Finished our first long run. 2300 miles to upstate NY from Tampa and back. Awesome trip. Thanks for all the advice and info Skoolie community.

Hello!

After 3 years of being parked in Upstate New York, I finally have an opportunity to move my bus to a beautiful plot of land a friend owns near Tucson. I’ve been doing the Vanlife for the past 2 years and haven’t really thought much of the bus - a lot of sad memories and life changes associated with it. Just recently all of that changed though and I began feeling excited to do more with it and open up to others to enjoy and this opportunity presented itself.

Some background and my question: I ran the bus, after 2 years of sitting, last fall and it started up first try (after trickle charging the 12v battery for a week). It ran strong and I took it down the road with no issues. Prior to parking it, I drove it from Austin, TX to Upstate NY and it ran great. During the last 50 miles of the trip, I seemed to noticed that the turbocharger blow-off valve seemed to be stuck open. I wasn’t making any boost and my fuel economy was like 5mpg. When I ran it more recently, it seemed like the turbo was spooling and it was peppy. It’s got a 2000 Cummins 5.9l ISB turbo diesel in it. Am I crazy to believe that this could just be caused by multiple really hot days of driving in a row? I did the 1800 miles trip in 3 days in June and it was 100 when I was leaving Texas. Should I pull the turbo and investigate? Would you do the trip knowing that this happened? The bus was rebuilt by AAABus in Phoenix right before I bought it and I travel 8-10k miles all around the country with it with virtually no issues (just providing that for context). Am I correct in thinking this is a blowoff valve type issue? I can get a replacement blowoff value for under $200 but sometimes these old diesels just get a little grumpy when they overheat and calm down. Thanks for any experience, perspective, and thoughts that you all can provide. I love my bus and I’m so excited that it’s getting a new lease on life in a beautiful area and returning to AZ, where it served as an athletic team bus for 20 years!

What kind of jobs are best for the skoolie lifestyle? Why and why not?

I have a 2007 international ce300 with the DT466E before they fully switched to maxxforce. I got a windows 11 laptop, nexiq USB LINK 3(prob a clone) and downloaded servicemaxx 1708. Problem is that the data link is a j1939 port which they say is for post maxxforce. I can’t find a 9 pin male j1939 to 6 pin female j1708 adapter. If I pay for the 1939 software will it work with the dt466e??

FOR SALE: 2010 Chevy Express 4500 converted into a touring vehicle for bands. Currently registered in NY as a suburban vehicle, under $80/mo insurance with $100k item loss coverage) in Rochester, New York. You can register the "IMPROV" plate as your own too, if it interests you.

Has typical WNY rust wear under it but nothing damning. 180k miles. Duramax diesel engine. People run these to 500k+. My band + Psychiceyeclix toured the east coast in this with an absurd amount of music gear. There's also a closet area for clothing and such. Sorry the photos don't show that. If you want to check it out in person and see how it drives I can coordinate that. (Check comments to get an idea of what I was using just for drums lol.)

Starting ask is $11k to weed out lowballers. Negotiation expected. Serious buyers with cash / wire transfer only. No trades.

I live in Da Nang, Vietnam now - but will have the sale facilitated by family. I can include 3 395w mono solar panels with it too, unless someone buys them separately before the sale of the bus.

This is a niche question but

We are going to Canada soon, and have traveled across the US extensively with the only seatbelt being the driver seat. Never been an issue, im sure that's common and not a really enforced law in rvs because people are expected to be moving around inside.

But we're going to Canada, and it is the law there as well, i wouldn't imagine its something they'd give us a hard time about at the border, inspecting our kitchen table for seatbelts, not letting us cross, but just checking other peoples experiences and if it's something We need to fix asap before we go or something that's equally lax as it is here and not a big deal.

I am absolutely desperate at this point, I had progressive but they just up and canceled on me out of the blue. So I'm currently uninsured and unable to get any. I've tried all the obvious options, uncle Sam, roamly, etc but no one will bite. It's not like my bus is crazy just a 2009 Thomas mini tour, 32'. It's fully renovated and has all the amenities etc... I have no idea what to do, but I'm desperate and hoping someone here can help! Thanks in advance for any advice!

