Our Guide to Bus Length | Choosing a School Bus Size for Your Conversion | Skoolie Square Footage

We have done a ton of research on bus sizes, square footage, and pros and cons of different lengths and tried to put it all together in one convenient video for those of you who are in the very exciting bus shopping phase! There are lots of opinions and methods out there for determining length, and for what the optimal skoolie size is. This is simply our attempt to share what we've found. I hope it helps! :) Please comment below with your own experiences, tips and tricks!
The skoolies who were so kind to answer my questions for this video also have KZbin channels! Go subscribe, and watch their bus tours to get ideas for layouts for each bus length!
•The Skoolie:
/ @uncooldean
•Vicaribus:
/ @vicaribus
•Transcend Existence:
/ @transcendexistence1111
• Bendy Bus
• Bendy Bus Conversion
Other skoolies specs and video tours:
•Love Always Adventure Often: 38 ft bumper to bumper bus
They have a GREAT video about why a full size bus didn't work for their needs here:
• Why We Are Selling Our...
•The Summah Bus: 35 ft bumper to bumper skoolie
• Tiny House School Bus ...
•Navigation Nowhere: 35 foot bus
/ @navigationnowhere
•Living Zeal: 23 ft long school bus
• SHORT BUS CONVERSION T...
SEE THE DETAILED INFOGRAPHIC HERE:
www.rollingvistas.com/blog-3/b...
Custom RV, Tiny House, Skoolie, and Van illustrations:
www.rollingvistas.com/our-serv...
Want to Support Rolling Vistas on Patreon?
/ rollingvistas
More about us:
Tiff is a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, pet portrait artist, and etsy entrepreneur. Zac is a photographer, tech support specialist for medium format digital cameras, a huge Auburn football fan, and a science/astronomy enthusiast (nerd). We have 2 dogs, Tuco and Frankie. We all love to travel, hike, and explore and have spent the last 2 years converting a retired school bus into our mobile tiny bus house so we can travel across the U.S. and Canada with everything we need to work and be comfortable. We have a blog where you can find lots of photos of our bus build, www.RollingVistas.com and you can also follow us on Instagram @Rolling_Vistas to see more!
We hope to see you out there! Thanks for watching!
Amazon links to products and gear we love:
Bus life Gear:
www.rollingvistas.com/bus-life...
Tools for the build:
www.rollingvistas.com/tools/
Adventure gear:
www.rollingvistas.com/adventur...
Photo/Video Equipment:
www.rollingvistas.com/photovid...

[@rondyechannel1399]

Alright, good information. Something not covered in this size comparison is the power train options that usually come with varying size busses. Most of the short busses are configured for stop and go urban pick up and drop off, hence they come with power plants and transmissions that are not set up for highway travel. They usually have a lower top speed less power, and most importantly a transmission that will not like continuous high speed travel. It will get hot because there is a lot of slippage in the torque converter. Highway school busses usually have a 'lock up' style torque converter that does not slip and build heat. They will also get better mileage because of this, and usually geared higher. Think of hauling the football team to another city. An Allison AT545 4 speed is a non lock up found in many short busses and is not ideal for highway travel. An Mt643 is more appropriate and has 5 or 6 gears than can handle more power. Transmissions are very important and costly to repair so don't do a buildout and find out you need a transmission conversion. This is also very, very costly. Cheers! Happy travels.

[@brianwilliams8540]

Thanks for writing this out. Good for folks like me who are still looking!!

[@KenSellers]

One of the best tips I have seen. Thanks!

[@kiefferkeepinon828]

Thank you for this information! I've often wondered about the long distance driving capabilities of the transmissions of the smaller skoolies. I noticed from three KZbin channels I've been following (The Off Grid Skoolie, Transcend Existence and Life is a Joy), they all mention looking for "activity" buses. These buses typically have more highway miles, are built for driving long distances (cruise control in some :-) ) and have better built-in storage (usually undercarriage). I'm definitely doing my research. The big thing for me will be learning how to do general maintenance on one--I definitely don't want the expense of going to the garage for every little thing--but I'm up for it! :-)

[@BrianMartin2007]

You gotta get the 6th gear unlocked if you have an Allison transmission from what I’ve read.. and properly rated tires for Allison to unlock it for you

[@mozartbradway1501]

Thank you! Good info!

[@brianwilliams8540]

As someone who is now looking for a bus...l found your video very very helpful!

