Skoolie vs. City Bus Conversion
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- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2024
- Bus Conversions: • Blue Ridge Conversions
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Jason and Lorraine. In 2016 we sold most of our belongings and left the city in southern California to start a small homestead in the mountains of North Carolina. We left the city in search for a more minimal and intentional life. We became passionate about growing our own food and knowing what exactly is in our food after I (Jason) became diagnosed with cancer. Now 8 years in remission we as a family are on a journey to live our passions.
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One of the biggest differences between the two are city type buses were designed to drive for a very long time, they are more comfortable to drive long distances as they have a much better suspension, but they are more expensive to work on. The skoolie has higher ground clearance and rides really rough, it's cheaper to fix and they cost a fraction of a city bus.
you can custom build bus bodies on a chasis, so you don't have to pay for things you won't be using in a city bus. I got mine for 7k$. And its way better than a school bus
You could also consider city buses prior to the late 90's, that did not have the low floor. They had steps at the door(s). There is usually room below the skirts for black/grey and fresh water tanks, and the wheel wells are considerably lower. They do not have as much head-room, but more than a school bus. i was a bus driver for 30 years, and I can also tell you that many "city" buses were not built for the highway... their engines and transmissions are designed for stop-and-go running for 16 hours a day, 25-45 MPH, and these are strained at 60 MPH. If you get a city bus, find one that was used in suburban commute service... designed for the highway, and had less stress on the drivetrain.
I'm coverting a box truck with similarly high ceilings. I built an 18 inch pocket in the ceiling and a bed with a winch hidden in the underside that hoists itself up into that space. The desk and bathroom wall underneath have a ridge that the bed comes down to rest on at night and during travel
I like that everything is interior, which makes things more accessible and easier to keep locked up, as opposed to under the bus.
Use a "Cargo Net" to make a Loft Bed ... no lost height due to mattress, bedding, etc ...
Cool idea for our kids beds
Perfect! The bus and the video. Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the info. I'm 6'4" and plan to convert a city bus. Orginially, I bought a box/moving truck to convert for the ceiling height. After driving it 600 miles, I would not want to travel/vacation with it. Too cumbersome to drive. Now looking to sell it and go with a city bus.
Will Maddox what size box truck? Still got it? Price and specs?
It's worth noting that city buses tend to have much nicer suspension and ride a lot smoother than school buses do. So if you live somewhere with poorly maintained roads, a city bus might be nicer to ride in.
I am rebuilding a 1997 gillig phantom city bus. First rebuilding mechanically, then the worlds coolest one bedroom apartment with a roof deck and solar.
Those city buses are cool! One thing to consider is that even going offroad (not like in the mud or anything but just a campground) city/ coach buses don't do well because of low groung clearence. City buses are very cool otherwise!
j jones
Ground* clearance
Yep you caught me! RUclips should have spell check. I think it used to but not now. I miss things sometimes!
u/tube does and its clear as day what you meant! he couldnt help himself from being what he is. there is an ace(polite version) on every channel.
seems like boondocking would be a bit problematic
Great comparison info!!! Thanks for sharing. There are alot of people planning to do new builds and any info is greatly appreciated im sure. Its amazing how many options are available.
The bus looks great. I started looking at converting a bus, last year when I came across you guys working on Justin Rhodes bus. There are lots of different ways to do a conversion. I wish you put up more videos during the construction. I actually bought a 35 foot long bus that looks quite similar to this Low Floor Transit Bus. I was really attracted to the high ceilings and big windows. I hope that I get started on mine , some day soon.
We did a school bus before but realized we hated the windows and the funky space in the back with the engine. Our bed stayed warm from engine not good on a hot Colorado desert summer night y'all! Also felt like a big wasted space. We considered covering windows with walls etc but we like the bigger city bus windows that are not going to come open going down the road when it's raining, not good. Also I noticed lots of dust to clean from road trips from air blowing. Our bus did not have ac. Can't wait to take that leap again and start a new bus, live and learn.
