Living in a bus

Slingshot said:
My wife and I are considering to sell the house, buy a bus, and convert it into a mobile home with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen etc. The plan is to stay on the bus and travel the country when we feel like it, and the rest of the time we will be parked somewhere (resort/farm/middle-of-nowhere). Our jobs will be of a nature where we can work from the bus anywhere in the country, so we can travel when we want, where we want.

We're looking at converting a double-decker bus with the following features:
- top floor half-closed for the bedroom, and other half open with hydroponics garden, solar panels, water reserve
- bottom floor containing kitchen, bathroom, lounge, cockpit
- collapsible perimeter fence for two dogs and some privacy
- everything will be solar powered
- scooter for local transport, mounted on a rear platform of the bus

We'll either do the bus project in SA or elsewhere, depending on several factors. The two main concerns in SA will be safety/security, and parking/camping locations.
Just thought I'd share the idea with others, and perhaps keep this updated with our progress in planning and building the bus.

Here's photos of similar projects:
Click to expand...
Very cool

How much would a bus like that cost ? Would you get second hand ?
 
Nerfherder said:
Very cool

How much would a bus like that cost ? Would you get second hand ?
Click to expand...

Anything from R100 000 to several hundred thousand for a single decker, depending on the year and condition. You can pick up old (but good running condition) busses for a decent price. A bus engine can do many more reliable km's than a car engine.
 
Sling, you should watch Extreme RV's on DSTV or see if its on Youtube to give you some inspiration
 
Slingshot said:
Anything from R100 000 to several hundred thousand for a single decker, depending on the year and condition. You can pick up old (but good running condition) busses for a decent price. A bus engine can do many more reliable km's than a car engine.
Click to expand...

I imagine so... they are selling buses with 300k on the clock there!

Just out of interest, what kind of budget are you looking at ? I mean, is spending a million on this project an option for you ?
 
YingYang said:
Sling, you should watch Extreme RV's on DSTV or see if its on Youtube to give you some inspiration
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll look it up! Didn't know about that show.

Nerfherder said:
I imagine so... they are selling buses with 300k on the clock there!

Just out of interest, what kind of budget are you looking at ? I mean, is spending a million on this project an option for you ?
Click to expand...

I think we can do it for much less than that, but it depends on the bus price for starters. The rest we will DIY as much as possible, so it's mostly materials and fittings.
We're not aiming for luxuries onboard. Basic comforts is enough to keep us happy. No TV, washing machine, dishwasher or other major appliances.
 
Slingshot said:
I think we can do it for much less than that, but it depends on the bus price for starters. The rest we will DIY as much as possible, so it's mostly materials and fittings.
We're not aiming for luxuries onboard. Basic comforts is enough to keep us happy. No TV, washing machine, dishwasher or other major appliances.
Click to expand...

Yes, I imagined as much. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Check out this lady on youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen

She does a lot of stuff on tiny/sustainable houses, im really addicted to it.
She has done a few shows on buses.
 
Slingshot said:
I think we can do it for much less than that, but it depends on the bus price for starters. The rest we will DIY as much as possible, so it's mostly materials and fittings.
We're not aiming for luxuries onboard. Basic comforts is enough to keep us happy. No TV, washing machine, dishwasher or other major appliances.
Click to expand...

DIY will cut costs, but trying to keep the weight down will push costs back up.
 
Just think, if your neighbours irritate you, you can just drive off.
Bliss.
 
Sounds like an awesome idea except for having to find safe parking every night.
 
No municipal rates and taxes either, I'm assuming?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X