Converting a MCI bus into an RV...

[n2otoofast4u]

Yore
Fkn
Crazy

 

[ka0tyk]

Just an April fools. We ain’t selling. Hah

 

[ka0tyk]

 

[ka0tyk]

5 mattresses are in. Went strictly off amazon reviews. Figured 11k and almost 5 stars would be okay. We will see!

At this point with covid delays we are just ordering everything possible. Wife has started buying all the bed sheeting comforters towels kitchen stuff etc. we have a pile of amazon boxes at our house daily.

https://www.amazon.com/Zinus-Inch-Spring-Mattress-Twin/dp/B074Q6T8NS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=narrow%2Btwin%2Bmattress&qid=1617382554&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1

 

[ka0tyk]

That Milwaukee aisle at Home Depot always gets me. Hah.

 

[ka0tyk]

Start of drawers for the bunk rooms. 24” deep 29” wide. Slow close sliders. All done on the table saw. Easy stuff.

 

[ka0tyk]

More stuff coming in

Plug adapter

 

[ka0tyk]

Building cabinets and rear bedroom wall.

man 3/4” plywood prices are insane. $60 a sheet!

 

[ka0tyk]

Grabbed some swivel chairs. They have a metal bottom swivel that will be bolted through the floor/frame and seat belts. We are also grabbing a couch that turns into a bed tomorrow from loading dock that gets bolted to the floor/frame as well.

(we ended up not using these...)

 

[scotco1]

This is a fantastic thread! Thank you for sharing and keep it up!

 

[havasuhusker]

Great thread and I enjoy the videos!

 

[Ol Man]

Two comments on your generator video, first, really enjoying them:

1. I would mount in front if you can. If possible, put on a slide. Makes maintenance so much easier. Both my diesel pushers had them in the front.
2. As far as the spare, I carried an unmounted tire in my previous diesel pusher. I could not handle a fully mounted tire. Plus, the lug nuts are torqued to 450 lb-ft.

Maybe another consideration could be generator over-heating. We frequently park overnight in Mesquite on our trips to Powell and some nights are pretty hot and we have the A/C going. I will slide the generator out the front for more air circulation.

My Phaeton has two 500 lb rated load ball bearing slides per side, so 1000 lbs per side. You can find on the Tiffin site and they are only $50 each.

 

[ka0tyk]

Two comments on your generator video, first, really enjoying them:

1. I would mount in front if you can. If possible, put on a slide. Makes maintenance so much easier. Both my diesel pushers had them in the front.
2. As far as the spare, I carried an unmounted tire in my previous diesel pusher. I could not handle a fully mounted tire. Plus, the lug nuts are torqued to 450 lb-ft.

Maybe another consideration could be generator over-heating. We frequently park overnight in Mesquite on our trips to Powell and some nights are pretty hot and we have the A/C going. I will slide the generator out the front for more air circulation.

My Phaeton has two 500 lb rated load ball bearing slides per side, so 1000 lbs per side. You can find on the Tiffin site and they are only $50 each.

Thanks for the tips and the views! I wasnt sure about having slides as if it were in the middle bay I'd probably have access to all sides. Im mostly worried about having it side mounted with another camper being next to us having to listen to it... but then again that situation we'd be in a park where we'd most likely be hooked up to shore power and not running a generator. I would absolutely love to have it in the front, I just think it would require some pretty custom metal work to get it there. The front of the bus there is like on a hinge, perhaps it could be permanently mounted to the slide and close with a latch.

I hear you on the tires, I have alcoas on my dually and those 33mm's are 450ft/lbs as well. Not to mention how HEAVY they are! So you just carry a tire and if you were to get a flat you'd have to unmount the rim, get a ride to town and find a truck place that can do a tire swap? Or are there mobile services that do that sort of thing?

 

[fmo24]

Mobil services available. Having your own tire saves some headaches in the event of a blowout and being able to get the correct replacement

 

[ka0tyk]

Fumbled around the garage today and fired up the generator. Had some issues with the wiring and I think I got em all sorted out, wired up for 2x 110v 35a legs.

 

[ka0tyk]

These guys showed up today. 2x 15.5k btu units. I'll be super excited to move forward with putting the generator in the bus along with some AC so I can work on it nice and cool these next few months. We will be putting one split between the back bedroom and the bunks, and then a forward unit. The bathroom wont have anything unless we find that we'd need a third smaller unit. These have soft start caps built in, but no heat pumps as we will have diesel heating available.

