Bus conversion gone bad... (Lone Star Skoolies)
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- EDIT to add the business name: Lone Star Skoolie Conversions. I left that out at first, but after seeing 3 of these builds in person and speaking with over a dozen of their "victims", I no longer have reservations about sharing that.
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The owners of this bus paid a Texas skoolie business about $45,000 for this custom conversion. And, frankly, the quality of the work is just crap. Besides being poor quality and not well executed, there are serious safety issues. Electrical shock hazard? Electrical fire hazard? Wood stove fire hazard? Yes, to all of these.
I show you the resulting work, and the serious safety problems, so that you can hopefully learn a few things from it.
Hi friends, I'm Oz and this is my bus "Blue Avian". To name names the building company is Lone Star Skoolie. They're still present on "Top 10" lists out there so... buyer beware. We were lied to many times, in many ways, about the nature and progress of this build. It hurts to be taken advantage of when pursuing a dream, but Ross has restored our faith and we're very happy Blue is with him now. Whether you convert your bus yourself, or have it converted, I definitely recommend getting a second set of eyes on all the potentially hazardous areas.
I'm so sorry, man. This is beyond awful.
@@TrevorBoughtABus She's hasn't been treated well. But the future's bright for her! (and us)
Ross is an awesome honest guy and you couldn’t have done better to leave your bus with him. I am so sorry to see this. In the end it will be figured out but the company that did the work needs to stop and close their business and return at the very least, half of your money.
So sorry you have to deal with this. This "conversion" is one of the worst I've ever seen.
I certainly hope that you are considering civil liability against the builder and piercing the corporate veil if need be. So many things wrong, many of which create the potential for criminal liability. From the electrical that can outright kill you to the fridge that isn't secure in an accident with that insane "securing system". From the improperly installed wood stove fire hazard to the tub that isn't secured and the faucet wall that isn't stable.
Please keep track of your expenses in correcting all the issues and at least sue for compensation. Better yet, sue for repair compensation, legal fees, travel incurred, and every thing else a civil lawyer can come up with.
This is evidence of intentional fraud. The entire bus interior needs to be gutted and built new.
Unfortunately that would also be my thoughts, it would be the only way to be sure you had rectified all the areas of doubt, this is what you get when the builders pre school children are allowed to do the work, as far as the nonexistent "new" injector pump goes, that is surely criminal.
100% my thought. This is just some guy with a hammer and a drill and a sawzall maybe. Maybe a 17 year old kid with no previous experience did this? Utterly ridiculous.
yes correct the bus needs to be completely gutted and start again ,, how ever i would prefer the owner to surrender this bus to them in exchange for the cost of the bare bus and the 45,000 they paid for this obscene workmanship , start fresh walk away from this nightmare let them pricks stick this right bus up their arse in my opinion, its fatigued with holes and mutilated wood and metal now , l
et it sit out the front of their work shop as a representation of their work, hope they use all the peoples comments as evidence in court room
We must make sure they never build or slap another pile of shit together ever again as its really that bad indeed, if the builders has any balls about them then give them people their money back , you just bought the blue bus you dodgy bastards
Agreed! This poor couple were naive.....and were obviously taken by a crank head scam artist
@@wilsixone
When you come to pick up this "thing" and look at the inside, then you wonder where and when the dude from candid camera comes out
of the closet or bushes, because you think that this nightmare is just a joke to tease you, and then they take you to the real bus
that is done how it should be done.😰
As someone that has worked for 46 years in the construction industry these people were robbed!
As someone who has not worked in construction, the list of issues even I can see is immense. I would never under any circumstances charge anyone for workmanship this bad.
As Peter Crenshaw, from the Three Investigators, would say:” I’ll buy a double helping of that!”
@@jimbartosevich498 There is no list of issues because the whole bus is one giant issue, specialy the interior because that's just
good to shove down a fireplace.
Yeah, it's sad and shoddy work, I agree. Funny though, if you look at their YTube channel, they really show some quality craftsmanship. It makes me wonder how they could get to this.
@@additudeobx hehehe not made by them maybe?
you know, go to an RV show and meet, take a few pictures, put them on your homepage, that kind of...advertising... if it is legal to call it that.
Because I dare to say anyone able to build an good bus is physical not able to do such an hack job
Just remember: "Professional job" only means it was done for money, not necessarily that it was well done.
What you did in this video wasn’t vendor slamming to get business, but a public service announcement to potential clients and DIYers getting into the space. They need to be aware of these pitfalls so that don’t get taken for a ride. Providing not only a great service & product, but sharing your knowledge will get you more customer and loyal ones too. Thanks for this I can’t wait to see the corrective work you guys are going to do!
I have never seen anything this bad that purports to have been professionally built. I am just a DIY'er, but even by my standards this is totally unacceptable.