[@firebreathingmoonbeam3961]

Same

[@laurab3876]

Same

[@l.acemorris3505]

Same man

[@chadbrooks9763]

Did you end up finding your bus?

[@sirdevinthedeepsmotoventure]

Sorry 3 years late, but welcome to Colorado, I see you have experienced our weather, it can be interesting sometimes. My bus is 37 feet, but I drove 18 wheelers for the past 8 years, so a bus is basically a large suv for me.

[@carpo719]

I have a 21.5 footer. Frickin love it. We can take the most brutal roads and turn on a dime

[@ExposingBethel]

Someone offered me a 30ft city bus (no axels or motor) for $250 (price of scrap) yesterday... Im joining the bus crowd...kinda...lol... (Im glad ive been collecting the parts for A build) Ive got 40% of the materials in hand. Ill probably START on things next week...GEEK'n!!!)

[@exotiicwii]

they offer you again please message me lol!

[@MrDulfin]

;D

[@jessicalaunder4679]

Did you ever finish?!

[@ExposingBethel]

@@jessicalaunder4679 not all the way done. I just started working on it again a few weeks ago and its to hot and dry to work with the grider already this year without starting a fire. I do have 90% of the parts now and still under $2000

[@BohemianBusOdyssey]

Finding the right size bus for ones needs is very important. Great vid for someone researching the size they want. We did a lot of research, at 1st thinking we wanted the biggest bus we could find. Then we started looking into staying at State and National parks and found that at 35 ft you can stay in 76% (figured at time of research 2 years ago, some could have changed making it less or more) of the parks and going longer makes that number drop drastically on parks we could fit in. We went with a 12 window flatnose Thomas, that is 34 1/2 ft long. Basically same size Wes's bus before the rear deck, which is going to be perfect for us. We have been talking about doing a video on this topic and you hit every point we had thought of.

[@jonathancorcoran9427]

How do you find living in the bus now, months later? I don't feel comfortable driving a really long bus in congested areas but at the same time, I don't want to feel claustrophobic. Do you find 35ft a realistic size for travel and comfort?

[@KingTesticus]

I just purchased a 37.5 foot International DT466E school bus that was originally bought new by a private school in 2006. They used it to haul their football team, so fast forward to today, over those 12 years all they accumulated was 86,000 miles. No rust. Well, that isn't entirely true, there was a tiny bit on the first step when you enter the bus, but the seller sand blasted it out, sealed the metal and repainted. I am seriously considering making a bunch of videos myself when it comes to this process and all the (cough) bullshit (cough) I have met with thus far. Bureaucracy and municipality graft is the Number One issue when it comes to these things. My advice: Do Not Reveal Any More Of The Truth Than Absolutely Necessary. Know how to keep your mouth shut!!! You are not lying by withholding information that a bureaucrat doesn't need to know anyway. Does it have a cooking facility with a separate fuel source? Your answer should be YES, and nothing more, even if that cooking facility is your MSR ultralight dual-fuel camping stove!!! Does it have an electrical system, 120 volts AC? Your answer should be YES, because you're going to use one of those hokey 300 watt jobbies you plug into the cigarette lighter. Does it have a toilet? The answer is YES. Does wonder-bureaucrat "need" to know that toilet is a home dumper 5-gallon bucket with some kitty litter in it? No. So shut your mouth. Does it have a toilet? Yes. You see where I'm going with this line of thinking, right? Share the least amount of information that "truthfully" answers the question when it comes to insurance and municipality craziness. Just to GET my bus, the process was started TWO weeks ago (it's 17SEP18 as of now). I will pick it up at the end of this week. But to get to this point, wow, what a hassle! Anyway, it's insured as an RV because, although it may not be "completed" that isn't the question, so don't volunteer that information. It's an RV because it satisfies the 6 criteria of a motorhome: cooking, refrigerator, toilet, heating or air conditioner that's separate from the vehicle, potable water supply with a sink and faucet, and a 120 volt alternating current electrical supply. The bureaucracy doesn't need to know you intend to improve all that initial (temporary) stuff. Keep your mouth shut! Thumbs up, I love you guys' videos :-)

[@willalexander9171]

KingTesticus please express your thoughts in smaller paragraphs. Less words speak big pictures

[@ErikStenbakken]

Good tips! Lots of words = lots of good info.

[@Junkinsally]

will alexander-Learn to read asshole....

