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This is a low mileage 1992 Thomas Built Bus Conversion that’s SOLD. It’s Don Miller’s bus conversion.
It’s a wonderful motorhome that’s completely custom and remodeled. And it’s great for boondocking too because it’s set up to be completely off-grid functional. Pretty cool, right? There’s a fun story behind it too, so I hope you’ll enjoy it below. Thanks.
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Low-Mileage 1992 Thomas Built Bus
Here’s the info and the photos about my bus conversion RV that’s for sale. (SOLD!)
In its previous lives, it served our rural county first as a beloved bookmobile and then as its Red Cross bloodmobile.
Once I finally got the Red Cross to sell it to me, I thoroughly enjoyed the process of fixing it up – starting with installing all those windows!
The bus is in pristine condition, almost like new. We love it, but can’t justify keeping it since it turns out we just don’t care to leave home!
The asking price is well below what I’ve put into this labor of love.
The bus is at our home near Asheville NC.
Conversion to RV included replacement of some major components, including gas tank, fuel pump, tires, brakes, radiator, water pump, master cylinder, hoses and belts, windshield glass, tail lights, and sway bar links, as well as improvement of the leaf springs.
Highlights/Specs
Price reduction – now $37,500. SOLD.
FEATURES:
- Superior quality materials and workmanship
- Non-toxic, low-VOC (or no-VOC) materials used throughout, from paints to flooring
- All cabinetry constructed of solid wood (no plywood, no formaldehyde)
- New windows and screens
- Cozy LED lighting
- Double bed
- Great internal and external storage
- Ample kitchen
- Hardwood countertops
- Full-size double sink
- Freezer: Whynter model FM
- Refrigerator: stainless Avanti
- Heater: vented stainless steel propane Dickinson
- Water heater: vented propane Ecco Temp L10 (with on-demand spark pilot light)
- Shower and composting toilet
- Natural Marmoleum flooring
- Potable water tank (40 gallons)
- Gray water tank (30 gallons)
- New tires: 7 Continental 225/70R 19.5
- Body is 2-layered, with 2 inches of fiberglass insulation
- Freshly painted by Maaco in 2018
Solar Electronics
- Solar electronics
- Photovoltaic powered 12 volt DC
- Solar panels: four GE 175 watt units
- System monitor: Bogart Engineering model SC-2030
- Charge controller: MPPT type FLEXmax
- Battery monitor: Bogart Engineering TM-2030
- 2000 watt inverter: Xantrex Prowatt SW
- Batteries: 2 Trojan T-125 (flooded)
Additional Details:
- VIN 1GBKP32K4N3303944
- Chevrolet engine (350 cubic inch gasoline V-8)
- General Motors chassis (P30)
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- Rear axle ratio 5.13
- Maximum gross vehicle weight 14,500 pounds, actual weight 10,500 pounds
- NC Inspection valid to 6-30-2020
- Actual mileage is 39,425
- Conversion to RV included replacement of some major components, including gas tank, fuel pump, tires, brakes, radiator, water pump, master cylinder, hoses and belts, windshield glass, tail lights, and sway bar links, as well as improvement of the leaf springs.
Sold.
Our big thanks to Don Miller for sharing!🙏
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Alex
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Sweet ride, I wish I could afford to buy it!
Me too because the price is great and close to me. but alas now is not the time and it is just what I wanted.
Obviously they really did a great job on this conversion and I imagine it was far from cheap; however, I cannot fathom anyone would actually pay close to $50,000 for this Skoolie! The whole point of going tiny via THOWS, RV conversions, sheds/barns, Skoolies, or whatever tiny dwelling chosen is to not only downsize belongings and personal footprint but to LOWER mortgages/rent! The exact asking price for this bus is $48,000!! I’ve never seen a Skoolie higher than $30,000 (and I thought that was way expensive!!). It turned out beautifully and I wish them luck on the sale but I doubt they’ll get anywhere near that asking price! Conversions should be as cheap as possible so you don’t get yourself in this predicament.
Conversions can actually go a lot higher and not all bus conversions start at a very low price… A thing to realize is cost is tied to what will be included and what kind of lifestyle it has to support.
For example, if someone wants to be able to live off-grid but still have modern conveniences then that will require an additional up front cost that can exceed $20K all by itself…
While the conversion will also have to factor what climate range it’ll have to handle, how much the vehicle needs to be changed and modified to meet the needs of living in it for the owner, and what type of bus it is can determine things like whether it can go off-road, cargo capacity, and how flexible the layout can be… All of which can have a big impact on the costs…
Mostly, the low cost conversions make use of old and decommissioned buses, which may or may not be in good condition. So some can run into costs like needing to get a new engine and dealing with extensive repairs that can easily negate the savings of getting it for less.. While it has to be kept fairly basic to keep the costs low in most cases but that won’t always work for everyone and what they want to get out of it..
Not everyone is also able to do all the work themselves. So some have to have part or all of it done by someone else that they then have to pay.
Another thing to realize is not everyone is seeking the same things… Some people just want a free and nomadic life and are willing to pay what it takes to achieve that life. Some people are more concerned about long term costs because long term costs can add up to multiple times the cost of the home and is usually the real reasons why people are having problems affording homes. Yet others are more concerned about being healthy and being more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
There are also people who have a very different idea of what’s affordable…
So it’s not really something you’re going to see done consistently the same by everyone…
I totally agree with the comment above. I love the detail and special features throughout but 48, 000. Is well out of my league. I have 2 -4 years to downsize and plan to relocate in an affordable tiny traveling home so I can relax and not pay out the noise to live until I die kinda life. Still those with the money might fall in love with your conversion. Good luck, I was hoping for a school bus conversion as I am a school bus driver😉 I figure I might as well stick with what I know when I decide to go!
Very nicely done, do wish I could afford that. But I’d have to work for the next 15 yrs to pay that off, so it would defeat my purpose and set me back to zero getting ready to hit the road full time. :/
A thing to consider is a nomadic life has its costs. Typically, $50-100 a month on just repairs or maintenance on even newer vehicles. While a bus conversion will typically not have good gas mileage, like around 8 mpg, which depending on how often you travel can add up to a lot over time.
For those who travel a lot total costs can exceed the cost of this bus conversion in just a few years… Though, there are cheaper ways to travel and smaller vehicles are one way to keep costs down. While pacing travel to every few weeks ti every few months can also significantly reduce the annual costs…
There’s also different ways to be able to afford things… Like using your vehicle for advertisement for additional income. Along with other passive income options in addition to your main income source…
While consider other costs like where you will park… With off-grid you can go to camp sites/boondock for even under $45 a month vs a RV park or camper site with full hookups that can run $900-$1500 a month…and those are just part of the long term costs to consider…
Your comments are spot on James D. I suspect they’ll find a buyer without giving up too much of the asking price.
It’s great.. doesn’t show the bathroom facilities? I take it the toilet is in a cabinet somewhere? Here’s a suggestion.. Do a lottery. Have your base cost you wanna get for it-by a certain date, or refund entrants.
If it should happen.. DONT FORGET TO LET ME KNOW!!!!.. It’s a great conversion. Have a good day.
Usually it’s illegal for an individual to hold a lottery, but if only…..
The windows and the natural wood really make it nice. It would be pleasant to live in this.
je voudrais savoir les expert qui convertie les autobus en vr aux quebec merci
A home and vehicle all in one. I think the price is great. And of course the home is wonderful 😍. I too would buy it in a heartbeat if I could.