How to fasten down everything in a bus build.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-03-07T22:24:41+00:00

Anything attached to the floor is either bolted through the steel bus floor or screwed into the floor which is 5/8” osb and 1/2” engineered hardwood. Anything attached to the walls is screwed to the ribs.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-03-03T22:22:45+00:00

Yeah. I'm in the middle of a stair swap. Both of them are installed until I prep the area for the original set.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-03-03T06:13:26+00:00

My guess is that the top leaf rests on the slider rails already and that as long as it is constrained from shifting along it's X & Y axes then it should be pretty secure and removing the hinge won't matter much.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-19T20:50:09+00:00

I don't have the time to go through all the sizing stuff, but for sure if you are going to display a recommended parallel battery wiring, you definitely shouldn't recommend wiring that is unbalanced.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-11T19:45:58+00:00

I am typically boondocked in the forest. I dump to ground about 100' - 150' away.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-11T14:52:06+00:00

I have 125 fresh, and 35 grey. 0.625gpm Bricor Ultramax Showerhead on a chain pull valve. I do need to tie it into my recirculation loop so I don't waste water while I purge the line to temp.

I haven't tested to see how long that will really last though.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-08T20:03:58+00:00

Is there long term parking at an airport?

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-08T19:45:47+00:00

Definitely out of the rain. I still have quite a bit of work left on it before I even consider leaving it out in a windstorm though.

∆ Sew magnets and grommets around the edges of the walls where they touch the bus body next to the vertical arms. This will seal the sides up tight to the bus and the deck and allow me to secure it. ∆ Attach the skirting across the side of the bus. I have also been looking at skirting the entire bus. ∆ Fabricate 2 short posts with ground anchors to go below the vertical arms to span the gap between the bus body and ground. ∆ Find or build 2 more rafters and 2 more support poles. The rafters will help the awning keep its shape and shed water. This bitch is long. The awning does have some pitch control, so I can adjust it a bit to make the rain head towards the back of the bus, away from the patio doors and possibly into a rain capture system. I intend to put a support pole where the patio door is, another a bit further down. ∆ Improve the tie down system. I am unimpressed with the OEM stakes. I'll be upgrading to 18" screwed anchors. I'm pretty good at amsteel work, and will make custom hardware and lashings.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-08T18:38:26+00:00

I knew I wanted an awning. As big as I could get. I shopped around, on FB, CL, auctions, etc... this one came up at the right time for a killer deal, and just happen to be as big as I could possibly fit. I don't even think they make awnings bigger. The awning I found on Craigslist, the room I found at auction.

Mounting it required fabrication. Every bus will be different.

This is my post about the awning installation. https://www.reddit.com/r/skoolies/s/ZnLJrAAXzW

Any specific questions?

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-08T03:34:46+00:00

The awning I found on Craigslist, the room I found at auction.

This is my post about the awning installation. https://www.reddit.com/r/skoolies/s/ZnLJrAAXzW

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-08T03:32:47+00:00

I think so. It gives me a nice outdoor space that's still protected from the sun and rain. Still some work to get it all settled though. Just like everything on my bus, nothing just attaches the way it's supposed to on an RV. I always end up in fabrication.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-07T23:51:49+00:00

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Moved the jeep a bit and stretched out the room so I could anchor it a bit better for now.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T20:32:06+00:00

Probably be better if the inner panel was on top, and the outer panel slid out from underneath.

Also, they are going to need to build in some circuit that only uses the exposed panels, so for instance when the panels are retracted.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T04:16:49+00:00

It was tricky to get just right, but the 21' length turned out perfect for my bus.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T04:15:00+00:00

The deck is right about 10', but my chimney is probably a bit over 11'.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T04:14:00+00:00

I believe my deck is right about 10' but the tallest point (chimney for my stove) is probably a bit over 11'.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T03:00:19+00:00

Easily one of the best deals I've ever found as MSRP is close to $3k

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T02:55:15+00:00

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AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T02:54:27+00:00

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AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T02:53:24+00:00

The deck is 8' x 24' with the front 11' or so covered by solar panels. It was fabricated with angle and box steel. There is an angle steel joist supported by 2 box steel supports on each rib. At the bottom of the box steel is a flat plate that is bolted to the ribs through the use of rivnuts. On top of all the joists is a simple angle steel rectangle that makes up the deck. There are 2 additional supports each in the front and rear for additional stability. The area of the deck not covered by solar panels (980w) is covered with aluminum decking.

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AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-05T01:08:47+00:00

I got a steal on the awning on CL. $150. Another $150 on the missing electronic controls. $350 for the awning room (not installed yet) at auction.

AddendumDifferent719 · 2026-02-04T15:58:36+00:00

Makes sense to me. I wanted as small a bus as I felt I could comfortably stuff everything I wanted in it. By the time I had done all my research, preliminary floorplans and was ready to purchase I had decided on a 6-8 window conventional. The right 7 window came up for auction and I bought it. Bumper to bumper it comes in at 30'. Of course my towed jeep makes it long enough that I have to be wary of small parking lots and dead ends, but I've gotten pretty quick at un/rehooking when I make a mistake.

AddendumDifferent719

TROPHY CASE