 

[ka0tyk]

and another piece showed up today. furrion 60k btu propane tankless hot water heater. whats nice about this one is that you can set your temp output and just put the shower all the way to hot. we technically dont need to mix cold water as that would be inefficient to super heat the water just to have to cool it back down.

 

[Done-it-again]

You might want to get 1 more ac if not 2 more... 3 minimum, 4 on a 45' bus would be better.

My parents have a 42' bus and with 3 ac's kicking on 110 heat or in a humid area it's working hard.

 

[fmo24]

You might want to get 1 more ac if not 2 more... 3 minimum, 4 on a 45' bus would be better.

My parents have a 42' bus and with 3 ac's kicking on 110 heat or in a humid area it's working hard.

This! The front one works hard due to heat transfer from windshield. It’s tough to keep front area cool.

 

[Blackmagic94]

Yup. It’s gonna be hot with only 2 and the bathroom will be a heat sink too if it’s not vented.

 

[Singleton]

These guys showed up today. 2x 15.5k btu units. I'll be super excited to move forward with putting the generator in the bus along with some AC so I can work on it nice and cool these next few months. We will be putting one split between the back bedroom and the bunks, and then a forward unit. The bathroom wont have anything unless we find that we'd need a third smaller unit. These have soft start caps built in, but no heat pumps as we will have diesel heating available.

View attachment 992550
View attachment 992551

looked at the brand. Read some great reviews, but went a different direction (could not get one when I needed).
get at least 1 more. I have 2 13.5 wired to generator and 1 15k wired to pedestal directly, In AZ heat, two will not cool enough.

 

[ka0tyk]

Just pulled the plug on a victron 3000w interver/charger along with an auto transfer switch for our shore power/generator. Also grabbed the Color GX control panel, and a victron shunt to monitor battery levels. This was a tough decision, theres an inverter for sale on RDP right now and I decided to just go with the best. I dont want to have problems where the whole coach is dead and we're miserable.

 

[ka0tyk]

 

[ka0tyk]

Another piece of the puzzle. Decided to just go with the best. Talked to someone who has set this stuff up before and going to switch generator to 240 split phase so I can do 2x 110 legs. Then I’ll have a phase switch for when I plug into a 30 amp or lower. Diagrams on diagrams. Plus victron support is top notch and there’s a lot of info they provide.

 

[ka0tyk]

Picked out the couch. I thought the diamond pattern is less traditional couch and a little automotive looking. Two power recline and middle folds down for arm rest and there’s lights etc. Has storage on arm rests chargers and plugs. We got a matching recliner for the other side.

 

[ka0tyk]

 

[ka0tyk]

Today’s progress completed one side of the front area. Tomorrow I’m hoping to complete the other side and start in on the ceiling furring strips and insulation. Hopefully…

 

[outboard_256]

Today’s progress completed one side of the front area. Tomorrow I’m hoping to complete the other side and start in on the ceiling furring strips and insulation. Hopefully…

View attachment 998247 View attachment 998248

You are still working on trim? Isn't your first trip planned for next month in june?

 

[cold_one]

You are still working on trim? Isn't your first trip planned for next month in june?

Dude, stop being a dick. He obviously meant June 2022. You aren't going to build a 45 foot coach from scratch only working on weekends in 6 months. That's a multi year project. He won't even have those walls painted by next month, let alone done and ready to use.

 

[outboard_256]

Dude, stop being a dick. He obviously meant June 2022. You aren't going to build a 45 foot coach from scratch only working on weekends in 6 months. That's a multi year project. He won't even have those walls painted by next month, let alone done and ready to use.

I am just going by what he said. He made it sound like this year.

We have about 3 videos waiting. We are going to do a couple small trips to work out bugs end of June. Then we have like a two week gap which gives us two weekends to fix/change stuff and then we have a large trip all the way to Boston and back over four weeks.

 

[ka0tyk]

Cabinets came in. All 1/2 cab ply no ikea like we were thinking.

 

[cold_one]

Cabinets came in. All 1/2 cab ply no ikea like we were thinking.

