I spent years building this tiny home on wheels - and lived comfortably in it year-round for four years - but it’s time to set off on new adventures.
To see the full build (step-by-step from day one in annoying detail), visit my Instagram feed and also be sure to watch the highlights on my profile.
Poke around @seriesofadventures for all the build pics from day one!
This tiny home would make a great Airbnb rental if you have room 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!
Asking $45,000 OBO. Pick up in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Purchased directly from Mesa Public School District in Phoenix, Arizona. I traveled there because no weather means no rust. School districts also take meticulous care of their fleets. I have full service records from day one to today.
DMV titled in Utah as a Class A Motorhome.
The perfect, sometimes hard to find length, at 23’ x 8’. Fits easily in standard parking spots, campsites, etc. Easy to drive!
Make: Thomas Built - International chassis .
Model: Vista 3600 … the infamously adorable “pug nose”
Year: 1998
Miles: 161,460 (Hours:
Engine, etc: DT444E International Navistar 7.3L turbo diesel (original PDF manual included). Highly sought-after engine known as “the million-miler” (so she’s truly just getting started). Allison automatic transmission. 60 gallon diesel tank.
All 6 tires replaced in 2021 … and have been driven less than 150 miles since. Tread is very deep and heavy duty.
Rustoleum weather-proof tractor paint (+ primer) sprayed in three coats on exterior.
Built to be lived in completely off-grid, full-time, with two adults. Also built out with municipal hookups for RV parks, etc.
Shore: 30A power with a 50’ 110V cord included in sale
Solar: Renogy 3000W 12V pure-sine wave inverter charger
3 solar panels with over 1,000W (3 x 335W panels)
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/70-Tr charge controller
525 Ah with 5 new 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
External engine block 110V plug for extremely cold weather
Plumbed for city water (permanent hose hook up) and 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) with two external drain hose hookups
Fogatti propane instant water heater in an external storage bay with a digital control panel inside the bus. Three propane tanks in outside storage bay included in sale.
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 temperature sensing on/off 110V power bank. One of the pads needs a simple repair on the 12V wire.
Bathroom is a 4’ all-in-one wet room
Nature’s Head composting toilet with a 12V exhaust fan vented externally. Brand new liquids tank installed, as well as new seals and gaskets all around.
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 original slider windows
VEVOR 12V 8KW diesel heater in external storage bay, piped to interior with central heating. Requires repairs to fuel line and exhaust hose.
Two Fantastic Fan roof vents with remotes, temp programming, rain sensors, and external vent covers (you can leave the fans open in the rain without getting water inside)
Wired for 120V split level AC/heating unit on the inside wall above the bed / back door
Two layers of Henry’s Tropicool on the full roof
9 soft-close drawers and 2 cabinets with custom-made leather / brass drawer pulls
Entire kitchen cabinet 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. Three propane tanks in outside storage bay included in sale.
25” under-mount Kraus stainless steel sink with detachable Kraus faucet (sink 10” deep)
Large 11 cu.ft Furrion Everchill 12V fridge with separate top freezer and dual controls
14” Queen Sealy Posturepedic pillow top mattress (NOT an RV mattress)
Hinged bed frame lifts for easy storage access
Hydraulic bed lift kit included in the sale, but not yet installed
2 x 4’ drawers on heavy industrial locking sliders tucked under the bed
Birch headboard with multiple cubby sections and shelves, plus two enclosures with doors
Washer fluid reservoir is cracked. This plastic tank was cracked when I bought the bus. 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.
There are several repaired cracks in the driver’s side windshield. It doesn’t affect visibility, but should at some point be replaced.
The wall to the left of the driver’s seat right is fully wired for the installation of a 12V trucker’s fan. The fan is still in the box and included in the sale.
We added an external storage compartment for propane tanks, hot water heater, and diesel heater. It was salvaged off another school bus and is still yellow. The cream Rustoleum used on the exterior of the bus is a standard color, i.e. very easy to find to paint the compartment door to match.
Don’t forget to check out @seriesofadventures Instagram for all the build pics from day one!