling an articulated bus on a Swedish ad site. The ad didn't specify how long it was but it
looked at least to be around 50ish feet or around 16m. Finding parking for that monstrosity would indeed be a challenge, that
and driving anywhere that isn't a mostly flat paved road. They wanted 21.000$ for it, the nice thing is that they had started work
on it and it was empty so no need to rip the interior out.
I like you. I like how you say everything like the cup half full. Oh man. Great job.
This is so good and thorough! I hope everyone considering a skoolie watches this video. The points made are SO important to pay attention to! Great work work guys, so helpful!
I was thinking bout doing a 40 ft bus cuz it'll be me, 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats. But is it possible to get away with something a bit shorter is my question as I do wna do boondocking alot but dnt wna feel completely crammed (I'd be ok but idk bout my kids lol)
Hi. I'm thinking of a diseal 15 foot from back to drivers seat. I want to live off grid. Adding adiswasher is a thought.
Just picked up a 25 foot long school bus Caterpillar 3126 diesel
If you live in Australia you cannot drive anything larger than 4.5 GVM on a car licence. I'm saving for a Toyota coaster, seats 21 people and can be refitted out and still be below 4.5 GVM.
Help! Where can I fins interior height comparisons on buses? Boyfriend is 6’4” and don’t want him stooping all the time.
I just bought a shuttle party bus in Utah and drove it home to Texas. I sold the seats cuz I'm going to make it into an RV. I was so excited to get started. But i keep running into a road blocks . the first one is insurance, no one wants to insure it. I have to have insurance to get it licensed and tabs. next what should I do first. should I put the solar in , pull out all the walls and ceiling which are really nice, with lights and speakers . Yes I am doing this by myself. I'm getting overwhelmed. Any suggestions would be helpful.
WOW!!!!! great info Thank You !!! I want to order the custom vector drawing... but I have to wait for Tiffany to draw my custom mural first!!
How about shuttle bus length? All they publish is seating capacity, and it is very difficult to find overall dimensions and interior dimensions.
Great video. You both always present your info professionally and it's well researched. And then you add the comedy. ☺
Thanks for the excellent video! This really clears up a few "blind spots" when planning for a Skoolie!
Yeah.. Its called emailing the manufacturing or locating the sales document. This is just too much work when trying to guess a size that you don''t have to guess for and can get a actual.
What software did you use for those graphics around 8:45 ? Would like to use something like that to plan my build
One thing you could do is sell your bus for a profit and find a smaller one! Make some great $ while you have the experience to do things a little more to your liking. It would ba a lot faster the 2nd time i'm sure.
60’ is the maximum length of a vehicle 65’ if it is an rv toeing a vehicle
towing*
I’m really looking into this getting a bus this has helped a whole bunch but still doesn’t give you the living ability like being in was does . Does anyone know of the next skoolies convention is. Up close to Minneapolis ? It would help me out cuz I reallly want to get a bus
Incredibly helpful!! Thank you so much!!!
Awesome Video and very helpful - thanks a million for doing this.
I plan to work on the road with a food truck but I have animals and I need lots of room for my lizards monster of a tank but I have to tow a food truck as well and be able to tow it into spots between other food trucks. So a giant bus isn't quite perfect but neither is a giant bus. Any help?
Great informative video I'm sure it will help a lot of people, I did a lot of research to try to figure out the length of my bus before getting it, it was at an auction and they did not list the length. ended up with a full size chassis 23 foot. I watched your guys's video on interior Heights before getting mine I'm 6,6 so that was kind of a big deal because I didn't want to do a roof raise I ended up getting a 6,6 bus so I won't be putting any insulation on the floor lol
i have come to the conclusion that a 14 or 21 person shuttle bus is exactly what i need. i dont need a shitter and shower or full kitchen.
air brakes are a point for any potential bus owner
Cool, but what if I want to remove all of the seats in a 40', put an office chair in it, strap my friend to the chair, and full send?
Fyi become a school bus driver it's a very easy job to get they will train you on driving a school bus and by the end of your first school year you will be a master of driving a school bus through little bitty neighborhood subdivision streets at this point you will be able to drive it anywhere only if you feel nervous about driving a school bus this might be a suggestion that might help you
I don’t know if I missed it , However, what’s the height of the white bus with the five windows and width?????
Thank you for the info!!! We'll be parked most of the time and it's me, two teenagers and one pre-teen, so we need to go with the 40-footer. Now I will know how to look for it, via the windows. I knew that a lot of folks have been using that method, but I didn't know whether to apply three or two feet to each window. Now I know! It is somewhere in between. :D
Thank you!!!
We live in Georgia we are considering a Skoolie Bus, do we need a CDL to drive a bus?
How did you make those floor plans? They were nice!
Thanks, My wife and I are really interested in create our own skolie !!!
lol how short can they come? now i want a super shorty bus
what was the passenger count on your bus another way to guestimate a bus length would be passenger count
take it frm a thirty year buser...the bigger the bus, the harder it is 2 find a place 2 park
Can a setra s417 hdh be shortened and get turned into a bi-axle bus...??
like you guy use Skoolie to camp idk that what a lot of people seem like i just want to make one to travel with a friend
Wow this was a great video. My wife and I were looking at the 40ft bus and now we are really starting to reconsider. Thank you for all the little details. We are a big fan of your vlog and look forward to the day we have saved up enough to start our fitout. We can’t wait to hear about your travels once your out full time and hearing the pros and cons. Keep doing what your doing and safe travels.
Very negative towards anything but a small bus.
2:11 wouldn't 10 windows be 28 feet and not 23.5'?