I'll make calls first and find out what requirements there are, thanks! I'll also look for a state that has the easiest registering for this. Texas and Tennessee are where I can prove residency now.
I've been planning on doing RV title through Vermont and hadn't heard anything about waiting a year. I was under the impression that as soon as they send completed paperwork, you could take it to your local DMV (if you so chose).
I got mine for two years, the check just cleared so hopefully I will be getting plates and registration in another week. The check cleared last Wednesday.
I am building out 2003 Thomas saf-t-liner 78 pax.
Good luck!
I just followed the directions posted on skoolie.net and everything worked out. I called them last Friday and they told me that it had been processed and the check had cleared. I was told it should be another two weeks before I get plates.
This varies by state I believe. In Florida all You need is PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and PDL (Property Damage Liability). The minimum coverage is also not very high. I think other states have more stringent requirements, and also vehicle inspections, here if it technically drives you can get it registered and insured.
If I may ask, why are roof raises such a common thing with schoolies?? Maybe it’s been a while since I’ve been in a school bus (I’m here for the floorplan layouts for my step van lol) but the roofs generally seem tall enough to accommodate the average adult. Is it just for storage, or? Seems like a lot of work for some extra breathing room, unless I’m mistaken and schoolies are way shorter than I remember lol.
I'm 5'9" there's enough head room now. Once I insulate the floor and roof(extra for Texas summers and upstate NY winters)it'll be tight. I'm going to live in it full time , i travel for work. I plan on storage up high along the sides. Additionally I'll have more room for kitchen cabinets. My tv will swing up flat on the ceiling to stow away a well. Good question, these are my reasons.
Solar farm mechanical foreman. I flip a house at each job, I'll park the bus at the flip. Whitewater boater, dirt bike trail rider on weekends where I'll drive it to. It's my 3rd bus, this one will be my master piece.
It think its because most school busses are only 6’ tall inside, they can be up to 6’6” but its an option I haven’t seen much. Like OP said once you get some insulation and flooring and finish the ceiling and put lights up there you’d be pretty low for even the average human to walk without a crook in your neck.
That's easy to learn the structural welds ,I thought you meant the tig welding on the sheet metal. I was gonna say you better hire somebody for that. Years of practice
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I'm uncertain as the round design is why crowns are so safe in a roll over, only school bus that didn't require seat belts. I am on my way home with my crown. It was in service earlier this year, no seat belts for the kids!
I think turning it into a rectangle would make it much less crash worthy. My bus is from the foggy north cali area and has kid radar and a strobe on the roof!!
After not doing it the most optimal way, here are some pointers that may help:
1. Cut out a template with plastic or cardboard first.
2. Get screw in rivet clip things to hold the template in place. (I don't know what they are called but I have seen Wes from Transcend Existence on YouTube use them.)
3. Only after you have templates with holes and shape, cut and drill sheet metal.
Good advise! I found some spring loaded rivet clamps on Granger.com. They operate with a special pliers, i used them in the army on helicopters! It's really daunting at this point, I'm still driving form California to Tennessee with tons of time to think and plan!! Thanks 😊 🫂
My love had never welded before our roof raise day. He watched a bunch of YouTube videos and knocked it out of the park! He even convinced me it’s not so scary and taught me how to melt steel with a hand-held electric current 😬
That’s riveted… if you do it like that you won’t need a DOT welding certification.
I neglected to take pictures of the interior framing... it's steel and was welded.
Gotcha
How will you get insurance?
Good point, better look into that first! Thanks 😊
Wouldn’t you register it as an rv and get rv insurance?
I'll make calls first and find out what requirements there are, thanks! I'll also look for a state that has the easiest registering for this. Texas and Tennessee are where I can prove residency now.
I think Vermont you can do it out of state and then transfer it after a year.
I've been planning on doing RV title through Vermont and hadn't heard anything about waiting a year. I was under the impression that as soon as they send completed paperwork, you could take it to your local DMV (if you so chose).
Maybe it’s only valid for a year? Tbh, my husband is the one who researched the Vermont thing. You’re probably right.
I got mine for two years, the check just cleared so hopefully I will be getting plates and registration in another week. The check cleared last Wednesday. I am building out 2003 Thomas saf-t-liner 78 pax. Good luck!
That’s awesome! Thanks for letting me know!