Even I could do better than that, I've watched at least two videos about how to do it. ;)
I (boatbuilder) screamed and howled whilst that video. I never ever saw anything like that, not even customer's own work brought to my shop to see why it's not working as intended. So, even lawyers, bankers and kindergardeners who never had an anglegrinder or a brush in their hands before do better work *_by far_* ..... to call that "disgusting" and "robbery" is an understatement.
They were not cabinet makers either.
That is probably the most cobbled wood working and electrical conversion I have ever seen. There is absolutely nothing done that has a hint a professional even touched it. Good idea people to get references before you hand your project and your safety to some strangers. Unbelievable workmanship. I'm sorry I don't know what else to say. Almost have to start from scratch.
Yea, me and the boys and a few cases of beer could have done better over a weekend...
Unbelievable. This outfit should be put out of business.
Pretty sure they will be eventually when one of these hack jobs burns to the ground with the occupants in it and the lawsuit massively exceeds their insurance, oh wait they're based in Texas which has "tort reform" (civil immunity for the wealthy).
Places like this always survive. They just keep moving and making excuses. I have a food truck builder behind my shop and I see the hack jobs leave on a regular basis.
Ditto
I wish he would tell who did this hack job. Literally criminal.
@@christianmccollum1028 the customer mentioned it here in the comments, Lone Star Skoolie. Btw this is NOT the only video review I've seen showing similar issues from this company, since I viewed this video RUclips surfaced several other scary dangerous builds.
Wow, this is absolutely absurd someone would charge that kind of money. The build looks like a college student built it with no experience using materials from a dumpster. I am so angry on behalf of the owners. You are not being nit picky at all. I would not expect to find uncaulked seams and unpainted/unfinished surfaces. What makes this worse is that this company regards themselves as a professional bus builder. That they are not.
They kind of look like college students
I'm disabled and I think I could've done a better job than these folks! Lol 😆 Goodness they got screwed.
@@spiritlove2 You insult college students. Many of them did better outfitted vans in the 60-70's period than this crap job.
I was thinking chimpanzee's would have done a excellent job there more intelligent 👍 ... this is disgusting there's nothing professional about this hacked job ... just taking advantage of good hard working people, for their amount they paid I'd certainly want it looking luxe ... just a bunch of village idiots they need to be shut down immediately. Theses days there's so many great bus rebuild companies with everyone taking charge of new life adventures and completed in lesser time than 14 months . Thanks for sharing . Stay safe and well everyone Ciao Wendy 🇭🇲 in 🇮🇹❤️✌️👋
I think even high schoolers could have done a much better job.
Oh my God. This is rediculous. I'd been a contractor for 15 years and I would be ASHAMED to have my name on this job. Sorry to say, Oz but everything, I mean everything looks shoddy as hell. Every single cut in every piece of wood, every piece of trim, every piece of slapped together furniture, screw heads hanging out everywhere, unfinished and incorrect electrical, horrible, horrible paint jobs. I'm very sorry this happened to you guys and it bugs the hell out of me to see guys masquerading as craftsmen and doing work like this. Sending lots of love, blessings, and happy adventures. I think you're in good hands now. One Love ✌🏼❤💛💚
I'm not anything approaching any professional and i've done better work then this.
The lack of covers on lamps, the disaster of an engine, the exposed wiring on the roof, the crap seal job on the stove pipe missing reflectors. These are job's me and my mates do for each other for free, there so basic and they just fucked them up.
It's actually infuriating, these are not hard jobs this is pure laziness.
You should do you own conversions
I am not a van builder, bus fitter, electrician or carpenter, but I know shoddy, unsafe work when I see it. I would not be able to look someone in the eye and present them with work like this. I am very glad that this bus is getting attention from someone who actually knows what they're doing. To the owners, I really hope that they can get some, if not all, of their money back.
That ladder being installed so wonky isn't nitpicking. If they couldn't get such a high visibility part installed properly, just imagine what the buried stuff looks like.
Exactly. And all you need to get a ladder straight is a level and a pencil.
He's just trying not to seem like he's ham-fistedly beating up a company as a public spectacle.
(even though they DO deserve it!)
His "nitpicking" comment is just a way of trying to remain humble in his visible criticism.
no shit. by that point in the video i was getting REALLY annoyed with the apologizing and "ths is just nitpicking" bullshit.
As Peter Crenshaw, from the Three Investigators, would say:” I’ll buy a double helping of that!”
Particularly when the part in question sticks out like dog's balls at a cat's party!!!!!
I bought a converted bus done by a father daughter duo from Facebook marketplace that they described as “nearly complete” and NOTHING about it was as bad as this bus. And it took them 14 months?!
