This page documents the conversion of a 1996 International 3600 Thomas Short School Bus to a Motorhome that was purchased in Washington in 2018 and converted by the Owner in California.
The "Shorty" includes a Diesel-powered engine, a Wheelchair lift, a rear Emergency exit, a stock 12V rear-heater attached to the engine coolant lines, and 106 square feet of flat floor space that can be converted into living space.
The Owner of the Bus works as an Energy and Green Building Consultant, and designed the Bus Conversion to follow Best Practices in Green Building and Indoor Air Quality for a Mobile Shelter on a budget.
Conversion Project Resources: www.skoolie.net.
Housing in Arcata, CA[edit | edit source]
As a young Professional living in a small coastal town in Northern California, it's apparent that the price of property and housing is financially unattainable. Additionally, as a Minimalist and Sustainability Expert in Residential Construction for Multifamily Affordable Housing, it's difficult to imagine living in a Standard Home, which are much larger than necessary, with the Sustainable Materials and careful construction techniques that make ideal living spaces. As a single woman with a love of the outdoors and the desire to travel, it's easy to see that there is a need for more information on Mobile Shelters and the trend will continue to grow over time if the Housing Market continues as-is.
Project goals[edit | edit source]
The goals of this Shorty Conversion are to build a sustainable, healthy home on wheels that will serve as a part-time dwelling unit that includes a mobile office.
The following components were used in this Shorty Conversion, and follow Best Practices, based on Green Building knowledge, Mobile Shelter research and "Lessons Learned" from veteran builders:
- Engine: Diesel-powered engine to decrease Carbon-Dioxide emissions and outlast gas-powered engines
- Flooring: Hardwood Bamboo flooring for indoor air quality- purchased second-hand remnants from a previous project to decrease the amount of raw-materials used
- Flooring: Cork underlayment- adds sound and thermal insulation and is a natural raw material
- Flooring: Radiant barrier- adds thermal insulation
- Thermal Insulation: Floors= Rigid foam board, R-7, Walls and Ceiling= Rockwool, R-6
- Utilities: Off-grid PV array with deep-cycle Lithium-Ion batteries
- Heating: (1) Cubic Mini Wood Stove [When stationary], (1) 12V rear-mounted stock heater connected to engine coolant [When in motion]
- Cooling: (1) 12V stock AC for Drivers Cab [When in motion]
- Ventilation: Reversible flow 12V ceiling vent
- Sound Insulation: Dynomat-lined Drivers Cab
- See Help:Contents for more formatting code.
New Bus and Demolition Photos[edit | edit source]
Newly purchased Short Bus[edit | edit source]
- I bought a bus!
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Side view 1
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Side view 2
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Rear view
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Interior view
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Interior view, windshield
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Rear heater
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Wheelchair lift controls
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Engine bay, view 1
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Engine bay, view 2
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Thomas nameplate
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International nameplate
Demolition[edit | edit source]
Lesson learned: School busses are not meant to be taken apart. Nearly everything screwed down is overlapped by some other screw or fastening component.
- School busses are not meant to be taken apart
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Step 1. Remove electrical covers
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Step 2. Remove seat belt
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Step 3. Remove ceiling panel screws
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Step 4a. Ceiling panels removed
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Step 4b. Ceiling panels removed, view 2
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Step 4c. Glad I opened the ceilings!
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Step5a. Fiberglass ceiling insulation removed
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Step5b. Fiberglass ceiling insulation removed, view 2
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Step 6. Remove wheelchair lift
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Step 7. Remove seats and scrap metal
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Step 8a. Cover windows in preparation to remove wall panels with angle grinder
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Step 8b. Cut wall panels with angle grinder just below window to expose wall insulation. Otherwise, the windows would have to be removed in order to pull the wall panel out from below the window frame.
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Step 8c. Wall panels removed, fiberglass insulation exposed
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Pro Tip: Fiberglass insulation is nasty. Use a respirator!
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Step 9. Remove wall insulation
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Step 10. Use angle grinder to smooth edges under the windows
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Step 11a. Remove heater vent
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Step 11b. Remove heater vent, view 2
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Step 12. Remove linoleum floor on a warm day to help adhesive peel off easier. Remove plywood subfloor by cutting into smaller sections with a Skil saw (do not cut through to metal floor) and use leverage from a pry-bar to remove stubborn nails from the metal floor.
Time for the Interior Build[edit | edit source]
Short Bus to Motorhome Conversion, Step-By-Step Photo documentation below shows every step of the conversion process.
Flooring[edit | edit source]
- Seal it up!
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Step 1a. Weld all holes shut
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Step 1b. Spray water underneath bus to test the watertightness of welds. Most welds failed this test.
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Step 2. Clean metal floor and let it dry before rust converter is applied
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Step 3a. Coat entire floor with Ospho rust converter, using a multi-use paint roller. Wear gloves and eye protection.
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Step 3b. Floor coated with Ospho, let dry for 24 hours
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Step 4a. Scrape off converted rust with metal brush, wipe and Shop-Vac surface clean, then prime with Rustoleum Galvanized Steel primer
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Step 4b. Primed floor complete, let dry for 24 hours
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Step 5a. Use Paintable silicone caulk to seal all weld holes
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Step 5b. All weld holes, perimeter, and penetrations sealed
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Step 6a. Glue down 2x2 Redwood floor joists @ 24" apart, and glue 1" rigid foam board insulation in between. Add weight to the top and let sit 24 hours.
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Step 6b. Use proper adhesive that will not burn through the rigid foam board insulation. This product works great for poly-type boards and wood!
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Step 6c. Build around rear heater and front entry/drivers area
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Step 7a. Mark floor joists in preparation for the next layer
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Step 7b. Fill all gaps with "Great stuff" expanding foam. Use properly rated product for gaps less than 1" and greater than 1".
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Step 8. Cut radiant barrier with x-acto blade against a ruler for a straight edge. Lay each piece flat next to the other and use foil tape to evenly attach pieces into one large piece over entire floor.
Walls[edit | edit source]
- Everything bolted into the metal wall studs
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Step 1. Clean metal frame surfaces with vinegar and water, wipe clean, let dry, and coat with Rustoleum 2-in-1 primer and rust converter paint
Ceiling[edit | edit source]
- Watertightness is key
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Step 1. Clean metal frame surfaces with vinegar and water, wipe clean, let dry, and coat with Rustoleum 2-in-1 primer and rust converter paint
Contact details[edit | edit source]
Jenna Bader JBadernrg@gmail.com