What To Look For When Buying A Used Bus To Convert To An RV
Buying a used bus and converting it to an RV can be a smart move. Then, you can use the RV for traveling, or you can even use it as a permanent residence, similar to a tiny home. Of course, the first step to doing this is buying a bus. If you're like many people who choose to take on this type of project, you might not have any experience with buying buses. You can start by looking for these things when buying a used bus that you can convert to an RV.
Proper Sizing
Buses come in all different sizes. You can choose a smaller school bus, or you can choose a bigger used 38-passenger bus; it all depends on what size you want your RV to be. Think ahead about how much space you'll want to have and how you will want to set up your floor plan so that you can choose a used bus that is the appropriate size.
Good Mechanical Condition
You may want to avoid having to do a lot of mechanical work on your used bus; instead, you might be more interested in focusing on fixing up the inside and outside of it. Plus, you'll probably want to ensure that your RV is reliable when you take it out on the road. Therefore, you will probably want to look for a used bus that is in good mechanical condition. You may need to work with a mechanic who can carefully inspect the bus to help you determine its mechanical condition before you buy it.
Good Exterior Condition
Although you might paint the outside of the bus when working on your project, you will probably want to ensure that its exterior is in good condition overall. Look for leaky windows, body damage or other damage that might pose a problem for you later on.
Affordable Pricing
You might have a budget in mind for how much you are willing and able to spend on your project. Not only do you need to make sure that you have the money to buy the bus itself, but you will also need to consider the cost of fixing it up and converting it. After carefully coming up with your budget for the bus, you will then need to shop for a bus that suits your budget and that checks off all of the other boxes on your list. Plus, you'll want to make sure that the bus is fairly priced based off of its make, model, and condition. You may have to do a bit of shopping around, and you'll need to do your research online to ensure that you are getting a fair price. Also, depending on who you buy the bus from, there might be a chance that you can negotiate a slightly lower price, too.