I love city buses, that's what i would want for a conversion!
Great job guys..
Also, most city buses, have higher mileage than school buses..
that depends on where you buy the school bus! i bet you a back woods country bumpkin bus has about the same.
it depends on how old the bus is, how often the bus was used, & how good the bus' condition is
You could have made a false floor almost level with the wheel wells with an access hatch in the center isle and placed all the plumbing and electrical in there. Access to the wheel wells could be had through the lower cabinets.
I'm just a regular maintenance guy for apts.
I would love to do this as a job.
The innovation these guys have to come up with is super cool.
Every job is a thinking process and progress. Fantastic.
I love the design and craftsmanship of your bus! Back in the 1970's, I had a 1947 Pony Cruiser 48 (?) Passenger "converted" transit bus. It was rustic and extremely slow going over mountain passes but it was so much fun! It's my goal to get another bus to convert - probably will be a shorty.
To add to what Codey Lewis said, city buses are usually pretty worn out and and thats why they get removed from service. Unlike school buses that have a use time that they can be used by a school district.
Don't forget motor coaches, you can drive at 70 mph in comfort all day.
they have basement storage for tanks and gear. All types of buses have their place depending on what you want to do with them. I have driven every kind of coach and school bus and some transit buses. The only thing I would say for sure is never buy a front engine snubnose bus with the engine next to the drivers seat. awful does not begin to enplane the driving experience. I dove one for ten years and I partially blame it for my hearing loss. A bus with the engine out front with a hood is fine. all are better then any factory built motorhome.
City buses and commuter buses have a bit more"sophistication" about them that I just love
Good job guys. You did bring up some points that I had not thought about. I did not know that you would have to do all the plubing and tanks inside but it does make sence. My friend has one that he gave up on for his use as a traveling show room for clothing. The cost of gear changes and fuel milage , low top speed and air suspension leaks made it a figure head for his brick & morter shirt and graphic shop.
A good coach is a nice compromise and has significant storage under the vehicle. I am doing an Irizar PB.
@
Sow the Land
Wow! I have no idea why I haven't seen this video before now! I've been looking for either a bus to convert or building a tiny home. I have to say that this is the BEST bus conversion I've seen - and I've seen perhaps 50-60! You people did an outstanding job!!
Hi....... Jason nice to see you I love watching your videos, thank you for sharing your video homestead chicken farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 🐔🐓🐥🌱🎥👍👍👍
The first point on is what sold me
Hi Jeff and Jason, So more materials were used, but it' is very beautiful and roomy. Very nice work guys!! ;)
My bus that I'm still converting is a 95 Bluebird TC2000 Transit bus (like a greyhound) but in a school bus frame but not a school bus.. Nice BIG windows, and since it's made for OTR driving it does 70 MPH with ease. It also has storage under the bus (horrible for when getting under it) but has the room I need.. I wish I went with a city bus for the headroom but all the prices were out of my price range for a city bus..
That is really awesome guys. Great job.
I have to admit I like the schoolbusses more. Not just because of the ground clearance, but they offer more privacy. You cant look into them so easy because the windows are alot higher than on city busses.
You guys did a great job
Hey thank you for making/sharing this video! Really cool insight into stuff folks considering doing a bus conversion might anticipate! I innocently/maybe stupidly bought a Red Cross Blood collection unit bus. So was originally built for this purpose, no seats like schoolie. But it is front engine, and what sold me was 17 FT between front and rear axles, and the bus is just about 40 FT long. So my thought was I could steer in tighter areas as opposed to one of those cool prevost with longer wheel base. But dealing with storage tanks, and I'll call it RV Mech systems must be must easier on one of those big rear engine prevost kinda bus. I'm cramped for space, and challenged on layout for these systems. [A fun kinda challenge!]
