How To Plan A Layout For a Bus/Van Conversion

[@oranjmusemeyer968]

I just recommended your channel to one of my former students. He just bought a school bus (a little bigger than yours) and told him he could get lots of help by watching your vids!😊 His wife died last year and he just wants to take the kids camping and do some weekend trips. He has never built anything but wants to learn. This will be great for him! This video was a great idea!❤

[@isaacturnerit]

Ayy thanks for watching

[@xroaddog934]

Yep... Those are definitely great words of advice: Know your limitations, set a budget, get dimensions for appliances, and purchase your appliances. Before you Build your Cabinets!

[@lorrainekelleher6937]

I like your layout and the flip up seat for Ember. Excited to watch it all unfold.

[@isaacturnerit]

Def!

[@assiahinarkansas]

Now we're getting to some exciting stuff 😊🎉

[@isaacturnerit]

Gettting there!!

[@jaystewart9947]

Great step-by-step to figuring your layout, Isaac. Non-negotiable items at the top of the list plus items that have to be purchased and built around. Great advise. This is why you’re a go-to person for this valuable information. And it helps that you’re an honest and cool guy 😁👍

[@elenalemanski155]

Great planning Isaac! You could always buy a toaster type oven to help with not having a regular oven.

[@isaacturnerit]

Honestly I cook everything with a cast iron!

[@elenalemanski155]

@ I was just thinking~PIZZA!! 😊

[@martyohlfest8699]

Great information! I love how you you explain things. And i know you're spot on with the reason so many builds start, but never finish. I agree a thousand percent on being realistic and being honest with yourself and your skills! So crucial. Thanks for all you do! Love and respect to you and your family on Wild Mountain, from the Iowa cornfields!❤

[@isaacturnerit]

Thank you so much for watching

[@lesleyhughes3174]

Such a useful video Isaac and so well explained. Great info. So looking forward to seeing your continued build and completion 😊👍🙌💌

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching

[@deborrastrom8559]

My step daughter is building out a bus alone. Referring her to you today. 🎉❤

[@momoramirez4044]

👍 great job Isaac you deserve a great partner that’s going to be with you all the way and help you in everything to be successful even more

[@isaacturnerit]

💗

[@AllenCheck]

Good morning Isaac, sorry I'm a little late for class, been blowing and goin on firewood cutting splitting ,stacking for winter finally got a chance to sit down and enjoy your build vid, those are some very good and important tips you gave on layout, pretty much got the short schoolie figured out but struggling with the step van build,, way smaller but still want lots of things I'm there I got a bunch of parts from one of those old Toyota dually cab over campers that got destroyed in a hail storm got all the tanks black ,gray, fresh water and a really strange fiberglass shower that if I can make it work in it will be a huge space saver. But watching your vid slows me down enough to make me think of very important decisions. Thank you for everything you do Isaac ,say hi to jaylena and beautiful ballerina ember❤❤❤😊

[@freedomdove]

8:36 mark: That's exactly how I did the build in my Suburban. I planned around the space needed to transport the Clam that I bought to use as an outdoor living room, and also my fridge/freezer and its power station. That determined the entire layout. The bed dimensions were based on what I could fit in the available space on the passenger side of the vehicle (its height was determined by what I need to store underneath it). 9:30 mark: There's no way I could have done my build without the help of my ex. I planned/designed it all, but I don't cut wood. He did that for me, and also helped me assemble most of the woodworking after I had triple-sealed all the plywood with poly. He also built/installed my drawers and the slide-out for my fridge/freezer. If it weren't for his help I would have had to do a no-build design--and wasted a lot of usable space in the meantime. That bunk will be a great place for Ember to sleep when she gets older. 👍

[@catc6188]

Excellent advice and tips. Keep it simple. I know people personally that want to do Van or Bus builds because of the excitement of what they saw online. No experience with a single tool either. Let alone knowing what they really want at all.😊

[@isaacturnerit]

Ha ha I feel that

[@IOFGENOCIDE]

So here’s an Idea. To save space make beds like in the back of a toy hauler. The dining table and above it is the bed. The bed lowers at night. And the space where the table is can have a lift up part to have a littler bed are for Ember.

[@jimlotspeich7117]

Isaac, Good luck on your bus build! We are going to miss Jaylena.

