Here’s What We Spent to Build Our Double Decker RV For Our Two Year Road Trip!!!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- We’ve had a lot of people asking so we figured it’s time to reveal the price we’ve paid for our double decker rv. This bus conversion has taken us two years and it’s come with a lot of headaches, but we’re proud of it and excited to share this tiny home on wheels with you.
This video includes the price we paid for the bus before the conversion, our budget for the double decker conversion, the total we’ve paid to date for our tiny home on wheels, and some of our repair costs for our double decker motorhome. We also included a little about our ongoing costs for operating the double decker rv.
We hope you enjoy this video and look forward to sharing more of our adventures with you as we spend the next two years traveling the United States in our Double Decker RV.
#busconversion
#buslife
#doubledecker
#doubledeckerrv
#motorhome
#rvlife
#rvreno
#rvrenovation
#vanlife
#diycamper
#intentionalliving
#liveonpurpose
#fulltimefamily
#fulltimefamilies
#roadtrip
#roadtripusa
#camperconversion
#doubledeckerbus
#tinyhome
#tinyhouse
#roaminghome
#tinyhomeonwheels
#homeiswhereyouparkit
60k for bus, 180k total. You're welcome.
Twenty years from now you might not even remember the cost of the bus but you and your family will always remember the most amazing experiences and quality of family time. Good for you guys living life...
When our kids were teenagers, we bought a 26’ sailboat to bring our family closer. It saved us. The kids would stay up top when we were out sailing. They would sit there and sing Primary songs. It really allowed us to spend days together at a time without any electronic devices, including phones. Thank you for sharing your site with the rest of us. You do an excellent job.
First, I’d like to let you know that I have a lot of respect for your keeping your finances private. Any viewers writing disrespectful comments say more about themselves than they do about you or your family. That said, I appreciate your making this information available for those considering this lifestyle. I absolutely love the idea of traveling full time, and living intentionally allows the important moments to be memorable. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Side note: I no idea that buses could last for 750k or 1M miles. That’s amazing.
I spent years researching as well, and almost bought a school bus conversion. You are so blessed to find this bus. It is absolutely perfect for your family! Love the bunks and the rooftop deck. Such a cool area upstairs for the kids to do their school work too. I just can’t tell you how much I love your home on wheels! Thank you for sharing details about your lifestyle and your travels for those of us who are interested in this type of lifestyle. For now, I will just live vicariously through you.
Came from TinyHomes. Thanks for sharing so much, about the build, about the thoughts of life and family. Very inspiring. Wish you guys all the luck.
❤
Thanks for sharing your info! Out of all the years watching full time RV channels this is the best detailed build cost break down I’ve seen! Thank you for being kind enough to share that info. We have been considering this option for a couple years now and never thought of a double decker option, but wow what an amazing option. I honestly think that is a very reasonable cost estimate for how much of a set up you are getting.
Much respect for blazing your own trail! It must have been incredibly intimidating going through a complete life change into something you had no experience with! It really is inspiring. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for this! Congrats!
❤This is so cool!!
18:00 and on is the main info for the most of us.
Thank you so much for the detailed video. I ended the heck out of it! Have my upvote, and abo!
Kind regards from Germany!
I wish you and your family happy travels. I began full timing at age 55 as a fairly new widow, my husband and I had planned to full time and I wanted to fulfill our dream. I was on the road for 12 years, met the new love of my life along the way, and finally settled into a RV Club private RV park in AZ for 16 years. It's a wonderful life, and many adventures await you. Good for you for taking the plunge. It is a little scary to do, but so rewarding.
I don’t care what it costs, but it’s a BRILLIANT way to live!!! Fabulous opportunity for your family!! ♥️♥️♥️
The housing (appt/house/townhomes) all are ultra expensive in my city In Canada. So I was pretty depressed when i was browsing youtube. Then i saw your double decker bus from that tiny home channel. Then i jumped to your channel and watched your videos on the interior. I am amazed by your creative idea and your bus truely feels like a warm warm home. you are extremely brave to sell your home, quit your job and take on this travel lifestyle not many people got the balls to do this. I love your videos, watching them makes me happy. And you are so genuine to share the costs and repairs with others who would want to try this travel lifestyle. I hope you will have a lot of fun with your family and get everything fixed without issues in the near future! Cheers!
