Thinking about converting a bus to an RV

[Mike OTDP]

Chris, you could always get a couple of tipis. And that's only half a joke...they are reported to be surprisingly liveable.

[Jeffro]

Just two thoughts here - with the oil boom going bust, there is a lot of equipment that is or soon will be available in the former boom areas - and not just from usage in the oil industry. The construction boom that existed beside the oil boom will release a lot of equipment as well.

And, you say you want a large diesel powered RV, but the prices have not dropped for the diesels as much as gas powered units. Why not buy a largish trailer and pull it with a tractor unit? A single axle day cab would be the cheapest. I drive a day cab every day, but it's a twin screw on a longer wheelbase, so ride is much better than a single axle with a short wheelbase. If a day cab doesn't have enough room for your tastes, the integrated cabs/sleeper trucks do. Used trucks are cheap right now, and it isn't likely to change. Where you would be paying a premium for an RV powered by a 500hp Detroit, the same equipment in a class 8 truck is a bit of a detriment to value. Plus, the pricing on some of the ex fleet trucks make them pretty much disposable - why pay $8k or more to fix one when you can buy another newer one for a bit more?

You'd probably have to get a Class A CDL, but with the heavier diesel RVs you were probably looking at a Class B anyways.

[HTRN]

There's even ways around a Class A.

If you get something like a 650/750, Topkick, etc, you can frequently find them with a GVWR of just under(often by a only a hundred pounds, yes, the Manufacturers know that game too ) 26K lbs, which in most states, is the point where you need a CDL. Buy a short bed flat deck, get a Class V receiver and a Gooseneck hitch, and you can haul any trailer you want.


HTRN