I like the City bus best for room. However, I wonder if it is easier to take care of a skoolie mechanically, than a city bus. So even though I love the City bus roominess I feel that a skoolie might be easier to take care of. What is it they say... Pick Your Poison! LOL! Not that having either of these is by any means Poison! Ha! Ha! But I do recall all of the maintenance required by Justin Rhodes as he was driving all across the USA. Anyway you go City or Skoolie, it's a Win Win! Thanks for a very cool video. It lets us see what really goes on behind the scenes! Looking Good Jeff! Miss your family's videos! God Bless! Journey On!
You guys missed a HUGE opportunity for storage space! You could have raised the floor to match the floor in the rear of the bus, would have gave you an under bus storage or a series of compartments accessible from inside the coach, plus it would have made the wheel wells more manageable....Like I said "You missed a huge opportunity" !
City bus comes with a handy bicycle rack on the front. I wonder which bus is sturdier
I was really wondering what the main differences were between a city bus and a schoolie so thank you for making this video.
Our first rv was a citybus to 👍
So much good info! Thanks so much!!!
Old Leyland buses got it right. They have a flat 6 diesel mid mount engine. Flat floor bumper to bumper With Heaps Of Under Storage..
Another thing not covered here, the difficulty of working on the engine for a city bus, also Iv'e heard they have long term issues because of things like lack of air flow being at the back of the bus. 60mph or less top speed is a very limiting factor...
Why not raise the floor about 18" for storage instead of a loft? Not worth it?
That looks like a old local bus from Springhill fl lol
In Australia ( Melbourne ) I've seen city buses being used as school buses since the bus companies are private and are on a contract from the government. Though usually they use coaches as school buses. This isn't to say the schools don't own buses just they are minivans.
Pretty much the key term that would cover most of what you said, is low-floor and high-floor, also known as standard floor. Earlier city buses are high-floor vs all newer and new buses are mandatory low-floor. School buses always have been and always will be high-floor. Obviously there's pros and cons to each.
Very helpful!
Would a former long distance bus (like a Greyhound) be the same dimensions as a city bus?
not sure, we have not worked on a greyhound before.
I'm in NC now. Looking for bus to fit a family of 9. Bought and flipped our first bus. Back to drawing board. Are there any upcoming meetups for bus conversions? Appreciate the videos!!!
Hi Ana, Follow Blue Ridge Conversions on facebook or Instagram for upcoming bus meet ups. Hopefully this Spring. thanks!
You guys are talented!
I just hit that button.....u had me at city bus
Wow! Can you go more into detail about those differences? Like show how the windows work in them, more pros & cons, etc? Great video!
Saw a guy who was poor (or maybe just frugal?) and bought a motorcoach, decked it out real nice with discount/free/salvaged materials and made himself a nice little schoolie house. 🚌 I wish I remembered the name of the video. 😟
Okay....so... pros and cons...CONS: City Buses have a lower clearance than school buses..which means you're limited to streets, highways and interstates. City buses usually will have higher mileage than their counterparts. They're usually more expensive to work on mechanically. PROS: More headroom and living space overall than school buses. Much more classier. - Am I missing anything?
Someone should do a city bus vs greyhound vs school bus
Biggest downside of a city bus is they will run them a long time. In excess of 400-500k miles.
Beautiful work fellas
I am super curious about the gearing they use. I have heard before that transit busses like this aren't geared to drive on the freeway really, do you folks have any experience looking at that? Also, how limiting has the height of the floor from the ground been? I assume that it handles anything paved fairly well, but I wonder how it would deal if you had to go down a rough dirt road. Perhaps that is just not an option in a bus like this? Either way it looks great the way you folks did it up =)
most times the gear ratio in the axle can be changed, but not sure how many $$$ you'd loose
Yeah, I was just curious what the gearing looked like if you were to buy one without having to modify it.
