The Bus RV Conversion: All the Rage or a Waste of Time?

Social media is full of pictures of people converting buses into rolling homes, which essentially makes them into RVs. But what exactly is a bus RV conversion? And is it worth the effort? In this post, we look at bus conversions (a sub-group of which are also known as “Skoolie” conversions) – a different type of home on wheels!

What Is a Bus RV Conversion?

We all understand that the primary purpose of a bus is to transport multiple people from one point to another. A bus RV conversion is simply a bus that has been converted into an RV. This can be done professionally or as a DIY project. When someone converts a bus into an RV, the bus essentially becomes a motorhome or, in some cases, a stationary tiny home.

A school bus conversion is a bus that was once used to transport school children, which is later turned into a living space or RV. These conversions are often referred to as “Skoolies” as a result. In general, the bus seats (or most of them) are removed. Then, the interior of the cavernous school bus undergoes a host of transformations that make it possible to live inside.

There are also buses that are specifically designed as semi-living spaces for long-distance travel. A good example of this would be buses owned (leased or rented) by touring musicians. Their buses carry them from one tour destination to the next, and also feature bunks for sleeping, toilets, and running water with holding tanks, as well as ample storage.

But touring musicians don’t typically live aboard those buses. They generally travel (and sleep) on the buses, and they live in hotels located at each of their touring destinations. Actual bus RV conversions are intended to be used the same way that RVs are – as homes on wheels for use either part-time or full-time.

What Is a Skoolie?

As mentioned above, “skoolie” or “skoolie conversion” refers to a nickname given to school buses that have been converted into RVs. These can be full-size school buses or short buses, but if they were built to shuttle kids to and from school, they’re frequently referred to as “skoolies”. A skoolie conversion is simply an RV that was once a school bus (for more on Skoolies, check out this post: What Are The Pros & Cons Of Considering A School Bus Conversion (Skoolie)?).

How Are Buses Converted to RVs?

There are a couple of different ways to go when converting a bus to an RV. Each has its pros and cons, but the end result is similar in that the bus becomes a living space, as you would find in an RV.

Commercial Bus RV Converters

Commercial bus RV converters can take a bus chassis, like a Bluebird bus often used for transporting school children, and custom-build it into an RV. A good example of this would be the Wanderlodge. Wanderlodges started out as Bluebird buses and, until 1998, they were converted by Bluebird into high-end RVs. Thereafter, they began converting transit buses into Wanderlodges, equipping them with pusher engines, three axles, slides, and other typical motorhome features. The last generation of Wanderlodges closely resembles the Prevost-based luxury conversions currently on the market.

High-end commercial bus and RV conversions (such as those designed from Prevost or MCI bus chassis) are most often converted by a commercial conversion company. The resulting RV is an incredibly luxurious high-end home on wheels… that also has the advantage of being built on a highly robust chassis. These rigs are designed to withstand driving a million miles or more. A couple of high-end bus conversion companies are Marathon Coach and Featherlite Coaches.

DIY Bus RV Conversions

A DIY bus RV conversion is where the bus chassis or school bus is purchased by an individual with the idea of converting it into an RV. This has become a popular trend in recent years! Social media is full of photos of former buses (skool conversions, in particular!) that have been purchased and converted by their new owners.

Typically, owners will remove all or most of the bus seats (except for the driver’s seat, of course). After that, they’ll build in a new floor, add insulation, and create a “galley” kitchen area. Depending on their design, they’ll most often include some amount of living area, a bathroom, and at least one bed.

Entire families travel and live in DIY bus RV conversions. Some bus conversion owners who have land where the bus can be parked use the bus conversion as a tiny house, rather than a traveling RV.

Is it Cheaper to Buy an RV or Convert a Bus?

It’s actually cheaper to convert a bus than to buy an RV, in general. Of course, this isn’t always the case. However, an RV is generally more expensive than a bus conversion. According to Popular Mechanics, in fact, a bus conversion generally costs roughly 10% of the cost of a used RV. They estimate that the average conversion, including full hookups, can be built for around $30,000.

Many have been built for significantly less, while others have been constructed for considerably more. The cost of a bus conversion depends on the design and the level of thriftiness of the DIYer. But in general, bus conversions are less expensive than purchasing an RV.

Is an RV Safer than a Bus Conversion?

