Schoolies

[Rickyrocket]

What is the thoughts on this trend.Its nothing new as people have been converting busses forever.Having owned a Cl.A in the past for 16 years,I'm intrigued whit doing a bus conversion. For my retirement home,I was wondering how these vehicles are treated at campgrounds/RV Parks? The bus itself is built on a heavy duty chassis with a steel body,much stronger than most high end class A coaches. So whats the thoughts?

[JaxDad]

Two little points for anyone thinking of doing a schoolteacher conversion;

First and most importantly you need to know that not all school buses are created equally. In bus terms there are two types, ‘city’ and ‘county’. City buses are designed for stop & go in town driving, they are geared low. County buses are geared to cruise at 50 or 60 mph. A motorhome that screams at WOT to get anywhere is not a great ride.

Secondly the ‘attitude’ towards schoolers is primarily because most of them are not legal conversions. Anything that plugs into 120 volts with hardwired systems and / or plumbed propane must be certified as compliant with the relevant reg’s, no different than a S & B home does.

[Rickyrocket]

Actually I had a class A that I had bought when it was ten years old and spent quite a bit upgrading/maintaining it, had it for 16 years still only had 72k on it,I just can't see spending 75k on a DP thats 10-12years old with tired appliances, under used drive train etc. I don't plan on building an eyesore and definitely won't be looking like its carrying kids.

[Executive45]

Shhhhh..the OP has made up his mind and just wants someone to justify his route. Best thing for him to do is figure out where HE would like to go/stay and call some parks around that area and ask THEM. It's their park, they make the rules. Some are ok with schoolies, some aren't. Their choice, his choice....America is the Land of the Free...Dennis

[n0arp]

Yeah for all the people arguing the technicalities of RVIA, I somehow doubt the parks care so much about the details and much more just the fact that it wasn’t factory built.

[oldave]

The snobbery associated with some parks/resorts goes against the grain for
me. However, having parked near schoolies that were much less than desirable
I can see why the image parks associate with schoolies is so prevalent.

I like the can-do attitude but in the real world, I don't believe most parks
will be very welcoming to a schoolie. It's unfortunate but some people have
made the schoolie image one that is looked down on.

[valhalla360]

Lee_RV wrote:
I'd convert an older Prevost passenger bus before a school bus. They are pretty dang affordable, literal peanuts compared to a Prevost based RV. If you bought the right bus and did a good conversion you could possibly get all your money back when you sold it too. While no matter whats been done to a school bus, they also seem to be dirt cheap.

Unless you are getting a high ground clearance school bus and plan on taking it off road...this is a much better option.

If you do a good job, they won't even know that it's home built.

As others have said, long term and upscale places are more likely to look down on a school bus.

[Farmhills53565]

KOA campgrounds don't seem to care. There are some great channels on you tube that you can help you educate yourself. I have a 2009 Bluebird Handy Bus with a 6.7 cummins rear diesel pusher that was never a school bus that is not yet converted. I am looking to use it as a moving vehicle this spring and then sell it.
I do not have time to convert one. I would offer a suggestion. I bought the bus I did because it was white from the factory. Many places require you to repaint a yellow bus titled as an RV. Also because it was never a school bus it does not have the safety circuits that can lock out the bus from starting. I can jump in, turn the key, wait for the glow plugs, and it starts; even at 30 degF it starts like you just shut it off.

[Rickyrocket]

But built like a tank,with a heavy-duty suspension and leak free steel body that most claim 9-10 mpg. Most high end RV's will be delaminated problems after 15 years. IDK I would rather have a conversation worth 15-20 k than a low mileage high end DP worth squat when I can't drive it anymore.

[Lee_RV]

I'd convert an older Prevost passenger bus before a school bus. They are pretty dang affordable, literal peanuts compared to a Prevost based RV. If you bought the right bus and did a good conversion you could possibly get all your money back when you sold it too. While no matter whats been done to a school bus, they also seem to be dirt cheap.

[DrewE]

Generally speaking, the more upscale the park/campground/resort, the more likely they are to have limitations and restrictions on what sort of RV you can use. A schoolie is likely to be welcomed at state and national parks without a second thought, assuming it's in anything resembling halfway decent condition.

The RVIA is a trade association, and the RVIA seal mostly means that the maker is a member of the association and hence paying dues, etc. It also is a sort of self-certification that they are meeting legal requirements in terms of fire, electric, sanitation, and motor vehicle codes, with some (I suspect very minimal) verification/oversight by the RVIA.

I wonder if parks that require an RVIA seal (specifically) frequently turn away those commercial RVs made by companies that are not RVIA members and hence do not have the seal? Some of them are perfectly decent makers.

[JaxDad]

jshupe wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

jshupe wrote:
Lots of campgrounds require RVIA certification. So if you want to stay in campgrounds, you might want to rule a conversion out.

As long as you do your research and then construct it properly there’s no problem getting it certified.

BTW, the requirement is NOT RVIA certification, the standard is NFPA spec. Just read the fine print on any RVIA label, it quotes the req’d spec, RVIA are just the certifying body. Kind of like on a S&B home, the building inspector signs off on it, but the building code is the spec. to be met.

A recent stay comes to mind - https://www.trailervillagervpark.com/park-rules
Only RIVA approved units will be allowed in the park. Due to safety reasons no "Homemade" RV's or FEMA trailers will be allowed.

And another - https://www.rt66rvresort.com/rules/
Incoming RV’s, motorhomes and travel trailers must be in good condition and self-contained. Due to the high standard of quality in the RV Resort pop-up trailer, tents, or home constructed units will not be permitted.

We were asked during booking at both places, specifically about an RVIA sticker, on a quick trip through NM a couple weeks ago. That was on the phone before they even saw the rig. Ultimately it's up to the park - if you want to stay in parks, I wouldn't go that route.

This an RVIA seal, read what it says in the center, certified to comply with NFPA 1192.

[Lwiddis]

Whatever you estimate will be your build time, triple it. Whatever you estimate will be your budget, double it. Revisit buying an RV IMO.

[Rickyrocket]

I'm looking at a legit safe machine that will last,will gladly take it to be certified if that is possible,I think I could build a better coach than what is sold at RV dealers that wouldn't spend time in the shop for warranty work,I've talked with many owners who have a class A with issues.

[n0arp]

JaxDad wrote:

jshupe wrote:
Lots of campgrounds require RVIA certification. So if you want to stay in campgrounds, you might want to rule a conversion out.

As long as you do your research and then construct it properly there’s no problem getting it certified.

BTW, the requirement is NOT RVIA certification, the standard is NFPA spec. Just read the fine print on any RVIA label, it quotes the req’d spec, RVIA are just the certifying body. Kind of like on a S&B home, the building inspector signs off on it, but the building code is the spec. to be met.

A recent stay comes to mind - https://www.trailervillagervpark.com/park-rules
Only RIVA approved units will be allowed in the park. Due to safety reasons no "Homemade" RV's or FEMA trailers will be allowed.

And another - https://www.rt66rvresort.com/rules/
Incoming RV’s, motorhomes and travel trailers must be in good condition and self-contained. Due to the high standard of quality in the RV Resort pop-up trailer, tents, or home constructed units will not be permitted.

We were asked during booking at both places, specifically about an RVIA sticker, on a quick trip through NM a couple weeks ago. That was on the phone before they even saw the rig. Ultimately it's up to the park - if you want to stay in parks, I wouldn't go that route.