That's a good point. I had already thought about the terrain issue. But the gearing would be a serious challenge as well. I doubt many city buses are going to break 60mph
I have a freind that has a city bus that he converted to a comercial show room for his custom shirt and imbroidery company. He saw my schooly and thought it would work for him and that it had more curb appeal. It has not moved from his store front sence it came back from the paint shop 12 years ago. 45 mph top speed and about 7 mpg. It has air suspension and the compressor is working overtime to keep up with the leaks. It does look good though. P.S. My old schooly is governed to 65 mph and gets 13 mpg. I could change the fuel governer but I am afraid to loose the milage.
When you deeply research transit buses, there are indeed "Highway" geared models, vs the local transit variety. Those will usually have nicer, forward facing cloth seats, no rear door... as they were usually designated at the "commuter" or "long haul" hub to hub buses.
I should add, that when you find those, you'll see the listing for what kind of transmission was specified. Then you can take that info and broaden your search for any transit bus with that transmission / motor combo. You'll find that many buses often times got them as mid cycle replacements due to burning out the first motor and transmission, and to save down time and money the motor pool mechanics just put them in. Or they got re-designated for longer commute lines.
You guys are the Pro in Professionals :o) Nice seeing Jeff.
The school busses look cooler but that statement is true of anything that you get that is " form over function "
Hi Jeff! You guys do good work!
Beautiful Home!!
My sheets take up a lot of room also
Couldn't you raise the roof of a school bus in order to match the height of a city bus? I mean, I'm 6'2" but I love the ceiling aesthetic of the school bus. Perhaps now you're getting way too much into rebuilding but just curious.
Lots of people raise the roof on school bus homes
Govdeals says i find cuty busses all the time. And i do.. Schoolbuses are actually more costly compared to a city bus..
You could put a drop down bed too...
great video, man ... and nice to think about this comparison
Hm...couldn't you have, instead of a loft, put in under-floor-storage (like in a coach, so that you could put in batteries, charger, inverter, water-tanks etc. there? (Note: I have no clue what I am talking about because I have never converted any bus, but that's something that came to my mind!)
What about city vs school
In general engine maintenance.
Not going to be going into the Mountains with that :P
Where I'm from we have no school buses we take the city bus :P
Love that you all didn't take out the windows! Beautiful build!
Wait wait. This may be a stupid question but why can't you store anything underneath the bus? Here I was thinking a bus would be great because you have all that extra storage underneath
'this what i am looking for
Daniel sent me your way, already a subscriber.
"Smoker"
Yeah but you can put storage up there
Jeff does great work, I've seen a few of his conversions. One thing to ask, there are City bus, transit and also low floor skoolies, it would be nice to see some differences. I'm thinking some of the low floor schoolies have more headroom but don't sit quite as low as the city, and maybe not the large wheel wells to deal with. Although, I think they are taller than a plain schoolie.
I'm still researching all this for a build myself.
I wish I could design these things...
Have y’all ever done a wheelchair accessible bus conversation? My husband and I have talked about doing one, but our oldest daughter being wheelchair bound has caused us to wonder if it would be possible. I’ve never seen a bus conversion done for a wheelchair user, much less being able to sleep 5 people..
Could u make the air tank into a gas tank? Say gas for cooking
How much does an average/basic conversion for a Bus and a City Bus cost?
and also how much would it cost to work with you guys
School bus just seems far more simple and straightforward, city buses have all kinds of weird configuration quirks.
Can a roof raise be done on a city bus, to give even more height to the ceiling?
The water tanks are underneath the bathroom? How are they accessed for service? How is the fresh tank filled? How is the waste tank emptied?
Isn’t there a difference on The weight ability ? I thought the city buses were capable of Handling more weight than the Skoolie ? Perhaps not a deal breaker as either one is capable of the conversion weight ?
These are super cool. Are they diesels? Are they converted to used fryer grease too? Can a roll up awning on the outside be added? Great video.