Thanks for sharing this info. I hope they’re out of business soon and can never pull this again.
i have watched, seen and inspected TONS of tiny homes/bus conversions etc on marketplace, youtube, tiktok, in RL and more... and whether professional or amateur, i have NEVER seen SHITE work like this anywhere. in fact, the amateurs that i see doing work have been astonishingly excellent.
The amount of awful I imagined when first starting this video, as someone that has lived in RVs for over a decade and has seen a lot of self-builds and self-renovations, did not prepare me for the amount of awful in this build. This is criminal.
Absolutely appalling!!! Can they sue the company? I’m glad it was documented, it’s a great case against the company that did such a bad job and charged them do much for it.
Shame on them!!!
I don’t know anything about this build, or who was hired and ultimately rip these people off.
But I’m guessing they don’t have liability insurance. And probably don’t have business license either. Making a lawsuit difficult!
But yes, I agree laws were broken
This would be a great RUclips series on correcting other builders safety issues so all of us DIYers can learn the right way :)
That's a good idea and it just happens that the bus owner is a professional video editor in LA and he's already got plans to do a mini-documentary series with the other customers' buses.
@@RollingLiving Hopefully it will make for some great education then!
Good god, on my build, I did a slap together “meet the title transfer to RV bare minimums” before going back to do it right. Even my basic slapped together version was a higher quality build than this. At least I was confident I could take it out camping without dying.
I’m so glad you’re helping the builders bring this cute bus up to code and ready for years of adventure.
I've watched videos from this conversion company - and they keep a straight face, too!! Love the one showing all the PVC sewer lines under the bus -- now imagine going 60 MPH and hit an empty cardboard box - or other highway trash! Would wipe out all that 'mess'. And, yes, makes me sick to see what this outfit did.
I built custom busses for the blood industry,, now know as One Blood. We built brand new as well as refurbishing. One bus building company we refurbished alot of, was Buffalo in Union Texas or Union in Buffalo Tx. , been a while, can't remember. Our owners would NEVER let anything out like that. I installed on each bus, two 80kw diesel generators and two auto transfer boxes before the panel box.
This bus looks like it was built in a 3rd world country.
One bus we did a conversion on was a Van Hoole, bus was a band tour bus, customer bought to convert to a motor home. We took out a section of bunk beds and custom built a shower with Corian. Wish I could send pics. Nice work!
This is absolutely despicable! The company that did this kind of shoddy work should not be in business, at all! I've seen children put things together better! They are fortunate they didn't sink their last dollar. This is sad. Thanks for sharing this! Stay safe, Vickie
What a fiasco!!! The operation that did this has to be stopped, before someone is hurt or worse. Sad-- it's such a cute bus, too. The couple's attempted drive home must have been a nightmare. You're not being nitpicky-- there's a wrong and a right way to do anything. Happy that those unfortunate people found you. Also, your free 2-day assistance is very awesomely generous. 🙏🏽
I've been researching bus conversions for a few years now, gathering info for my own build. this is one of the best "how not to" videos I've ever seen. Thanks for the walk through of some of the issues planetOZ went through with that other builder. Can't wait to see the end result of your work/corrections on this bus.
Having watched hundreds of hours of these videos as I plan for my retirement build I can honestly say this is heart breaking and worrisome. How do I avoid criminal builders like this? Is there a data base of good/bad builders/electricians/plumbers? To Oz, that you didn't punch them out when being given the keys is a testament to you being an amazing human being!!!
Ask to talk to previous cudtomers
These people should just have bought a truck, and a pull camper. Legit.
the builder of this should serve time for the electrical issues that I saw! My heart goes out to the bus owners!😱
I'm honestly appalled at how a company could do such shoddy work for a customer!
Not just the electrical work, but the mutilated timber too! 😲
@RollingLiving I'm just so pleased and relieved that you can help sort this disaster! I wish you the best of luck, and to be honest, I'd like to see this carnage rectified!
OMG. I thought that it was going to be bad but the word bad does not, even slightly, begin To describe this horrific mess. Oz, I’m so sorry for you, I hope that you sue these jokers to within an inch of their lives.
i am not sure anything on this build came close to even be worth paying for. i watch a lot of the offgrid/van/bus builds. see some stuff once in awhile that i would question but most of them are learning for the first time. never seen anything like this by someone who is actually charging to work on someone else's bus. glad the name of the company is out there for anyone to see.
50ish years ago, when I was a teenager, I may have done work like that, not knowing any better. Fortunately, I had a good group of neighbors, along with my dad, who taught me better. It was drilled into me at that early age that it doesn't take any longer to do something right the first time. The work shown here is less than amateurish. I feel for the owners of that bus.
OMG! My neck is getting tired from shaking my head at the bad craftsmanship! They should sue for ALL of their money back.