From Quebec Canada , sorry for my rigthing I'm french . I fellow a famely of 6 2 boys 2 girls and papa mama . they come from France in Europe , they put the there bus on a boat from France to est coats of Canada . Now they are in Quebec and they visite the Canada and the USA, they be in North America for 2 years . I find you so luky to do that experience whith all the famely . wish you all the best .
saw your video on tiny house. You REALLY need to post videos weekly!! You'd get tons of followers. You're down to earth and let's face it that house is AMAZING! The shower! The master bedroom conversion! the bunkhouse. wow. MORE please
Trying to get to the point where we post weekly. May be a few more weeks, but we’ll get there.
60k for that double decker beauty man you got lucky with that one. 200k altogether is not so bad for such a spacious RV where your going to make some priceless memories with your family. Sucks the first builders didn’t do the job you asked for and hopefully the lawsuit comes in your favor and you and your family can enjoy the country one mile at a time. Sending love from Columbus Ohio. #BuckeyeNation
It doesn't matter how much it cost. (as long as you can afford it)
What matters is the invaluable memories you are about to gain.
FYI we travel using motels. Our original cost estimates were $112/day camping, $120/day with RV, $132/day in motels. Now it has gone up. Our last 7800 mile trip was about $220/day, but there were as you know lots of extraneous cost (wedding, reunion). Nominally $140-$150/day in normal circumstances.
Congratulations for taking the plunge. Investing in your kids will be your greatest joy and their founding memories. My Son is staying at home after we built him a podcast recording studio. They are homeschooling there 4 children as well. Not on the road but building the right foundation in rural TN. Best wishes.
I really appreciate the honesty on the problems you've faced with contractors. I think I'd be on the same path, I never have had a contractor do what they said when they say it. I feel for you and your family! My wife and I got a motorhome (Seneca) that is from 2007. It runs well but needs to be overhauled interior wise. I'm hoping to start that this winter and I think I'm going to take it on myself. Don't trust contractors/dealers and we want to spend months on the road at a time. I'll be following you and look for your experiences, where you go and the fun you find as a family!
That was so nice of you to share the prices of your bus. This is my first day meeting you online. What a sweet man and I wish all of Gods blessing to pour over you and your family from here on out.
❤️
Nice of you to be this open. It took me three years before I had the courage to give a breakdown of the costs.. 😏 Sorry to hear about the lawsuit... you never want that.. The $60K for the bus to me seems really fair, although the mileage you mentioned sounded as 'much' to me. Yes, getting jobs done costs so much more than doing it yourself.. it is hard to say something about the $120K, because we don't know what was included in that, but that figure doesn't surprise me. Sorry for the bad luck with the contractor. I guess a next time you'd be more 'on top' of what jobs would be done (I would). You'd have to try to hire skills, and not knowledge - see to it that you gain that knowledge yourself (is the tip I would give to someone who wanted to outsource a project like this). Do it in phases and figure out the details of each phase upfront yourself. Less arguing afterwards then. The $10-11K for the tires did surprise me as I paid 375 a piece, and I'm guessing we have about the same. Must be regional difference.. I wish you guys all the fun in all the states! After the two years you might consider coming over. Much more cultural differences in this part of the world. 😁
Also costs of everything have gone up during the pandemic.
You guys are simply just amazing people and parents and thank you for being so inspiring!!!
Well thank you!
My guess was 2 to 2.5 times higher - So appreciate you sharing the good and the bad. Your kids are learning valuable life lessons about resilience and how problems/difficult situations can be work through. It seems like a lot of folks demonstrate the opposite - I look forward to watching you ongoing adventures
So sorry to hear what all the company did to you all. You seem like a great family. Can’t wait to follow your journey.
The memories you’re kids will have is for a lifetime ❤.
Don't knock a newbie perspective. This comes as the learning happens. (Getting it fresh before you forget it.) Thanks for sharing.
The guess would be 90k for the bus, 50-70k for what's on the inside,15k outside(I saw the other video with 10k or 11k only on wheels so...maybe 20k on the outside), and 5k for other stuff like the papers/permit/license (total 160-185k).
