Skoolies were vehicles that were originally bought as school buses and then converted to homes on wheels. The traditional Skoolies are in the yellow school bus design. However, we can accept that any size or shape of bus can be included under the Skoolie umrbrella. Skoolie fans prefer a simple, yet functional layout. Others enjoy small college units with all the luxury amenities such as hot tubs and other features.
Skoolies can be a great way to get away from the rat race, and enjoy the open road with family or friends. These skoolies are unique in that they can be customized unlike traditional RVs, but still remain affordable. The best part about skoolies is their functionality is also 100% awesome! Skoolies can be described as both vehicles and homes on wheels.
Skoolies can be converted from school buses into mini-RVs. However, they are cheaper than traditional RVs. You might consider either buying a custom Skoolie or starting one yourself. Learn more about how to make your Skoolie a phoenix.
Save Big with Skoolies
Why pay more for a regular RV when you can have your own school bus? Skoolies are helping to revive the yellow school buses that once graced every elementary school’s parking lot.
Buying an old school bus is a better option than buying a new or used RV (not available online). While RVs can be expensive, skoolies tend to be cheaper. They often have conversions that were done by the previous owner. Diesel fuel is also available for skoolies, which are less expensive.
What Does Skoolie Mean?
The term “skoolie” is a slang word used to describe a vehicle that has been converted into a mobile home. It can also be used interchangeably to describe a vehicle that has been converted into a mobile home. A Skoolie-driving school bus driver is also referred to by the term.
In this case, Skoolie refers the upcycling and repurposing of old yellow American school buses. We’ve all ridden them or seen them in movies. Principal Ed Rooney even had to ride it at Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
How Much Does a Skoolie Cost?
The quick answer is that you can expect to pay between $20,000 and $30,000 for a self renovation but it has a lot of permutations attached. A Skoolie can be purchased for as little as $3000 for a small bus or up to $10,000 for a 13 window (40ft) full sized bus. DIY Renovating a bus can be very rewarding. You have complete control over the look and feel of your new bus.
What license do you need to drive a skoolie?
There’s a lot of misunderstanding about whether you need a CDL (commercial driver’s license) or a special type of driver’s license to drive converted school bus RVs (what we call skoolies), and the disparities in state regulations add to the confusion.
So, do you need a CDL to drive a skoolie? In most situations, the answer is no. If you have registered your skoolie to personal use (usually as an recreational vehicle), then you don’t require a CDL. You may need an air brake certification, or another license depending on how heavy your skoolie is.
Different states have different laws about driving a school bus as personal vehicle. You will need a license to drive a school bus as if you were a commercial bus driver. However, you can still get by in some areas with your regular car or truck driver’s licence. This is a gray area, so you will need to research to make sure your license allows you to drive your skoolie on the roads in your state.
Where to park skoolie long term?
Parking and long term stays are always a problem and a cause concern for any RV and Skoolie owner. Many bus owners also have their own land or are able to park there long-term. What if you don’t have any private land?
Skoolies can be allowed in most RV parks, which is a great way to get into the skoolie-life. There are many campsites that do not allow skoolies. If you are looking for a night-stand, make sure to navigate to RV parks or to negotiate with RV park owners for semi- or long-term layovers.
Long term parking is possible at federally owned properties of the Bureau of Land Management. There is a small charge to use these facilities. Visit the BLM website. Boondocking is legal and encouraged, but there are few or no amenities.
It may be worth posting on social media or searching Craigslist for classifieds. Some land owners permit RVs and Skoolies long-term parking.
Shorter buses do fit in normal parking spaces. If you live in a van or bus, it is advisable to find churches and colleges. Do not park in residential areas or block the entrance of someone. You can usually park one night anywhere if you arrive late and depart early.
How long does a skoolie conversion take?
This is an interesting one for most people. This is a common one for most people. As you can see, the faster someone can do it the more money they have. No matter your budget, there are always ways to get involved and convert your skoolie to your dream home.