Why more people don't convert city bus? City buses look better
Hey why don't you build floor storage since you have so much extra height to the ceiling? you said you have 8 feet of space from floor to ceiling, and its a bit of waste it all on moving air around. Hech you build up the floor for the bathroom, why not give the whole bus a false floor for extra cargo space?
keep in mind not all city bus's look like that one! the bus'a in NY the wheel wells are not that high. there about seat high.
Danny Panetta that means they are still using the older style high floor buses. Low floor buses are much better in the transit application so the high floor buses are a dying breed. Some manufacturers don't offer them anymore.
natefrom828 get out of your hood more! Then rethink your statement.
then my recommendation to you is to go to an almost 9 million people area and switch out a bus that holds about 40 people (which is a rough guess) to a bus that holds less. then come back to me and tell me how it went! for a country bumpkin city like tulsa ok that has 404,000 people that mat fly or a city like burlington vt with 43,000 or albany ny at 99,000. sure maybe in your area it may fly as well. when it comes down to how many people a bus holds. how about a topic you may understand. can one put 100 cows that are on a 100 acres plot to a 50 acre plot? maybe if your name is Joel! but from my understanding - no you cant. i hear it one acre average per cow and yes i know it all so depends on where one lives and size of the cow! so back to the buses! now take away seating on a bus in NY city (9 mill peeps) that means less seats, more buses, more employees, more gas and less money in the MTA's(mass transit authority) pocket. so now tell me how this all works now? its all about real-estate!
Our city buses here are at least partially electric- Is that an attractive factor?
Jeff, more like Jeff the killer
Dudes, upper cabinets with allowing for the curve. I like what did, but I had roll back ... you never pointed out the couch. It sort of looks like it can convert to a bed. Can it?
Did you use front and back door on the city bus
So it's not that the roof is higher in a city bus. It's the floor that is lower, so you can't utilize the room underneath. And as you pointed out you can't really use the extra head room, because it's just not enough to put a bead up.
For some reason there just a aren't many examples of double decker RVs. Modern ones have plenty of room on both decks, but nobody converts those. I was wondering why?
It's been done but that type of bus is rare in the States.
Hi cousin Bennie ! 😉
how much would it cost to make a conversion?... please tell me.. i would gladly appreciate it. im planning to build one.
where do you put water and sewage tanks in that thing? school bus is underneath between 2 axles
Lovely job but i didn't see a place for a sofa and in comparison, could you park this possibly in your yard do most places have restrictions on where you can park the city bus?
Love your conversion. I almost bought a city bus for a Skoolie. How many miles on that bus & what's the top speed? Thank you.
I hate my height 6’4” is pure hell. For me city buses all the way. I have an entertainer and that has 7 foot ceiling. I do t like double deckers either. I think I the best school bus is the international I can stand up in them blue birds suck thryvaee always too damn low I wish I was 5’7”. Cool video
I actually went looking at transit buses for conversion but I changed my mind after some research my reasons are: Purchase cost most start at 10k and go up. 2nd: is it's weight, these things can weigh upward of 40,000lbs before the conversion which would exclude you from reaching many places because of weight restrictions on the roads and some state parks and forestry land. The engines are full size diesels like you would find in tractor trailers, So that would mean fuel mileage in the 3 to 5 mpg range vs A comparable size skoolie at 6 to 8 mpg. And the most important thing is MILES I did a lot of comparing and every transit bus I have found for sale are over 400,000 miles and some as high as 900,000 (Keep in mind that commercial diesels are good for about 500 to 700k) and all are very old and are not regulated like skoolies. (skoolies are usually decommissioned at 12 years) where as city buses can be 20 or more years old. Then there are repairs, Transit buses are 3x higher in cost to maintain and repair than A skoolie. Personally I would rather go A little slower, ride A bit rougher, and walk in A semi bent position (I am 6'5") than drive A 45,000lbs brick, down the road trying to find fuel stations that can handle A 13ft tall behemoth.
Did I miss the talk on the bed and bedroom?