Later edit: Sorry to hear about the problems you have encountered, and hopefully you win the lawsuit and get some money back.
Regarding monthly expenses ~270 insurance, ~1k on gas ( with the van), and ~800 on parking ( total 2.1k). I assume the expenses can vary, and hopefully, they will go down once you fix all the electrical problems as well as the plumbing.
Questions:
Does the bus have heat insulation? If yes, what type?
Is each AC unit 18k BTU and how do they feel? Does the top one manage to cool the top level properly?
On average, how much do you move in a month (only with the double-decker bus)?
On average, how much water do you use?
Thanks for sharing the info, and I hope you will create many beautiful memories with your family
I would love to see you continue here on utube of your travels with the family. I think it would be great to make video's everywhere you go how you all are adjusting to living on the bus and traveling, home schooling, meals, adventures. Best of luck I'm sure this will be an incredible journey for your whole family.
I love your story and what you're doing for your kids they will never forget this and the learning experience will be amazing!
I feel for you and your family with the challenges you're going through at the moment. I hope it's rectified soon so you can move forward to your journeys.
I'm single with kids living with my ex. When I saw some bus conversions including this one, I was drawn into the idea of maybe converting one where my kids can stay with me when they visit then we can travel together. Then I thought about the challenges like where to park, the running cost, and the reality that my kids, apart from one (who's got a partner) doesn't really like traveling. So instead of getting them to stay in a bus with me, I'll probably rent a place for a week or so when they visit wherever I am at that time.
Sue and I have been doing all the National Park Sites since I retired 4 years ago. This week we hit park #302 and National Park 51. We have done all 50 states. We belong to the National Park Travelers Club and are at 276 from the top. I happen to be LDS, Sue is Catholic so we are into big families. If you would like any thoughts and what to see in your travels we love to share!
I feel horrible about what you've had to go threw! I surely hope your able to get everything straightened out, & I sure hope you are able to recoup the money for the costs of the mistakes the contractor made! By all means you deserve for it to be completely redone the correct way! Although im aware it will most likely end up taking more time. Anyway i surely hope ur well compensated. All in all hope everything else goes well and ur enjoying this new life you've chosen. I'd absolutely love to do this.Enjoying your content and really love what you've done & chose the double decker it's just amazing.
Wow...I sincerely hope you recover some of your money back from the lawsuit. The bus is beautiful...I would not even attempt to guess at the cost 😳 I am clueless! Wishing you and your family safe travels.
💜🥰
What an accomplishment! It comes as no surprise that you are an Eagle Scout! A very thoughtful and practical video on a conversion. All the blessings to you and your family as you embark on your life's adventure!
I could definitely live in your bus, long term even! I’d have to give up my 3 fish aquariums though lol. Yes, I would definitely consider doing this. I could never afford 7 figures, but could definitely do the $180,000-$200,000 range. I don’t blame you for not taking the offers. This experience is priceless for you and your family!
Life enjoyed with family is priceless. Glad you found a way to make it work. I am one of 8 children and treasured the time we spent camping as a family.
I'm so sorry you had so much trouble with the builder. I'm so greatful to be able to see your families journey. I'm like living vicariously through ya'll. I have 5 kids. And you're so right time goes by so fast. I would love to be able to do what ya'll are doing. I love the life style. I couldn't afford to do it. Maybe one day. Thank you so much for sharing. I am excited to see every place you go and share. Its ok if its not often I understand. But I will watch and can't wait for the next video. Tell the family thank you for me. And I hope they know they are living the dream. A dream so many people dream of. What a blessed family. Thank you again I really appreciate what ya'll are doing and sharing it with everyone.
Thank you for sharing your story and the related costs ... not that it's anyone else's business, and especially not the business of anyone negatively commenting on your's and your family's life choices. I think its highly commendable, that you and your wife made this choice to spend more time with your kids and expose them to so much beauty this country has to offer. What a great learning experience for them. Kudos to you and your wife. And once again, your personal income and/or other family or life expenses are no one else's business. I'm sorry you and your family had to endure all those negative comments, and all of the troubles associated with this bad builder. I hope your lawsuit will turn out in your favor and compensate you and your family for all of your related extra costs, and keep up the fantastic sense of adventure while sharing every minute with your family! Good luck. I'll be watching for future videos.