Typically speaking, an individual carrying out a DIY conversion will take 16-20 weeks to complete but it is entirely based on finances, your DIY ability and skills and how good you are at project management.
When is Skooliepalooza 2022?
Skooliepalooza 2022 is scheduled to happen in Parker, AZ from January 21st – 31st.
The first skooliepalooza event happened in January 2017 and strong community bonds were forged in that initial gathering. The number of conversion buses has increased each year. There is no better way to learn and share your skoolie stories than by sitting around campfires or hiking with others.
Can a skoolie tow a car?
In short, yes it can tow a car. There are some things to consider.
What is a toad or dinghy?
The terms are used interchangeably when describing the a towed car. This isn’t about boats and frogs.
Four down flat towing
Can your car be flat towed? Do you mean ‘four down’ or ‘dinghy-towing’? If you answer yes, your Skoolie can be connected to your car using a small towbar. Flat towing requires that your car’s transmission can allow for four-down towing. Many vehicles do not support flat towing. Please check with your manufacturer before you attempt to damage your car’s transmission.
Tow Dolly
A tow dolly is a trailer on which the front two wheels of a car are loaded and driven. The rear wheels of the vehicle are placed on the ground and roll as the motorhome moves. A tow dolly can be used to tow front-wheel drive vehicles. However, rear-wheel-drive cars may be towable if the gearboxes have been disconnected.
Car Hauler (Trailer)
If your toad is an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle, you’ll most likely have to get all four wheels up and haul it on a trailer behind your skoolie. The trailers are often called car haulers as they have two axles that provide stability and no rails at the edges. If you are looking for a car hauler, make sure it is sized correctly for your car.
Finally, be sure to know the capabilities of your engine before you purchase any skoolie or towing equipment. If there are any issues with the engine, it should be checked before you attempt to tow or transport anything. Otherwise, towing can cost you a lot of money.
Where can I buy Skoolies
The popularity of the skoolie is increasing but there are still deals to be had.
Keep an eye on such places as
Facebook Marketplace
Craigslist
Conversion Trader
Skoolie.net classifieds
The All-in-One Home on Wheels
Moving can be expensive, especially if you need to hire movers or rent a van. Once you’re settled in your new home, it can be difficult to move again. Skoolies eliminates all of these issues. Skoolies can be customized and have a flexible design to make them the ideal vehicle for any move, big or small. You can even take extended trips across America and Canada with them, or just for exploring the country. It’s the best thing about owning a Skoolie. Spending time with family and friends is the best part. All you have to do is pack up your things and hit the road and maybe join skooliepalooza each January
One Way to Spend Time with Family
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a place to call home. Even fewer people can afford to live in the same place for a long time without having to take on any financial obligations. Over one-quarter of Americans spend their entire income on housing. Skoolies is a unique solution that solves these problems. Skoolies are a way to avoid paying rent or mortgages again. However, there are overheads as well as servicing fees. You own your vehicle completely. You’ll also be able travel more frequently with your family and friends if you have access to this free money.
Don’t Settle for Anything Less Than a Skoolie Adventure
Living in a big city is expensive. It can feel like you are constantly in debt, from the cost of your apartment to daily commute costs. It doesn’t matter how much you earn at work, it never feels like enough. This may sound familiar. Perhaps living cheaply and enjoying more of life, even the skoolie or van-life, might be a way to do this. If that sounds too hard, how about getting a car that doesn’t cost a lot?
Two of the most common, but often costly, options for home transport are a car and a recreational vehicle. Although practical, cars are not flexible enough to travel long distances. Although they offer more space, recreational vehicles (RVs), are expensive to buy and hard to finance. What if there were a third type that combined the best of both a classic car and a flexible RV? Imagine a vehicle that could be taken on any adventure, without the need to finance it. Even better, you can build it yourself! There’s a Skoolie! Skoolies offer all the advantages of an RV but without any of the drawbacks.
