BUYING, IMPORTING, CONVERTING AND REGISTERING AN AMERICAN SCHOOL BUS AS A UK MOTORHOME

WHy choose an American School bus

TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • Why choose an American Bus
  • Buying and Importing a US School Bus
  • Amazing Spaces
  • Blog
  • Stripping out
  • Interior
  • Construction
  • Planning
  • Electrical
  • Utilities
  • Seats
  • Floor
  • Engine
  • Exterior
  • Underside
  • Headlamp
  • IVA Test
  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Original Photos
  • Artwork
  • Links
  • Misc Stuff
  • Update November 2021
So why pick a US School bus to convert to a Motorhome?
On the positive side:-
  • They are cheap.  In the US School districts (in Democratic states) have to sell after 10 years.  I paid $6000 for mine (2001 and 95k on the clock)
  • They are built like tanks, so a bit of rust is not too much of a problem.  Remember rust is about x10 the volume of the original metal.
  • They are well maintained and have a service history
  • They are easy to work on, for example loads of space underneath to put tanks
  • They are iconic (although the newer short ones based on a minivan are less attractive)
The downsides?
  • You are only going to get 10 miles to the gallon - would make touring Europe expensive!
  • I didn't know if I would be able to get it past UK regulations - but now you know this is possible
  • You will need to import any parts from the US (but parts are easy to find since there are lots of buses in service)
  • It costs about £3500 in total to ship it (shipping, insurance, inspection, VAT, paying someone to drive to port).  The actual shipping itself was about £1500
  • Headroom is a bit restrictive
  • Watch out for rust from buses from Eastern Seaboard - they use salt on the roads
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  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • Why choose an American Bus
  • Buying and Importing a US School Bus
  • Amazing Spaces
  • Blog
  • Stripping out
  • Interior
  • Construction
  • Planning
  • Electrical
  • Utilities
  • Seats
  • Floor
  • Engine
  • Exterior
  • Underside
  • Headlamp
  • IVA Test
  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Original Photos
  • Artwork
  • Links
  • Misc Stuff
  • Update November 2021