1. The one I bought on amazon, model number PS123/FG296A, does not match. P1: the screw hole size and location does not match, and the seal ring is not the same
2. Disconnect took a few steps: 1st I disconnect the power line by push down a tooth(P3). 2nd loosen the metal brackets, P4, push down at circled1 then circled2, P5 is how it came out. P6 disconnected fuel lines with a quick disconnect tool, it was hold by 4 teeth.
3. Since the new part doesn’t fit, I have to clean the old part, and reuse it. I put on the umbrella thing with 2 1/2 hose clamps($6 from harbor freight for an assorted pack).
4. After cleaning the old fuel sending unit, there is model number ‘ford 107 97’ on it. This guy has the matching part https://youtu.be/EwG1zzh5rPU?si=aOCEQiQcsVRs9NXR&t=1320, he said it’s from Ford dealer, I think I will have to visit dealer again they told me they don’t make those anymore
5. Eventually I will have to drop the tank, do a deep clean. And do the e-fuel pump conversion

I’ve been enamored with building a skoolie for a long time but I’ve been very wary to get started. I work a lot, my budget isn’t large, and I know how super easy it is to get buried in these type of projects. However I happened upon a prime candidate (I think) for my goals, which is mainly to be a roadtrip machine. I want to camp at sites also, but mostly I want to explore with my family. Sleeping at truck stops or parking lots and navigating smaller downtown streets are high on the priority list. So here’s the pros/cons I’m considering, please feel free to add your own.

Pros:
- 30 ft long, good middle ground for room
- Great turning radius, flat front, very maneuverable
- Attractive! I like the look, a lot
- 5.9 24v Cummins with super low miles (45k)
- A passenger seat (this is huge, mama gets carsick and can’t ride in the back)

Cons:
- The underside has rust starting, nothing is soft but it’s starting to flake a little.
- Allison AT545, the engine is wound way up to get to 55 mph (I do not know the diff ratio)
- Budd wheels, tires are 10 years old
- No A/C

Not sure if pro or con:
- Kinda rare, could be harder to get support for? But also makes it unique
- Dog house engine hatch seems like it’ll make engine access easier, but also could add heat and noise to cabin
- Hydraulic brakes, no air onboard

I’m a semi truck owner/operator with a fair amount of tools, and some competency. I don’t want to have to redo everything and I’m not gonna mess with solar to try and keep costs down, I’d really like to stay around $15k all in. What’s a good price? Has it been sitting too long? If there are leaks can I even fix them with the fiberglass body? Will the transmission burn up on the highway immediately? Please share your real world experiences and opinions with shuttle buses I guess.

TLDR: Would this make a good coast to coast urban boon docking rig?

My plan was 100 sales in 10 cities. I've been stuck for a while though.

Anyone else live in a skoolie that never grew out of playing with lego?

Or Lego like alternatives in my case cause finances. 😳

I got my short bus at this auction house for a very good price and there are currently three buses sitting with no bids. You have to register with them first and provide information. Each vehicle has a video of their running status, though they are gov surplus it may be a bit of a gamble.

Just thought I'd bring some awareness for a possible great deal.

Auction page:

https://www.apro.bid/auction/stokes-july-vehicle-auction-12315/bidgallery/

3.5k OBO

It pains me to make this post but I have to. The land where I was working on my future, sold so I don’t have any place to park it while I continue to work on her.

The hard work is done, so it’s ready for the fun part of building!! This ran great until we cut the child safety cord, now it needs a new ignition or a fuse box work around (I’ve tried, can’t seem to figure it out)

40 ft 2000 International 3000 with DT466E engine, 264,xxx miles . She is stripped down and ready to build out!

Located in northwest Arkansas and I need to sell asap. No reasonable offer will be refused

🌎 HOME IS WHERE YOU PARK IT. 🚌✨

Adventure is calling… and she’s ready to hit the road!

If you’ve been dreaming about ditching rent, chasing sunsets, working remotely from breathtaking places, or finally checking those National Parks off your bucket list, this beautifully built 2007 Thomas Safe-T-Liner Skoolie is ready for its next adventure.

This isn’t just a bus…
It’s a tiny home.
It’s an office with million-dollar views.
It’s freedom on wheels.

🚍 The Basics

• 2007 Thomas Safe-T-Liner (40’ / 14 Window)
• Motorhome Title
• Caterpillar C7 Diesel Engine
• Allison MD3060 Automatic Transmission
• Air Brakes
• Cruise Control
• 268,715 Miles
• Meticulously maintained with maintenance records available
• Clean title
• Located in Angier, NC

☀️ Built for Off-Grid Living

✔️ 2,000 Watts of Solar
✔️ 400Ah Lithium Battery Bank (10,000Wh)
✔️ Victron Components
✔️ 3,000W Victron Inverter
✔️ Sterling DC-DC Charger
✔️ 30 Amp Shore Power
✔️ Starlink Ready

Stay connected while camping beside a river, tucked into the mountains, or parked in the desert.