Thanks. Great deal. Beautiful bus. Hope your enjoying it all. Keep vids coming
Thank you for sharing your stories. It's important for those interested in getting into these types of conversions to know the ups and downs and the seemingly unexpected from those that've been there. I'd love to get my hands on a vanhool like yours someday.
Wow, thanks for sharing the backstory of the build. Thumbs up!
Super reasonable (minus the bunk builder) and can’t put a price on happiness! Wishing you and your family all the best, thank you so much for your honesty!
love how we can see your kids running in and out of your home while you are having a very serious talk ( means they are feeling at home in the bus and don't give a d**n what the costs were ) . Besides that : it's really none of our business what you paid , there's folks spending money on far more dubious things .
Thank you for sharing. I have a budget of $425,000 so based on your numbers I can really build something really great.
Content-wise... your HONEST experience of being newbs. Struggles y'all have had transitioning, struggles re: personal space/storage/etc, struggles getting service for the rig, or whatever types of things (good or bad... even tho I know I've only mentioned bad...lol) that you didn't expect to be the case when stepping into this life or whatever might be helpful to someone considering this transition.
Also btw, I'm pretty proud of myself. I guessed 150k when you asked in the beginning of the vid...lol. And it would have been 150k had it not been for all the builder issues. I'm sorry you had to deal with all that and hope the suit goes in your favor.
Just saw your video today and I'm excited to see your family's adventures. Praying for safety and lots of fun.
Wow. Much cheaper than I thought. Thanks for sharing. I was thinking half a million at least. Really good spec on it. We made a lifestyle change 5 years ago and are living tiny and we have not looked back. It's not always easy but 100% worth it. You've made a wise choice as the most valuable thing we will ever have is time spent with loved ones.
God bless and don't look back.
I’m so sorry that u have to read the people that have nothing better to do but just hurt other people. Good for you that u can do this with your family!!! I hope it all works out in the end. Good luck
For me and my wife we want to get out and see nature with our son, so I appreciate these insights. Working with law dogs is a nightmare, when you can bill at at 1/10 of hour you know you are in for some work. All the best to you and your family and I hope you continue to find happiness.
👍🤩💝Hello, I saw the bus tour on Enjoy The Journey Life channel. It’s no one’s business about the cost. Your family’s experiences and togetherness is what matters. Like my MeMa says “if you like it, I love it”. People need to mind their own business and try to live their best life.
Wishing you and your family the absolute best. 🙏🤩✨💫💝
Thank you for sharing your valuable experience with everyone 👍👍
Super cool! Family of 8 here as well with 6 kids (and soon to be 7! Baby Everly will be born in January!] Ages (soon newborn), two 6 year olds, an 8 year old, two 10 year olds, and a 13 year old.
Life is definitely...um, interesting. Expensive. Hilarious. Overwhelming. Fun. I'm sure you know what I mean. It's EVERYTHING combined.
Man, even owning and living in a house with this many kids is unconventional in itself. Whenever my wife and I tell someone how many kids we have, or when we go out as a family, people are genuinely shocked lol.
Add living in a double decker and homeschooling kids and man, that is wild. Good luck to you and your family! I am glad you guys are following your Bliss.
First off thank you for sharing such personal information. You have a beautiful bus and I admire you and your wife wanting to actually spend time with your family. Prayers you can get everything straightened out and the crooked builder has to pay for everything they messed up.
I was thinking 250K, but whatever man. You are doing it. So inspiring and courageous of you. You are doing it. My biggest obstacle would be learning how to handle such a big machine. You must be a calm and cool cat. Anyways, sending you some love man. Beautiful.
12:55 when the video actually starts lol
God bless you and your beautiful family!! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. Your bus is beautiful. Thank you as well for sharing with us the costs you've paid out and I pray for a speedy positive conclusion to your lawsuit. I'm so sorry that happened to you guys especially right at the beginning of your family's adventures. The memories of traveling with your family and seeing the United States and more will last forever seeing your children grow up and their faces when they see all of the new and different things in each place you visit will be priceless ❤️
I've wanted to do what you are doing for about 6 months now
And i know one day soon my dream will come true🙏
Safe travels and thanks again for sharing. From Cincinnati Ohio 🤙
Hello from a curious Swedish person, who loves the idea of a motorhome built like this.