[@jasonwessel2346]

KingTesticus king testi..... Freaking awesome

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

I think it was awesome info. Most people learn this lesson hard.

[@michaelpeel9347]

So size does matter, I been lied to ;) Seriously though, great video with very helpful information. Mine is '99 bluebird handy bus 28' exterior 19.5' x 7.5' usable interior 146.25 square feet. The video on interior ceiling height is also a good video to watch. It was something I did not consider when I bought my bus. It is a good thing I am only 5'-8" as the center line measurement is 6'-1" after I get the floor built. Nice ending lol

[@ISCOOLBUS]

My school bus conversion length is exactly 30 feet bumper to bumper and I can’t be happier about it 😁😃👍, I did own a smaller and a full size b4 but sold them back after a few trips, now with my 30 feet long I have the perfect bus I can get to more parks, gas station, restaurants, tie roads etc, and I have everything I need like bedroom, shower, toilet, kitchen, dining area and plenty of extra space and best of all I’m able to park it on my drive way 😃😁👍 saving myself 100 dollars a month just for parking in a private space

[@ronblack9615]

As a bus mechanic never thought of living in one

[@JohnnyMullet]

I love my 28' dog nose bus. Easy to work on, easy to maneuver, and just right for us! Great video!

[@cyndifoore7743]

Johnny Mullet do you have videos on your bus?

[@twizteddreamz4095]

Do you have to have CDL

[@gormauslander]

@@twizteddreamz4095 this depends on state

[@nomadbound9610]

windows are my favorite !! Transcendence is Insane. i watched one video from the build to learn something and next thing i knom i just watched the whole build. This dude is really knowledgeable in fabrication work.

[@Amy-nz3th]

Beginning my skoolie journey. So grateful for your videos!

[@ejsvoyage6941]

Absolutely awesome graphics!!!!! Thanks so much for the time you spent creating them.

[@paprincess297]

Great content! .....AS ALWAYS! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, knowledge and insight :)

[@MegaStarlight24]

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen demonstrating different sizes you’re awesome

[@ejsvoyage6941]

Thank you so very much for this video. I don't have a bus yet and I have been trying to figure out the information that you have provided. I'm dreaming of the day when I can get going on one and have been drawing up interiors but guessing at the dimensions. I knew the basics but this info is invaluable to me. Can't thank you enough. And then to provide so much on your web site- you guys are great!!!!! Very much appreciated.

[@thepennydreadfulbus8461]

This was a great comparison! Thanks for putting in the time to make the graphics and a thorough, well edited video!

[@lovealwaysadventureoften172]

This is so good and thorough! I hope everyone considering a skoolie watches this video. The points made are SO important to pay attention to! Great work work guys, so helpful!

[@dykeleen]

Wow this was a great video. My wife and I were looking at the 40ft bus and now we are really starting to reconsider. Thank you for all the little details. We are a big fan of your vlog and look forward to the day we have saved up enough to start our fitout. We can’t wait to hear about your travels once your out full time and hearing the pros and cons. Keep doing what your doing and safe travels.

[@dallaslaxton8271]

I love this video!! I’m trying to talk my husband into building a bus. This is great info to have!!

[@patrikusmaximus]

Thanks for the excellent video! This really clears up a few "blind spots" when planning for a Skoolie!

[@dolleybrawner6294]

Great video! Thank you so much! I've been trying to figure all of this out and this video has given me a great way to estimate while looking at photos!

[@livingwithgrace339]

You did a great job with this video..lots of research and useful information, thank you!

[@alsharratt]

Brilliant info guys. Love your project.....happy travels.

[@AdrienneLawrence1]

Excellent info, thanks for posting an informative piece that’s as unbiased as can be!

[@misskittentrish]

I'm an idiot. For a good minute I was trying to figure out what a "prosicons" was.

[@Rolling_Vistas]

😂

[@aliciarains6245]

Me too .....lol

[@rhemmie2825]

Great video. You both always present your info professionally and it's well researched. And then you add the comedy. ☺

[@kylethecreator]

This is the 3rd time I am watching this episode because I always learn something new and have different ideas of what I want. Thank you so much for the awesome visials in this because they make it so much easier to understand!

[@jesussaves8502]

Thanks so much for this information! Your bus home looks great!