[@TreyJustice]

nice video, I just built and planned as I went and certainly have some changes I want to do now after a few years of camping

[@greenacresbloom]

With any project - Don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough. Seems like that applies to planning a bus build or a house build. My dear spouse has an unaffordable list of non-negotiables for the house that we plan to build. So we have the land, but haven't built the house. I told him that if we keep this up that after he dies I'll build a lovely enough but realistic house.

[@isaacturnerit]

One hundred percent

[@Banagal]

I'm eager to see your plan come to life. Bus travels and music with you and Ember sounds like fun. That little scooter was a great space-saving idea for fun.

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching

[@chandrasutton4669]

Great layout!!!😊🎉❤

[@BNewfoundland]

Great talent. Blessings to you & Jaylena & Ember. ❤❤❤

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching!

[@Nomadman777]

You could put a rv jackknife sofa that pulls out to a bed, fit the electric and heater under and attach seatbelts to the frame rail.

[@isaacturnerit]

I’ve done literally all that before. Don’t really dig that set up

[@Nomadman777]

@@isaacturnerit I took the bench out and put in the jackknife, a fixed queen in back and the chest fridge in-between its pretty sweet.

[@robertsgirl9205]

Great job Issac I can’t wait to see the bus build start back up it’s going to look great your are the best bus builder in my book

[@isaacturnerit]

I can’t wait to see it done as welll!

[@tammycruz8189]

Issac U R A Wonderful Person To Share Everything U Do n Know About Bus Building. Some Charge People to Get Like There Lay Out . To Me Its Ridiculous. Im So Happy n Thankful U Posted This Video. God Bless Ya'll. Hugs n Love Always From Your Friend In Michigan Tam ❤️ 💓 💗 💕 💖

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching :)

[@tammycruz8189]

@isaacturnerit always i love watching U n Jaylena. God Bless Ya'll

[@whitneywoodall3591]

Great ideas and tips!✌😀❤

[@patsmith8540]

Great video,can’t wait to see you starting building.

[@mamabearchristine]

Thank you for doing this. This is awesome!❤

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching

[@naomidonovan-perry2667]

Good video. You are in the zone when you talk about this stuff!

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks yooo

[@michelle18474]

Have you thought of a slightly smaller bed for yourself with a kids size slide out trundle for your daughter , just a thought, 🇦🇺✌🏼

[@isaacturnerit]

Hm

[@paulamorris3138]

You could build an almost twin size (30in or so) bunk/room above your bed, either across the bus or along one side above the windows for Ember. She would have her own space

[@dawnkangas2968]

Howdy 🤠 awesome as always thanks for sharing love you God bless you

[@Renee406Mt]

Issac, if I could get a bus and have your videos that would be so awesome! Your builds are wonderful and I enjoy watching and learning 😊 the scooter is great!!

[@me-at-63]

„That might anoy you“ - puts it on the other side…. Now it anoys me on the other side. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@isaacturnerit]

lol

[@KyleRuggles]

YAY! The fun stuff! Let's see!

[@isaacturnerit]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@murielAE]

That makes so much sense! I wondered how you decided these things! Good video!

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching!

[@TrickyChi]

Sounds like a wonderful space❤❤❤❤

[@isaacturnerit]

Thank you

[@TrickyChi]

@isaacturnerit your welcome

[@chandraestrada9707]

What a great idea and thank you for being so helpful. You know really shows what a good person you are and want the best for everybody and I just really admire that about you all right much love from South Carolina. I know whatever you do is gonna be great all right tell Amber and Jelena we said hello, God bless love and light

[@isaacturnerit]

💗

[@MelissaMalzahn]

Good job Issac. If i was going to build out a bus i wanted to use my sideboard & china cabinet for my kitchen. Separate cabinet for my sink. Definitely alot to really think about before jumping in. Me id put a twin bed in. 😂 But i like a couch too. ❤❤❤

[@isaacturnerit]

🙏🏼🙏🏼 great idea!

[@4runnerisfunner]

This is a great video. You are so knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing ! 🫵👍

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching!

[@crazy8skml]

Sorry I could not focus when you were talking about the couch and chair. I seen Ember playing with furbabies in the background. Very informative video though! You are going to help so many with this! ❤

[@TiffanyWelch-s9w]

Excellent info as usual :) Great timing about the seat for car seat. I too am trying to plan for that right now. I'll start looking for the flip ups. Thx! Also, with your stand up fridge, will that be 12 volt or 110?