Absolutely!
My heart just hurts for these people. You are obviously a quality human being, Ross. I’m still in the planning stages of my build and it makes me cringe to think that there are builders out there with so little regard for other human beings. I’m glad the owners called out the builder by name. Hopefully Lone Star Skoolie will go out of business without getting someone hurt or killed.
There's a difference from trashing a business just trying to get by and being held accountable for actions. This could save many lives. Those poor people, I bet we're all glad they've got you.
I am at a loss for words! I feel sick to my stomach! I can't see one positive thing about this, sorry! Ross, bless you for this, Oz, I hope you get justice!
Absolute disaster. Never go 14 months without checking on your unit and making sure the work is being done to your satisfaction. Weekly or biweekly visits are mandatory you're paying them and they work for you...
The "customers" were sized up to be ripped off. They (builders) let their bus sit while doing other jobs & just slopped whatever together when they had spare time. Its why that lug in the panel box was loose. They meant to tighten that but walked away & forgot.
I'm surprised they didn't offer to knock a hole through the floor and get them to drive it like a Flintstone car when the engine wouldn't run, especially seeing how prehistoric the rest of the fit out was done!
There, in fact, was a hole in the floor of ours built by them.
The cutest bus that was really damaged by these TX outfitters. 14 months of waiting for that? Hurtful! Thx for sharing.
This video makes me appreciate my husband's perfectionist ways! He started a solar business a few years back and he's managed to create for himself a LOT of happy customers! I am appalled at the shoddy work. Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone to educate and bring awareness.
I encourage you to appreciate your husband! I'll give you my wife's number, maybe can instructher . Lol
That's a big disappointment for the customer and all of us. Thanks for showing us!
Ross, I am so disgusted by what you have shown me. The work I saw done was valueless except for maybe the cost of some of the materials that can be reused. Oz, thank you for telling me (and others) the name of this disgusting company. This definitely needed to be told so others can avoid the incompetence and horrors of receiving a 'finished' product in this state.
Thanks Steve. We're getting the word out!
Rule #1 No Silicone --- glad to see someone speak up about this-- so many will regret. And on and on for defects--- I'd sue and sue fast if I was them, though likely the "pro builder" is judgment proof, in other words - not worth enough money to sue. Sad story- but needs to be told
Can't sue till you know the total damage. Hence will have to redo the bus to get a cost.
Very true, using only polyurethane seam sealer on my Thomas. Wire wheel on an angle grinder is ridding my bus of all silicon.
What’s so crazy to me is that the company had it for 14 months. Almost looks like they threw it together in a couple weeks. You’d think waiting that long they would receive perfection!!!
I totally respect your reasoning for making such content. Craftsmanship in general has taken a major dive and I have to work hard nowadays to find competent and honest labor in all fields.
Out of curiosity I went to the builders web site. Photo of bus looks odd with same rough unfinished counter too, a standing lamp. An odd looking sofa.
This build is gross.
A 4th grader with a hammer and hand saw could easily duplicate this build for lunch money.
My thoughts go out to the bus owners.
I HATE Lawyers.
But in this case I’d find a good pit bull to sue for breech of contract and go for damages and lawyers fees on top of what was spent IF they have a contract and proof of what was supposed to have been done.
Best wishes!
100% DMWI. Utterly ridiculous. You're not kidding. I could do better work and I'm just "handy". I can screw in a lightbulb okay. I could even do this conversion better than they did ONLY KNOWING how to screw in a lightbulb as I do. Know what I'm saying? I would sue them for every cent of that abortion.
I was once in talks with this company to build out my bus. the owners flew me out, paid for my hotel, and showed me some super expensive buses for sale. it was a nice facility, but when it got down to brass tacks he wasn't up front for how much they wanted to charge for the build. when I started asking questions, they ghosted me. I'm sorry to hear that so many customers are receiving such abysmal work for so much money. I'll be sure to spread the word but yeah, every customer who got something like this needs to sue and put them out of business.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm glad you got out when you did...
If I can't do it myself, usually, it doesn't get done at all.
They ghosted me when I asked questions also, but by that time, I was certain that they weren't on the up and up, as they quoted me twenty grand for seat removal and five interior walls, no floor work or other things that are so necessary in a conversion. Glad I researched the project and found out they aren't going to do the proper work, maybe not even aware of the necessary changes.
This is abysmal work. Everyone who paid food money to these clowns needs to get together and hire a Texas attorney and sue for fraud. It's important to establish fraud, because liabilities incurred fraudulently typically cannot be eliminated even through a bankruptcy. A Texas attorney can also tell you if Texas law would facilitate having this clown charged criminally, which I would pursue if it was feasible.