[@000one]

Thank you Thank you Thank you. Finally. One of the best info for starters out there. Awesome job Tiffany, for us beginners,

[@bjwieland-doucet5917]

EXTREMELY HELPFUL! I'm looking for a home i can move IF needed. Constant travel is not my basic plan. This give me so much more info. Thank you!

[@manualgearshift4965]

I appreciate that you get to the point and not fill the time with a bunch of words. Your videos are awesome, I’m learning a lot! Thank you much for your efforts

[@peggychapman7835]

Loved how you measured the sizes of conversions thank you Many blessings to you all

[@squidtrader7973]

Thanks and appreciate Tiff putting these graphics together, it helps deciding on the bus length for conversion.

[@MsReginaLynne]

Extremely helpful and the info graphics were on point. I’m a visual learner so together with the spoken narrative it was so easy to understand. Thank you so much!🚌🗺🛠🚎

[@tesscot]

I have been looking for info about bus length for a long time, but not on youtube. And here you were the whole time. Can't wait to learn.

[@anyssaroberts8288]

I'm hoping to get my skoolie this fall and was having a hard time deciding what size. This was SO helpful in making my decision.

[@UncoolDean]

Awesome! And I really love the graphics

[@cyndifoore7743]

The Skoolie yes, those were so helpful.

[@AndrewTailorBosher]

Such a great service and offering you guys are producing! Big thanks from a wanna-be skoolie researching from Boulder, CO

[@lewis200802]

Thanks for making this video! My plan is to buy a bus by the end of the year and this is so helpful. I've been trying to figure out what size works for me.

[@sliimmbandiitt1612]

Colorado seems like the perfect place to do this and the interior of your home gave me a feeling that thats where you guys are located. You go into great detail about the length excellent video!

[@LeoHernandeznyc]

This video is an incredible tool for trying to figure out what kind of bus I am looking from. THANK YOU

[@ErikStenbakken]

Great info. Yes. This is very useful. Thank you! As to the allergy thing, yeah. I get it. I’m just up I25 a few clicks and deal with it too. Finally found a few DIY things that made it WAY better! Best as you all finish up!

[@ronque23]

I saw a couple’s channel who did an awesome job on a double decker bus. Btw, your bus interior looks so warm and inviting like a cabin!

[@m.sm.1159]

This guy is so straight forward and fact based it is a definite subscribe

[@carmenkellum4470]

So like your video on which buss to look at. Thanks

[@kymber.r]

Incredibly helpful!! Thank you so much!!!

[@blackriflemensorganization6139]

Learned more in the intro graphic than I new before. Great upload!

[@tomaustin4526]

Great information and cool illustrations. Thanks guys and safe travels 👍😎🚌🌲🎶☀️

[@hldye7442]

Finally somebody actually Nailed It ~ You two did a very good vid with excellent info , most vids only show the inside decorations, Thank Y'all for doing this.

[@rebeccaeli8204]

Great information! Thanks for all your hard work.

[@darlenefranklin5394]

Thank you. I really needed this video!!!

[@TheDude_Abides_]

Just sending a thank you from someone looking to buy a bus. These videos help!

[@melvinmuddfuckle4263]

You've done an outstanding service for people like myself looking for a bus to convert into a tiny home. Found it very helpful! Thank you so much!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Great video...you guys are so awesome! I'm honored you asked me to be a part of this! Take care and I hope the road brings us together someday in the near future!!

[@Wayoutthere]

Just wanted to say I enjoy your building vids a lot!

[@doreendaykin6693]

Absolutely amazingly helpful video!! Gratitude...

[@mj.carter543]

Thanks for the information this will help me out for real. I didn't really know what size I would need for a family of four. God bless you.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Thanks for the pluses and minuses to consider when converting a skoolie.

[@BrandyFossett]

Very helpful! I’m about 5 years off from doing this for a year, so I’m gathering info. I appreciate your time and efforts!!

[@CommunityCoz]

I really enjoyed this one!!! Great info. Peace, Love and All That Hippie Jazz

[@joebuslife9275]

That vector image service sounds amazing! Definitely gonna have to get one when my Bus is done :)

[@darlarubottom6736]

Very informative. Been needing this info. Thanks so much.

[@momvanup]

Excellent video. Beautiful content.

[@californiakat1168]

What an awesome informational video. So helpful and appreciated.

[@rickkitchell348]

Awesome Video and very helpful - thanks a million for doing this.

[@dper1112]

This is really neat. Of course everything depends on intended use and finances, but still it's handy to look at different lengths and sizes like this. Thanks!