My guess, before being told the price: around 350 000 dollars, at most 450 000 dollars.
I completely understand we were also raised the same way where this kind of information was very TABOO you just didn't talk about it EVER. Very sorry to hear about the lawsuit and the bad first builder. Love what you are doing! 👍
VERY interested in seeing you and the family doing all the things people do with this kind of thing. Thanks for telling us things about your personal life, even though you know u didn't have to! 👍
I’m so sorry that you have had so many issues with your first builder :(. Praying for a quick resolution (if it hasn’t already). I guess I’m a year late for this video, but I just discovered your story and your channel. I’m addicted now. :)
Respect for your insights and reasons for wanting to keep the costs private... Also appreciate the candidness to share a best guesstimate for what a similar build out would/should be. Safe travels 🤗❤️🤗
Nice video! We have been living in our bus for just over a year now and still loving it! It took us over 4 years to build our bus but it was 100% worth it! We also will reevalute at the 2 year mark (our oldest will be going to college then). Are you guys members of fulltime families? Hope to see you guys on the road!
We aren’t members of fulltime families yet, but will probably be joining soon.
I originally said to my husband on the tiny homes video “that guy is loaded” Haha! Shocking to find out that the bus was way more affordable than I thought! Great for y’all! Looking forward to watching your adventures!
There are ppl(as you mention and are well aware) who troll social media and try to "stir the pot" over literally anything...pay no attention to them...don't waste your time, or ours, who are here to see your brave adventure launch/progress! Be safe, get comfortable behind that mighty big wheel...pace your travels...and we'll likely "tag along"...for DBL DKR adventures!👍🚍🌄🌁🌇🎪🚉🎡🎠🛣🚥⛽🚧🚦⌚⏳⬆️↗️➡️↘️⛔⚠️⬇️↙️⬅️↖️↕️↔️↩↪⤴️⤵️🔄🆕️🆚️🆒️🆚️🆗️
I have just seen the video showing us the bus, it is really amazing. So much wood. How much spent is what it required to make the bus a comfortable home. There will always be those that will try and put you down online, they stand behind their invisibility. Don't let them get you down. Keep on bussing with your lovely family.
I would have easily guessed 400k. If I wasn’t moving into the phase of graduation/college with my child I would have absolutely done this….. I do have the same type of thought process in that I didn’t have enough quality time so I did quit my job, became a stay at home mom who homeschooled for awhile. We traveled extensively, though internationally. We lived abroad a few yrs. I would not have changed a thing and loved the memories and the experiences we’ve had. I am looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for y’all.
That's exactly what i want for my family and i am working hard to realize this way of life for them and not be stuck in concrete , i don't know you buddy but really happy for you and your family and kids, and hope everything goes fine in the future for you
I really like the RV, I was thinking 4-500,000. I bought a transit bus and was going to convert it, but realize it was too slow of a vehicle, about 50 mph, sold it and bought a class A. If you get to South Dakota, check out Hart Ranch RV Park, in Rapid City. I am surprised that you don't have an awning , makes a nice outdoor room.
My guess is $250,000. You are doing a service to your children. Good luck and safe driving
Life is to dream through your heart, guided by your brain and lived through your soul's energy. Good on you for pursuing this path
Congratulations on reaching your goal of hitting the road!! Bon voyage!
So great to meet you at the fire tonight at Margaritaville! You are an amazing family and we wish you all the very best…from your pop up friends!
Thank you for your kind words! It was wonderful to meet you as well!
I bought a $163,000 class B last fall (didn’t pay that much, but that was MSRP). I would LOVE to have this bus instead. Its gorgeous. Wouldn’t want to park it though, if I’m being honest. Yes, I’m a chicken haha. I am so impressed that you have done this and what an amazing adventure for your kids!
I’m so sorry you had such crazy issues with your renovation! Good luck in your travels though, I am sure you will enjoy your new adventures! God bless!