RollingLiving is giving excellent advice here. I used to earn a living installing fireplaces and wood stoves, and did a lot of remodel carpentry in the course of the installations. I also designed and installed off grid solar systems. At a glance I can confirm that the stove is improperly installed and, over time, a fire hazard. It is also far too small a stove to heat a bus with factory insulation and that much window area.
The solar system is a joke. Yes, the battery cables are too light, but also the battery bank is WAY undersized for a 5000 watt inverter. It's fortunate it isn't hooked to anything!
I know they are made, but would never install a 5000 watt inverter that had 12 volt DC input - you want at least 24 and ideally 48 volts input for that much load. A 48 volt inverter would require at least two more batteries, although a 4 battery bank of small batteries like that is pretty weak for that big an inverter.
I have a 3000 watt inverter in my bus, with an 800 amp 24 volt battery bank. My inverter has lugs instead of outlets, so I was able to hardwire from the inverter to the load center. IMO, that's the only way to go if you're running any big loads like a cooktop, microwave or that electric water heater.
I'm also not a fan of anything Renogy. I see a lot of bus and van people using their stuff and it puzzles me. As far as I know, the only thing they actually make themselves is labels. They just private label other products, and are quite high priced for the quality you get.
In my solar system, the charge controller is one brand, the battery meter is another, the inverter and load center a third. No I
The shore.power/AC wiring and breaker box is a disaster too. It needs to be ripped out and completely redone.
Sorry, this posted before I could go through it and correct all the spell checker mischief. Also, my apologies for the long rant. Seeing this really made me angry!
Thank you for this video. You have undoubtedly saved someone many headaches and heartaches and quite possibly saved someone's life. Very kind of you to help them, it is the right thing to do. You are quite a gentleman. Good job.
You had me flared up at the crooked ladder and the crooked ladder holders. That just says so much if they don’t have enough respect to make sure that is straight.
Wow this is insane. I did my own solar install with a large amount of research and learning. I’m very confident in my system. watching this video gave me anxiety that I left something unfinished even though I know I didn’t. Insane!!
"There are things in here that would not meet code ....." Well, I never saw anything like it. Those people have to be stopped and removed from the market in a way absolutely securing that they do not turn a customer's screw even half a turn in future. "Criminal" is an understatement. Giving a thing like this bus as "done" to a customer is borderline terrorism.
I love this video. It's not a roast or just a shaming video. If anything, it's just a really great comprehensive example of the wrong way of doing things, if you don't know what you're doing or care to figure it out properly. I would love to see progress check-ins as everything gets fixed. For the fantastically bad electrical panel scheme, I think those 30-50 amp adapters that you mention actually lift one of the hot lines from the 50 amp connection, so it would not be possible to get 50 amps through that plug, if using an adapter (assuming the source is wired correctly). However, like you say, the panel is still wired totally wrong and would still be a hazard if ANY current is going through it. The other thing worth mentioning is that there was no fuse or breaker protection between the batteries and the inverter. Just those inadequate wires, that you pointed out. Good thing it doesn't do anything... This video paints a very good picture of what's wrong with this build. Great inspection! Bummer that the customer paid so much for something so poor.
Good points...and there's definitely more to point out! There should, indeed, be a fuse at the battery end of that inverter cabling. And the battery terminals should be covered, so nothing can short those. And the incoming line from the shore power should be protected, too.
I forgot to video the woodwork from the outside, through the windows, too...none of what's visible from the outside is painted. That's cosmetic, but it looks like crap.
Thanks for the observations about the build and for your comments about the tone of the video. That's what I was shooting for and it's good to know it came across that way to you. Thanks!
Actually Ross was right... those 50 amp connections are actually 100 amp split into 2 hot lines, so those adapter cables can absolutely feed 50 amp into your 30 amp RV! Of course in a properly wired 30 amp RV, there would be an internal breaker limiting the max power draw, but those adapters don't have a fuse as far as I know...
AND with no master breaker, 30+30+30+15 equals _105 amps_ of theoretical draw from shore power. The wires would melt long before the breakers would trip, the literal opposite of what breakers are supposed to be for! EDIT: I see you considered that in another comment, not relying 100% on the pedestal breaker is probably a good idea. Especially if its providing 50A (via adapter) into a RV connection designed for 30A.
DIY, couldn’t disagree with you more. If this wasn’t a drive-by, I don’t know what it is. I’m actually embarrassed for RollingLiving.
in the first couple minutes I thought you were being a lil dramatic but after seeing the fuel injection pump scam, im seeing red! then bare copper in the box.. unbelievable.. thanks for the vid and keep planting good seeds Brother
Just WOW!! The seller definitely saw them coming and thought 💭 “I can make some fast easy money here”
I consider myself a woodworker too albeit unqualified in anything but good enough to know not even I would leave such a good looking potential home in such a horrible mess!! I can imagine the couple setting off on their way home excited for the prospect of new beginnings and then slowly but surely the busses problems start popping up one by one until they ended up calling RollingLiving to help 🙏 I would be livid, they need to get their money back or at least some of it! It looks like they paid for a home but only got the garden shed!
for $45K you can be nit-picky. This scares me when Im relying on people to know what they are doing because i don't. This is a scary dream and so many people are against it as is we don't need this kinda stuff . Thank you for your help and your heart!