[@its-me12165]

You're really good at what you do!

[@isaacturnerit]

Well thank ya

[@karenbrest187]

Hi Issac 👋 looking forward to watching your bus build 👌

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for being here

[@msvg3]

This is super helpful. Have you ever done a video on how to figure how much power you need? The math kills me. I get a headache trying to figure out what I will need in a build. ✌️❤️🚌

[@isaacturnerit]

Oh I haven’t exactly but most people think they need way more than they really do. 200ah is a pretty good sweet spot. Anything more than 400ah I think is a waste

[@msvg3]

@@isaacturneritThanks for the insight. Another thought for a diy vid… minimal keep-it-simple tool list. If someone doesn’t have a fully outfitted shop, what would be the kit they need, to do a decent build. I think you’ve done it both ways and can offer good insights. ✌️❤️🚌

[@isaacturnerit]

@ that is a fantastic idea!!!

[@joaddington9890]

Good plan!

[@isaacturnerit]

Thank you!

[@IOFGENOCIDE]

Put your shower next to your cabinets. And make a trap door where your toilet can pull in and out inside the shower. So while your showering the toilet is stored behind the trap door in the cabinet and then slides out when you need to use it . TAAA DAAAA

[@stephennowicki7158]

Good video. Good information. 😊

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching

[@carolaustin123]

Maybe build the table and benches then you can put your pullout fridge in one seat your batteries under the other seat plus you and ember can eat and play at the table. Then if your mates stay over drop table down make a bed. Job done. You can have your oven then 🎉🎉🎉

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching!

[@IOFGENOCIDE]

Yes I was just about to mention the flip up seat

[@user-qz5gi4uh6x]

Great advice, Isaac. I see many people converting small Ikea furniture into ready-made cupboards, etc. Seems to make sense if you're not into carpentry as such. Could you advise on pre-built units too?

[@isaacturnerit]

It’s a great option!

[@jd_portland]

nice explanation!!! Lets goooo!!!!!

[@isaacturnerit]

Swagggg

[@MafiaMamiii]

Thanks so much for sharing all your tips! 🙏🏼 this is real basic but I think a slat pull out couch (like the one from the big bus build) will work best for sleeping two adults up front while still allowing space when in couch mode~ Also! Maybe an electric convention oven? 🤔 you’d be able to use it and then put it away! I know nothing of building buses so these are just thoughts 😭😂Looking forward to the bus build~ 🫶🏼

[@isaacturnerit]

Yeah I’ve done that before. It was great but not functional for anything else other than a couch bed

[@MafiaMamiii]

@@isaacturnerit Makes sense! If this is going to be the studio bus you want duality and functionality! Good luck on the build~

[@judypell6701]

Great info❤

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks yo

[@debbieconway8242]

So nice ❤❤❤

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks!

[@me-at-63]

Keep it simple is a great advice! As a first time builder I would go along with some finished furniture and adapt it… maybe budget friendly second hand stuff. 🤔 Couldn't you also find a foldable or pull-out solution for the foot area of ​​the folding seat?

[@isaacturnerit]

You could! Def keep it simple!

[@calypsoflowers]

🚌 Great explanation video. Will this still be a studio on wheels?

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching

[@isaacturnerit]

It willll!!

[@lori1508]

Isaac, wondering if you could rig your bed with a pulley system so when not in use it could be raised up to the ceiling. That way you could have some living space maybe having office space your Ember having a play room, or having your kitchen in the back to free up more space for another couch. Anyway just thinking outside the box.

[@isaacturnerit]

I would never do that

[@gaylenehorch4241]

I would love to hear your thoughts on a non live-in build... like, everything is fastened down in such a way that it could be unfastened and the layout could change depending on who is coming along on the camping trip. Cots, moveable fridge, camp stove, moveable porta-potty, hammocks, etc. I also want to Line-X the floor of my bus (when I get a bus) so I can just park on a hill, open the back door, and hose it out! Clearly, I live in the PNW- I know there will be mud! But maybe that's crazy...

[@isaacturnerit]

I love it. More people should do that

[@lucillehjort971]

Where the kitchen is and the closet, can you make a narrow countertop that runs along the closet or extends out a llittle like an ‘L’ shaped counter and not too narrow but deep enough so you can use it? That is my idea.