View attachment 1000141

So is your first trip June 2021 or June 2022?

 

[ka0tyk]

So is your first trip June 2021 or June 2022?

yes.

 

[X-rated]

Bwaaahaaahaaa! You kill me!

 

[ka0tyk]

Couch is here!

 

[ka0tyk]

Also we are looking for someone who does/has quarts countertops

 

[ka0tyk]

Everything is painted. Cabinets are in. Countertops are in. Couch and recliner are in. Next weekend I’ll be using a backhoe to lift the air conditioners onto the roof and installing those. I gotta grab the latest pix from the wife with the counters on but this should give you an idea of how everything is looking.

 

[evantwheeler]

Sorry, I’m lazy. What are you going to do for a dining table? Thank you for sharing this build, you have serious vision, drive, and talent.

 

[fmo24]

I think a breakfast bar would be easy since no slides to open up space

 

[ka0tyk]

I think a breakfast bar would be easy since no slides to open up space

we have a bar overhang of the countertop on the sink side. We are actually looking for a stool similar to those you posted to go there. As far as a table we might do a swing up table or possible a table where the poles go into little holes in the floor. Maybe even just tv folding tables in front of the couch. In the times we have gone camping we have always eaten outside at a table. We didn’t want to lose a bunch of space to a nook or built in table. It was mostly about the 4 of us being comfy rather than having a party of 10 seating wise.

 

[fmo24]

Whatever you decide I’m sure will work well.
your coach is coming along very nicely

 

[zhandfull]

Dig the big windows the bus provides! Might hurt inside storage but I like it.

 

[ka0tyk]

I’m a countertop cutting master now. Some guy quoted me $850 to install them. $40 blade cuts though em like butter. Even cut the hole for the cooktop.

helped the wife install the grass cloth onto one of our dividing walls. I think it’s a good look and we are going to apply it to the rest of the busses interior walls. It’s an actual stitched and woven grass type material not just some vinyl sticker like we found at other places.

 

[havasujeeper]

I love how it's all coming together. I sure wish I had your ambition!

 

[evantwheeler]

helped the wife install the grass cloth onto one of our dividing walls. I think it’s a good look and we are going to apply it to the rest of the busses interior walls. It’s an actual stitched and woven grass type material not just some vinyl sticker like we found at other places.

View attachment 1005771

Can you share source for the wall covering? Been contemplating what to do with old cloth wall paper in my coach. Was leaning towards just covering the slide out wall with white formica. This looks like it would be easier and a bit more stylish and worth looking into.

 

[ka0tyk]

Can you share source for the wall covering? Been contemplating what to do with old cloth wall paper in my coach. Was leaning towards just covering the slide out wall with white formica. This looks like it would be easier and a bit more stylish and worth looking into.

Sisal Grasscloth Wallpaper in Ivory and Jet Black from the Luxe Retreat Collection

From the Luxe Retreat Collection. With drama and a mastery of storytelling, Lillian August has created an International lifestyle brand. Her premier collection for Seabrook embraces her love of color and pattern - from elegant archival chinoiserie patterns to clean edited forms, for an urban...

www.burkedecor.com

 

[ka0tyk]

Dig the big windows the bus provides! Might hurt inside storage but I like it.

We have pleeeenty of storage underneath. But the windows do hurt with heating/cooling. I am going to do a tint with a high UV filter and we ordered special accordion blinds with “reflectix” inside

 

[Flying_Lavey]

We have pleeeenty of storage underneath. But the windows do hurt with heating/cooling. I am going to do a tint with a high UV filter and we ordered special accordion blinds with “reflectix” inside

Maybe look into the ceramic tint. I read quite a few reviews on it saying how well it works and all....

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Sisal Grasscloth Wallpaper in Ivory and Jet Black from the Luxe Retreat Collection

From the Luxe Retreat Collection. With drama and a mastery of storytelling, Lillian August has created an International lifestyle brand. Her premier collection for Seabrook embraces her love of color and pattern - from elegant archival chinoiserie patterns to clean edited forms, for an urban...

www.burkedecor.com

Is that adhesive backed or paste/glue?

 

[ka0tyk]

Is that adhesive backed or paste/glue?

nothing on the back, need adhesive. I used some carpet glue I had laying around. It’ll probably still be there after a hurricane.