The only way to stop this from happening again, is by taking action…I can only HOPE that they and everyone else that has gotten through the same issues with the same builder can sue them….they charged way soooo much money for nothing…it infuriates me!! But I’m learning a lot for my future buslife so this things don’t get to happen to me 😡
I'm inclined to wonder if they only accept customers from out of state that might not have standing in a Texas court.
Beyond words. Just astounding.
WOW that's some of the shotiest workmanship I've ever seen.
Looks like an 8 year old did it with a couple of friends!! Just speachless!
Horrendous!
I really feel bad for the owners and I totally understand your anger towards the low life outfit that created this horror show.
It will interesting to see how a professional approach will turn this story around.
Great video! 👍
This is the most Frankenstein conversion I have ever seen. Unbelievable!
They gave them a free ratchet-strap. What more do you want?!?!
Haha! True, sir. :-)
Oh My Giddy Aunt… this bus needs to be gutted and start again. My heart goes out to the owners.
I’m watching this video here in the UK 🇬🇧 where I am building my own Teardrop Camping Trailer, so this has also given me some food for thought, especially when I get to the solar panels and electrics. So thanks for the video and happy camping to all. Regards John.
Thank you for showing this video. I'm no electrician, but much of the issues were obviously not OK. Additionally, the wires hanging almost straight from the roof to connections is unbelievable. A leak, spark and the thing could burn to the ground.
The 2x4 construction in there in the door area is ridiculous! I hope the owner at the very least, gets their money back - every penny, as they need to rip it all out, then start over with schematics, blueprints and make it right, not to mention the time and effort to rip everything out, and patch the holes the "builder" made, that were probably also done in places they weren't needed, and could lead to leaks & corrosion in the future.
Thousands for that rattle-can job on the dash is unbelievable. It probably took about 30 minutes total, and a
I hope they are going to sue the builder. Looks like it's built by a tweaker. Good video, thanks!
Thanks, Ray. It sounds like a group of these customers might be headed in that direction...
This bus build feels like it could have been intentionally built incorrectly as a showcase of what not to do. It's almost to the point of it being more work to do it incorrectly than correctly.
Yeah, something doesn't seem right. Why would the buyers accept the bus in such condition? If I am spending $40,000 then I am definitely having a look around.
Great public service video from you! It’s sickening to see what these victims got for their money...absolutely pathetic! 😡 So glad you are going to help them a bit!
Amazing. This level of incompetence requires real effort.
There was nothing about this bus to "like," but for your careful overview and honesty about what it really was, I would have appreciated a chance to like this video more than once!
This may be my first visit, but seeing your attention to detail on the possible health & Safety issues being highlighted was impressive. The company that carried out this conversion should hang their heads. The woodwork is horrendous, you could easily think theyd used broken pallet boards for the majority of it. Maybe supplying them with a bead level, set square and a tape measure could be a good start, along with glasses for whoever did the work.
Hi great video, my icon is the bus I am building I used all stranded wire, was told not to use solid wire like this bus has. $44,000 and they used 2x4 and plywood this couple should sue who ever did the work. Good luck on fixing this mess, might be easier to gut and start over. Also Greetings from Tempe
Well, hello from up the hill! I do like stranded wire, but the RVIA has allowed the use of solid wire (like Romex) for quite a few years and I've worked on conversions with pretty old solid wire...and I've not yet encountered a problem in those.
I restore vehicles for a living. I feel the pain you must be experiencing seeing what your customers are going through. It is as if Nigerian Scammers left the call center, flown to Texas and renovated a Bus.
That's the best description of this I've ever seen!
I cannot imagine how heartbroken/pissed the owners must have been.
Kudos to them for sharing this link on their post advertising this bus for sale. I love the basic look of this bus, but as I have been looking at these conversions after a no cause at the end of Covid(my rent was current), costing the lives of my rabbit, Lily(stasis due to stress) and my Bailey, my most recent lab rescue from Texas (sudden onset of renal failure-most likely due to a toxin), my 3 cats are living at a friend's, and my 2 remaining labs are with me, I really don't want to rent,not do I want to buy a house here because they are not worth what they are going for.
This bus has such potential,and would be a perfect size etc, but as a retired person from convention work, I am tired. Had I seen this bus 20 years ago I would have jumped on her, but losing my home, stressing about my pets well being etc....