😭😭I’m so sorry you guys are having to deal with all of those issues & a lawsuit. For all of that money in hindsight, I wish that you had just bought a regular huge grand RV with a warranty - I’ve seen some huge RVs here on TH-cam that work just fine for some large families. Knorpp & South TH-cam channel started out as a family of 11 with a renovated RV. I hope and pray the lawsuit helps you recoup all of your money.
You have nothing to prove to anyone.
I hope you and your family decide to move on as soon as you can and enjoy a better nomadic experience. Choose happiness and less stress.
Write a new chapter. Sell the bus as soon as you find another better solution. Go to the RV shows for ideas. Wishing you and your family the very best.😞😭🙏💝
That’s a great value. You have a condo on wheels 🛞 super cool!
Did you keep your home to go back to after the 2 years?? I love you are doing this adventure with your children. I admire you.
Y'all show is so amazing and I hope you reach your goal of all 50 states very soon stay safe on the road 🛣️ and continue to keep up the good work!!!
Very cool story and very informative for all of our curious minds!. I hope you enjoy your stay while in the area. I just saw you and your family drive by my house! ..lol
When I have kids, I hope I am going to be able to give them such amazing memories like this. Your kids will always remember these years as nothing short than amazing ❤️ you have worked for this and deserve every bit of it!
Glad you have your bus, sorry you had issues. I subscribed a while back and kept checking to see if your build was done. Enjoy and I hope you don’t have too many more issues.
Sending love and blessings to you and your family! 💫✨ you guys are inspirational. That little set back with the contractor company is going to be a blessing in disguise, just watch.
I congratulate you and your family for what you are doing for your family. But yes you are right you do realize how much time you missed out on with family because of work it's cool to see what you are doing for your kids partner and yourself. I wish yous all the best on your journey can't wait to see more from your trip looks like alot of fun . Also me and my family are watching from Rotorua, New Zealand 🇳🇿
It's nobody's business I think. Ignore the nasty comments. The majority of us are here to enjoy the travels with you.
THANK YOU!!! My estimate was much higher! Thank you for sharing. This is totally attainable! We so want to do this!
Thanks for satisfying the public curiosity 😉. I was going to guess $150k, which wasn't far off. Hoping to do something similar in another few years, so will be watching closely. Good luck to you and your family with all your travels.
I am sorry you have had so many disappointments with the rv. I have subscribed to see how you end up doing your countrywide tour. Your goal to spend at least 2 years with the family exploring the country! That is a wonderful plan. I am really old and have never been a camper or been in an rv but your story has a lot of heart and i look forward to you settling everything and living your adventure! Nb
Paula - Ottawa Canada
This is AHMAZING!
My wife and I have been dreaming of something like this, at least for the three summer months of each year. Will be following your adventures.
I was thinking pretty close to at lease 1M but wow, thats pretty good. This is why I like DIY. for my ref; 18:00
I think you did a great job. I hope everything works out for you. Many Blessings, and lots of fun!
I want to watch how this works out so i am following, so keep in touch with your videos!
Wow. I’m shocked at what you spent. I guessed at least 1 million lol. New subscriber! Thanks for the info.
We really enjoyed this video and meeting you about 2 hours ago!! We will follow your travels and hope you enjoy them as much as we have enjoyed ours for the last 20 plus years all across this great country of ours.
It was great to meet you two as well! Thanks for the great conversations!
I have a lot of respect for you and your family for many reasons. Good job on taking this step. I’ve lived a variety of unique lifestyles and we home schooled our girls. I think about 200k would be reasonable. This is my guess before the end of the video
Another Vermonter here! Was so surprised to see a double decker RV, let alone a local. Such a good idea. Makes way more sense than my 5th wheel or class A for our family.
The lawsuit and build issues are so sad. 😔 I hope it works out for you and your family. ❤
Watching this in our van, our first summer on the road in Europe with our kids. Found this so interesting, thank you for sharing! Wish we were in the position to do this full time!
Really great info & I say this. No one is paying for this BUT you. Do what makes you & your family happy. I subbed & hit the bell.
That’s impressive. I only have one child, so I wouldn’t need anything as big, but wow, that’s impressive.
Brave people. Great video. I wish y'all luck with your journey of discovery!