"School Bus", / "Camper", thread?

Jake Smith

Jake Smith

Well-known member
Have a question about your "opinions". Was wanting to see if "y'all" think that I should take on another bus for Marie; since it's the only material possession she ever owned, and "Loved"? I do realize we are up there now in age, and it took a lot to make the one she sold, she sold it because, she was worried it was going to hurt me, working on it all the time and keeping it up. I feel, just a little guilty about having my tractor and loving it knowing she would be happy having her a bus. Not sure, what do "y'all" think about it?

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Just don't want to make a "mistake", either, "opinions", welcome here.
 
It looks like something you and Marie would have to discuss all the pros and cons about. If you are still planning on doing a lot of long distance traveling where you would need a camper bus instead of her van or your truck, then getting another bus might be a good thing.

Years ago, I had an older RV, and a VW camper van; both of which I really liked. Bobby and I had an RV when we moved here from Idaho, becasue it was a good way for us to make the trip with our little dogs; but we sold it after we got settled in, becasue we never go anywhere to use an RV anymore. When you have dogs, you have to either stay home and take care of them, or take them all along; so we just don’t travel at all now.
Would you use the bus instead of the van, or keep both and still use both of them ? Maybe use it instead of your truck to pull your boat ? There is just a lot to think about when considering a new vehicle.
 
Marie Miller said:
Why not? As long as you can handle it physically and financially.
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This ^^^^ as long as it’s mutually agreed upon by both of you.

I will say that’s a heck of a big project — not something that can be completed in even one year, if it’s done right —— and I sense you do indeed do things right 🤠

If it’s an off the frame restoration, that’s even more time…..
 
Yvonne Smith said:
It looks like something you and Marie would have to discuss all the pros and cons about. If you are still planning on doing a lot of long distance traveling where you would need a camper bus instead of her van or your truck, then getting another bus might be a good thing.

Years ago, I had an older RV, and a VW camper van; both of which I really liked. Bobby and I had an RV when we moved here from Idaho, becasue it was a good way for us to make the trip with our little dogs; but we sold it after we got settled in, becasue we never go anywhere to use an RV anymore. When you have dogs, you have to either stay home and take care of them, or take them all along; so we just don’t travel at all now.
Would you use the bus instead of the van, or keep both and still use both of them ? Maybe use it instead of your truck to pull your boat ? There is just a lot to think about when considering a new vehicle.
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You touch on a lot of good advice, Yvonne. When we purchased the bus last time I didn't want one; but Marie was dead set on getting her one. We weren't looking for one just riding with her old friends, going to Helen Georgia for a getaway "trip", and she saw them on the side road business, for sale and told Jerry to stop, go back I want to see those buses. I said we don't need a bus; I was totally against the idea. Long story short we bought it.

Later on after all the work, I enjoyed the trips being able to stand inside of it and conveniences carrying dogs was way more convenient, than van, or truck and all our families love it too. It was a shorty twenty four foot, and would turn on a dime, shifted fantastic. So your post touches on some of those benefits. Marie is still dealing with the pain and sleepless nights going on for about six months now. "Fruststating", to say the least . Her next appt. 7th April this Tuesday I'm hoping we will get some helpful advice and she will get better. She is still barely able to walk. What I was thinking is a bus may give her incentive to get better thinking on that. Thanks Yvonne.
 
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Connie Bennett said:
This ^^^^ as long as it’s mutually agreed upon by both of you.

I will say that’s a heck of a big project — not something that can be completed in even one year, if it’s done right —— and I sense you do indeed do things right 🤠

If it’s an off the frame restoration, that’s even more time…..
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Good points Connie; and "thanks". She post above that van is just fine but would like a tent on the side. I'm still not sure; because we have four fairly large dogs, and like, "Yvonne", said traveling with dogs can be such a task to deal with. The bus was simple, since it had so much more room.
 
Jake Smith said:
Good points Connie; and "thanks". She post above that van is just fine but would like a tent on the side. I'm still not sure; because we have four fairly large dogs, and like, "Yvonne", said traveling with dogs can be such a task to deal with. The bus was simple, since it had so much more room.
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Expensive and too much work. Paid $5000.00 for it then.
First time I ever was under the bus:)I had to hold ratchet on nut while Jake took bolts out to get the 16 bench seats out.
Putting the paneling and insulation inside was really a strain too.I was shaking from strain.
 
