I’ve been plugging away for a little over a year now on the Skoolie and I’m still not done.
Despite the challenges, problems, and frustrations, however, I have much to be thankful for.
Most of these “problems,” have been good for me. They’ve provided opportunities to develop my skill sets and…well…patience.
As we move into 2020’s holiday season, I wanted to take the time to reflect on the aspects of bus conversion for which I am thankful!
5. Affordability
So far, we’ve been able to finance the bus project out of pocket. And it looks like we got in at the right time because it looks like prices are going up.
Granted we’ve got some rust to address. However, for $2300 we have a bus that starts up every time and runs like a top!
In addition, fortune has smiled on us multiple times in the material acquisition department. We found a camper on Craig’s List for free where we salvaged a stove and a propane / electric fridge.
Also on Craig’s List we picked up a substantial pile of rough sawn hardwood lumber which we’ve converted into a countertop, the bulkhead, and almost all our cabinets. (I also salvaged a cool piece of antique oak from an old barn that became our dashboard!)
We’ve certainly spent some money on the skoolie, but, overall I’m pleased that it hasn’t broken the bank!
4. A Project
I’m grateful, especially in the surreal times of 2020, that I have a project on which to focus.
In fact, I thrive on projects. When we visit my mother-in-law in Florida, it can be tempting to sit on the dock all day or lounge in the hammock. And while that’s quite pleasant for a bit, I love being productive first. “Anne…give me a project!” And I get a chance to putter around with my brothers-in-law accomplishing…stuff.
Similarly, we bought the bus in October, and by March Covid had shut down much of the country. I was fortunate and could work from home.
As an early riser, I had most of my work done by 8:00am, which left a good chunk of the day for bus work. I would chip away at a project, come in for lunch and check work email, then repeat in the afternoon.
But having a focus for my efforts allowed me to PRODUCE something during quarantine rather than fall into the video game / Netflix trap. At the end of (most!) days, I felt accomplished and fired up to get after it the next day.
And if I’m ever in an interview and the boss asks me, “What did you accomplish during Covid,” I can say, “I built a tiny house!”
3. Skill Development
I feel like I am a competent carpenter. Slower than I’d like to be sometimes since I don’t do it every day and have to stop and think. A lot. But I can cut wood and stick it back together in a desired shape.
The skoolie conversion project, however, has forced me to improve my problem solving skills in carpentry as well as other areas.
Just yesterday, for example, the diesel heater was giving me an error. Using a multimeter I found that the battery was only at 9 volts instead of 12. So I checked the converter voltage and wasn’t getting a charge through. I checked the fuse and found that it had blown. Changed the fuse and Presto! 13 Volts coming through and the diesel heater worked again!
Over the course of this project (and I’m still not done!) I’ve worked as a plumber, electrician, mechanic, welder, carpenter, and painter. I can most definitely say that I’m better in the trades now than I was in October.
And more importantly, I feel like I know the bus. It may sound a bit bizarre, but spending all this time on the project, I feel like I’ve developed a relationship with it. I know what all (most?) of those little wires go to. If something goes wrong, at least I have a good idea of where to begin solving the problem.
This part of the skoolie conversion process shouldn’t be overlooked. Instead of buying a completed RV, building your own skoolie changes both the bus and you. It’s not just a bus conversion, it’s a person conversion.
2. Community
Working on this project validates my belief that AWESOME people fill this world. It can be tough to remember sometimes the news and often negative political attack ads. But the willingness of people, both in and out of the skoolie community, to help each other truly warms the heart.
For example, in July I was driving the last 10 miles on a dirt road to get to my summer living spot when I sheared both rear shock mounts. Plodding along at 5mph I managed to limp to the campground.
The next day I posted a picture of the broken shocks with the caption, “The Golden Road strikes again!” Within minutes, Artie, the owner of Maine Rafting Expeditions posts back that there’s a mechanic in the shop that can give me a hand if necessary.
Rather than try to drive the broken bus all the way back into town, though, I elected to try and fix it myself at the campground. Which presented a challenge because I didn’t bring all my tools from home.
Again, however, help came. When a bus driver from another rafting company asked me about the bus, I told him about “The Great Shock Shearing Incident.” The next day I came home to find all the tools I needed sitting on my picnic table.
Yes, I live in that cool of a place.
And that’s just the “live” world.
I’ve learned so much at “Youtube University.” Watching videos and reading blog posts from all the other skoolie owners out there has helped in the design and conversion process.
And I’m forever grateful for the support I get on my own youtube videos and this blog. The youtube channel passed 30,000 views last month and this blog is growing exponentially each month. Thanks for all the comments, encouragement and questions!
It’s humbling to be part of such an inclusive and supportive community.
1. My Partner
Not to be understated, but none of this project would have been possible without my lovely bride.
It just wouldn’t be fair in a relationship to dedicate the time, money and energy to something not mutually supported by both partners.
Julie never begrudges me the countless hours wrestling with a bus project or the trips to the hardware store for a couple of bolts where I return with bolts and a $120 tool NEEDED for this phase.
And Julie is a fantastic travel companion.
Ironically, though I love traveling…I only really love arriving and BEING there. I know…it sounds antithetical, but sitting still for long periods of time doesn’t sit well with me. But being with her makes the sitting still more pleasant.
And she likes to drive the bus! Which is awesome! I can edit video, write blog posts, do calisthenics and make nachos (not all at the same time) while she chugs along down the road.
Can’t beat that!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yup…I’m fortunate.
And one secret to happiness involves taking inventory of all the positives and celebrating them.
A pack of blessings light on my back.
And I am indeed thankful.
All the best to you and yours this season!