[@isaacturnerit]

Did you watch the video I talked about all that

[@catc6188]

You could consider the Omnia or the Coleman stovetop ovens.

[@isaacturnerit]

Hm

[@BlazinginBlazingin]

pull out drawer under sofa. But seat behind drivers. Then room for a good sofa. If not living in. Don't need a huge kitchen

[@isaacturnerit]

Fosho

[@wilderamanda]

Flip up foot rest in the front so you can push the passenger seat all the way up front?

[@abbyfromkc652]

I’m anxious how are you going to fit 2 beds? Remember with overhead cabinets Ember needs at least one probably for clothes; pull ups; soaps; ect. I am exploring getting a destination camper for me and my teenage child but has to be 2 bedroom (no bunk house) and 2 bathroom. I know that it’s a home and means that it stays put….. and disabled single mom.

[@isaacturnerit]

You would need something big to pull that off

[@abbyfromkc652]

@ yes. I don’t think it’s going to fit in a bus and I can’t physically build. Why I am looking to buy; I have about 100K budget for a house and destination trailer for living. All tiny houses have stairs and I am a fall risk

[@alexissensabaugh6908]

Did it leak or not after all the work you did?

[@isaacturnerit]

Leak free finallly!!!

[@jodymooney255]

@@isaacturneritcongratulations on that leak proof!

[@isaacturnerit]

@ thank you

[@catc6188]

For more space Would you ever consider a bed that raises up? I have No clue what cost or what building something like that would involve.

[@isaacturnerit]

💗

[@familytraditionshomestead3522]

✔️

[@isaacturnerit]

💗

[@heathermachala7623]

Question? Could you do bunk beds instead to save space?

[@isaacturnerit]

I could do anything I want

[@sonyak9879]

❤❤

[@isaacturnerit]

💗

[@shirleygibson3272]

❤

[@isaacturnerit]

💗💗💗

[@rebeccazuckman9059]

For more space have you thought about a bed that lifts up and down?

[@isaacturnerit]

I have some and tried or looked into everything. I choose what I do from experience

[@TERRYPK]

😎

[@isaacturnerit]

💗

[@patsykluting-lucas3804]

Why not create outdoor shower? Not great in cold weather but doable rest of year.

[@isaacturnerit]

Doing an outdoor as well

[@MISCIFMAKER]

Nomadic Fanatic ,Really needs your Advice , he's destroying a business build in quartzite.

[@isaacturnerit]

Not sure who he is !

[@joshuapereira3787]

GOOD MORNING BEST Isaac JAYLENA Ember CANADA MISSISSAUGA Transit ONTARIO KZbin 🇨🇦🇨🇦🍁🍁🍂🍂🍁

[@isaacturnerit]

Thank you for being here

[@Rosa-r3b]

🧡🧡🧡

[@isaacturnerit]

💗

[@brendavaldez5918]

😎✨✌️

[@isaacturnerit]

💗💗💗💗

[@mariemcgillen7401]

table? will you put a removable table infront of the sofa?

[@isaacturnerit]

Yes I will do a lagun mount like I have done in Previous builds

[@hollywiltrout9289]

What is the reason for not installing a bathroom like in an RV? With a black tank, grey tank & fresh water tank. Free dump stations are all over the place. Im just curious if there is a reason bus builders don't utilize this method.

[@isaacturnerit]

I can tell you didn’t watch the video since I literally said I’m putting in a bathroom and shower

[@hollywiltrout9289]

@isaacturnerit i did watch the video! You said nothing about a black tank. My question is why not utilize black & grey tanks like RVs do?

[@IOFGENOCIDE]

Make the kitchen make an L Behind your seat and then you have room for an oven

[@shelliekay5257]

💛🧡🤎💛🧡🤎

[@isaacturnerit]

💗💗💗

[@jamesbenard-ns1qv]

Who's the bus in the background it looks cool

[@isaacturnerit]

My buddy Jordan’s

[@mary-clarephillips7723]

We made cardboard pieces to measurement and placed them where we wanted first

[@isaacturnerit]

Ahhh good idea!

[@denisec6577]

I wish you could have an oven, but I understand why it just won’t fit in. The bathroom is a must! Thanks for the information. 💛💜🩷💚💛💜🩷💚💛💜🩷💚

[@isaacturnerit]

Thanks for watching!

[@numbersvibrations]

❤❤❤

[@isaacturnerit]

💗