Jake Smith said:
Good points Connie; and "thanks". She post above that van is just fine but would like a tent on the side. I'm still not sure; because we have four fairly large dogs, and like, "Yvonne", said traveling with dogs can be such a task to deal with. The bus was simple, since it had so much more room.
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I notice your bride mentioned tent sleeping. I tip my hat to her in a HUGE way if she can wake up and not need someone to literally grab her legs and pull her out🤯🤯

I was in my late 40’s when I endured my last tent camping adventure in an early, unexpected snow storm. Yes , two of the ladies did pull me out of that tent and had to help me stand up. Never did that again ——never….

An RV is much better with dogs, I’ve done that and I also snuck them in motel rooms when I moved from SoCal to Tennessee. A Lab/Sharpei, a Rottweiler, and a Beagle/ mix. All rescues, nobody was getting left behind. The cat lived in the big Rottweiler crate in the bed of my truck. I pulled my three horses with my 1978 square body GMC with a rebuilt 454. But that entire story is for another day 😇😇
 
Connie Bennett said:
I notice your bride mentioned tent sleeping. I tip my hat to her in a HUGE way if she can wake up and not need someone to literally grab her legs and pull her out🤯🤯

I was in my late 40’s when I endured my last tent camping adventure in an early, unexpected snow storm. Yes , two of the ladies did pull me out of that tent and had to help me stand up. Never did that again ——never….

An RV is much better with dogs, I’ve done that and I also snuck them in motel rooms when I moved from SoCal to Tennessee. A Lab/Sharpei, a Rottweiler, and a Beagle/ mix. All rescues, nobody was getting left behind. The cat lived in the big Rottweiler crate in the bed of my truck. I pulled my three horses with my 1978 square body GMC with a rebuilt 454. But that entire story is for another day 😇😇
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Me being a professional camper tents are ok with me.We have 3 large tents ,we lived in tents for 3 months when we bought property here. One was for kitchen, one was sleeping and one for dogs since we had 100 year flood that year. Stoms were brutal! Winds would lay tent down on us at times. Lightening striking by our heads.
We had the horse and donkey 2 cats and 4 dogs camping with us.
 
Jake, are you thinking to buy another bus and refurb it from scratch, or looking for one that has already been converted? None of us can really advise you since only you and Marie know your physical and financial situation. You know that another vehicle will require maintenance, insurance, etc.

We owned a motorhome for about 12 years and enjoyed it for about 7 of those years when we were younger. It got to be too much work and added expense so we finally sold it cheap to my niece and her husband. To me, RVing is one thing where the anticipation is definitely greater than the event. Setting up camp is a lot of work, and riding for days to get to destinations can be very tiring. And of course, the cost of fuel is significant.
 
Connie Bennett said:
I notice your bride mentioned tent sleeping. I tip my hat to her in a HUGE way if she can wake up and not need someone to literally grab her legs and pull her out🤯🤯

I was in my late 40’s when I endured my last tent camping adventure in an early, unexpected snow storm. Yes , two of the ladies did pull me out of that tent and had to help me stand up. Never did that again ——never….

An RV is much better with dogs, I’ve done that and I also snuck them in motel rooms when I moved from SoCal to Tennessee. A Lab/Sharpei, a Rottweiler, and a Beagle/ mix. All rescues, nobody was getting left behind. The cat lived in the big Rottweiler crate in the bed of my truck. I pulled my three horses with my 1978 square body GMC with a rebuilt 454. But that entire story is for another day 😇😇
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Sounds like us, for sure. Our dogs now are rescues and feel the same; no one left behind. We've even let dogs have their own tent while camping at the beach before. Once at Huguenot Park Jax Fl. we had a Waterspout come up, on us on the beach, and tearing at the tent to take it, and I fought to save the tent. And did, but had so much sand in my eyes, I had to do it blind. :oops: I miss my horses, and donkeys.
 
Beth Gallagher said:
Jake, are you thinking to buy another bus and refurb it from scratch, or looking for one that has already been converted? None of us can really advise you since only you and Marie know your physical and financial situation. You know that another vehicle will require maintenance, insurance, etc.

