Mobile Tiny Home with Solar

This is a school bus conversion that has been years in the making, and I believe the results show. What sets this bus apart from most others is that it has extensive off-grid and long-term living capabilities. It is designed to function as a low-maintenance residence, just like a tiny home. You get the mechanical reliability of a diesel bus, and benefit from the reliable domestic components that make it an RV.

This bus also has a finished interior, to the extent that it really feels and operates like a home. The floor plan is intelligently laid out to maximize living room, while still leaving plenty of storage space. Several storage compartments have been added to the exterior. The bus was initially for handicapped children, and the double doors on the side now open to a spacious tool shed that is separate from the interior.

My partner and I can live comfortably in the bus whether we choose to boondocks or not. Because of the large capacities of water, black water, propane, etc., we only need to attend to the bus once a month, or less if we decide to be frugal. The propane capacity is enough to last a year or more.

This bus has been a dream home and an incredibly rewarding project. It has allowed us to live comfortably and affordably anywhere we choose. My partner and I are artists and creators, and have been given the opportunity to study music in India for an extended time. We've chosen to sell the bus to fund this next adventure.

Here are the details of the bus:

The bus itself is a 1991 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP. It has less than 200,000 miles on it. It starts up immediately and runs quiet and smooth (the engine is in the rear). The title is clean, and the bus was not difficult to insure. No CDL is required to drive it. It is registered as an RV. I also have a clean bill of health from a diesel mechanic. The tires are in great condition as well. Diesel buses in this condition are likely to make it well beyond 500,000 miles if they are treated well.

If you’ve never driven a big bus before, this is a great one to drive. The MVP stands for Maneuverability, Visibility, and Protection. It has a much narrower wheelbase (15’ 1/2”) than most vehicles of its size, which means it handles better. I have experience driving moving trucks and the bus is less powerful, but easier to drive.

Here is a list of upgrades and features:

*130 gallons fresh water storage
*35 gallons grey water storage
- has a drainage lever to dump water.
*75 gallons black water tank.
*2 large ASME propane tanks

*Complete solar setup
- Two 202 Watt solar panels
- 4 6V lead-acid batteries
- FlexMax80 Power Controller (same model used on most earthships)
- Kisae Abso 2000 Watt inverter charger

*Rooftop deck
With storage and an outlet

*20 foot awning
*Externally accessible toolshed
equipped to hang multiple bikes
Built-in air compressor
accessible outlet

*External shower
shower structure included
50 gal. water supply
On-demand water heater

*Second chair installed in the cabin
*Extended front fender
*Kitchen and bathroom sink
*RV fridge/freezer (runs on propane or electricity)
*Propane stove/oven
*Queen bed platform
*Ample outlets and lighting
*Hardwood floors and wood cabinetry
*On-demand water heater
*Toilet
*TONS of storage

Extras (yours if you need them):

*Yamaha 2000W inverter generator
-Like new, pretty much the quietest generator you can buy
*Alps Mountaineering collapsible table
*Tool chest
*Hoses for drinking/fresh water
*Black water hose
*Levels
*And more...

Disclaimers: There are only a few issues with the bus, but I have taken each of them into account with the pricing. There is a crack in the drivers side front window, as well as a spiderweb crack on one pane of the entry door. The estimate for replacing these is about $700. The cracks are cosmetic, so I didn't want to spend that kind of money to fix them. The exterior paint job is fading; I considered investing in a professional paint job, but opted not to so that the expense was not passed on to whoever buys the bus.

I have user manuals for just about everything on the bus, and I am working on a simple user manual for the bus itself. You can check us out anytime and if you have any questions, let me know! We are currently located in Fort Collins, CO.