💧 Home Comforts

• 100-Gallon Fresh Water Tank
• 65-Gallon Gray Tank
• Composting Toilet
• Propane On-Demand Hot Water
• Outdoor Hot & Cold Shower

❄️ Comfortable Year-Round

• 9,000 BTU Mini Split
• TWO Diesel Heaters
• Havelock Wool & Foam Board Insulation
• Carrier Coach AC while driving

🍳 Fully Equipped Kitchen

• Large Haier Refrigerator
• 3-Burner Propane Stove
• Propane Oven
• Combo Washer/Dryer
• Countertop Dishwasher
• Plenty of Pantry Storage

🛏️ Tiny Home Features

• Large Bathroom with Spacious Shower
• Bedroom fits up to a King Size Bed
• Two Bedroom Closets
• Huge Under-Bed Storage
• Underbody Storage Compartments
• Dinette/Workspace
• Couch
• Pet Door for your adventure buddy 🐾

🔧 Extras You’ll Love

• Stabilizing Jacks
• Front Hitch Receiver
• Falcon 2 Flat Tow System
• Outside Water Spigot
• Exterior Power Outlet
• Bluetooth Stereo
• Tire Chains
• Portable Water Bladder
• CB Radio

💙 Why She’s Being Sold

The current owner is simply downsizing, which means someone else gets the opportunity to start their own adventure.

Whether you’re dreaming of:
🏔️ National Parks
🌊 Beach sunrises
🌵 Desert boondocking
💻 Remote work
🚐 Full-time travel
🏡 Mortgage-free living

…this bus is ready.

💲 $69,000 OBO

📍Located in Angier, NC

Serious inquiries only. Feel free to reach out with questions or to schedule a time to see her in person.

Your next chapter might just begin with turning the key. ❤️🚌

I have my eye on two California school buses on GovDeals. Both are rear-engine pushers with well-regarded engine/transmission combinations and relatively low mileage. The current bids are much lower than I expected, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

Is there anything specific about buying from California, or from a California school district, that makes these purchases more expensive or more difficult than buying buses from other states?

I don't live in California and would be driving the bus back to the East Coast.

The main issue I've found in my research is obtaining a temporary travel permit to legally drive the bus out of California, along with the possibility that I may need a CDL depending on the circumstances. I'm not sure if those hurdles alone are enough to discourage bidders, or if there are other California-specific issues I should be aware of.

For those who have purchased buses from California, were there any unexpected costs, paperwork, title or registration issues, or other challenges I should know about?

Thanks in advance!

Hey! This is my new conversion that I’ve just started and would love feedback on this lean.

So this spot is a slight hill so it’s not *quite* as extreme as it looks, but yeah, it leans a good bit to the left. I drove it a few hundred miles and I think it might be leaning slightly more. What could this be? Is this common? How much it cost to fix? Thank you very much, yall are an epic community!

Went to start our girl up yesterday to keep the sitting system happy. She cranked right up as usual but after about 30 seconds or so, she sputtered a bit and died. After some diagnosis I changed out the very dirty original fuel filter for a clean new one this morning and she cranked right back up! But again after a minute or so it “hiccuped”and died again. I’ve included a video of the last crank I gave it. ANY help as to what to check next is greatly appreciated!!

I’m kind of Skoolie-adjacent or Skoolie-curious, so I get this sub and the marketplace sub in my feed. I see lots of ads for things that are nice but not really the “full builds” they claim to be. By this I mean no toilet or a regular old porta potty, camping stoves, non-integrated hot water, minimal or no grey water, etc. These rigs seem to be asking a premium price.

I don’t want to comment in the marketplace sub or on any ads, because I don’t want to crap on anyone’s attempts to sell. But is this really the market at this time? Are people getting $50k, $70k, and more for 15-20 year (or more) old Skoolies with really pretty pedestrian living quarters?

My setup is a mid-90s class C that I overpaid for four or five years ago during the pandemic inflation. But I paid $35k for a 19,000 mile one owner RV with factory 4x4. It seems crazy to me that someone would pay double for a skoolie with less creature comforts.

Am I just out of touch? (the answer is clearly yes about many things, this would just be one more)