[@russellsandridge2635]

Great information. I am just now looking at what size i want and this is so helpful. Thank you

[@singingallalone]

I have been thinking about what length would be good for us. We are up in Canada and have two kids that will be pre teen by the time we start. So I was thinking they’d need their own spaces. But really. I’m back to doing a bunk bed set up for them. If our Dachshund (who’s 13 years old already) is still alive she’ll be coming with us. But she’s tiny. This video helped me realize that I will be pouty without a dishwasher. 😂 So we will for sure need that. Winters will have to be spent south of here. As I won’t want to deal with freezing water lines. I think doing the skoolie thing is almost easier for Americans. You can go as far south as you’d need to stay warm in the winter. So we might decided to come south of the boarders for winter. Which I wouldn’t mind at all! So much to think about. Thank you for this vid!

[@emmanuellombardero3538]

Awesome video! You also get more cabin space when your bus is COE (cab over engine)

[@cynthiamartin7608]

Thank you SO MUCH! After I reviewed your video, I knew what me and my monsters needed (pets) and I recently found one I'm bidding on :) An 8 window schoolie with HC Ramp 2008 in case I want to buy a motorcycle...Thomas Freightliner with 60,000 miles, L6, 6.7L (411 CID) Cummins ISB Diesel and 200 HP :) Wish me luck if I'm meant to purchase it :)

[@sheilabishop5873]

great advice and practical...thank you!

[@ISCOOLBUS]

Thank you for making this video it’s very informative you put the right words 👍 , I wish everybody check this video b4 they make their decision to buy a school bus, on one of my videos I tried my best to address the importance of getting the right bus length taking consideration on where they are going to park it and maneuverability on the road and also the parks restrictions on length 👍 great job brother

[@sweetnsoursusan]

Thank you for making this video. It helped visualize the measurements.

[@first782]

Great advice, makes me really re-think my build design

[@j0hnwho]

what a very helpful video about future skooli owners!!

[@astridoneil6911]

Thank you so much for the help!

[@meladytwo]

Thanks so much. Really helpful!

[@evhoRoLL]

Very informative. Thanks so much for this video!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Very helpful information!

[@christinebutler7630]

This was tremendously helpful!

[@mark_makes]

Great information, thanks so much for sharing!

[@parrottfeatherseyes7033]

I like you. I like how you say everything like the cup half full. Oh man. Great job.

[@rjr1227]

Thanks for the great info.....gives me a better idea on what I might want

[@terrisimmers9784]

Thank you so much for this info that I had been hoping some one had all ready compiled. I am so interristed in doing one of these to camp in. Love Terri Simmers.

[@ginoferreira5193]

Wow! GREAT INFO... Thanks a million!

[@insanus1981]

Great and really helpful video! Thanks a lot, guys. :)

[@232Stangpwr]

I really appreciated all this info!

[@lancecluster]

Nice graphics for the size comparisons. Well done.

[@bohoxplorer840]

WOW!!!!! great info Thank You !!! I want to order the custom vector drawing... but I have to wait for Tiffany to draw my custom mural first!!

[@studlygrish]

I think it would be cool to buy a school bus and take six of your closest friends on vacation for a year. Every Monday you would drive to the capital of the next state .We live in Ohio so that's where we would start . Every Monday morning at 9 we would get up fuel the bus and go to the next capital of the next state until we have seen 48 out of the 50 states . (Except Hawaii or Alaska.)Once there we would travel by small motorcycles and sight see the capital of the states and where to eat and pubs.Each person would store food,supplies ,for the trip. Each person would take a week supply of clothes only . each person would write a daily diary at the end of the year we would all put our notes together and make a book of our journey.

[@cyndifoore7743]

I’m looking to do a schoolie build but I’m in a quandary about the length. This certainly has helped me with that decision.

[@moose6211]

Great video a lot of info. i'm looking for a bus atm so i been looking at all the video thanks for the info

[@gwenerikson7356]

Thank you for all the information was just great!!! 😊

[@vanessamacdonald9153]

Great and informative video - thanks so much

[@marianita696]

Hi thanks for the information i really needed it, and greetings from Bolivia South America.

[@jasongrinnell1986]

Awesome video. Thank you!

[@paulhunter546]

Great video..very informative !

[@tesscot]

Awesome help. Thanks.

[@hg2.]

Great work. Thanks.