Let’s start by saying that both are designed to be safe. But a bus conversion is considered by many to be safer than a purpose-built RV. That’s because many RVs are essentially boxes (called the house) that are typically constructed of particleboard, fiberglass, and plastic, and are built onto various sizes, makes, and types of chassis.

In contrast, buses are constructed of metal (often aluminum) in a way that the body portion(s) provide structural support and rigidity to the vehicle. In the case of school buses, they’re even made of steel. The arch of the roof and the strong internal steel ribs of a school bus contribute to their safety. Even the windows of a bus are usually framed in steel and bonded in place, contributing to the overall strength of the wall structure.

Generally speaking, a bus RV conversion’s weakest link is the build. Any conversion, whether it’s a van, a bus, or any other vehicle, is only as safe as the converter makes it. If everything in the bus is securely anchored, all electrical components are safely connected, and all seatbelts adhere to safety regulations (NHTSA Standard No. 209), a bus RV conversion can be far safer than many purpose-built, fiberglass RVs.

The problem is that many DIYers aren’t sure how to properly anchor everything in the bus. They may not be sure how to make electrical components safe. They may be using propane appliances in an unsafe manner or be unsure of some critical mechanical safety components of the bus. This is where professional converters really shine, of course. But professional bus conversions are generally very expensive.

What is the Best Bus to Convert Into an RV?

This is a challenging discussion to have because there are numerous opinions on why certain buses are considered the best for RV conversions. There are several bus types to choose from, including dog nose (conventional), skoolies, and flat-nosed (transit) skoolies. There are buses with engines at the front and buses with engines at the rear.

Conventional dog-nose style buses tend to be cheaper to purchase, are reportedly fairly easy to work on, and are readily available on the market. Combined, these factors make them a popular choice for bus RV conversion as well.

However, bus drivers who have driven both types of buses tend to favor the flat-nose transit/touring buses, partly because they have excellent visibility. They also offer a higher GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), which can be essential for a bus RV conversion. And, by having the driving position moved so far forward, no length is lost to hood space… which increases the amount of usable living space of the conversion.

Ultimately, the general consensus may be that the flat-nose transit buses make the best conversions. But there are front-engine flat-nose transit buses and rear-engine flat-nose transit buses. Each has its pros and cons, and determining which is preferable is best left up to the bus owner.

Diesel pusher school buses (flat-nose transit buses with the engine in the rear) are a relatively popular option for a bus RV conversion. In addition to the excellent visibility, they can be found with the larger 8.3L Cummins engine, they’re quieter, and many of them have huge underbelly storage compartments. Not only are these great for storing lots of stuff, but when building the rig, you can run heating ducts, plumbing, and even electrical systems in these areas.

Some of these transit buses have larger windows and a longer wheelbase, which can offer a smoother ride. And finally, they tend to have more interior space than conventional skoolies of equal length.

There are, of course, a few drawbacks to the flat-nose transit-style buses. If the engine is located at the rear of the bus, this means you won’t have a large rear door, which may be something you’re interested in having. Additionally, the underbelly storage area results in lower ground clearance. Not many people will take their skoolie conversion off-roading, of course, but the lower ground clearance may be a factor in some situations. And finally, the approach angle of a conventional bus is preferable to that of a flat-nose transit bus.

Still, the transit buses seem to be a favorite among many bus-to-RV converters.

We want to make clear that we’re not advocating for either, as we’ve never converted a bus ourselves. We also recognize that one type of bus may be best for one situation while another type is best for a different situation!

Should I get an RV or Build a Skoolie?

That’s a question we can’t answer, because again, it depends on your situation. Only you know how you intend to travel, where you plan to go, your budget, and your DIY skills. However, there are a few key points to consider as you make your decision.

First, a skoolie conversion is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process to build. If you’re not skilled in certain facets of building, there could be issues. And while we all have issues with our rigs from time to time, you definitely want to steer clear of safety issues as much as possible. So, honestly evaluate your ability to convert a bus. Take a look at Buslandia for some great information and general ideas. Reading through their site can help you choose a bus, strip a bus, and build out a bus.

You also want to keep in mind that not every campground and RV park will accept a converted school bus. In fact, you may encounter many that won’t. You may have read or heard about the RV park 10-year rule. That could also apply to your converted bus, so be aware of that.

You’ll also want to ensure you’re comfortable with approach and departure angles, although this is also true of a Class A RV, as well as other driving skills. You may want to watch our driving school videos for a few tips from a professional bus driving instructor that would be helpful.

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