We owned a motorhome for about 12 years and enjoyed it for about 7 of those years when we were younger. It got to be too much work and added expense so we finally sold it cheap to my niece and her husband. To me, RVing is one thing where the anticipation is definitely greater than the event. Setting up camp is a lot of work, and riding for days to get to destinations can be very tiring. And of course, the cost of fuel is significant.
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Exactly, no way would I want to tackle any of this at our age now.
We don't go that often anymore mainly because the roads are a lot more dangerous, people are more uptight and agressive.
 
Jake Smith said:
Sounds like us, for sure. Our dogs now are rescues and feel the same; no one left behind. We've even let dogs have their own tent while camping at the beach before. Once at Huguenot Park Jax Fl. we had a Waterspout come up, on us on the beach, and tearing at the tent to take it, and I fought to save the tent. And did, but had so much sand in my eyes, I had to do it blind. :oops: I miss my horses, and donkeys.
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A water spout is like a small tonado, the wind was dragging Jake down the beach with me screaming, let go!
 
Beth Gallagher said:
Jake, are you thinking to buy another bus and refurb it from scratch, or looking for one that has already been converted? None of us can really advise you since only you and Marie know your physical and financial situation. You know that another vehicle will require maintenance, insurance, etc.

We owned a motorhome for about 12 years and enjoyed it for about 7 of those years when we were younger. It got to be too much work and added expense so we finally sold it cheap to my niece and her husband. To me, RVing is one thing where the anticipation is definitely greater than the event. Setting up camp is a lot of work, and riding for days to get to destinations can be very tiring. And of course, the cost of fuel is significant.
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All very good points Beth; and I do value very much; your opinion, and everyone here. Sort like a rope, the more strands, the stronger the rope.Remember on the other SOC; I asked y'all about my tractor and y'all said we definitely needed on after Helene tore so much debris here, and I was not able at the time to buy one, but prayed to find a good one and found it. Then I charged it, took a chance we could eventually pay it off and sure enough, we did.

Not sure about one refurbished, or not; because of prices, just thought maybe look around and see what comes up. Ins on that old bus was only $26.00 a month for liability; not sure why, fuel back then was over $5.00 a gal; sort like now which is too high. Anyway I just was thinking today feeling a little guilty Marie not having the only material thing she had ever Loved as I said earlier; in the above post.

This is a good way for Marie, and all of you; to discuss and help us make a sound decision, about things, IMO can't hurt. :)
 
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Marie Mallory said:
Exactly, no way would I want to tackle any of this at our age now.
We don't go that often anymore mainly because the roads are a lot more dangerous, people are more uptight and agressive.
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I hate to sound like "that old Boomer," but younger people have ruined camping and made campgrounds miserable. They have no respect for other people with their noise, walking through campsites, uncontrolled dogs, etc. The newer RVs have outside stereos and TVs and are lit up like amusement parks, which combined with the entitlement attitude makes the "camping experience" totally miserable for others. You couldn't give me another RV.
 
Jake Smith said:
Sounds like us, for sure. Our dogs now are rescues and feel the same; no one left behind. We've even let dogs have their own tent while camping at the beach before.
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It sounds ridiculous to people who have never loved a pet, but one main reason we bought an RV was so that we could take our little dog along with us. He was part of the family and he absolutely LOVED to travel in the RV. When we'd bring it out of storage and park on the driveway to load up for a trip, he would get so excited. He was the best little traveler and he peed in more states than most people ever get to see. :ROFLMAO:
 
Beth Gallagher said:
I hate to sound like "that old Boomer," but younger people have ruined camping and made campgrounds miserable. They have no respect for other people with their noise, walking through campsites, uncontrolled dogs, etc. The newer RVs have outside stereos and TVs and are lit up like amusement parks, which combined with the entitlement attitude makes the "camping experience" totally miserable for others. You couldn't give me another RV.
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You just pointed out all the reasons we quit campgrounds, Beth. Once we were at one and the people next to us were burning tires in the pit and smoke was killing us. After those kinds of experiences, we only stayed at family houses, or Walmarts, or took turns sleeping while other one drove to destinations. :)
 
Jake Smith said:
You just pointed out all the reasons we quit campgrounds, Beth. Once we were at one and the people next to us were burning tires in the pit and smoke was killing us. After those kinds of experiences, we only stayed at family houses, or Walmarts, or took turns sleeping while other one drove to destinations. :)
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Sad to say, but people ruin everything.
 
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