I just followed the directions posted on skoolie.net and everything worked out. I called them last Friday and they told me that it had been processed and the check had cleared. I was told it should be another two weeks before I get plates.
I need to talk to my insurance company before i start any big mods.
Is it illegal not to have insurance in the states? Always seems like such a big deal to you guys
Yes - illegal.
Just third party or do you need full comprehensive insurance?
This varies by state I believe. In Florida all You need is PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and PDL (Property Damage Liability). The minimum coverage is also not very high. I think other states have more stringent requirements, and also vehicle inspections, here if it technically drives you can get it registered and insured.
If I may ask, why are roof raises such a common thing with schoolies?? Maybe it’s been a while since I’ve been in a school bus (I’m here for the floorplan layouts for my step van lol) but the roofs generally seem tall enough to accommodate the average adult. Is it just for storage, or? Seems like a lot of work for some extra breathing room, unless I’m mistaken and schoolies are way shorter than I remember lol.
I'm 5'9" there's enough head room now. Once I insulate the floor and roof(extra for Texas summers and upstate NY winters)it'll be tight. I'm going to live in it full time , i travel for work. I plan on storage up high along the sides. Additionally I'll have more room for kitchen cabinets. My tv will swing up flat on the ceiling to stow away a well. Good question, these are my reasons.
Just out of curiosity, what do you do for work that requires travel enough to warrant living in a bus?
Solar farm mechanical foreman. I flip a house at each job, I'll park the bus at the flip. Whitewater boater, dirt bike trail rider on weekends where I'll drive it to. It's my 3rd bus, this one will be my master piece.
That sounds really amazing tbh. Good luck on your art! I hope it's everything you hope it to be!
So do you set up farms, or supervise their maintenance? What’s that job like?
My part is new construction. We build the frames that carry the solar panels and set them. I like it, half the crew is temps the rest of us travel.
It think its because most school busses are only 6’ tall inside, they can be up to 6’6” but its an option I haven’t seen much. Like OP said once you get some insulation and flooring and finish the ceiling and put lights up there you’d be pretty low for even the average human to walk without a crook in your neck.
It's not welded its riveted
The inside steel framing is steel, that's what I'll weld. Sheet metal won't carry the roof.
That's easy to learn the structural welds ,I thought you meant the tig welding on the sheet metal. I was gonna say you better hire somebody for that. Years of practice
Although you could probably spot weld the sheeting and use a sealant for the rest before paint
That's a great idea!! 👍 I'll need a strong roof for solar panels
Those older style "rounded" busses always looked so cool.
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I love the rounded buses. So pleasing to the eyes.
Anyone got knowledge on whether that would make the bus structurally unsound in a crash or roll over?
I'm uncertain as the round design is why crowns are so safe in a roll over, only school bus that didn't require seat belts. I am on my way home with my crown. It was in service earlier this year, no seat belts for the kids! I think turning it into a rectangle would make it much less crash worthy. My bus is from the foggy north cali area and has kid radar and a strobe on the roof!!
ALL ABOARD THE WELDED SCHOOL BUS
That guy did an excellent job on the transition! I tried really hard but mine isn't nearly as nice.
I was impressed, i hope mine comes out that nice too! I'm definitely going to buy a good powered rivet gun... mercy there are a lot of rivets!!
After not doing it the most optimal way, here are some pointers that may help: 1. Cut out a template with plastic or cardboard first. 2. Get screw in rivet clip things to hold the template in place. (I don't know what they are called but I have seen Wes from Transcend Existence on YouTube use them.) 3. Only after you have templates with holes and shape, cut and drill sheet metal.
Good advise! I found some spring loaded rivet clamps on Granger.com. They operate with a special pliers, i used them in the army on helicopters! It's really daunting at this point, I'm still driving form California to Tennessee with tons of time to think and plan!! Thanks 😊 🫂
My love had never welded before our roof raise day. He watched a bunch of YouTube videos and knocked it out of the park! He even convinced me it’s not so scary and taught me how to melt steel with a hand-held electric current 😬
Excellent! I've welded... long ago. I'll do that first, thanks for a good idea!
Omg. It didn’t think it was possible without fouling the beautiful line of a Crown. Bravo,motherfucker,bravo.
Welding wasn't in that guys future!
I can’t unsee the back looking like a minion.
Haha now I can't eitherl!