Chris told his grandmother as a kid that he wanted to grow up and live in the woods with his dog—and for the past 11 years, that’s more or less what he has done. He’s lived in two vans and a Class A RV before building his dream rig: a self-sustaining school bus conversion named Zep II.
The bus offers a sturdier design than his former RV, built with high-quality materials to stand the test of time. Features include a rooftop deck with flip-up railings, a functional kitchen, a comfortable bedroom, and a bathroom without compromise. The tall ceilings created by the raised roof make it feel like an apartment.
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Raised Roof Creates Apartment-Like Ceilings
Images via Tiny Home Tours
Remote Work Desk Setup with Tall Ceilings
Images via Tiny Home Tours
Rooftop Deck with Flip-Up Railings
Images via Tiny Home Tours
Video Tour: Off-Grid School Bus Tiny House
Design Details
- Vehicle: School bus with raised roof
- Name: Zep II
- Living Experience: 11 years of mobile living (4th rig)
- Previous Homes: Two vans, one Class A RV
- Power: Self-sustaining off-grid system
- Outdoor Space: Rooftop deck with flip-up railings
- Office: Dedicated desk setup for remote work
- Kitchen: Fully functional
- Bathroom: Full bathroom without compromise
- Build Quality: High-quality materials for durability
Lessons from This Build
- Experience Informs Better Builds: After 11 years and 4 rigs, Chris knew exactly what features he needed and could build his dream home on wheels
- Buses Outlast RVs: School buses offer sturdier construction than Class A RVs, allowing for higher-quality materials and longer lifespan
- Flip-Up Railings Enable Travel: Rooftop deck railings that fold down allow the bus to maintain road-legal height while still offering outdoor space when parked
- Remote Work Needs Dedicated Space: A proper desk setup with good lighting and ceiling height makes working from a mobile home sustainable long-term
- Raised Roofs Transform the Experience: Tall ceilings make a bus feel like an apartment rather than a vehicle, dramatically improving livability
Learn More
- Follow Chris on Instagram
- Subscribe to Chris’ YouTube Channel
- Subscribe to Tiny Home Tours on YouTube
Related Stories
- He Built An Incredible Cabin-Inspired School Bus Motorhome
- His School Bus Conversion has a Rooftop Fire-pit!
- Their Raised Roof School Bus Conversion
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Alex
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Love the bus! And Linnea and Akela on the tube!