Again, kudos to the owners for posting the link to this video, showing there are still those that are honest with integrity. Wish I had the money and strength to build this girl right. I hope she ends up with an owner who appreciates her unique character
God bless you brother for helping this family! Your generosity is both noted and appreciated!
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱
This bus is definitely in pretty bad shape, and looks like it was built by someone supporting a crack habit. There is nothing that cannot be fixed, but it looks like it really needs to be pulled apart and redone. I would suggest after demolition of the interior, that the owner get familiar with servicing the chassis of the bus, to keep those areas accessible. Then draw out some plans to run utilities (electrical, water, sewer, etc.) that avoid intruding on living areas and service areas. And, as you mentioned, don't do stupid things like placing an outlet under a sink that doesn't need electricity! Spend a little more money and run the wiring in conduit, or at least romex of the correct gauge. I think that it is "okay" to have p-traps in RV sinks, but it's better to use waterless traps (and takes less area, too). I also recommend Bus Grease Monkey's channel to learn about servicing busses used as RV's, and see how many of the busses that go to Scott's shop need the same kinds of service that had been deferred (e.g. wheel bearings and seals, airbags, air leaks in general, suspension repair, etc.). He's good with the old 2-stroke Jimmies, and his son seems to know most of the other common commercial diesel engines. Best of luck to Oz.
A crack habit? No. Nothing to do with drugs. This is someone who had no experience.
Def looks like some sort of contractor or outsourcing occurred. I cant see a company with a production supervisor letting work like this be seen!
Nice work Ross, I know you are making things right. I would recommend that the panel in that bus should have a main breaker as well and should not be a main lug panel. You could backfeed the panel through one of those 30 amp breakers if they do not want to replace the panel, but that would not leave them many circuits.
I agree and I'm shopping for a replacement panel with transfer switch function. I don't like the idea of relying on the shore pedestal breaker or the inverter for panel protection. Thanks, sir!
@@RollingLiving Yes, a transfer switch would be a nice addition. BTW I am glad to hear you talking about teaching our fellow IBEW members, I am IBEW local 915 here in Tampa, just a little over 21 years in, currently working as an estimator/project engineer for the same company 18 years now.
"help the customer" at a cost... Always another helpful professional ready to help ya that has a you tube channel....
I'm donating labor and the RUclips ad revenue from their videos, too...that's going to parts. But you can be as dubious as you wish. You do you. :-)
Just know that this unfortunate endeavor has taught me alot, and I'm sure many more good people will benefit from this experience, I thank all of you for exposing this, it seems that it could've been alot worse, and I am going to share this video, as you have done, your in good hands now, and best not to let this have free rent in your head, and build on!!...
Now I'm going to teach you something. "A lot" is two words. A dog. A tree. A lot.
Wow! Buyer beware, for sure. Very well explained, thank you. Certainly explains why every now and again we see or hear of fire dispatches: "Engine 3 is on scene, fully involved motorhome, requesting a third engine and additional water tender. Continue EMS for two adults with burns and smoke inhalation. Per occupants all passengers are out of the vehicle and accounted for. Engine 3 is assuming Mountain Pass IC and will be in fire attack." [or something similar] Ross, I am so glad you repeatedly remind viewers that everything in a bus conversion / motor home (or trailer for that matter) vibrates every time the wheels are turning. That's millions of little opportunities for wiring abrasions and resultant short circuits, screws backing out, plumbing failures, mounting brackets coming loose, etc. What a great resource channel. Thank you!
this has been an interesting video. here in the uk we are not allowed to use single strand electric cable in camper/motorhomes as it comes loose with the vibrations of travel , we must use multistrand arctic cable that stays tight in screwed terminals. arctic cable is a nickname becuase it stays flexible below freezing. also if we want to do this kind of work commercialy the electric and lpg circuits have to be checked by a qualified person and given a certifcate.
Here in the US, solid "Romex" style cabling is permitted. Of course, it's got to be the right size for the load and overcurrent protection...which this builder didn't use.
Shocking and frightening. Feel sorry for the couple who own Blue, I hope they get it sorted out and enjoy many miles of happy safe touring.
This video made me feel much better about my abilities as a hobby level builder.
None of that had any thought put into it, giant gaps, barely 1 coat of paint, a waste of material.
Oh my that is horrific. I have never seen how even the electrical panel could be that bad being 'brand new'. It is like this person went to a used thrift store for the panel and the fuses. Then the 'transformation' for $45,000??? The entire work was shotty. Would of given him a court date.
what horrible workmanship...I can't believe they ever got a "second customer" if the first customer did a review. So sorry for Blue owner. You'll make them very happy with the fixes you do. Although, the poor workmanship can only be improved by starting over. good luck to all involved.
