Classic Wanderlodge Conversion

Please call 843-417-9157 to inquire or apply for financing for this tiny house here.

The Tortoise bus as we call it is a 1971 one of a kind Blue Bird Wanderlodge. The bus was originally custom built for public service. It's been everything from a communications bus for the city of Jacksonville FL to a crisis negotiation bus for the city of Starke FL. The last role the bus played was fingerprinting kids at county fairs for the clay county sheriff's department. The bus was in government hands up until 2011 and was extremely well taken care of. As a result the bus only has 43,280 miles on it which we believe to be true from talking to the head of fleet maintenance for the city of Jacksonville. In 2011 the bus was sold to a private owner who wished to convert the bus into a Skoolie, unfortunately they had to sell the bus just a couple years later. The bus then went to another owner who wanted to convert the bus into a food truck but decided not to due to the history of the vehicle. He sold the bus to Melissa who started to convert the bus but ended up selling the bus to us a year later as her CrossFit gym was really picking up and they did not have enough time to be able to travel and enjoy the bus.

We bought the bus in 2018 and proceeded to make mechanical repairs and convert the bus into the amazing and unique tiny home that it is today.

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with cancer, going through this process has changed the way I want to travel. Also chemotherapy takes a lot out of you and I do not have the energy to operate a full sized bus. I love this bus and it will make an amazing home for the next owners.

Feature list

Titled as a Wanderlodge RV so never have to worry about insurance!! (We have Geico and pay $221 a year)
All new tires
Onboard onan generator
Passenger seat!!
Powered by a Ford big block engine
Allison 6 speed automatic transmission with retarder
30 amp service
Cedar tongue and groove ceiling
LED lighting throughout the bus
Boat inspired "nav station"
Roof deck with access ladder
Two coleman mach 15,000 BTU air conditioners
Tow hitch
Two Fan-Tastic roof vents (3 speed)
New half slider windows
43 inch fold down LED TV
16 gal suburban electric water heater
Wet bath
Galley kitchen
avanti 5.5-cu. ft. Side by side refrigerator/freezer
Camp Chef range and oven
Butcher block countertops
Queen size bed with underneath storage (mattress included if you want it)
Outside power plugs to run whatever you need while outside (4 passenger side, 2 drivers side)
Large standing desk
Comes with 4 uninstalled 100w Renogy solar panels
Old style front vent "AC" for driving on hot days
55 gal gas tank
60 gal holding tank
Unique one of a kind Blue Bird guaranteed to turn heads
Tote tank
Mounting pole for signal boosters


Technical specifications

The bus is powered by a Ford big block engine (391). We had the engine inspected last year and was given a clean bill of health and we were told it's in amazing condition.
On average we get 7 mpg which is really good for gas engines. The cost of operation is actually the same as a diesel engine due to the price difference in fuel. The biggest advantage to the Ford big block engines is the cost of repairs is extremely cheap when compared to diesel repairs.

Transmission is an Allison MT-40 6 speed automatic, shifts great and never had any issues. The bus also has a built in transmission retarder. A transmission retarder acts as a secondary brake to the main service brakes, at high speeds or when going downhill you can use the retarder to slow the bus or maintain speed.