Building a camper is a challenging task regardless of the type of vehicle you're converting. Perhaps the most difficult of all is the school bus – even though it offers so much real estate, that also means more areas to cover and more features to install. But if done right, you get a fantastic tiny home on wheels. Today, I'd like to present such a unit, the home of Brad and his wife, Donna.
As you'll see, this is genuinely a one-of-a-kind creation. Brad is a highly experienced builder, and that's how he managed to pull this off. What we have here is a 1985 Crown school bus converted into an off-grid skoolie complete with all the creature comforts of a conventional home.
Right off the bat, you'll see this bus features a 14-inch (36-centimeter) roof raise. It runs on an 855 Big Cam Cummins engine, accessible via two doors, one on each side of the bus. At the rear, Brad installed a new bumper with a tow hitch. Above it, you'll discover two large doors leading into the trunk.
This is where things get serious – there's a huge electrical system with wires running all along the trunk. This system probably deserves its own article, but I'll keep things short. You'll find six 24 V, 100 Ah batteries and a massive 5,000 W inverter, among many electrical components. On the roof, there's a 2,600 W solar panel setup producing an enormous amount of energy.
"Why so much power?" you might wonder. As you'll soon see, this bus has no propane, so the couple needs additional energy for various appliances. Better to be safe than sorry.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Mobile Dwellings
The trunk is also where you'll discover two 55-gallon (208-liter) freshwater tanks, the pump system, and a diesel heater. The cherry on top is a Starlink, essential for adventurers heading to off-grid locations, especially if they work remotely.
Other notable exterior elements are two large storage compartments, one of which Brad plans to turn into an outdoor kitchen. He also customized the bus's original door by adding a lock and more hinges.
Even though this Crown bus doesn't look that fresh on the outside, things completely change when you enter it. You find yourself in this extremely spacious, beautifully designed space with many refined touches that give it a luxurious look.
Perhaps the most striking of all is the Sapale, an African redwood similar to mahogany that Brad used extensively in the design. Moreover, the interior feels roomy due to the bus's six windows, three on each side. On the ceiling, there are two 12,000 BTU ceiling A/Cs.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Mobile Dwellings
On your left, you'll notice a spacious table that holds the couple's Mac desktop. I love the aesthetic, especially since the table features a Blue epoxy inlay. On the opposite side, there's a seat with a fold-down table.
Next up, we have the living room. It consists of two spacious benches – one has a hidden table with a clever deployment system, while the other can be turned into a full-sized bed. It was important for the couple to have extra sleeping spaces, as they have a rather large family.
Donna loves to cook, so they have a fully-equipped kitchen divided into two parts, one on each side of the bus. You'll notice many storage spaces in the form of cabinets and drawers, some of which are toe-kick and have a surprising amount of room inside.
There are two massive countertops on each side, complete with an induction stove top, an electric oven, and an enormous sink. Up above, you'll find a large shelf on each side that goes all the way back to the driver's cabin.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Mobile Dwellings
Brad and Donna installed an apartment-size fridge and a huge pantry deeper into the van. Next to them, you'll discover a washer/dryer combo and other storage spaces.
The bathroom is another distinctive part of this skoolie. It features a small granite sink mounted on an epoxy-inlay table, a big mirror, and a Nature's Head toilet. But the best part is the extremely spacious shower with simulated wood tiles and cobblestone on the floor – I bet you could easily fit two people in there.
Brad's craftsmanship is best seen in the bedroom. The van's roof curves at the rear, and that curved portion is made out of scrap metal, giving the bedroom a unique, charming look.
Three windows let plenty of light shine inside, and you can relax on the double bed and take in the view. Other notable features in the bedroom are two nightstands with storage underneath, some more drawers, the control center for the bus's systems, and an emergency door leading outside.
This is one of the best skoolie builds I've ever seen. It's luxurious and roomy, has seemingly endless storage spaces, and feels like a home – what more could you want?
Starting out with a motorcycle permit just because he could get one two years earlier than a driver's license, Mircea keeps his passion for bikes (motor or no motor) alive to this day. His lifelong dream is to build his own custom camper van. Full profile
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