Hi Ross, My husband Jim and I paid 75,000. to that same builder and have been left with a mess. Can we talk because we really are at a loss on where to go from here.
Yes, of course, and as I mentioned in the video I'll gladly donate 2 days of labor to check and repair your electrical and solar and water systems...with no obligation. My email is ross@rollingliving.com
Oh no, more victims and even more money. I'm so sorry, I hope something can be salvaged.
@@Wayoutthere Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately , the two of us are not the only ones. There are multiple others We are in contact with and we are sure there are more out there. We are hoping our stories save others that may be involved with him now or who might come across his many RUclips videos and think he is an expert.
@@trudikrupocki3023 this post and your comment have saved me. I was about to work with them, already sat down and talked things over with the lead guy and everything. I won’t be doing that now. I’m sorry for what happened to you and the others, and I hope you guys get compensated. But know that you’ve helped me.
@@havcm5618 , Thank you for telling me this! You have just made my year! This brings my heart so much joy to know that this saved you from going through the complete nightmare we did. This is why we are speaking out. Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It needs to be exsposed. Man feeding on man!
A trustworthy mechanic is worth their weight in gold. If you find a good one, treat them good and don't let them go. Put them on your Christmas list.
"I'm just nit picking". NO, you're recognizing a poorly done job. Anyone who painted a fence or bedroom wall and left a corner unfinished wouldn't be welcomed back, and missing areas like around the bathtub is no exception.
This is a prime example of someone trying to sell their abilities with no experience or capability in doing it. Not only in general, but for part of their work being "you need to run a wire because we didn't do a proper job" is a clear sign of their lack of skill and capability. IF they did this on their own bus, couldn't say anything about it, but for them to do this for profit is concerning.
Without naming the builder I already knew who it was when you said it took place in Texas. That said I'm still searching for a bus that I would enjoy having, this build had a lot of things that made me cringe.
I sit here wondering what the bus looked like before the skoolie company got ahold of it. And then I’m wondering how they used the cash, because I’m not seeing 45 grand on any upgrades even accounting for the labor.
This kind of craftmanship, reminds me of kids building a treehouse.
This was good to see. I think we’ve all heard so many horror stories with production RV builders that we should’ve also been aware of outfits who create garbage like this. What a nightmare. $45K for this?!?! That outfit just stole their money!!!!
Wow I feel for the owners of this conversion, they must feel terrible.
Whoever did that looks like they are going out of business, and getting the last few out the door, before the doors close.
Wow, Just Wow........ Id name that Bus The Attempted Murder Motorhome.
OMGOSH that poor couple, it looks like a five year old has built out that bus. I hope that they can get it sorted.
You are a wonderful man to offer your help to them
I don't have any experience with any of this except a bit of wood working and I must say, it feels like quite the confidence boost that most of this seems super obvious. But then again, many of the things are just absolutely heinous. very interesting stuff, thanks for sharing.
Wow! I cannot believe what I see. I’m surprised the buyer paid for it. One thing I would never let go would be having some form of shielding or liner on that front tire protecting that water tank and hookups.
Unfortunately, the way this builder's payment schedule works the customers pay for the bus before pick-up. There's a lesson there, for anyone having a conversion done.
I agree about the shielding. Spot on, David. I forgot to mention that the customer had to replace one of their new tires, on the trip home, because the builder left one of the support brackets in contact with the tire...which it destroyed.
This makes me sick. I see business like this in every industry and it just makes me sad to see other hard working shops not make it yet hacks seem to always survive.
Fun fact, the prevalence of sociopathy among CEOs is over 20 times higher than the average person
Just watched your video and I’m amazed at the non existent professional work , not even up to the standard of a home DIY person. Feel so sorry for the owners who paid out for the work to be done.
I live in Perth,Australia, definitely the worst workmanship I’ve ever seen !
Cheers,
Alan.
Geez what a disaster! I feel sorry for the owners of this bus.
Obviously, the person(s) doing the conversion weren't qualified, in the least. Why would anyone pay for such substandard work? Good way to have your dreams ruined. You are very gracious to help them resolve the issues. Your a man of integrity. Good to see.
When we contracted them a year and a half ago they had stellar reviews that we now now were fake and pictures stolen from other websites. They require 75% upfront. So, we didn’t know how abjectly unqualified the my were at the time.
You've got your work cut out trying to turn that around. I would rip it apart and start again because I would be worried about the things you cannot see.👍
Unbelievable! Electrical system issues throughout. Shoddy building materials. Stove Fire Hazard! Mechanical issues. Roof issues. I can't imagine somebody even paying $10K for what they got.
Ted, and yet they paid 45,000.00 Man I can't stand it. They, the Company did an awful job !!!!!
Right?