Hello, wild one! So … it’s time for me to set off on new adventures. My tiny home was built with a lot of love, lived in with a lot of love, and will venture off to new horizons with a lot of love.
If you didn’t watch the build step-by-step online in real time, you can still see everything we did (with annoying degrees of detail), on my IG feed. Be sure to watch the highlights on my profile. Go poke around @seriesofadventures!
This bus would make a great Airbnb rental if you have the room (and legal allowances) on your property, the cutest RV in the campground for occasional weekend getaways, or of course a full-time tiny residence if you’re really up for it!
I’m listing the skoolie publicly on a number of tiny house marketplaces for $60,000 (scroll through the specs below and you’ll see why). However, for friends, family, and friends of friends, the asking price is $50,000 (OBO, don’t be shy). You know, honoring the inner circle vibes.
Also only for friends and family: If it’s helpful, you can put down 50% (non-refundable) and I’ll hang on to her for you while you round up the other 50%. We can talk details and timing if this interests you.
THE BASICS
Delivery not available. Pick up in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Purchased directly from Mesa Public School District in Arizona.
Built to be a full-time, four-season tiny home on wheels (not just a camper conversion … if you know, you know).
DMV Titled as a Class A Motorhome (23’ long RV).
Make: Thomas Built
Model: Vista 3600 “pug nose”
Year: 1998
Miles: 160,000
Engine: International Navistar 7.3L turbo diesel DT444E (original manual PDF included)
Allison automatic transmission
Rustoleum weather proof tractor paint (+ primer) sprayed in three coats on exterior
solar & shore power
Built to be lived in completely off-grid, full-time, with two adults.
Shore: 30A power with a 50’ 110V cord included in sale
Solar: Renogy 3000W 12V pure-sine wave inverter charger
3 panels with over 1,000W (3 x 335W panels)
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/70-Tr charge controller
525 Ah with 5 Lion Energy 1300 lithium ion batteries
Victron battery monitor with bluetooth app
Orion 30 A DC - DC charger (i.e. bus batteries can charge solar batteries)
Most internal outlets are GCFI with two grounded 110 V plugs, a USB, and a USB-C plug on the same outlet
Two external GFCI duplex outlets are enclosed in weatherproof lock boxes
Engine block 110V plug for extremely cold weather
PLUMBING
Plumbed for city water (permanent hose hook up) or tank water (fill / empty as you go)
80 gallons fresh water (2 x 40 gallon tanks)
50 gallons gray water (2 x 25 gallon tanks)
Fogatti propane instant water heater in an external storage bay with a digital control panel inside the bus (3 propane tanks in outside storage bay)
Clearsource Premier in-line water filtration system with hospital-grade 0.2-micron protection against contaminants
Sureflo 12V in-line water pump
12V heating pads on all external tanks and all external pipes wrapped in heat wire controlled by a thermostat on an automatic on/off 110V power bank
Bathroom is a 4’ all-in-one wet room
Nature’s Head composting toilet with a 12V exhaust fan vented externally
Two hoses will come with the bus: One 50’ non-toxic drinking water hose and one 50’ non-toxic drinking water heated hose (i.e. plugs into 110V to keep your lines from freezing in the winter, rated for -20F)
insulation + heating + cooling
Completely removed original bus flooring, walls, and metal ceiling to install 360° insulation
R-7 non-toxic Havelock wool insulation, double layered on every wall and the ceiling
Framing under the subfloor with R-7.7 2” rigid foam board insulation
Removed, resealed, weather stripped, and reinstalled all seven slider windows
VEVOR 12V 8KW diesel heater in external storage bay, piped to interior with central heating
Two Fantastic Fan roof vents with remotes, temp programming, and rain sensors
Wired for 120V AC unit on the inside wall above the bed / back door
Two layers of Henry’s Tropicool on the full roof
KITCHEN
9 soft-close drawers and 2 cabinets with custom-made leather / brass drawer pulls
Entire kitchen bank on 11” riser for additional storage below
Thick 1.5” Birch butcher block countertop and open-design Birch upper shelf running the full length of the kitchen
4 burner propane range with cast iron grates (3 propane tanks in outside storage bay)
25” under-mount Kraus sink with detachable Kraus faucet (10” deep)
Large 11 cu.ft Furrion Everchill 12V fridge with separate top freezer and dual controls
BEDROOM
14” Queen Sealy Posturepedic pillow top mattress (NOT an RV mattress)
Hinged bed frame lifts for easy storage access
Hydraulic bed lift kit provided, but not installed
2 x 4’ drawers on heavy industrial locking sliders tuck under the bed
Birch headboard with multiple cubby sections and shelves, two enclosed with locking doors
MISC. STUFF
Wasn’t sure where to put this, but there’s a loveseat in the living room and luxury vinyl plank on the floor. I’m happy to send a pic of the bare floor, because the rug isn’t included).
The bus is a dually; meaning two front tires and four back tires (two doubled up on each side). All tires have excellent tread.
The tank that holds the fluid for the windshield wipers is cracked. I still have it so you can use it to source a new one.
I recommend replacing the windshield wipers if you intend to travel in inclement weather. They work perfectly, just worn a bit.
The diesel heater is currently being repaired and prepped for another Rocky Mountain winter. I’m hoping to have that fully up and running before the bus sells.
I intended to install a trucker’s fan to the upper right of the driver’s seat. It’s fully wired and ready, but the fan is still in the box and I hope to have that up there before the bus sells. If it doesn’t get done, of course the fan will come with the bus.
We added an external storage compartment for propane tanks, hot water heater, and diesel heater. It was salvaged off another school bus and is currently still yellow. I want to paint it with the same cream-colored Rustoleum as the rest of the bus before it sells.
The Acacia wood panel flooring in the bathroom is intended for patio / outdoor use. That being said, daily showers for a few years has faded the stain. I think it’s beautifully worn in and looks intentional; however, if you do want the original dark stain on the wood panels, I can take on a replacement project for you.
…..all of this to say, this tiny home is lived in and loved and highly functional. My mind has been full of lists of projects over the years and I’m trying to round them up here so everything is disclosed, etc. Needless to say, the hard work has definitely been done and you could happily live or rent out this bus tomorrow!