Kevin’s transformed bus residence isn’t only a car; it’s an emblem of freedom and sensible residing.
What began as a easy mini faculty bus is now a comfy, trendy residence on wheels, designed to suit all of the comforts of on a regular basis life.
Inside, a tiled bathe, wooden accents, and a spacious residing space present how considerate design can remodel a bus into an actual residence.
This transformed bus residence gives greater than shelter — it’s a spot for journey, creativity, and even new friendships.
Discovering a steadiness between journey and stability
Kevin’s journey to this transformed bus residence started in 2017.
Impressed by a fellow climber residing out of a van, Kevin needed to attempt the nomadic way of life.
He discovered a ProMaster van, evaluating the prices and realizing that van life “was going to be probably the most sense for me.”
Nevertheless, balancing his music profession and fixed journey grew to become troublesome. He ultimately bought the van and acquired a home in San Diego to construct a music studio.
However the name of the open highway didn’t fade. After some years, Kevin longed for freedom once more however needed a brand new, reasonably priced, sensible strategy.
Discovering the right transformed bus residence
Kevin’s search led him to mini faculty buses.
He discovered “Bev the Bus,” a 2011 Chevy Categorical, on Craigslist, which grew to become his dream transformed bus residence.
The bus supplied the perfect steadiness — a cellular residence that would additionally usher in rental earnings, serving to Kevin “have some flexibility to take journeys once I need and it’s not as painful on my pockets.”
This flexibility supported his way of life and allowed others to “get out and see the highway and sort of check out this way of life.”
Turning a bus into an actual residence
The conversion took about 9 months. Kevin rigorously deliberate the format to suit every thing comfortably.
In contrast to his earlier van, this construct features a bathe, bathroom, and a devoted sofa space, making the area really feel extra like a house than a camper.
Kevin admits, “I actually like this format that I picked largely as a result of I used to be capable of match every thing comfortably that you’d need in a home.”
The full funding was $130,000, together with the $15,000 buy worth for the bus.
The transformed bus residence particulars: Measurement, options, and design
“Bev” measures 22.5 ft lengthy, 8 ft vast, and 10.5 ft excessive, together with the ladder.
Kevin upgraded the outside with a Rhino liner coating that “holds up rather well towards scratches.”
The customized roof rack took months to manufacture, costing $6,500, together with ladder and powder coating.
The bus runs on a 6-liter Chevy gasoline engine, which Kevin selected after studying it’s “among the best engines on the market.”
Gasoline effectivity is modest at about 9-10 miles per gallon. Low floor clearance limits off-road skill, although Kevin is contemplating a leveling package.
Nonetheless, he manages tough terrain properly together with his expertise.
{The electrical} system is powerful, with 600 amp hours of AGM batteries, 700 watts of photo voltaic panels, and a 3000-watt inverter.
A diesel heater retains the bus heat, and the alternator expenses batteries whereas driving—one thing Kevin calls “essential ‘cuz you simply can’t all the time depend on the solar.”
The rooftop deck covers the entire bus, together with photo voltaic panels, followers, and a skylight.
Kevin says it “simply opens up your ground plan and provides you an entire one other area to host individuals.”
An automated awning from RecPro provides shade and safety, sturdy sufficient to “keep sturdy even in excessive winds.”
Picture suggestion: Rooftop deck with photo voltaic panels and seating space.
An on-demand scorching water heater and 41-gallon freshwater tank permit for a number of days of use.
Kevin stresses the significance of sealing home windows correctly to forestall leaks and selected an RV door over the unique bifold for higher insulation.
Contained in the transformed bus residence: Residing Room, kitchen, and bed room
The cockpit features a drop-down passenger seat with a seatbelt, a characteristic Kevin missed from his van life.
He added new audio system and a backup digital camera, working round advanced bus wiring.
The dinette and sofa areas maximize area with intelligent storage beneath. Kevin designed the dinette after measuring restaurant cubicles for optimum consolation.
The kitchen is a big improve, that includes a Dometic 110 fridge and an oven, with a deep sink and a recessed spice rack.
Kevin calls the fridge “simply such a recreation changer.” He added magnetic knife strips and a secret compartment to maintain his canine off counters.
A full-size mattress matches comfortably within the bed room, leaving room for storage and a skylight that lets Kevin “look out on the stars at nighttime.”
A Sorco 360 fan above the mattress retains the area cool in scorching climate.
A house that strikes with life
Kevin’s transformed bus residence blends model, consolation, and practicality.
It gives the liberty of the highway with out sacrificing the comforts of a conventional residence.
His journey reveals {that a} bus can grow to be a heat, inviting sanctuary with ardour and planning.
For these dreaming of life on the transfer, Kevin’s story proves it’s potential to construct a house that matches your way of life—and possibly even helps others discover their very own.
Step aboard Kevin’s transformed bus residence, Bev, and discover how this distinctive area blends creativity and luxury on wheels:
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